Sony PlayStation Network outage creates suspense
PlayStation Network, Sony's online video game marketplace and future digital distribution platform for movies and music, was down for several hours this morning, prompting angst among some of its 8 million addicts subscribers.
Sony spokesman Patrick Seybold urged calm, saying the outage is part of an announced "routine scheduled maintenance." This one took four hours and 45 minutes, during which time the PlayStation Store was shuttered and no online games could be played.
"Nothing really at play here," Seybold said in an e-mail. "It is just a slightly longer update than normal."
He didn't give details on what was updated, saying only, "Just part of normal tuning to ensure optimal usage."
That hasn't stopped some players from getting the impression that they were banned or that something darker was afoot with the Japanese electronics giant. In the always-on Internet era, take an outage, add a minor information vacuum and voila! You have the ingredients for an international corporate conspiracy. Hmmm, sounds like the makings of a good game!
-- Alex Pham
Image courtesy of Sony
Hey Alex, what the hell is that picture? I jus bought a PS3 for MGS4, that better NOT be a new one!!
Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta go find my receipt...
Posted by: AmbroseKalifornia | June 24, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Hey, Ambrose.
My bad. The photo was an old one we had on file. You have the latest greatest.
Alex Pham
Posted by: Alex Pham | June 24, 2008 at 02:04 PM
The image that you are using of the PS3 is about a year old. It was later changes and the controller design was kept the same as people didn’t like the stealth bomber shape. The outage will disappoint but seeing as how it’s a free service beggars can’t be choosers, it’s a loss of convenience not of service such as when the Microsoft network goes down that people are paying for.
Posted by: Oscar Figueroa | June 24, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Oh thank God....
That freaky boomerang controller scared the crap outta me. Although I don't know what they could possibly add. Sixaxis, Dual shock, Bluetooth...maybe a sweet turbo button!!
That would be AWESOME.
Posted by: AmbroseKalifornia | June 24, 2008 at 02:17 PM
@ Oscar
I dunno, I saw the PSN as a major reason to get a PS3 over a 360. I saw it as a service that was part of that hefty price tag, so I do feel I paid for it. Still, I didn't even notice it was down, so I don't really mind.
Posted by: AmbroseKalifornia | June 24, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Hey, Ambrose.
I'm with you on the controller. Maybe a blood oxygen level indicator to tell if you're appropriately energized?
Posted by: Alex Pham | June 24, 2008 at 02:36 PM