After over 3 weeks of downtime and one of the biggest PR, security, and user-trust fiascoes in the history of video games, the PlayStation Network is beginning to be restored across the United States and the rest of the globe.
Sony, with a reinvigorated confidence, has announced that the PlayStation Network is about to be back in business. Only the following services will be available in the initial rollout:
- Sign-in for PlayStation®Network and Qriocity services, including the resetting of passwords
- Restoration of online game-play across PS3 and PSP
- Playback rental video content, if within rental period, of PlayStation Network Video Delivery Service on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
- Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity, for current subscribers, on PS3 and PC
- Access to 3rd party services such as Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and MLB.tv
- 'Friends' category on PS3, including Friends List, Chat Functionality, Trophy Comparison, etc
- PlayStation Home
The official PlayStation.Blog is live-updating a map highlighting which cities and states have resumed service. But before you can actually get on PSN, there's a new firmware update, system software 3.61, which must be downloaded and installed.
The firmware update is mandatory and forces you to change your PSN ID's password. It's easiest done by simply logging into the PSN account on the PlayStation 3 it was activated on. Sold your PS3 or suffered from YLOD? Don't panic, a password reset can be sent to the email account that's tied to your PSN ID.
Sony is promising increased security, offering a free year of 'AllClear ID Plus', and a special "Welcome Back" package for PSN users affected by the security breach.
