In a press release sent out today, Sony have announced their intention to have the PlayStation Store and “related services” back online by the end of this week.
The first thing to note is that this restoration is applicable to everywhere except Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, which are running a little behind. Secondly, it’s not just the Store coming back this week:
- Full functionality on PlayStation®Store
- In-game commerce
- Ability to redeem vouchers and codes
- Full functionality on Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3, PSP, VAIO and other PCs
- Full functionality on Media Go
Customers will be able to purchase and download games and video content from the PlayStation®Store on PS3 or PSP. In addition, consumers will have full access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity through PS3, PSP, VAIO and other PC’s. Service restoration of Video on Demand powered by Qriocity™ and Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for a variety of network-enabled Sony devices will be announced later.
Thirdly, of course, whilst Sony have sent out an official press release saying the services will be back by the end of the week, unprecedented delays can always turn up, so don’t be surprised if this ‘restoration’ ends up rolling into next week. Here’s hoping.
“We appreciate the patience and support shown during this time,” Kaz Hirai, Executive Deputy President of Sony had to say. “We have been conducting additional testing and further security verification of our commerce functions in order to bring the PlayStation Network completely back online so that our fans can again enjoy the first class entertainment experience they have come to love.”
Source: PlayStation Blog
tonycawley
All I want is to be able to redeem online passes for dirt3 and homefeont. That’s not asking too much is it? They really should’ve activated code redemption before the rest of the store, surely that would’ve been quick and easy?
Klart
So, you’re late. AGAIN.
As a PLUS member I am outraged. So I get 60 days extra. It’s been down for bloody 47 days! (that’s if it actually is back “by the end of this week”).
Woohoo, 13 days for free
I mean, who can believe you guys anymore after all these lies & mistakes.
colmshan1990
As I seem to end up repeating with every one of these posts, the 60 days are IN ADDITION to the days we missed. So if the store was down for 47 days, that means plus members get 107 days free. A day for each day it was down, plus the 60 days.
Bladesteel
Actually all the official sources I’ve seen are ambiguous on that. I’ve checked the description of the welcome back package on playstation.com about that in two languages. It can be interpreted both ways if you choose. If you have any link to a source where they are explicit about the “in addition to” bit I’d appreciate it, just to put this to rest once and for all.
JoshHood
Everything we’ve heard from Sony has backed up what colmshan is saying: the ‘compensation period’ will start when everything is back online.
R1MJAW
Quote taken directly from Kaz Hirai’s letter to congress (which can be found here http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-05-kaz-hirais-letter-to-congress-in-full-blog-entry_2?page=3 (just 1 of many places))
“All consumers coming back to the PlayStation Network will be provided with 30 days of free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium subscription service. Current PlayStation Plus subscribers will have their subscriptions extended for the number of days PlayStation Network and Qriocity services were unavailable and, in addition, will receive 30 days of free service. Music Unlimited subscribers On countries where the service is available) will have their subscriptions extended for the number of days PlayStation Network and Qriocity services were unavailable and, in addition, receive 30 days Of free service.”
Obviously, since then they have upped the compensation to 60 additional days for current plus members.
Bladesteel
@RIMJAW
Thank you. They should probably update their welcome back page to be clearer.
R1MJAW
No problem Bladesteel.
I read Kaz Hirai’s letter when it was first posted so I knew the information was there, just took a quick google to find it again.
Reality Check
And still some idiots moan on the PS:Blogs? They really need to get a life & grow up. Good stuff SONY i will be shopping hard :D when the store opens!
Smallville2106
Why are they idiots for moaning?? They have every right to be cheesed off.
freezebug2
Awesome, wallet at the ready, there’s a few DLC packs I know I’ll be getting day one.
What a feckin long journey to get to this stage…phew!!
Watchful
There’s plenty I’d like to pick up day one, but you just know the store is going to struggle as everyone hits it at once. I’ll leave my shopping until day two. :)
freezebug2
Yup It’ll be a nightmare, with even more people cashing in their Wall Mart savings accounts and clogging up the servers than a normal Wednesday update….I hate queue’s :(
I’ll probably just get the DLC’c onto my Download list day one then stealthily download them.
mugsybalone
Bloomin’ Sony, eh? I dunno. Never had this trouble on DreamArena.
OllyBobs
Top banana!
Smallville2106
I hope they do manage to get it up. If they don’t manage to get it up before E3 I dread to think what it will be like for Sony there.
bunimomike
About time. I’ve been hankering after the store for bloody ages now. I have money to spend and games to buy.
What an absolute shitstorm this entire fiasco has been and god help the Japanese PSN as it seems to have been forgotten about completely! :-\
JoshHood
It’s back online now. That was down to the Japanese government, not Sony.
Bilbo_bobbins
the welcome pack will certainly be….welcomed.
gazzagb
I bet it won’t be this week, I’m guessing it will be next week whilst E3 is going on.