If you've used a PlayStation console, you've probably heard the term PlayStation Network (or PSN for short). But what actually is PSN, and what does it do?

Let's take a look at what the PlayStation Network is, some of the services it offers, and what you should know about it as a PlayStation gamer.

What Is the PlayStation Network?

PlayStation Network Header

In short, the PlayStation Network is Sony's online gaming and media delivery service for PlayStation consoles and other devices. It allows anyone with a PlayStation account to access various services for their gaming systems. You can think of it as Sony's equivalent to Microsoft's Xbox Live network.

The many facets of PSN allow you to play games online on your PlayStation console, purchase digital games from the PlayStation Store, and much more. All PlayStation online features, such as party chat, Remote Play, and Share Play, use the foundation of PlayStation Network to function.

As a result, there's no one PlayStation Network website to visit—it's an infrastructure that powers many services. If you're having a problem, have a look at the PlayStation Network status page to check for current known issues.

PlayStation Network History and Basics

PlayStation Network first launched in November 2006, to coincide with the launch of the PlayStation 3. Over time, it's expanded to support the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, and will work with the PlayStation 5 too. Sony's older PlayStation Portable (PSP) also worked with PSN until 2016.

Anyone can create a PSN account for free. When you do, you'll create a PSN ID, which identifies you on the network. Other players see your PSN ID when they play with you. Starting with the PS4, you can also share your real name on your account with select friends.

Infamously, PSN suffered a major security breach in April 2011. Sony identified that hackers had infiltrated PlayStation Network and compromised the personal details of around 77 million PSN users.

In response, Sony took PSN offline for nearly a month, meaning that nobody could access PlayStation Network to play online or buy digital games. After it was all fixed, the company gave everyone a free subscription to PlayStation Plus and a handful of free games.

PlayStation Network Services

Let's look at the many services under the umbrella of PlayStation Network.

PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus is a premium subscription service with several benefits. Most importantly, it's required for online multiplayer on PS4 and PS5 (PS3 offers free online play).

Related: Xbox Live vs. PlayStation Plus: What Do You Get With Each?

Additionally, PlayStation Plus grants subscribers "free" games every month. As long as you "purchase" them while they're free, they're yours to keep and play as long as you remain a subscriber.

Rounding out the perks are extras like increased discounts during sales, automatic system updates, and cloud storage for game saves. At $60 for a year's subscription, PS Plus is a solid value for any regular PlayStation player.

The PlayStation Store

PS Store October 2020

The PlayStation Store is Sony's digital storefront for games, add-ons, profile avatars, and similar. You can access it through your console or on the PlayStation Store web interface.

Like other digital stores, buying games through the PS Store lets you download them directly to your console instead of having to insert a physical disc. This is quite convenient, as new games are available immediately and you don't have to worry about switching game discs.

Anyone with a PSN account can access the PlayStation Store.

PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now is Sony's game streaming service, available with a separate subscription. It allows you to play a selection of PS4, PS3, and PS2 games on your PS4 or a Windows PC. Because you stream the games, you don't have to download anything to your system (though many titles are available to download on PS4).

This is a great way to catch up on games that you missed from past systems, or even to enjoy PlayStation-exclusive titles if you only have a gaming PC.

Read More: PlayStation Now vs. Xbox Game Pass: Which Is Better?

PlayStation Trophies

PlayStation's Trophies are similar to Xbox Achievements. These are goals that you can complete in games, such as completing a level without dying or collecting every item. Normal Trophies come in bronze, silver, and gold variants depending on their difficulty. Platinum Trophies are special, and only unlock when you earn all the other Trophies for a game.

As you earn Trophies, you increase your "Trophy level," which displays on your profile. This is for bragging rights only, as Trophies have no real value (aside from some games providing you with a PlayStation theme or avatar for getting the platinum trophy).

PlayStation Music and PlayStation Video

While most of PlayStation Network's content revolves around video games, Sony offers other types of content on it, too.

PlayStation Music, which is now powered by Spotify, lets you enjoy Spotify's extensive music catalog on your PS4. You can open the app to enjoy music through your TV, or even use the Quick Menu to listen while you play. Spotify Premium isn't required, so it's a handy feature if you don't like a game's built-in music.

PlayStation Video, meanwhile, is a digital video service similar to iTunes, Google TV, or Amazon's Prime Video. You can rent or buy movies and TV shows to watch on your PlayStation console or mobile device.

Related: How to Sign Into Your PlayStation Network Account

PlayStation Apps

As mentioned, PSN isn't limited to just PlayStation systems. You can browse the PlayStation Store using a web browser, and PS Now is available for Windows.

However, you can access PlayStation Network on the go, too. Sony offers a few apps for both Android and iOS that let you access your account and use some features anywhere.

The main PlayStation App lets you check up on your friends, customize your profile, get alerts about messages, shop on the PS Store, and more. It's definitely worth installing for PlayStation owners.

Download: PlayStation App for iOS | Android (Free)

PlayStation Network Connects PlayStation Gamers

As we've seen, PlayStation Network makes all the awesome online features of modern PlayStation systems possible. Be sure to also protect your PSN account with two-step verification. Whether you're browsing the PlayStation Store or streaming a game over PS Now, PlayStation Network powers your experience.

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