News: Crysis Coming To Consoles

Yeah, we all know our PS3's and Xbox 360's can run Crysis 2, but lets go back to the question that started it all. "Can it run Crysis?" Well, we will all soon find out. Come October 2011, Crysis will be hitting consoles as a digital release over the PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE, treating gamers to an exciting blast from the  recent past with jaw dropping visuals and innovative gameplay.

News: Valve Confirms CS: GO for 2012 Release on PC, Mac and Consoles

So the rumors of an upcoming Counter Strike game was true after all. Valve finally breaks its silence and officially announces Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Craving for some CS action you say? Read on for details!

News: Limbo Celebrates Its Birthday In Its New Home - PSN and Steam

Over a year ago, one indie game captured the heart of gamers and critics alike thanks to its noir-esque art style and grim platforming puzzles. Originally released for the Xbox Live, Limbo from Danish developer Playdead, has now found a new home in PSN and Steam to challenge more gamers, just in time for its birthday.

News: Looks Like Sony is in the "Online Pass" Bandwagon Now

Oh boy. Here we go. It looks like that Sony in now in the bandwagon of launching titles with an "Online Pass" feature. If you've bought games like Mortal Kombat and several EA games, then you'd be familiar with this scheme. The online pass is essentially a one-time use code that unlocks the online multiplayer functions of the game. In effect, second-hand buyers will have to purchase another online pass for a fee. Sony's version of the scheme is PSN Pass, and guess what game they will be launching it with - Resistance 3.

News: PSN is Down... for Maintenance

If you've been trying to log in to PSN, you're in tough luck. The PSN is down again, but don't worry though, it's not because of another hack, but the service is scheduled for maintenance. Read on for details.

News: Uncharted 3 MP Beta Kicks Off... In a Few Minutes

Here I am, waiting for the multiplayer beta for Uncharted 3 on PSN. It's supposed to be up for download already on PSN, but apparently punctuality is not always the case for PSN. Anyway, the beta will kick off today (2:00 PM, June 28 in the U.S., June 29 here in the Philippines.) It will be available for those who purchased specially marked InFamous 2 copies, or PlayStation Plus subscribers (which is technically almost all of PSN's subscribers thanks to the Welcome Back Package). For everyone else, the beta will be up July 4th, so I really think it's time you redeemed that free subscription to PlayStation Plus. Check out the details of the beta after the break.

News: Hong Kong PSN Already Up!

 

Great news! PSN is now up in Hong Kong, so if you have your PSN accounts registered under H.K., then now is a great time to change your passwords and go online! Also, don't forget to claim your welcome back package! If you've missed my earlier post regarding the package's contents, here's the link.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, change your passwords and see you online!

News: PSN Welcome Back Program Up!

PSN users, the time you've been waiting for has come! Today, the PS Store is has updated its content with the Welcome Back program, bringing PSN users free content up for download, including 2 free games each on the PS3 and the PSP, and free 30 day subscription to the PlayStation Plus as free gift from Sony due to the PSN fiasco. Have you downloaded yours already?

News: Welcome Back Program for Asia Detailed!

In lieu of the restoration of PSN services in Asia, Sony will be offering a "Welcome Back" program for Asia PSN customers, similar to the package launched in the U.S and Europe. Check out the details of the program after the break.

News: PSN returns in Japan and Certain Parts of Asia Tomorrow

Good news for PS3 gamers in Asia! According to the latest press release from Sony, the phased restoration of PSN for Japan and certain parts of Asia will begin tomorrow, May 28, 2011. Aside from that, an identity protection program has been announced for Japan as well. Details after the break.

News: PS Store Possibly Up by End of May

Earlier rumors have dated the reopening of the PlayStation Store to be May 24. However, according to the latest post on the Europe PlayStation Blog, Sony is targeting a restoration of PS Store service by end of May.

Contrary to earlier rumors that surfaced from the net, SCEE's Blog Manager James Gallagher mentioned in a PSN Maintenance Notice that Sony is aiming to have the PS Store up by end of May. No further details were provided, but at least we have a confirmation from Sony's side regarding the issue. Finally, our chance to grab those freebies from the Welcome Back Program will soon come!

Source: EU PlayStation Blog

News: Mortal Kombat Will Be Playable Online on PSN Without Kombat Pass [For Now]

Mortal Kombat was one of the few games that was hit by the PSN's outage during launch. Though the PSN is now back online, the PlayStation Store is still down, barring players to redeem the Kombat Pass, Mortal Kombat's online pass functionality. But just recently, an announcement was made on the official Mortal Kombat Facebook page that Mortal Kombat will be playable online for the PS3 without the need for the Kombat Pass,  for the time being. Once the PSN store is restored, players will be required to redeem the code to activate their online pass.

So go ahead and enjoy some online MK action, just be careful not to lose that code for the time being. Also, watch out for my review of Mortal Kombat, it'll be out soon, so check out the site from time to time, or "like" this blog on Facebook to receive regular updates!

News: PSN Welcome Back Appreciation Program Detailed

Now that the initial phase of the restoration of PSN is almost complete, Sony has now detailed the the "Welcome Back" appreciation program for their existing users. The package includes a selection of  free games for both PS3 and the PSP, free days for PlayStation Plus and tons of other content. Check out the details after the break!

News: PS3 System Update 3.61 Now Up! PSN Relaunch Started!

Good news PlayStation gamers! Kazuo Hirai, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO has just announced that the first phase of the restoration of the PSN and Qriocity services is now on its way, so if you're aching for some online action, now is your chance to grab the update. More details after the jump!

News: Full PSN Service to be Expected at May's End [UPDATED]

I really hate being the bringer of bad news but, in a recent interview of Bloomberg with Sony's Tokyo based spokesman, Shigenori Yoshida, Sony's uncertain when it can resume its services. According to the report, the company is currently in the process of adopting an improved security system, and a full system restart can be expected at May 31.

News: Some PSN Updates, Both Good and Bad News

Okay, the good news first. Sony has dropped the details on its complementary offering for its North America customers; started the final stages of their internal testing for their new system; and Sir Howard Stringer, Sony Corporation's CEO, President and Chairman (Wow) issues a "not so corporate" and friendly letter of apology to its clients. Bad news though, according to the latest update (I think you would not call it an update after this...), PSN will not be up soon in contrast to earlier announcements. (Sigh)

News: Anonymous Denies Involvement in PSN Information Theft

In a letter issued to The Guardian, a daily British newspaper, hacktivist group Anonymous denies involvement in the recent PSN user account information theft. This is a response to their implication in the attack, as stated in the letter of Kaz Hirai to the U.S. Congress. (See earlier post)

News: Sony's Response to U.S. Congress Inquiry on the PSN Mishap

Friday last week, the U.S. House of Representatives issued a letter to SCEA's Chairman Kazuo Hirai, seeking answers with regard to the PSN security breach. Though most of the questions were already answered in earlier announcements and press releases, Kaz Hirai responded with an eight-page letter detailing what has transpired, and possibly a lead as to who was behind the attack.

News: Sony Announces "Welcome Back" Appreciation Program

In the latest press release of Sony with regard to the PSN fiasco, Sony has announced that they will be implementing a complimentary offering and a "Welcome Back" appreciation program for the millions of registered PSN users affected by the service outage and information leak. Other updates were also provided. Will you accept this make-good offering of Sony? Read ahead for more details.

Video: Kevin Butler Parody Commercial on PSN Outage

On less serious news, a YouTube user by the name of rickymachinima uploaded a video parodying the usual Kevin Butler commercial, particularly attacking the current PSN outage, and how it compromised user info security. Here's the video:



Via Game Informer