Sony To Begin Limiting Game Downloads To Two Devices

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When it comes to downloading your digitally purchased games on the PlayStation family of devices, Sony has always been pretty generous. Since the introduction of the PS3, Sony has allowed players to download their games on up to five devices, meaning that gamers never really had to worry about running out of extra downloads with games they purchased through PSN (provided that they didn’t burn through PS3s like some have with the Xbox 360).

Of course, not all gamers used Sony’s generosity as a fail-safe if their console ever broke down, with some gamers sharing their account information with their friends, essentially allowing up to four buddies to play one purchased copy of a game. Obviously, you can see how this would cause problems for Sony and game publishers from a financial perspective, so that’s why Sony announced today that it’ll begin limiting game downloads to only two devices later this month.

Beginning November 18th, players will only be able to install their purchased games on a total of two devices. This rule applies to both PS3 and PSP – PS3 games can only be can only be installed on two consoles at a time, while handheld downloadable titles can only be installed on two PSPs at the same time. When the PlayStation Vita launches next year, the same restriction will be present. If you want to install your games on a third device, you’ll have to deactivate one of you other ones, and Sony has posted new instructions on how to do this on its PSN website.

There’s already people crying foul on Sony, but I think I have to side with the corporations in this particular instance. It’s a difficult choice, as I can see both the consumers’ gripes and Sony’s reasoning, but I think I empathize with Sony’s desire to protect the best interests of its publishing partners just a little more.

What’s your take? Can you see where Sony is coming from, or is it all bullshit? We’ve placed a link to Sony’s page below, so click the source link if you need to know how to deactivate one of your devices, and remember – this new rule will only apply to games purchased after November 18th.