They'll need to authorize and deauthorize devices to play on new consoles

Nov 7, 2011 20:41 GMT  ·  By

Sony has confirmed that owners of its PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Portable systems will be able to play the games they've downloaded from the PlayStation Network on just two systems.

Sony's PlayStation Network online service has seen quite a big surge in activity ever since its outage earlier this year, with the Japanese company confirming that quite a lot of users have begun buying downloadable games from the service since then.

Now, in order to prevent people from buying and downloading games on multiple devices for others to play, Sony has confirmed that it's making a big change to the usage policies of PSN game content.

As such, from November 18, all games bought from the PlayStation Network's online Store will be playable on just two authorized systems.

"For game content purchased after November 18, 2011, a new policy will apply and the number of devices that can be activated will be as follows," Sony revealed.

PS3: Users will be able to play the game on up to 2 activated PS3 systems. PSP: Users will be able to play the game on up to 2 activated PSP systems. "Please note that this update will not affect game content purchased before November 18," the company added. "The PSP rights include PSP-1000/2000/3000 series as well as the PSPgo system."

Content bought before November 18 will still be available for play on more than 2 devices.

Sony has reminded its customers that authorization can be changed through each device, by going to the PlayStation Network section of the XMB, selecting Account Management and then choosing System Activation.

To make things easier, the company also revealed that it "plans to provide a new PlayStation Network account management website where users will be able to deactivate particular devices attached to their PlayStation Network account via their PC."

Will this change affect your PlayStation experience? Share your thoughts below.