PlayStation Network

PlayStation Network

PlayStation Network, often abbreviated as PSN, is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service provided/run by Sony Computer Entertainment for use with the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable video game consoles. As of April, 2011, there are 77 million registered PlayStation Network accounts. Since April 20, 2011, the PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment's network has been offline due to a "compromise of personal information as a result of an illegal intrusion".

History

In 2006, Sony announced an online network for the PlayStation 3 system at the 2006 PlayStation Business Briefing meeting in Tokyo, tentatively named "PlayStation Network Platform". Sony also confirmed that the service will always be connected, free, and include multiplayer support. The full list of features available at launch was announced at their TGS 2006 press conference. When the network launched, the registration interface could only be accessed through the PS3 or PSP system interfaces. This has been changed since to allow users to sign up from the PlayStation Network website.

At the Tokyo Game Show on September 21, 2006, it was revealed that users will be able to download some of the PlayStation and PSP titles from the PlayStation Network for about US$5–$15, starting with those with the smallest game data.

On May 8, 2007 Sony Computer Entertainment announced PlayStation Network Cards,[11] a form of electronic money that can be used with the Store. PlayStation Network Tickets, available in units of 1,000, 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000 yen, can be purchased at convenience stores throughout Japan. Each ticket contains a 12 character alphanumeric code which can be input on the PlayStation Network to place credits in the virtual wallet.[13] The tickets are available through electronic kiosks at 26,000 convenience stores, including Lawsons, Family Mart, Daily Yamazaki, Ministop and Sunkus. They are also available at 26,000 post office ATMs, although registration is required first at a special mobile website.

A similar PlayStation Network card system based on actual cards instead of tickets was introduced in South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan in Summer 2007 and in Spring 2008 in North America. And latterly the United Kingdom and the EU in October 2009. PlayStation Network Card was also launched in Malaysia in June 2009 in conjunction with the launch of the local PlayStation Store.

On June 29, 2010, a premium PSN subscription service was launched on top of the free PSN service called PlayStation Plus offering exclusive content to its subscribers.

In 2011, Sony sued George Hotz. One of the claims was that he had violated the PlayStation Network's Terms of Use (the PSN User Agreement), which Sony argued constituted a violation of law known as Breach of Contract.