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Japanese, American import PSOne games coming to Euro PSN
The North American PSN features a PSOne Imports store, to sell previously Japan-exclusive games digitally. SCEE is expanding the idea for the European PS Store, announcing an initiative to publish US and Japanese games in that region. No titles have been announced yet. Publishers of US/Japanese games can now apply to release their PSOne games on the European store, in an "as is" format -- meaning no additional localization. "This also means that if a PAL version of a title has been unable to pass QA in SCEE, but the NTSC version is already available on the PlayStation Store in SCEA or SCEJ," said SCEE PS Store rep Rich McGrath, "we can look at publishing that version instead." As long as it gets through the ratings boards, that is.
PlayStation launches digital store in Brazil
Sony has launched its second digital PlayStation Store in Latin America, in beautiful Brazil. Following Mexico, Brazil now has access to 200 items of first- and third-party digital content, including Assassin's Creed II and the demo for LittleBigPlanet2. Sony is also extending the Welcome Back program to Brazil, offering two PS3 and two PSP titles to everyone affected by the hacking blackout, through August 21. Sony also established a PlayStation Blog and PlayStation Website for its users in Brazil.
PlayStation Store down for two-hour maintenance period today
We know our first instinct upon finding the PlayStation Store down would be to freak out and shred our credit cards. That's why it's important that you know this ahead of time -- the Store will be down today from 9AM-11AM PST (12PM-2PM EST). It's Sony's own doing, not the work of any lulz-motivated cabal. Sony says that other PSN functions won't be affected by the Store outage. It's just maintenance. It'll be all right.
Section 8: Prejudice diving into PlayStation Store July 26
Timegate's undeniably beefy multiplayer-centric shooter, Section 8: Prejudice, has been racking up kills on Xbox Live Arcade since late April. In a little under two weeks, PS3 owners will get to see what all the fuss is about (hint: skydiving), as PlayStation Blog just announced the downloadable, $15 title will touch down on PSN July 26 in North America, and July 27 in Europe. To help jump-start the community's growth on the new platform, Timegate is handing out the Blitz Armor Pack and Overdrive Map Pack to anyone who grabs the game during its first week on PSN. What's more, the first 1,000 PlayStation Plus users to download the title will receive in-game Hunter Armor, as well as a free download of the original Section 8. You're essentially doubling your bang for your buck, and by "bang," we mean "whoosh," because that's the sound you make when you're skydiving.
Deadliest Warrior: Legends to pulverize PSN on July 26
Deadliest Warrior: Legends may be old (spiked) hat for Xbox 360 owners, but for those of us with access only to a PS3, the game has yet to arrive. That's all about to change, as 345 Games tells Joystiq that its latest release will head to the PlayStation Network Store on July 26, pointy blade-equipped staff and all. Like its XBLA launch, Deadliest Warrior: Legends will run you $10 when it arrives in the coming weeks. No explanation was offered for the disparity in launch between 360 and PS3, but we're told Sun Tzu sends his sincerest apologies.
PlayStation Store returns to Japan July 6
Good news for those of us waiting to log into our Japanese PSN accounts and pick up more freebies! Oh, and also for people who actually live in Japan. Sony has finally straightened out all the issues holding back the relaunch of the PlayStation Store there, and will fully reactivate the store, Qriocity, and all other inactive services on July 6. Japan is the last region to be reactivated, according to Sony; thus, with the renewal of all of the PSN services, Sony can now claim that the PSN is back. And we can soon claim our copy of Echochrome.
Sony PSN 'Welcome Back' promotion extended... for one more day
Welcome back. Again. Chances are, anyone planning to grab those PSN freebies took their share when the promotion launched last month, but just in case you've been holding out, Sony's giving you another 24 hours (from now) to download your pair of free PS3 and PSP games, 100 virtual items from PlayStation Home, and 30 days of PlayStation Plus. After then, you better be prepared to pay up for your copy of Dead Nation or LittleBigPlanet. The whole gratis shebang goes offline for good at 9AM Pacific Time tomorrow -- just before the PlayStation Store is set to open for business in Japan.
PlayStation Store, Qriocity returning to Japan this week, completing global PSN restoration
Sony's 'Welcome Back' campaign may have drawn to a close a bit early, but the PlayStation Network won't make its full return to Japan until later this week. As of July 6th, Japanese gamers will once again be able to access the PlayStation Store and Qriocity, bringing an end to a nearly three-month suspension enacted after April's widespread data breach. These services have already been reintroduced across other parts of the globe, but Sony encountered notably stiffer resistance in its homeland, where authorities demanded assurance of the PSN's security before allowing it to relaunch within their borders. The PlayStation Store remained down throughout Sony's negotiations with government officials, but company spokesman Satoshi Fukuoka says those discussions have advanced far enough for full services to resume. The PSN's long-awaited return to Japan will also signal its full global restoration, meaning that Sony may finally be able to put the saga to rest -- and try to forget about that $170 million it lost in the process.
Sony rolls up the PSN 'Welcome Back' mat this Sunday, takes free entertainment with it
Four weeks ago today, Sony announced its 'Welcome Back' campaign following the weeks-long PSN outage that began in April. Now, the program is entering its final weekend, giving you just two more days to download your pair of free PS3 or PSP games, along with 100 virtual items from PlayStation Home and 30 days of PlayStation Plus. To claim your gratis package from the PlayStation Store, click on the "Welcome Back" tab and make your pick. Sure, a few handouts may not make up for those countless days you spent offline, contemplating a switch to other networks, but free stuff is free stuff, so head over to PSN to claim what's rightfully yours before the clock strikes midnight on July 3rd.
PSN Tuesday: Uncharted 3 multiplayer beta is here
Today's PSN update marks the beginning of the PlayStation Plus-exclusive Uncharted 3 multiplayer beta. However, PlayStation Plus membership was offered as part of the "Welcome Back" package, meaning the "exclusive" beta is not so exclusive. In fact, it's essentially open to everyone using the PS Store (if they've activated those free memberships -- you only have until July 3 to do so), so there will be a lot of people rushing to download the beta. Basically, what we're saying is that something given away after a PSN outage is about to knock the PSN out again, jeopardizing your ability to get Beyond Good and Evil HD. Check out all the DLC for this week after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
European PlayStation Store cuts prices on all kinds of DLC
This week's European PSN update was something of a light week for new releases -- fortunately, Sony has come through with a mid-week update which exclusively features discounts on downloadable content from a few major publishers. Check out the list of encheapened add-ons below!
PSN 'Welcome Back' package is here, our long global nightmare is over
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay! Seriously, even a few Engadget editors are chortling in joy. PSN and Qriocity service has been restored in the Americas, Europe, and Asia and to celebrate (and soothe the seething frustration of its customers) Sony has launched its "welcome back" program. To be eligible you'll have to have been a member before April 20th but, otherwise, it's relatively qualifier free. Fire up the PlayStation Store and head to the "Welcome Back" tab to claim your pair of free games (you've got five different options on the PS3 and four on the PSP). In addition everyone gets a month of PlayStation Plus gratis and there's a selection of "On Us" movie rentals available over the weekend. There are a few other freebies to placate the masses too, like 100 free items in PlayStation Home, while Current Plus and Music Unlimited Premium subscribers get a 60 and 30 day handout respectively. If you've got any burning questions yet to be answered, check out the rather lengthy FAQ at source link and enjoy! It's not everyday that a company just throws open the flood gates on free stuff.
COD: Black Ops 'Escalation' DLC bringing Hollywood's zombies to PS3 on June 10
Afte arriving exclusively on the Xbox 360 back in May (per previous agreements) and on PC yesterday, Call of Duty: Black Ops DLC "Escalation" is now getting the PS3 treatment on June 10. Beyond the four regular mutliplayer maps it adds, the much loved "Call of the Dead" level -- starring a quartet of movie stars -- is also included. Like the PC launch before it, when the DLC arrives on PlayStation 3 next week, it'll spark a double XP outbreak all weekend on PlayStation Network. No official pricing was given in the release date announcement, but we don't imagine it'll be magically less expensive than the $15 asking price on Xbox 360 and Steam. Update: An Activision rep confirmed to us that the PS3 release will be "consistent with previous Escalation pack pricing."
PlayStation Network's 'Welcome Back' content now available
Sony is currently rolling out the content previously detailed in its "Welcome Back" package in North America. A post on the US PlayStation Blog details as much, and dishes out a lengthy FAQ on the offerings. First and foremost, if you weren't a PlayStation Network user before April 20, 2011, you're out of luck. For the rest of us, PS3 owners can choose two free games from a list of five, while PSP owners can choose two free games from a list of four. To do so, head to the PlayStation Store and then to the "Welcome Back" area where you'll see the selection of titles (seen above). There's also a new free version of PlayStation Plus, which is the one free month everyone gets as part of the "Welcome Back" program. And finally, the promised free "On Us" films are also currently being offered, and will remain so throughout the coming weekend. You'll have one month to grab your free games and other content, as the Welcome Back tab will disappear after July 3, 2011. PlayStation Plus users will automatically have 60 extra days added to their subscriptions, Sony says. And though no details have yet been provided, "posts over the coming days" will apparently explain how the past month of missing content will be added to PSN. Update: The European "Welcome Back" content is now also rolling out, according to the EU PlayStation Blog. Update 2: As you might expect, things are a tad bumpy (especially on the PSP side of things, which isn't even showing a "Welcome Back" option for us), so maybe waiting an hour or two would be a good idea. Update 3: If you can't get your free games even though you used to be able to see them, we've got the fix from the EU PS Blog after the break!
Euro PSN gets massive update, PS Plus members get more freebies
Just hours after the PlayStation Network Store went back online, Sony took to its European PlayStation blog to detail both what's coming in the first major update, as well as what European PS Plus subscribers will be receiving in the coming weeks. Beyond the already detailed "Welcome Back" content, SCEE says an extra 10 days will be added to the 60 already included in the Plus "Welcome Back" package, "due to the Store coming back a little later that we hoped." Additionally, April's Plus content and deals are being extended for two extra weeks, meaning that if you missed a chance to download Premiere Manager at 50 percent off, there's still time! June's offers have yet to be revealed, but the post does promise Plus users a free copy of Burnout Paradise as part of the month's content offerings. The "Spring Offers" deal for all PSN users has also been extended to June 8, a sale which was unavailable during the majority of its duration as a result of the month-long PSN outage. All PSN users can also snag a free copy of FIFA 11 Ultimate Team, a soccer management game from EA, for the time being. And finally, the EU PlayStation Store has also received a massive update, the likes of which we've never seen before. Final Fantasy VI is totally on there, as is a mess of new Hyperdimension Neptunia content and ... well, you know what? We're going to simply point you to it rather than try to wade the flood.
Sony begins full restoration of its PSN and Qriocity services (update: intermittent issues)
Can it be happening? Is Sony's security nightmare finally over? Seems to be. On Tuesday, Sony promised full restoration of its PlayStation Network and Qriocity services in the Americas, Europe, and Asia (excluding Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea) by the end of the week. Now Sony is proclaiming that today is the day for full restoration with details of its "welcome back" package to be announced from each region. The PlayStation Store is already up with a "huge lineup" of new games, demos, add-ons, themes, avatars, and videos along with an updated Playstation Plus. Hey, look on the bright side Sony, even though you've lost the confidence of millions of your customers, at least now they're aware of your Qriocity service. Full press release after the break. Update: Working fine for us from London. We signed in to the PlayStation Store and even fired up Black Ops multiplayer just for kicks. Update 2: We're now seeing error "80710D36" occasionally when trying to access the PlayStation Store, presumably due to congestion. We're seeing this from both London and New York.
PSN will be 'fully restored' today [Update: PlayStation Store back in North America]
Though there weren't that many days left in this week in which to relaunch PSN, Sony has officially narrowed down the date for reactivation of the PlayStation Store and other services -- to today (June 2). Qriocity services will also come back. In a brief press release sent out tonight, Sony announced plans to "fully restore" services everywhere but Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Additional details about each region's "Welcome Back" package (like, we assume, how to get it) will be announced soon. As for the strange timing of this press release: it was issued from Tokyo, and thus timed for Japan but ... Japan is one of the three places that isn't affected by this news. Just something to think about as you're reading this at like 1 AM. Update: Still up? Go browse the PlayStation Store! The PlayStation Blog details a bunch of new content available on the now-active store, including Wizardry: The Labyrinth of Lost Souls on PS3, the Turbografx-16 classics Alien Crush, Bomberman '94 and Bonk's Adventure on both PSP and PS3, and Sega Rally Online Arcade. There's also a single-player demo for MotorStorm: Apocalypse. There's ... a lot to take in. What you won't be taking in yet is the Welcome Back stuff: it's " currently in the final stages of testing."
Atari: Daggerdale to miss May 31 PSN launch, game may fall into publishing queue [update]
Atari addressed fans waiting for the PS3 version of Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale today, announcing on Twitter that the game would miss its planned May 31 launch on the platform. The reason stated, however, is far more interesting than the news of a delay -- according to Atari, it "looks like Playstation Network is not gonna be ready for #Daggerdale release on 5/31." Despite an internal memo from Sony stating that the PS Store would be up as early as this past Tuesday (which clearly didn't happen), and statements from the company that "all services" would be restored by the end of May, it seems (at least for this publisher) that the PS Store may remain offline longer than expected. The tweet also says to "Stay tuned for more details today." We've reached out to both Sony and Atari for comment, but had yet to hear back as of publishing. Update: The PlayStation Store's revival might not miss its targeted launch date after all. An Atari representative responded to us, explaining, "Our recent tweet was not intended to speak to Sony's service coming back online or being delayed, but to inform our fans that we expect Daggerdale to be placed in PSN's publishing queue behind other titles that were meant to launch during the service outage and that it might not hit the May 31 date."
Dirt 3's 'VIP Pass' can't be disabled for PS3 owners
WB and Netherrealm earned some goodwill from PS3 Mortal Kombat owners recently, by disabling the "Kombat Pass" and allowing players to fight online without redeeming the one-time-use code in the PlayStation Store (which is down). Unfortunately, such a concession won't be possible for Dirt 3. "We've looked into doing something similar for Dirt 3 but it's not technically possible," a Codemasters rep told Eurogamer. "It's hard-coded into the game." Removing the VIP pass requirement would involve a patch, the publisher explained, which would likely take longer to push through than it will take for the Store to come back online. An alternate solution to this problem (though not for Dirt 3, since it's already out) would be to cut out Online Pass schemes in general. We wonder if anyone has suggested that.
PSA: PSN maintenance today, no Store update
The PlayStation Network will undergo maintenance today, according to an announcement on PlayStation Blog. The downtime is scheduled to begin at 11AM ET (in 10 minutes!) and conclude eight hours later, at 7PM. That might sound like perfect timing for the return of the North American PlayStation Store's weekly update, but ... it's not happening. "For those asking about the PlayStation Store, we're still targeting restoration of all services by the end of this month," adds Jeff Rubenstein, the Blog's manager. "Contrary to reports, the Store will not be publishing today." Rubenstein notes that some users may have trouble signing into PSN during the maintenance, but assures that "the majority of consumers will be able to play online as well as sign in to external sites that require PSN authentication" -- only account registration and management (including password resetting) will be inaccessible. On the European PlayStation Blog, manager James Gallagher suggests you sign into PSN and remain online before maintenance begins -- so, like, ASAP! -- to ensure connectivity throughout the day.
