is the PSN network down?

[sixpackdan101]

Notes handed out before a Sony press conference today (timed so conveniently at 1am EDT in the US, and noon on the Sunday of Golden Week in Japan) reveal that Sony plans to offer free downloads of unidentified "content," 30 days of free PlayStation Plus access to new and existing members, and 30 days of free Qriocity service. The paper also says that PSN service will be restored "soon."

OK. They don't owe us anything but an apology and a promise that they'll keep PSN up so this is good.

[nick]

i bet u the free shit is new COD Map Pack

[sixpackdan101]

i bet u the free shit is new COD Map Pack

$15 for (conservatively) 50 million PSN users? 1/4(?) of whom don't have Call of Duty? I wish. Probably looking at downloadable game from a first party studio.

[BFiVL]

i bet u the free shit is new COD Map Pack

$15 for (conservatively) 50 million PSN users? 1/4(?) of whom don't have Call of Duty? I wish. Probably looking at downloadable game from a first party studio.

Are they still firm with the "by tuesday" date? Reports I am seeing around message boards is they said within the month

[razorback44]

i bet u the free shit is new COD Map Pack

$15 for (conservatively) 50 million PSN users? 1/4(?) of whom don't have Call of Duty? I wish. Probably looking at downloadable game from a first party studio.

Are they still firm with the "by tuesday" date? Reports I am seeing around message boards is they said within the month

You have got to be kidding me. I guess I should start considering just trading NCAA in then because at that rate my OD is never going to get going again. May as well buy something I can play offline regularly.

[BFiVL]

Seems to be a lot of confusion based on shitty translator. PSN store up fully witin the month, PSN up witin the week, so it could be longer than tuesday. No Clue.

[sixpackdan101]

Seems to be a lot of confusion based on shitty translator. PSN store up fully witin the month, PSN up witin the week, so it could be longer than tuesday. No Clue.

The hackers can have my info, just put up the fuckin servers!

[Hoos]

I guess we aren't getting those new COD maps for another month now.

[BFiVL]

Here is the Whole Run Down.


+ Posted by Patrick Seybold // Sr. Director, Corporate Communications & Social Media
Phased Global Rollout of Services to Begin Regionally;
System Security Enhanced to Provide Greater Protection of Personal Information

Tokyo, May 1, 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI, the company) announced they will shortly begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStation®Network and Qriocity™ services, beginning with gaming, music and video services to be turned on. The company also announced both a series of immediate steps to enhance security across the network and a new customer appreciation program to thank its customers for their patience and loyalty.

Following a criminal cyber-attack on the company’s data-center located in San Diego, California, U.S.A., SNEI quickly turned off the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services, engaged multiple expert information security firms over the course of several days and conducted an extensive audit of the system. Since then, the company has implemented a variety of new security measures to provide greater protection of personal information. SNEI and its third-party experts have conducted extensive tests to verify the security strength of the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. With these measures in place, SCE and SNEI plan to start a phased rollout by region of the services shortly. The initial phase of the rollout will include, but is not limited to, the following:

* • Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation®3 (PS3) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems
o - This includes titles requiring online verification and downloaded games
* • Access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3/PSP for existing subscribers
* • Access to account management and password reset
* • Access to download un-expired Movie Rentals on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
* • PlayStation®Home
* • Friends List
* • Chat Functionality

Working closely with several outside security firms, the company has implemented significant security measures to further detect unauthorized activity and provide consumers with greater protection of their personal information. The company is also creating the position of Chief Information Security Officer, directly reporting to Shinji Hasejima, Chief Information Officer of Sony Corporation, to add a new position of expertise in and accountability for customer data protection and supplement existing information security personnel. The new security measures implemented include, but are not limited to, the following:

* • Added automated software monitoring and configuration management to help defend against new attacks
* • Enhanced levels of data protection and encryption
* • Enhanced ability to detect software intrusions within the network, unauthorized access and unusual activity patterns
* • Implementation of additional firewalls

The company also expedited an already planned move of the system to a new data center in a different location that has been under construction and development for several months. In addition, PS3 will have a forced system software update that will require all registered PlayStation Network users to change their account passwords before being able to sign into the service. As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation, a critical step to help further protect customer data.

The company is conducting a thorough and on-going investigation and working with law enforcement to track down and prosecute those responsible for the illegal intrusion.

“This criminal act against our network had a significant impact not only on our consumers, but our entire industry. These illegal attacks obviously highlight the widespread problem with cyber-security. We take the security of our consumers’ information very seriously and are committed to helping our consumers protect their personal data. In addition, the organization has worked around the clock to bring these services back online, and are doing so only after we had verified increased levels of security across our networks,” said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. “Our global audience of PlayStation Network and Qriocity consumers was disrupted. We have learned lessons along the way about the valued relationship with our consumers, and to that end, we will be launching a customer appreciation program for registered consumers as a way of expressing our gratitude for their loyalty during this network downtime, as we work even harder to restore and regain their trust in us and our services.”

Complimentary Offering and “Welcome Back” Appreciation Program
While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, the company is committed to helping its customers protect their personal data and will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in each region.
The company will also rollout the PlayStation Network and Qriocity “Welcome Back” program, to be offered worldwide, which will be tailored to specific markets to provide our consumers with a selection of service options and premium content as an expression of the company’s appreciation for their patience, support and continued loyalty.

Central components of the “Welcome Back” program will include:

* • Each territory will be offering selected PlayStation entertainment content for free download. Specific details of this content will be announced in each region soon.
* • All existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service. Current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.
* • Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity subscribers (in countries where the service is available) will receive 30 days free service.


Additional “Welcome Back” entertainment and service offerings will be rolled out over the coming weeks as the company returns the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services to the quality standard users have grown to enjoy and strive to exceed those exceptions.

SNEI will continue to reinforce and verify security for transactions before resuming the PlayStation®Store and other Qriocity operations, scheduled for this month.

For more information about the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services intrusion and restoration, please visit http://blog.us.playstation.com. or http://blog.eu.playstation.com/

About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $78 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufactures, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCEI is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.

[dakshdar]

I wonder if the typical free games and big discounted games will be downloadable on the PS+ free 30 days thing. There are several games that I've noticed for 50% off if you have PS+ that would be nice to grab if possible, and it will just seem like an additional bonus for all this trouble.

[BFiVL]

As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation, a critical step to help further protect customer data.


Called Sony on this little tidbit this morning since the majority are no longer on our "Same Ps3". From the mouth of the rep, if you have 2 accounts on your ps3 which a lot of us do. MAKE SURE YOU VALIDATE YOUR PRIMARY ACCOUNT FIRST. So in my case, I would validate BFIVL first before any of my other usernames. After it goes back live, you will only be able to confirm 1 username password for the first 14 days. So to confirm the other names, you will have to wait two weeks to do so.

[Crowes]

As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation, a critical step to help further protect customer data.


Called Sony on this little tidbit this morning since the majority are no longer on our "Same Ps3". From the mouth of the rep, if you have 2 accounts on your ps3 which a lot of us do. MAKE SURE YOU VALIDATE YOUR PRIMARY ACCOUNT FIRST. So in my case, I would validate BFIVL first before any of my other usernames. After it goes back live, you will only be able to confirm 1 username password for the first 14 days. So to confirm the other names, you will have to wait two weeks to do so.

Well as long as you know which email you have linked with an account on the PS3 it doesnt matter which PS3 you first used if im reading that right.

[LetsGoPeay]

So is there a place in the PS3 menu where you send a confirmation email or something? I really don't remember doing that. I know it's with the email I use now because it's the only one I've had for the last 10 years but if there's some extra step I didn't do I need to get this figured out.

[BFiVL]

Better be safe than sorry on this one, why I wanted clarification on what they meant by same ps3 that it was activated on. A lot of us first activated our accounts on different ps3. Either way, you will only be able to activate 1 username that first 14 days

[cougnix]

Also sounds like DLC sharing is done for.

[BFiVL]

Also sounds like DLC sharing is done for.

Gonna need a new A-Teamer when new maps drop

[Uuaww]

Also sounds like DLC sharing is done for.

No, its not.

[LetsGoPeay]

Also sounds like DLC sharing is done for.

No, its not.

Because I'm too tired and distracted by these three kids to think, care to explain?

[Uuaww]

Also sounds like DLC sharing is done for.

No, its not.

Because I'm too tired and distracted by these three kids to think, care to explain?

you have 3 kids?

anyways, I get 75% of my games via gamesharing and frequent quite a few forums about it (CAG, Gametz), I am 100% sure that if there was talk about stopping it, I would have read 8000 messages about people bitching about it.

[Uuaww]

ok I did just read something. Basically, anything you have already gotten from a gameshare is safe, no problems with it. the problems will lie in trying to sell the accounts. you can't do that because of the manditory password change, and only the account creator can do that, so if he changes it and doesn't tell you or doesn't change it, you are screwed in selling it, but won't lose anything. new shares will be unaffected.