We will just have to wait and see if this really occurs in full this week. Numerous broken promises and shotty fixes have lead them to the darkside of stretching the truth.

"Tokyo, May 31, 2011 – Sony Corporation and Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) announced today that Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI, the company) will fully restore all PlayStation®Network services in the Americas, Europe/PAL territories and Asia, excluding Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea by the end of this week. The company will also resume Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity™ for PlayStation®3 (PS3®), PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), VAIO and other PCs. Details for Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea as well as the remaining services on Qriocity will be announced as they become available.

The company implemented considerable security enhancements to the network infrastructure, as well as conducted testing of the payment process and commerce functions. The first phase of PlayStation Network and Qriocity restoration began on May 15 in the Americas and Europe/PAL territories, followed by Japan and Asian countries and regions on May 28, when the company brought partial services back online. With this partial restoration users were able to access to some of the services such as online game play, account management, friend lists and chat functionality were restored. The full restoration of PlayStation Network as well as part of services to become available on Qriocity will include:

• Full functionality on PlayStation®Store
• In-game commerce
• Ability to redeem vouchers and codes
• Full functionality on Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3, PSP, VAIO and
other PCs
• Full functionality on Media Go

Customers will be able to purchase and download games and video content from the PlayStation®Store on PS3 or PSP. In addition, consumers will have full access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity through PS3, PSP, VAIO and other PC’s. Service restoration of Video on Demand powered by Qriocity™ and Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for a variety of network-enabled Sony devices will be announced later.

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

The company will be offering customers a “Welcome Back” package of services and premium content to all registered PlayStation Network* and Qriocity account services. The details of this program will continue to be detailed regionally.

* Only available for those countries with access to PlayStation®Store."

Full Story: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/05/30/full-psn-services-including-playstation-store-return-this-week/

Really, do we need to say anymore than the header?
Go here: http://www.callofduty.com/elite

Rumors are flying about the most recent hacking of Playstation, only a few days after they get their minimal services online again. Try again, PSN.

"This is getting (more) ridiculous. Not even two days after Sony restored its embattled PlayStation Network for most users worldwide, cyber criminals have once again launched an attack, this time going after the PSN’s password reset system. In order for users to reconnect to the PSN, they were required to reset their passwords. You know, for security reasons.

News of this third, most recent attack were originally reported on Nyleveia.com, which warned PSN users that “accounts are still not safe.”

“I want to make this clear to ALL PSN users. Despite the methods currently employed to force a password change when you first reconnect to the PlayStation network, your accounts still remain unsafe,” writes Nyleveia. “A new hack is currently doing the rounds in dark corners of the internet that allows the attacker the ability to change your password using only your account’s email and date of birth. It has been proven to me through direct demonstration on a test account, so I am without any shadow of a doubt that this is real.”

Following the Nyleveia post there was, in fact, some doubt that this was real. But further tests by Eurogamer proved that the breach was real, which caused prompt action from Sony. In response, the company has blocked PSN login access to a number of its site, and the PSN password reset site has also been taken offline.

Sony responded to the new attack, saying: “Unfortunately this also means that those who are still trying to change their password via Playstation.com or Qriocity.com will be unable to do so for the time being.”

“This is due to essential maintenance and at present it is unclear how long this will take,” Sony added. “In the meantime you will still be able to sign into PSN via your PlayStation 3 and PSP devices to connect to game services and view Trophy/Friends information.”

Fortunately, this round of breaches isn’t actually a “hack” in the true sense of the word — at least not if you want to be a stickler about it. The previous attacks on the PSN were true hacks in that someone broke into Sony’s network, and stole nearly 13 million credit cards, and the personal data of about 100 million people. This time, they just used some of the data that was already stolen to break into people’s accounts. Big difference, we know.

Still, this proven vulnerability is sure to give Sony more grief. Just yesterday, Sony CEO Howard Stringer defended his company’s handling of the April attacks, which resulted in the being turned off for a week before users were alerted to the data theft.

On Monday, Sony released the details of its user “Welcome Back” program, which includes free games, like ModNation Racers and Killzone Liberation, and free movie rentals. Perhaps this most recent breach will prompt them to toss in a few more options, just to keep users happy. Just a suggestion."

SOURCE: http://www.geohot.ca/2011/05/psn-is-hacked-again-user-passwords.html

We have been waiting for the PSN to come to life again. Here is the first look at what is roling out now and in stages:

• Sign-in for PlayStation®Network and Qriocity services, including the resetting of passwords
• Restoration of online game-play across PS3 and PSP
• Playback rental video content, if within rental period, of PlayStation Network Video Delivery Service on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
• Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity, for current subscribers, on PS3 and PC
• Access to 3rd party services such as Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and MLB.tv
• 'Friends' category on PS3, including Friends List, Chat Functionality, Trophy Comparison, etc
• PlayStation Home

Free games? Sure, we would love some. Here is the general listing as pulled from Joystiq. 
Read more here:

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/sony-reveals-choice-of-free-game-downloads-in-psn-welcome-back-p/


North American "Customer Appreciation Program":

"All PlayStation Network customers can select two PS3 games from the following list. The games will be available for 30 days shortly after PlayStation Store is restored and can be kept forever.

• Dead Nation
• inFAMOUS
• LittleBigPlanet
• Super Stardust HD
• Wipeout HD + Fury

For PSP owners, you will be eligible to download two PSP games from the following list. The games will be available for 30 days shortly after PlayStation Store is restored and can be kept forever.

• LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
• ModNation Racers
• Pursuit Force
• Killzone Liberation

-A selection of "On Us" rental movie titles will be available to PlayStation Network customers over one weekend, where Video Service is available. Those titles will be announced soon.
-30 days free PlayStation Plus membership for non PlayStation Plus subscribers.
-Existing PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive an additional 60 days of free subscription.
-Existing Music Unlimited Premium Trial subscription members will receive an additional 30 days of free premium subscription.
-Additional 30 days + time lost for existing members of Music Unlimited Premium/Basic subscription free of charge for existing Premium/Basic members.
-To welcome users Home, PlayStation Home will be offering 100 free virtual items. Additional free content will be released soon, including the next addition to the Home Mansion personal space, and Ooblag's Alien Casino, an exclusive game."

European Union "Customer Appreciation Programme":

"All existing PlayStation Network members will be able to access the following from PlayStation Store*:

Two PS3 games from the following list:

• LittleBigPlanet
• Infamous*
• Wipeout HD/Fury
• Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty
• Dead Nation*

For those with PSP accounts, you will also be eligible to download two PSP games from the following list:

• LittleBigPlanet PSP
• ModNation PSP
• Pursuit Force
• Killzone Liberation*

- 30 days free PlayStation Plus membership for non PS Plus subscribers*
- Existing PlayStation Plus subscribers will be given 60 days free subscription.
- For existing Music Unlimited subscribers, you will be given 30 days free subscription.
- We are working on a Welcome Back offer in PlayStation Home and will share that when it is confirmed."

Since the notorious hacking of the Playstation gaming network, several things have occured, including the hacking of Sony Entertainment. The company has literally been brought to its knees saying that it is closed PSN indefinitely. Here is the latest from their official blog:

"As you may know, we’ve begun the process of restoring the service through internal testing of the new system. We’re still working to confirm the security of the network infrastructure, as well as working with a variety of outside entities to confirm with them of the security of the system. Verifying the system security is vital for the process of restoration. Additional comprehensive system checks and testing are still required, and we must complete that process before bringing the systems online.

As you’ve heard us say, our utmost priorities are the security of the network and ensuring your data is safe. We won’t restore the services until we can test the system’s strength in these respects.

When we held the press conference in Japan last week, based on what we knew, we expected to have the services online within a week. We were unaware of the extent of the attack on Sony Online Entertainment servers, and we are taking this opportunity to conduct further testing of the incredibly complex system. We know many of you are wanting to play games online, chat with your friends and enjoy all of the services PlayStation Network and Qriocity services have to offer, and trust me when I say we’re doing everything we can to make it happen. We will update you with more information as soon as we have it. We apologize for the delay and inconvenience of this network outage."

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/05/06/service-restoration-update/

In the meantime, hello Xbox Live.

I just found out today that the leak we all heard about last week from GAME site is true. Of course, the flyer announcing this has since been removed. Activision and Microsoft will be dropping the $15.00 expansion pack May 3 for 360, PS3 and PC. This is the best kind of accidental leak ever. Below is the flyer that "accidentally" popped up on the site.

From here it looks like the new maps are as follows: Zoo, Hotel, Convoy, Stockpile, Co-op Zombie Mode.

Thank you GAME. I knew I loved Australians for some reason.

Unboxing video courtesy of Playstation below.

I have been playing SOCOM over numerous years utilizing several gaming consoles, including PSP. I was thrilled to hear about the newest edition, SOCOM 4 Navy SEALs, for one reason, Playstation Move sharp shooter controller. Instead of sitting with your DualShock 3, you will be immersed into a land with a handheld gun. Movement, real time point and shoot FPS (first person shooter) are the name of the game now.

The newest SOCOM is offering a packaged deal with the Playstation Move included with many other gaming goodies. You can pick yours up on April 19 for $149.99 (MSRP). Beyond the sticker shock, you will actually save money in the long run by purchasing this deal now. If you purchase individually, your pockets will be empty for a long time. The wave of the future is leading towards Playstation Move whether you want to jump on board or not. 

Click the photo to see what special offers are at Amazon.

That's right. It seems like a long wait since the official release of the demo, but Sony finally put it in the Demo Store. Start practicing now, I'm sure I will see you in battle soon enough.

The official release date for Mortal Kombat is April 19, 2011 (tomorrow). But it is not too late to take advantage of some deals. If you want something special, only 20,000 copies of The Kollector's Edition will be available, via Destructoid. Amazon has some free offers if you pre-order from them. Available for Playstaion 3 and Xbox 360.

Click the photo below to see the pre-order deals and pricing from Amazon.com.