PlayStation Network to be fully restored by end of week


31 May 2011

Sony will fully restore all PlayStation Network and Qriocity services by the end of the week after a major security breach last month.

The services will be resumed for all regions apart from Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

The company has made “considerable security enhancements” to the network infrastructure and has tested the payment process and commerce functions.

The PlayStation Network was pulled offline after hackers infiltrated the service, stealing information on 77m users. In the last few weeks, Sony has been gradually bringing the service back online worldwide since 15 May.

This was only a partial restoration and by the end of the week, users will get the service back fully, including the ability to purchase and download games again.

There will also be a “welcome back” package, giving users two free games, 30 days of access to PlayStation Plus for non Plus members and 60 days of free subscription for existing Plus members.

“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,” said Kazuo Hirai, executive deputy president of Sony.

“We appreciate the patience and support shown during this time.”