UPDATE: Due to high traffic on PlayStation Store, you may encounter error messages or issues. We advise you to check back a little later and try again.
Note: In order to download two games at no cost, you must redeem them from the “Welcome Back” category. The individual titles are still available for purchase outside of the “Welcome Back Program”
If at any point you can’t find the ‘Welcome Back Free Game 1 or 2’ products, the list of available titles or a game you’ve selected, go to your XMB>PlayStation Network>Account Management>Transaction Management>Services List>SCEA Promotions to complete the process.
We’re so excited to welcome you back to PlayStation Network. With the PlayStation Store back online, we’ve been getting all caught up this week, having launched an abundance of amazing content for download on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable devices across games, movies, themes and DLC. Today, we’re excited to launch the Welcome Back program to thank you for your loyalty, and below, we’ve got what you need in order to get access to the included content. So, here’s a list of questions about the program. If you don’t see your question below, mention it in the comments and we’ll do our best to provide an answer. Thanks again for your patience and understanding as we restored the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services – your support has meant a lot to us and is greatly appreciated.
Q: What’s in the Welcome Back Program?
A: To start, all PSN members who had signed up before the outage (April 20, 2011) will be able to select two games for the PS3 system and two games for the PSP system.
For PS3 owners, go to the ‘Welcome Back’ section in the PlayStation Store, and select 2 titles from the following list:
- Dead Nation
- inFAMOUS
- LittleBigPlanet
- Super Stardust HD
- Wipeout HD + Fury
For PSP owners, go to the ‘Welcome Back’ section of PlayStation Store on your PSP system and select 2 titles from the following list:
- LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
- ModNation Racers
- Pursuit Force
- Killzone Liberation
Select your first game from “Game 1”, then return to the Welcome Back page and go to “Game 2” to select your second game out of the remaining choices available. This goes for both PS3 and PSP.
In addition, we’re giving access to our premium subscription service, PlayStation Plus, which includes games, huge discounts, exciting exclusives and added features like online storage and automatic downloads, to all PSN members for 30 days at no charge, requiring no long term commitment. As with the games above, go to the PlayStation Store and under the ‘Welcome Back’ section, select ‘PlayStation Plus: 30 Days Free’, and you’ll be given access to all of the benefits of PlayStation Plus. Note that this will not auto-renew and simply expires 30 days after activation.
Current Plus subscribers receive an extra 60 days added to their existing subscription at no charge. For current Plus subscribers, no action is needed as the 60 days are automatically added to your subscription.
PlayStation Network users will also get 100 virtual items in PlayStation Home as a show of appreciation for your patience while Home was inaccessible. Additional content is coming soon, including the next addition to the Home Mansion personal space, and Ooblag’s Alien Casino, an exclusive game.
A selection of “On Us” movie rentals are currently available to PlayStation Network customers this weekend only, where Video Service is available.
Finally, current Music Unlimited Premium subscription members will receive an additional 30 days of premium subscription plus days lost due to the outage.
Q: When will I have access to the Welcome Back Program?
A: The content offered as part of the Welcome Back Program is available for download today and will be available through July 3.
Q: I have both PS3 and PSP. Does this mean I will get 4 games all together?
A: Yes, as long as you were a PSN member before April 20, 2011, you’ll be able to receive up to 4 games based on the titles listed above; 2 on each platform.
Q: Are there any limitations to the PS3 and PSP games we are receiving as part of the Welcome Back Program?
A: These games are yours to keep.
Q: How long do I have to get into the PlayStation Store and receive my content for Welcome Back?
A: Access to the Welcome Back content will be expiring on July 3. Once this date has passed, the Welcome Back section in the PlayStation Store will be removed.
Q: When does the 30 days of my PlayStation Plus access expire?
A: Your PlayStation Plus 30-day access will expire 30 days from the date you activated it in PlayStation Store.
Q: When will (insert game here) be published?
A: Look forward to posts over the coming days that will show what content will be available at that point, or coming soon. We’re planning frequent store publishes offering lots of new content for everyone to enjoy.
Q: I’m getting 30 days of access to PlayStation Plus; can you refresh my memory on what I get with this service?
A: From the time you activate your 30 days of PlayStation Plus, you’ll be able to download games and game related content, purchase select store items at a discount, and have access to the exclusive features of Plus. You’ll also be able to get early access to any Plus exclusive Demos and priority Beta invitations that might be scheduled during your 30 days.
Q: Do I get to keep the games in PlayStation Plus forever?
A: Content that is free in PlayStation Plus will not be available after your PlayStation Plus time has expired. However, if you decide to join PlayStation Plus, you’ll have access to all of the content you downloaded during your 30 day access for as long as you are a subscriber.
Q: Do I get to keep any games or content I purchased with the PlayStation Plus discount?
A: Yes. Any content you purchase at a discount is yours to keep, regardless of your subscription status.
Q: Aside from the games and discounts; does PlayStation Plus offer anything else?
A: Yes! PlayStation Plus includes the Online Storage for Game Saves feature, allowing you to backup treasured game saves or access them from another PS3 system as long as you are a subscriber. In addition, you get the Automatic Download feature, which automatically updates your 10 most recently played games while the system is in stand-by mode so you don’t have to wait for updates before playing your games.
Q: What content will be in PlayStation Plus when I activate my 30 days?
A: PlayStation Plus content and discounts are regularly updated throughout the month. For up-to-date information on content within PlayStation Plus, please visit the Plus homepage.
Q: Where can I find the Welcome Back content in Home?
A: The 100 virtual items can be found in the kiosk in Home’s Central Plaza along with two personal spaces – Dragon’s Lair and the Mansion Garage. A new game – Ooblag’s Alien Casino – will be released soon (June 2011). This game will be free-to-play. As an added bonus, players that access the Ooblag Alien Casino space will be rewarded an active item version of the Ooblag game that can be played in your personal space(s).
Q: How do I access the content in the Welcome Back Program?
A: Follow the steps below to access the content in the Welcome Back Program:
1. Log on to PlayStation®Store
2. Click on the “Welcome Back” tab in the upper left menu
3. Select “Welcome Back Free PS3™ Game 1”
4. Within the category, click on the “Welcome Back Free PS3™ Game 1” product and “Get Now”
5. Select your free PS3™ game*, and “Download”*
6. Repeat steps 3-5 with “Welcome Back Free PS3™ Game 2”
7. Go to the XMB™ to play your free games.
Q: I clicked on one of the Welcome Back Free PS3/PSP Game 1/2 selections, clicked “Get Now”, but no games showed up. Now that option is no longer selectable in the Store. Where is my game?
A: This is an issue we’re working on resolving, however for the time being, you can still get to that content by going to the XMB and under the PlayStation Network column, go to Account Management>Transaction Management>Services List>SCEA Promotion. You should be able to access the content in the option you selected here.
Q: Why am I getting errors saying I can’t access the Store?
A: Due to the surge of people going to the Store, you may experience some blocks in accessing certain areas of the store. Give it another try, or wait for a small period of time to avoid the rush.
Remember, if you didn’t see your question answered above, drop us a line below and we’ll do our best to answer it. Welcome Back!
“Q: Are there any limitations to the PS3 and PSP games we are receiving as part of the Welcome Back Program?
A: None. These games are yours to keep.”
That’s awesome, but I call BULLCRAP! Because of a later question and answer
“Q: Do I get to keep the games in PlayStation Plus forever?
A: Content that is free in PlayStation Plus will not be available after your PlayStation Plus time has expired. However, if you decide to join PlayStation Plus, you’ll have access to all of the content you downloaded during your 30 day access for as long as you are a subscriber.”
So we get to keep our 4 games (2 PS3 and 2 PSP) but after 30 days is up and we don’t fork over our money to stay Plus members, those games become useless and unplayable? Those games are free for the welcome back package, because everyone who is getting that package becomes a Plus member for those 30-days (60 if you were a member before).
It’s too bad I have to keep it short. I had it all typed up and everything ready for the moment I could finally log in and comment on this so called “welcome back” package.
seriously when will the online account management be done with the maintenance, does anyone know?
THEY DROPPED THE BALL THROUGH THE WHOLE SITUATION AND THE BALL STILL ROLLING AROUND THEY CANT SEEM TO GET A GRIP ON THIS SO YEAH ME AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS ARE A LITTLE TICKED
ok i see your point but complaining here may not help, i dont know
i thought for sure i would have to help my 9 year old nephew get his welcome back package but nope i didnt. everything went smooth for him
I just recently got a PS3 a month ago not knowing about the PSN being down and I got excited to know about the welcome back offer but now am dissapointed as I can’t take part in this offer due to me not having an account since day 1 of the PSN being down. Long story short, is there any way I can take part in downloading the 2 free games even though I didn’t have a PSN account the 1st day the PSN went down?
@3691 Vashnik
No, the 4 games are yours to keep.
the PSN plus is another thing, different games than the welcome back package.
SONY, please give the PSP user a chance to select 30 DAYS of PSN PLUS.
Hey!
Just a question:
I have 3 accounts on my system, mine and my brothers! Will I be able to get my two games and my brother get the games too? Or this is ilegal?
This unfair becuase I don’t have acess to these games ;/
I bought my ps3 in may 1 ;/
maybe if people didnt complain about getting the store and welcome back package asap then maybe things would be working more properly
why are the movies that we can watch, SOOOOOOOOOO OLD, how bout something MORE current.
totally agree
3698-any account made before the outage get the welcome back package. me and my gf had a total of 3 accounts so we got every game for free. enjoy
radar,
i have to agree, i like my 2 games but it shouldn’t be this complicated to get them, since the outage they have blown everything they tried to do…even the welcome back package they failed to execute properly, they knew online traffic would be insane, so why didn;t they beef up their servers to handle it, so all these errors and crap wouldn’t happen i mean come on
@ gakNyambung
No I live in America. And I have all of the choices (LittleBigPlanet, Wipeout Bundle, Super Stardust) bbut inFAMOUS isn’t there. I’ll just check tomorrow but I don’t understand why it’s not there.
that man!
if you want to watch newer movies and cheaply you can always try redbox. it comes in handy
why cant i login tn to my psp psn account my brther can login but when i try it says error
COMMON!!! LOL
On June 3rd I tried to purchase two sets of Welcome Back program, but as I was trying to buy the second game of the PS3 program (Super Stardust HD), the connection dropped. Now when I enter the program does not appear in the latter game, when I look for the link to the game dawload link to this last game and will not appear quandoeu try Super Stardust HD on PSN Store this game looks like not buying, just looking the option to buy, but the Transaction Number is 2272963923, Purchase Order Welcome Back PS3 Game 2.
Question: if i get Plus right now will i get a discount on the new Call of Duty: Black Ops map pack Escalation?
@Blacksanctuary
In other words, they don’t give a $hi7
im sure the bo dlc will never be discounted
hey im waitin for sony to answer my ? not u dawg, mind ur business
BTW if anyone doesnt know escalation comes out June 10th.
don’t know zombie have to wait till it comes out, or is it out yet?
WHEN I WENT TO GET MY PSP GAMES I CLICKED ON THE WELCOME BACK TAB AND WHEN IT OPENDED IT UP THERE WERE NO GAMES TO CHOOSE FROM WHAT DO I DO!!!!
im sure sony is worried more about E3
WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT THE PS3 ON 420 AND DIDNT GET TO PLAY JUST AS LONG AS EVERYONE ELSE WHAT DO WE GET SONY?
Yea i just checked AbruptedWotas on callofduty.com it will be in the PS store June 10th.
Way to kill my joy boondox. LOL :)
hey playstation i when’t to the welcome back program and i picked the 1st game then i when’t back insted of downloading, and then did the same to the second, and now i can’t download the games, what should i do.
I downloaded the game before I downloaded the 30day thing and before game1 now I can’t download the free games what can I do
Hey Sony, why do you guys keep the map packs instead of letting us have them when the game comes out?
@3722 AND I QUOTE “If at any point you can’t find the ‘Welcome Back Free Game 1 or 2’ products, the list of available titles or a game you’ve selected, go to your XMB>PlayStation Network>Account Management>Transaction Management>Services List>SCEA Promotions to complete the process.” There its at the top of the page PLEASE READ THE ARTICLE BEFORE ASKING QUESTIONS!
for those of you saying cannot find the free games selection or cant download, check:
1. If you haven’t choose the game(s):
Under the PlayStation Network column, go to Account Management>Transaction Management>Services List>SCEA Promotion. You should be able to get the free games selection from here.
2. if you already choose your games but haven’t downloaded it:
On the store, open the download list.
SONY, please give the PSP user a chance to get 30 DAYS of PSN PLUS.
plz fix my problem plz plzzz sony please i had an account before the outage and i couldent change its passwd now the site is under maintenace and my new account cant get the free stuff help plis
when I tried to click on the selection it told me I need to pay . How do I get a free movie
Well, I found my answer. Now, to find a PS3 to activate my PS+ with…
@xyno669…You wont believe how MANY times in the past 2 days i have said that lol
Thanks. I was worried I accidentaly messed up getting my second game :U I’ll go try to fix it. :D
I have successfully completed the Game 1 and 2 “get now” transactions. But, when I chose the games I added them to my cart. When I tried to download the games only minutes later without leaving the store, the cart was empty, and now I’m not able to retrieve the games. How can I retrieve these games?
does anyone know when the mortal kombat 9 dlc will be coming out
How about we do what sony says. There are 77 million PSN accounts. I bet you there are like 30 million that have tried to get the free games. Just chill and wait it out for a couple days. Then try
Ok if you get the Welcome back package and i did and i did everything right and as instructed but i only got 1 game it was Dead-Nation, and about like 5 avatars and i think 2 themes. WHY CANT I GET A SECOND PS3 GAME??? I REALLY WANT TO GET MY SECOND GAME!!!! I AM PRETTY DISAPPOINTED SONY
when i go to playstation store and click on Welcome back program at the topper left the only thing that pops up is a theme and thats it. I also went on Account Management>Transaction Management>Services List and there was nothing there either plz help me
It sucks that those few of us who bought a PS3 during the outage can’t get in on the free games. But I can get the 100 free items in Home and those 3 movies. I downloaded the Final Fantasy movie. I have liked it since seeing it in the theatre.
heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeollllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo12222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222jjjjr
42t”ou99-
jt0oktf3
. I cannot download the free stuff because i did not have a network account before April 15. I just finally was able to get online access but only after the outage happened. I have always been a fan of the playstation and own all 3 consoles and the psp. i waited for the network to get back online so i could create an account then i had to wait for the store to open and i know there are others in my boat. i dont think it is fair to me and those that are in the same boat. As a new customer who also had had to wait i want to know how i can get the welcome back pack. someone please be fair and give to ALL who had to wait for everything to be fully restored.
my mama says go to bed b4 she beat the ps blog out of me lmfaoS.O.B