PSN Down: The Theories

TSA Staff 120 Comments

Tongues are, as you’d expect, wagging. Every social network on the internet is asking what’s up with the PlayStation Network, and the silence from camp Sony is, figuratively, deafening.

Nobody outside of the adamantine walls (lined as they are with the glistening carcasses of PSPgo consoles) is saying very much, and people are getting annoyed, anxious, worried – some have even switched allegiance and splashed out on a 360.  Or so they say.

So, what’s going on?  Well, naturally, we don’t know either, but we’ve been watching the web over the last day or so and have collated what seem to be the three most popular ideas and thoughts.

The network has been DDoS’d – this, a concentrated traffic assault, doesn’t seem likely.  The PSN immediately tells you the thing is off ‘for maintenance’ and so suggests that, from a layman’s perceptive sure, that the actual network is bobbing along nicely.  It is, apparently, just the actual sign-in authentication process that’s currently offline, something echoed by the fact that pre-started downloads continue to zip by in the background.

Besides, Anon have already said this isn’t anything to do with them.

The PSN has been hacked – this seems more likely, but hopefully not what’s going on.  If customer details were compromised Sony would surely have said by now, it has been a few days – at least that’s our hope.  Other thoughts related include Trophies being reset and download counts being wiped – massively unlikely – we’re pretty sure Sony knows what they’re doing in terms of backups.

Hackers found a way to get free games on the Store – this holds a bit of weight as the most likely.  Despite having access to a debug PS3, this one’s new to us, but we’ve heard on Twitter and a few forums that you can grant PSN credit so that testers and so on can grab games without handing over real money, on the development version of the network.

The PSN on debug machines doesn’t require any sort of fund transaction, fake or otherwise, but according to a post on NeoGAF, it might be something to do with authenticating licences for full game packages (which can be downloaded). This authentication system may have been compromised over the last week or so, and Sony have locked off the PSN to get this fixed, especially if the methods have become public.

Some people on Twitter are asking whether payment card details have been compromised, without answer.

The truth is we don’t know what’s going on, and only a very select few do.  Whilst Sony are battling to get it fixed (they are, of course, despite the moans: anyone that thinks otherwise has no idea about shares, shareholders and revenue, not to mention public opinion) public updates are few and far between, causing tension and a sense of the unknown.

It’s annoying, yes, but what can we do?

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120 Comments

  1. It’s all my fault! I told Sony to hold fire until the scummy bastards who stole my ps3 collection try to log in as me! Then after reigning down upon them with the full force of the law, psn will be down!! Had to chance my cc as I’d left that attached to at least 2 of my consoles that went :0(

  2. My theory is that when AnonOps last hacked psn, a rogue member got in and stayed in somehow and has now either compromised crucial consumer information or has found something Sony wants hidden. On a less serious note, what if psn has become self aware and is attempting to link in to all of our computers? I’m headin to my bunker just in case…….

  4. What ever the issue maybe Sony should offer a explinaton of whats going on even though it is represented as FREE you still need to purchase games, and any other extra’s that are offered …Accessories are not free so somewere along the line we all pay for PSN…..

  5. Did it crack under the load of Portal 2 and integration with STEAM?

    • Whatever the reason might be (and I don’t think it simply was too much traffic load), right now I can’t link my PSN account to my Steam ID and therefore am not able to play Portal 2 on the PC…

  6. It’s simple. Somebody finally pushed the big red button that says “Do Not Push” next to the main PSN server. It was only a matter of time.

  7. 15. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
    No warranty is given about the quality, functionality, availability or performance of Sony Online Services, or any content or service offered on or through Sony Online Services. All services and content are provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” with all faults. SCEA does not warrant that the service and content will be uninterrupted, error-free or without delays. In addition to the limitations of liability in Sections 1, 2, 11 and 13 of this Agreement, SCEA expressly disclaims any implied warranty of merchantability, warranty of fitness for a particular purpose and warranty of non-infringement. SCEA assumes no liability for any inability to purchase, access, download or use any content, data or service
    Just in case you didn’t read it before!

    • It must make them feel very fuzzy and warm inside that they were prepared for such an event by including this clause while most of their customer base is pissed at them or even jumping the ship (apparently…) because of their complete lack of PR competence. Or is it the constant lying from Sony’s side that bothers the customers? I don’t know. You pick. :)

  8. https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=203785532977845

    skynet just became self aware.
    coincidence?

    http://www.geeks3d.com/20101210/a-cluster-with-1760-playstation-3-for-the-us-army/

    tell me again you think it’s a coincidence. o_O

    • I saw that pic years ago something to do with folding@home the article said, I’m fairly certain it was in PSM3

      • yeah, they built it a while ago, and maybe it’s been learning ever since.
        and the relevant date is skynet becoming self aware, not the building of the network

  9. Anyone thinking of cancelling their card to be on the safe side?

    • I’ve removed my details from the PSN Store altogether :)

    • I have to say, and I’m sorry and mean no offence, but this is getting old. Its this not coverd by the data protection act? Would it not be illegal and highly irresponsible of Sony to not announce a that of this kind? Better to be safe than sorry yes (I work in health and safety so I understand that on many levels) and Sony have given nothing by way of reassurance but frankly they would be stupid to do this as it suggests a, possible threat. I am taking confidence in the highly thought out business continuity plan than Sony are required by law to have. :o)

  10. At the risk of sounding thick (who cares you don’t really know me and of you don’t ask an all that) what three hell is this SKYNET thingy engine keeps goin on about?

    • Watch The Terminator trilogy starring Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzeneggar….
      Its basicallly a computor that becomes self aware because the US Military trusted it with nuclear weapon launching

      • Ahh I see, now even though I am not the girlyest of girls terminator is still not for me I’m afraid

    • in the films, skynet came online 20th april, 2011. coincedence?

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