Sony is sending out a survey on PlayStation Network name changes. An anonymous tipster forwarded us an email from the platform holder regarding the oft-requested functionality, in which the manufacturer ponders whether “gamers are interested in the feature or not”. Surely it only needs to read the comments section of virtually every video game website to come to a conclusion on that?

The company’s requesting anonymity from those selected to take the survey, but we’ve seen the email and can confirm it’s legitimate. The correspondence does stress that it “can’t be sure whether this feature will be added or not, but we can be sure your opinions on the matter will be heard”. Sony bigwig Shawn Layden hinted at PSX 2017 that the feature is in the works.

The survey goes on to propose how PSN name changes would work. According to the questionnaire, you’d be able to change your name multiple times for free, but you’d only be able to do it once every six months. This is common practice. Moreover, if you want to change your PSN name back to an older handle, you’d have to contact customer support.

Honestly, we don’t want to give the organisation ideas here, but it could get away with charging for name changes – that’s how some websites and services deal with it. Either way, it’s good to see that the company is finally starting to take this topic seriously, although why it’s taken until 2018 for the firm to put out a survey asking if anyone would be interested in the oft-requested feature is beyond us.