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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… are you guys stalking me?
I recently started watching ProtonJon’s let’s play of Superman 64. This guy played the game only to point out various bugs.
Top seller?! It means a lot of people got suckered in 🙁
@SOPA:
Sure it will come back. Immediate power to shut down any website you want? What administration wouldn’t like that?!
@R18+ bill to be voted on by Australian Parliament on 7th February:
Fingers crossed for the Australian gamers 🙂
Just as mentioned before, parenting is the job of parents, not the governments. Governments’ job is … governing :P.
Jonah, did they screen Final Destination 5 in Australia? 😉
@Vita sales continue to freefall in Japan:
Really?! What CEO in his right mind forecasts such a drop and takes no measure to prevent it?
I also call ‘bullshit’.
Thing is , Sony desperately needs a hit (in the meaning of a successful product) to compensate PS3 and the Vita.
@Starbreeze states they don’t look at games from a genre perspective anymore
😐 ok, like Paul said, the speech sound nice. As for how much it is actually worth, well, let’s just let their future work speak for itself.
“Chronicles of Riddick” was indeed a pretty nice game, in several departments: graphics, story, game mechanics.
@QOTW:
The universe needs to be recognizable. So while the stories might tackle different time intervals, the game play should be slightly familiar but with enough innovation. And while using the same universe, do use a different story.
STALKER – Call of Prypiat is a great example of a good sequel (for Shadow of Chernobyl).
@SOPA
Yes it will keep on coming in subtle forms until it succeeds, and I have the feeling that the only purpose of this was just to slowly get us ready to an eventual similar law to be approved.
@Vita sales
Not that I am an expert on this, but I never believed it would succeed. I don’t think any portable console will have the success of Gameboys, NDS or even the original PSP.
I know that hardcore gamers still prefer having a portable console than a mobile device to play games, but I don’t think hardcore gamers were ever the main market of these consoles.
@Guild Wars 2
I am unsure about this, I absolutely loved the first one, but now I am more used to sandbox open worlds with action game styled combats. I don’t think hitting tab key to auto-target will cut it for me.
Still, the original Guild Wars was one of the most fun games I played. Not a traditional MMORPG at all. It was all about competition, I love that.
Guild vs Guild fights in that game, were awesome, highly strategic and very fast paced.
Hopefully this premise continues in the second game.
@QOTW
It is easier to say what I hate in a sequel, which is the game being dumbed significantly. A big example of that was Black and White 2. Mr Mollineux was so out there talking about how much of a different experience Black and White was, and it was indeed. When the second came out it was just another RTS.. I also fear that the Elder’s Scrolls series are taking this path.
That said, I look for a sequel that fixes the problems of the first game and offer some new experiences. I heard The Witcher 2 was a good sequel? I am yet to try it.
@SOPA
unfortunatelly, some kind of law like this will pass, if not now, in a near future.
@r18 Australia
good for them! video-game industries are not only for kids and should not be treated like so.
@Vita 18k sold week 4
foreseen?? BS! BS! otherwise sony needs to fire their (dont know the word in english) foreseer (sorry)
@QOTW
i’d agree with paul, is a hard to get combination between nostalgia and innovation wich will lead veterans and newcommers to a sequel
take battlefield 2 to the 3 for example: they implemented complex open maps for different strategies to veterans like operation firestorm and made very simple and linear maps so the newcommers know where is the enemy and still give a chance to employ a flanking strategy like operation metro and grand bazaar
upgrading the engine is tough trough sequels but valve nailed the half-life 2 game and made it brilliantly
btw, agreed with herr alien, STALKER had an awesome sequel – Call of Pripyat and IMO an even better prequel – Clear sky
@Herr Alien
could i add you to my steam friends list? 🙂
i’d like to give you guys a suggestion:
after you finish the flashback on the worst games ever, if you are willing, make a flashback on crash bandicoot trilogy for the playstation original 🙂
awesome, keep it up guys!
Test comment because I’ve been trying all week to post one.
For some reason, my long comment isn’t being posted. I know you have probably already recorded the podcast, but I’m just letting you know I still listened to it.