106w ago - Following the release of PS3 Firmware 3.61 and the PSN restoration announcement from Kazuo Hirai, Sony's Senoir Director of Corporate Communications & Social Media Patrick Seybold tells PSN users to 'play on' confirming that PlayStation Network restoration officially begins now.

To quote: Thank you for your patience and encouragement over the last few weeks. As covered in the post from earlier today, you can now update the firmware on your PS3 and change your password. Kazuo Hirai just announced that we have begun the phased restoration by region of some of the services, starting with online multiplayer functionality.

Please note that these services will take a bit of time to be turned on and rolled out to the whole country. The process has begun and some states are being turned on now, so please be patient as we reach your city and state. Well be updating the map below as service comes online in individual states.

It will take several hours to restore PSN throughout the entire country, so please keep checking back for the latest updates. In the meantime, nows a great time to get your PS3s firmware updated and change your password, both of which are required...

106w ago - Update: The PS Blog has now posted the following message regarding their PSN restoration timeline update, to quote:

"I know you all want to know exactly when the services will be restored. At this time, I can't give you an exact date, as it will likely be at least a few more days. We're terribly sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we work through this process."

Today Bloomberg (linked above) reports that Sony expects PSN services, including Qriocity, to be fully restored by May 31, 2011.

To quote: "Sony Corp.'s PlayStation Network and Qriocity online services remain shut as of today, Shigenori Yoshida, a Tokyo-based spokesman said. Sony is uncertain when it can resume the services, Yoshida said by phone today.

The company is in the process of adopting an improved security system and its plan to restart the services fully by May 31 is unchanged, he said. Sony shut down the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services April 20 because of possible data theft by hackers.

The maker of PS consoles had planned to restart partial operations within a week after boosting the level of security system, the company said May 1."

108w ago - From their Press Conference today, Kazuo Hirai has briefed the media on Sony's investigation into the PlayStation Network security breach, PSN security measures and service restoration plans.

Sony stated they plan restore some PSN and Qriocity services this week with the rest during the new month, and confirmed that all existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service while current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.

To quote from Sony's Sr. Director of Corporate Communications & Social Media Patrick Seybold via the official Press Release:

SOME PLAYSTATION NETWORK AND QRIOCITY SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK

Phased Global Rollout of Services to Begin Regionally; System Security Enhanced to Provide Greater Protection of Personal Information

Tokyo, May 1, 2011 - Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI, the company) announced they will shortly begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStationNetwork and Qriocity™ services, beginning with gaming, music and video services to be turned on.

The company also announced both...

264w ago - If you didn't know, Grand Theft Auto IV on the PlayStation 3 has been having some online issues. We are happy to say the game is back online and can now be played in multiplayer matches.

What are you waiting for, get off onAXIS and go play on of the fourteen multiplayer modes. Yes, fourteen.

Although I got to say, now that I'm finally online I am a bit disappointed with the character creation. There is so little choice (roughly 4 choice to select for each piece of body wear and face).

I'm not that far in, but do you unlock more for your online character as you progress through the game?