The PlayStation 4 is generally region free, but it doesn’t mean that some codes or physical copies of games don’t have a region lock on them. Region 3 (Asia) in particular produces numerous games that are region locked and never localized for Europe or North America. But do not fret; there is a rather easy solution to this quandary, and it will only take a few minutes of your time. All you need to do is create a new PSN ID in that region. I recently tried this out for myself, and I’m amazed how simple this really was.
Creating a Different Region PSN Account
What you’ll need before you begin: a real email address you already aren’t using with a PSN account and a valid address in the particular region. For the purposes of this tutorial, we will use Region 3.
- Log out of your main account on your PS4.
- Click “New User” from the following screen after logging out.
- Click “Create a user” and agree to the Terms of Service.
- Click “New to PSN? Create an account” at the bottom of the screen.
- Click “Sign up now”
- Choose country in your region. If you choose Japan, be prepared for reading Japanese. In that case, I shall direct you to our lovely “How to Make a Japanese PSN ID in 60 Seconds” video. I chose Hong Kong.
- Select language from the drop-down list available (Hong Kong allows English).
- Fill in your date of birth.
- Fill in the requested city and zip code information. With Hong Kong, all I needed was the city. Need help picking an address for your region? Pick an address from Frommer’s restaurant list. If you’re going to use Hong Kong, here’s the link to Frommer’s restaurants. For the city in Hong Kong, I went to Google maps and typed in the name of the restaurant of choice.
- Fill in a real email address and create a new password. Before you can redeem codes or make purchases in the PSN Store, you will have to verify the email address from your email account.
- Create a brand new PSN ID and a name.
- Go through the privacy settings and make any changes necessary.
- Accept the Terms of Service.
- Choose if you want to connect this account to Facebook.
- Buy a PlayStation Plus membership or skip it.
- Activate this system as your primary PS4. If you don’t, you won’t be able to play your new region games on your local PSN account.
- Verify your email.
- Go to the PS Store and have fun!
Best part? You can switch over to your main PSN ID and play your new region games there. This is very important for the OCD gamers who want all of their saves and Trophies from one account in one place.
Essential Reading:
- PSLS Help Desk – Remote Play PS4 on Your PC or Mac
- 2-Step Verification Now Available for PSN Accounts
- Why We Are Not Finishing Video Games
PSN Down
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Here's What You Can Do When PSN is Down
Even if you’re a PlayStation fan, you have to admit that the PlayStation Network could be a little bit more stable.
Unfortunately, we don’t know if that’s happening anytime soon. And even if finally doesn’t go down as much, there still are the periodic bouts of maintenance that sometimes turn into actual downtime, too.
Well, we here at PlayStation LifeStyle are just like you. We want our consoles online all the time and we get annoyed when it’s not. Fortunately for you, we’ve compiled a list of things you can do while PSN is down, and it should make the wait a lot easier.
Remember to check back the gallery regularly since we’ll be adding more ideas and stuff to do in the near future.
What do you do think of our suggestions? And what do you suggest PlayStation fans do when PSN is down? Sound off in the comments and who knows? Maybe your suggestion will make it into the list!
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Arrange Your Physical Game Collection
Unless you've entirely gone the digital route, you're bound to have a few games lying about. Go arrange it in whatever order you see fit, so it won't be a chore to find that particular game when you're looking for it.
[Image source: What Culture]
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Clean Your Controllers, Consoles and Other Gaming Stuff
Unless you game with sanitary gloves on, chances are your controllers have a bit of grime on them. Now's the perfect time to clean 'em off, and your consoles, too, while you're at it!
Wipe the dust away, use a safe cleaner and go to town on your gaming babies. If you won't take care of them, who will?
[Image source: Reuters]
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Complain Online and Complain to Sony
Possibly everyone's favorite past time when PSN is down; and that's to complain about it on Twitter, Facebook, forums and other sites where people can share in your complaints.
Hey, at least you're moping with other PlayStation fans, right?
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Do Some Chores, Homework
Is there something in the house that needs fixing or cleaning? Why not do it now, right?
Mow the lawn, clean your room, do your homework. There's bound to be something...so go do it.
[Image source: LittleHouseInTheSuburbs]
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Exercise
Gamers aren't really known to be the most fit group of people in the world, and it's time that's amended.
Go to your nearest gym. Hit the weights, do yoga or just go out for a jog. Heck, worse case? Just grab one of those EyeToy exercise games and go do those. You'll thank us later.
[Image source: Dead-Sport]
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Go for a Food Run
Are you the type of person who likes to snack while gaming? Well, if so, now's the perfect time to go out on a food run and stock up on provisions for those marathon gaming sessions.
[Image source: hbclynchburg]
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Go Out With Friends
Here's a novel idea: when PSN is down, go out and do something else.
Maybe grab a drink with a friend, do something physically straining or just hang around with your friends in real life.
Mind you, it will mean you need to get dressed and such, but at least that's better than having to wait for something to come online.
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Learn Something New
Why not learn something new? If you're not into singing or dancing, maybe a new martial art?
Hey, if cats can do it, you can, too!
[Image source: HD1wallpapers]
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Make Your Own List on What to Do If PSN is Down
If you're not satisfied with our suggestions so far, why not make your own list and share it with the rest of us?
Go on...do it!
[Image source: Esquire]
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Play a Co-Op Game
No online play? That's not a problem if you have a game with couch co-op.
Why not finish whatever's in your backlog that has split-screen co-op? At least this way, you can form strategy with someone you can actually see.
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Play a Single-Player Game/Hunt for Trophies
Now, if you don't have any co-op games or friends near the area, why not go through your single-player backlog and tackle it right NOW!
Remember that game you said you'll eventually finish but haven't done so in months? Well, now's the best time as any.
Sit back, enjoy the games you spent hard earned money on and FINISH them.
Or, go round up those Trophies in past games so you can build your level.
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Play Games on Other Consoles
Are you used to playing PlayStation devices only when PSN is up and working? Well, why not *gasp* play on other platforms!?
You don't need to stick to current consoles, either. Dust off your PSone, or SNES and go play some old-school goodness.
[Image source: TriplePundit]
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Read a Book
Back in the day, people amused themselves with their imagination by reading. While movies, video games and social media might have made reading a little passe, it's still a solid way to entertain yourself without being arrested.
[Image source: Bestpaperz]
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Read PlayStation LifeStyle!
Need we say more? Go read up on our latest news, reviews, features and more. At least this way, you'll also be alerted on what's happening in anything PlayStation-related, and of course, hang out with fellow gamers online.
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Spend Time With Your Family, Friends, Relatives
Why not take this time to go out and check up on what your family is doing? Or better yet, if you have a significant other, take them out to a movie.
Spend some time with your loved ones -- and no, that doesn't mean your squadmates.
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Take Your Pet Out
Take your dog, cat, gerbil or whatever out for a walk and stretch your legs in the process, too.
Or if you want, maybe train your pet to do some nifty tricks like "chew on DualShock 4, Rusty!" or something a little more constructive.
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Untangle and Fix Your Consoles' and Media Center's Cables
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Write Down the List of Games You'll be Buying Soon
With games now releasing all throughout the year, why not take this downtime to make a list of the games you plan on purchasing in the future? Keep in mind that you don't need to buy everything in the list, but at least you'll have an idea what to get soon.
[Image source: PinoyPS]