Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
Full PSN Service To Be Back "Within This Month"
UPDATE:
The official Sony press release has been posted, saying that services like gaming, music, and video will all return this week. It makes reference to a "phased restoration" of services that will occur region by region, concluding with full service within the month. The initial phase of restorations will include the following:
* Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation®3 (PS3) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems
-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
In addition, the following new security measures will be introduced to PSN:
* 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
Addressing the attack, Kaz Hirai said “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."
A "Welcome Back" appreciation program will be implemented upon PSN's restoration, detailed below:
* 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.
The free content is yet to be revealed, but will likely include PSone classics or PSN titles.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Sony exec Kaz Hirai will be addressing the media tomorrow in Tokyo, according to Reuters. The article states that he'll be discussing Sony's investigation into the database breach that brought PSN to its knees.
No more details are given, but hopefully some questions will be answered during the briefing at 2pm Tokyo time tomorrow. Namely, we want to know when it's going back up and whether or not we need to cancel our credit cards. Here's hoping for good news.
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
