CNet is reporting that partial service PlayStation Network has been restored, allowing gamers to play online and shop in the PSN Store. Nearly its entire portfolio of online games, game forums and Web sites will go back online but the company will also require players to reset their passwords.
Sony states:
As the result of a criminal cyber-attack on the company’s network, SOE shut down its game services in order for the company to undertake an investigation and incorporate rigorous enhancements to the overall security of the network infrastructure. SOE worked with several outside respected security firms during the course of implementing significant security measures that strengthen safeguards against unauthorized activity and provide customers with greater protection of their personal information.
SOE made enhancements to overall data security as well, including updating and adding advanced security technologies, additional software monitoring, performing new penetration and vulnerability testing, and increased levels of encryption.
“Our main priority is the safety and security of our customers’ personal information,” said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. “We are making consumer data protection a full-time, company-wide commitment, and have applied enhanced security technologies so that our customers can feel protected and confident about playing our games.”
Hirai added, “We are committed to delivering secure and entertaining games for players of all ages and thank each of our players for their patience and support during this difficult time.”
SOE will also be offering its customers a “Welcome Back” program that includes special game content and services to all registered Station Account holders. As part of this program, players will receive 30 days of additional game time plus one day for each day SOE’s services were down.
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@Dead Island – wrong version on Steam:
Since its a digital distribution channel, it is easy to fix …
@Lord British wants to make another Ultima:
I said it in another post: as a developer, either you sell the IP to the publisher and enjoy the money, or keep the IP and retain control. You can’t do both, have the cookie and eat it.
@Crytek rebukes “unlawful layoff” claims
Europe labor laws (Germany included) are a bit more weird. They would send labor inspectors to check how many extra hours you’re pushing etc. etc.
That’s one extreme.
The other extreme is bad planning that leads to all-development-crunch-time.
There has to be a middle ground.
@ Steam on Xbox Live Marketplace:
Newell wants EA to start selling their titles on Steam again. The way he goes about it is by trying to squeeze market space away from Origin; if EA would like to make more money, they would have to go through Valve’s Steam.
@console “limitations” in Battlefield 3:
PC rulez 😀 !!
Now, while 30 fps in a shooter is fluid, at 60 fps you do get better reaction time from the game. And for online shooters, this matters.
There is a reason why competitive shooter games run at a simulation tick rate at 60 ticks per second, 90 ticks per second and even 120 ticks per second.
Question is, for the fps count to matter, will Battlefield 3 be a competitive online multiplayer? Something tells me that it aims to be one.
@Black Ops map packs hit 18 million sold
What pisses me off is that modders can’t sell the maps they make, but developers can. And nowadays (case for Battlefield 3) there won’t be any modding tools. Way to go to maintain a community …
@PSP:
This will come as a shocker: I like Jonah’s idea about a simple handheld console, that does only gaming.
In terms of gadgets, I don’t like multipurpose ones. My phone only does calls and text messages (and live for 5 days from one recharge), so from a portable handheld I only expect it to play games.
@QOTW:
In the second STALKER game, Clear Sky, they changed the damage mechanics and the weapon accuracy (nerfed it).
Now, while I loved the fact that you could customize your gun in Clear Sky, changing the base accuracy AND making enemies die only from headshots caused a lot of frustrations.
This was somewhat exacerbated by the fact that the first game had decent guns and enemies would die also from body shots.
Thankfully they reverted a good deal of it in the third game.
@Steam on XBL – That would be great but, as Jonah said, Microsoft would be putting out Arcade Games for 15 dollars while Steam is having a sale, selling the same game for 5 bucks. I wish it were so, but I understand why is isn’t.
@Black Ops Map Packs – I have purchased all four map packs (the last one was free due to the fact that I had the Hardened edition of the game), and I, like many, only purchased them for the Zombies maps. The problem with that is I have to pay for the four crappy multiplayer maps instead of them offering the Zombies maps as separate content.
@QOTW – Bioshock is easily one of my favorite games of all time, but the hacking in that game annoyed me horribly. Thankfully, they changed the hacking mechanic in the sequel, so at least they learned from their mistakes.
I enjoyed hacking in Bioshock. Deus Ex: Human Revolution does it better, though.
I found the hacking to be more tedious than enjoyable. But, to each their own.
guys,jonah ,just to let ya all know that im still listening and i observed that the podcast is getting better,i didnt have time to comment coz i was playing minecraft and studying, and guys if you have a minecraft account but you dont play anymore plzzzz message me and try to give it to me because im stuck with a cracked account and im really broke so plzz i beg you all @qotw i never encounterd those things because i enjoy all of my games ,ps dont stop the podcast keep it going
edit you could message me on Facebook ,name; oliver lance de leon