The PlayStation Network or PSN has been synonymous with PlayStation since the days of the PS3. But after almost 20 years, Sony has decided to drop the PlayStation Network branding, including the PSN acronym. The features of the PlayStation Network will remain the same, but it will no longer be known as PSN.
In an email sent to developers and seen by Insider Gaming, the PSN branding will be phased out by September 2026. The full email reads as follows:
“We’d like to inform you that Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has strategically decided to phase out the terms “PlayStation Network” and “PSN” across our platform in order to properly capture the breadth of our evolving digital services.
What’s changing and timeline.
The upcoming changes are purely visual and will not introduce any technical alterations to our offerings. To simplify and unify branding, the terms “PlayStation Network” and “PSN” will be phased out across all SIE assets by September 2026. All features currently associated with PSN, including core network features such as friends, multiplayer, and trophies, will remain unaffected and available to players. You’ll be notified ahead of changes coinciding with the Technical Requirements Checklist (TRC) update in the fall of 2026.
Note: PS5 DevNet access is required to view TRC documentation. At that time, you’ll need to align with the updated TRC and branding guidelines to ensure the removal of PSN instances from all future releases, assets, and external service interfaces.”
November 2026 would be the 20th anniversary of the PSN, when the PS3 launched in Japan. However, after so many years, gamers may find it difficult to move away using PSN. We will continue to refer to the PSN as such for the time being.