[Update: PlayStation Network restored in the United States and Canada.]
So it turns out that the PlayStation Network is getting restored STARTING TODAY! Sony sent out a press release detailing the restoration and Sony's Kazuo Hirai gives a round down of what to expect in the video above.
The phased restoration will be on a country by country basis and begins with America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
Here's what will first be restored to PlayStation Network and Qriocity users:
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
The PlayStation.Blog has a heat map of the US showing which state has restored PlayStation Network services. At the moment, all the states are still white but the second you see your state illuminated is the moment you can jump back on and play with your friends. PlayStation's Patrick Seybold says it will "take several hours to restore PSN throughout the entire country."
We'll have more updates for you as they come through.
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You know what's the weird part about this article. Jim Sterling wasn't the one who posted it. Usualy he's the one who goes gaga when it comes to the PSN news.
3rd failure at 31% then it completed on the 4th attempt. But I cannot sign in to change my password, on my EU, NA or JP account, just keeps saying PSN is undergoing maintenance.
If I were a more superstitious person, I would think that the PSN only came back online (even if only partially at first) to mock me for boxing my PS3 up to re-connect a PS2 in its place on the very same day that I did so.
I might just have to get badly beaten in some online multiplayer match as penance/ to show thanks to the cyber-spirits, just in case there is something to it.
Wakatashi: Actually, I was the only one around this weekend to post these PSN updates. Jim was out living his life or something crazy like that. I'm sure he would have jumped on this though otherwise.
wow, look at the fanboys and haters trying to connect the lack of Jim in this post with this idea they've come up with that he is somehow biased against the PS3.
Somehow I can't imagine someone who has a personal bias problem with the PS3 giving Killzone 2 and 3 such high marks.
But you guys will do anything to justify your loyalty and protection of your precious black box filled with computer components. Even make it out to be a victim so you can act like you're it's personal defender.
Jesus Christ. Can't somebody like all consoles but be capable of criticizing one of them when they're feel it's deserved? Can't somebody mock a fucking box filled with components? It's not a person you morons, it has no feeling nor any heart. You can take a shit on it, literally, and it will probably still play your Killzone 3 and Uncharted 2. What does that tell you about it? Are you really loyal to what amounts to a fucking mechanical slave in the end?
Grow the fuck up guys. This isn't the 3rd grade anymore.
@EternalDeathSlayer- Ah! Perhaps so, if we aren't counting Hyper Dimension Neptunia or PlayStation3-Tan. But a corporation is a person. True, they seem to be greedy sociopathic persons, but persons under the law (in the United States of America,anyway) nonetheless.
Could it be that they are defending sweet sir Sony's honor even if he doesn't appreciate it since he could do a better job himself...no matter what his lackluster performance against hackers recently prove his defense inadequate? Does such devotion not move you emotionally as all tragic stories of unrequited loves are subject to do?
I'm just playing with you, which will have to do until PSN is back up and running in these here parts.
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Contest:
7:18 PM on 05.14.2011 | 
Yes, I know.
I'm predictable :3
HOORAY! I CAN PLAY RESISTANCE 2 NOW!
Thats two of us.
Also, "Aaaaaaaaaand, Playstation Home"
I lol'ed
Only Black Ops.
*facepalm*
Now send me that f**king information on the identity theft protection services already!
Still, this is long overdue good news. Not just the PS3's online functionality returning, but the end of this farce as a news item itself.
Finally, that Penny Arcade T-shirt can attain the level of irony it was originally intended to reach!
Don't worry, I can feel Jim will make a post eventually saying the same thing. If I'm right, I am your new God.
Killzone 3, GT5, and Ad hoc party here i come!
Anybody up for it?
I might just have to get badly beaten in some online multiplayer match as penance/ to show thanks to the cyber-spirits, just in case there is something to it.
Thank fuck! Imma go buy some t-shirts yo!
Somehow I can't imagine someone who has a personal bias problem with the PS3 giving Killzone 2 and 3 such high marks.
But you guys will do anything to justify your loyalty and protection of your precious black box filled with computer components. Even make it out to be a victim so you can act like you're it's personal defender.
Jesus Christ. Can't somebody like all consoles but be capable of criticizing one of them when they're feel it's deserved? Can't somebody mock a fucking box filled with components? It's not a person you morons, it has no feeling nor any heart. You can take a shit on it, literally, and it will probably still play your Killzone 3 and Uncharted 2. What does that tell you about it? Are you really loyal to what amounts to a fucking mechanical slave in the end?
Grow the fuck up guys. This isn't the 3rd grade anymore.
LMFAO.....that was a good one.
I'm so happy this is finally over with and I'm glad I stayed positive thorough all this overhyped drama. Now its time to snipe fools in KZ3!!!!
maybe that's something else...
Could it be that they are defending sweet sir Sony's honor even if he doesn't appreciate it since he could do a better job himself...no matter what his lackluster performance against hackers recently prove his defense inadequate? Does such devotion not move you emotionally as all tragic stories of unrequited loves are subject to do?
I'm just playing with you, which will have to do until PSN is back up and running in these here parts.