Question I'm confused about having two PS4s...

[Homerboy]

So I'm looking to add a 2nd PS4 in our house as the one we have, my son has pretty much taken ownership of and moved into his bedroom on a permanent basis - which is fine with me.
However, the new version of MLB The Show comes out in a month and this is pretty much the only game I play (I dabble in others, but very little). We both play this game A TON.

I want to get another PS4 for our living room (where I play). I also want to buy ONE digital copy of MLB The Show that we both can play on our respective PS4s. Is this possible? If so, how? Can we play at the same time? Do we both need a PS+ account to play online on each machine?

Ideally, if my son could play the game on BOTH PS4s (depending on where he wanted to play) that'd be ideal. I would NEVER play the game in his room. I'd only play in the living room.

Please explain to me like I'm an idiot because when it comes to Playstation, I am.

Thanks!

 

[Aikouka]

Apparently, you can... sort of: https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/how-to-gameshare-on-ps4/

It looks like this works by using the PS4's licensing, which allows you to use your purchased items on your designated main PS4 or whatever PS4 you are signed into. But now, this setup will only work perfectly if your son purchases the digital game on his account.

The reason why he has to buy it instead of you is that whoever owns the content can play it anywhere (i.e. his PS4 and your PS4), but the other person can only play it on one console (i.e. you on your PS4). So, if you were to buy it, he'd be limited to his own PS4. However, if he bought it, he could play it anywhere (including both your PS4 and his) and you'd be restricted to your PS4, which would be deemed as his primary. If you'd prefer to own the game, then he's just restricted to playing it on his machine.

 

[A Casual Fitz]

If Aikouka's correct, you could buy it on your profile on your son's PS4, then play it on your personal one after.

 

[Aikouka]

If Aikouka's correct, you could buy it on your profile on your son's PS4, then play it on your personal one after.

Does the console purchased on matter? I know previous generations used console purchased for DRM, but it sounds like the PS4 uses a designated main console instead.

 

[A Casual Fitz]

I was going by the logic, if he was the one purchasing the game, he would rather have it be owned by his PS account.

 

[Homerboy]

Yeah sounds like it might work. Confusing to say the least.

@A Casual Fitz as you know there's bonuses that come with pre-ordering The Show.
I think, if I'm understanding this properly, since I will get those bonuses, and for it to work going forward so we both can play at the same time, I should do it like this:

Buy 2nd PS4
Both he and I should log into new PS4 with our existing PS4 accounts
Make son's existing PS4 (which already has our PS4 accounts on it) the primary PS4
On son's PS4, under my login, by digital copy of game.
Then I should be able to play it on the 2nd PS4 AND get the bonuses. Right?


Would he be able to play the game on the new PS4 too if he wanted? Or would he be entirely locked into playing it on the original PS4?

Edit:
Oh wait... my previous post is horribly incorrect. Too early in the morning to be thinking
Long story short, he needs to buy it on his PS4 so he can play it in either location (his room or in living room). But if he buys it, I lose the pre-order bonuses!
This is a hard decision!

 

[A Casual Fitz]

You would get the bonuses under the account you purchased the game on.

Buy and download the game under your account on your son's PS4, then log into your account on your new one and download the game since it's attached to your account. My limited research says you should now both be able to play the game and you will get the bonuses.

 

[zinfamous]

Deploy Stance of Dominance and make son return the PS4 to the family room.

 

[Topweasel]

Spoiler: Sorry can still Read if you want, but this an older topic then I thought

I think people are explaining what to do without telling really describing how it works.

When you purchase a digital copy of a game the system you choose as your home console gets access to the game whether or not you are signed into it. Which means in a multi-system household it's better if the home system is set to the one a player is unlikely to be signed into. It works the same on the Xbox One and me and my roommate would set our home Xbox's to each others boxes.

This only works really well when the people playing on the systems stick to one system. So in the instances where if you are the purchaser, your son would need to be signed in as you on the Living room console to play games (assuming you set his as the the Home console). This is why it's best if his account is responsible for purchasing content and your PS4 is set as the "Home system" for his account.

The solution to this is for both of you to have each others set at home. You purchase on your account the stuff that you want to make sure you have long term (re MLB) and his account buys all the rest. It will mean in the living room he will need you logged in to play The Show. All DLC and stuff purchased will still be effective on both system (but bonus's like extra credits or boosted XP if there is anything like that (I do in Forza Horizon for example) as it will only apply to the account of the purchaser).