Sony: PS Vita Doesn't Actually Support Multiple PSN Accounts

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We know what you’re thinking, and no, you didn’t just leap into last week. Sony revealed today that the PlayStation Vita won’t actually support multiple PSN accounts, once again backtracking on statements it had previously made. For those who are confused (and really, who can blame you?), here’s a brief recap: the first reports from Sony said that PS Vita wouldn’t support multiple PSN accounts, then Sony clarified and said that it will, but now that same Sony says that it actually doesn’t. Have you got all of that?

Apparently, the confusion stems from comments made by Sony associate brand marketing manager Crystal MacKenzie last week. MacKenzie told Wired that players will be able to use multiple PSN accounts on the PS Vita by storing those different accounts on separate memory cards. Therefore, switching PSN profiles on your PS Vita would be as easy as switching memory cards.

As it turns out, that isn’t actually the case, with a different Sony rep telling Wired how things will really work when the Vita launches:

[The] PSN account is tied to the hardware and the memory card, not just the card, which means that if a second person is using your Vita, it’s not just a case of switching out memory cards, it’s clearing out all of your saved data on the Vita itself when you do the factory reset. In other words, PlayStation Vita is intended to be played by only one user.

So we’re back to where we were over a week ago, and the only thing potential PS Vita owners have to show for it is deflated hope. Since this region locks the PS Vita in terms of digital content, this is undoubtedly depressing news for those that were hoping to import a PS Vita from Japan when it launches there on Saturday. Now, those prospective Vita purchasers are just better off waiting until the handheld launches in their region.

Just so we’re clear: it is impossible to store multiple PSN accounts on your Vita, and the only way to use to use a different PSN account is to reset your Vita to factory settings. What do you think? Do you use multiple PSN accounts for different regions, or do you only have one PSN account? Head to the comments section to sound off, and keep it right here at TFTS – we’ll update you if Sony, God help us, makes another correction.