UPDATED: Welcome Back Program Available Now – Details Inside

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UPDATED: Welcome Back Program Available Now – Details Inside

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.

Welcome Back

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!

Comments are closed.

5,171 Comments

  • Help! i dont know how to contact sony, friend of mine cant reset his password, it keeps saying store is not available in his country. When will this be fixed? Is there any way he can recover his account? Please!

  • I got mine from my Ps3, try rebooting your PS3(turn off and back on)

  • I downloades the welcome back free game 1, then i tryed to download dead nation but it said error. So i.went to the SCEA Promotion and nothing happens…i still dont get to download the first game

  • I clicked on Welcome Back, thought the two psp games downloaded via Media Go but NOTTA. Whats the deal??

  • ahh it works thanks :) gotta love the help of the PS3 community

  • If an error code occurs just retry again. and if a game doesnt show try rebooting your ps3/psp

  • and go to the play station home site if all fails, they have costumer support

  • ok so i downloaded little big planet and it gave me the demo do u guys no how to fix it to the real game

  • If anyone knows how i can contact sony to retrieve an account that is located in a country that cant access PS Store, please tell me!!

  • there should be a big package with little big planet, an unlock package that should unlock your game. it should be at the sameplace you downloaded little big planet

  • Lilpres_ try calling 800-345-SONY

  • ya i looked there and its not there, but my 2nd game had it

  • theres only one problem in calling, there only open from MON-SAT 6:00am-8:00pm PST

  • ill probably just call customer support tomorrow

  • @Takishiro

    Yes, I’ve tried with PSP, Media Go, PS3…. everything.

    Could be a problem that I only have 1 account? Should I have different account for PSP?

  • it should be a full game (not a bundle like WipEout)

  • it wouldnt matter Jazz because i downlaod 2 psp games and 2 ps3 games on my ps3 with the same account.

  • maybe try rebooting your ps3? and check again at the transaction management in a couple of minutes?

  • 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.

  • When i got to do this step:

    XMB>PlayStation Network>Account Management>Transaction Management>Services
    List>SCEA Promotions

    My service list is empty.

  • idk its still not there, it just says little big planet demo

  • I thought PS Plus was only for PS3 users.. wierd

  • I’m going to wait for few days and then contact costumer support.

    Thanks anyway Takishiro!

  • did it come with a bundle( Little big Planet Full Unlock)

  • try going to the welcome back package in the Ps Store under the games section , you may receive many error codes. just keep trying! Even i had this problem, and also it may take a few tries to see the content

  • yay i got it thanks to Gandalf

  • It’s finally that PSN finally got this thing rolling. The funniest part is that I know how to take full advantage of them. I downloaded 4 free ps3 games and 4 psp games for free and it was legit. I’m totally happy about it. But then again sony made it easy for me to do. I just wish they would have just given me one free game of my choosing instead (you know something I actually like) but getting 8 free games out of it rather than the 4 they promise definitely makes me feel a little better :^)

  • i had to go to my service list, to free ps3 game 1 and redownload it

  • well guys im off, if any one wants to add me as a friend add Takishiro,

    meh wants teh KillZone 3!! XD

  • I wish i had more than just 1 psn account.. wanted Dead Nation..

  • Just downloaded my two for ps3 Infamous and wipeout hd. Infamous is awesome! Now onto the psp,

  • Sony where my infamous in the store? I don’t see it Anyone still having this issue? It seems they fix the error code finally lol. Anyway Sony if my free game not there Tomorrow I’m calling you guys for support so I can get my free infamous game :). Thanks for listening. By way I’m plus member.

  • @3818 – Follow the directions posted and you’ll find the information to get the game.

  • hey did you have to have an account before the PSN went down cause i got a PS3 after PSN went out and its not letting me get the 2 free games?

  • @3819

    His problems stem from a bug where users who downloaded the InFAMOUS demo previously, couldn’t get the full version of the game.

  • i couldnt get the full game anyways so since i didnt have an account before the Blackout i cant get the games?

  • Yes 3821 is there away fix it? Do I have Call Sony on Monday find out what went wrong?

  • So for customers who bought a sony product during the outage who still had to endure get nothing? I bought my PSP Go 5/13 and didnt get the 3 free games it was advertised that it came with, and still get nothing ehh ill probly just return it for a 360

  • oh ok well yeah then it must be a problem with sony then

  • I just wanted to say that I think it’s better for Sony to give everyone one maybe two games to download from the PSN Store of their choosing, than giving them only 5 choices from PS3 and 4 choices for psp. I really wanted a specific game that is $29.99 rather than 2 of these games that cost $14.99 each or little bit more or less, I found out and actually obtain 4 ps3 games plus 4 psp games for free. This total out to about $154 in downloads (I did my math). And all I wanted was a $30 game. It’s amazing I did this legit and for free. I strongly recommend Sony, to be a little bit more fair to the consumers so they don’t find ways of milking out the system more than what they deemed necessary.

    Thank you,

    T.L. 3

  • I tried to start my own share Ideas form but for some odd reason they won’t allow me to post. I don’t understand why?

  • Yay I’m so happy the welcome back program is here! :D
    Woo 60 more days of PS+! Yeah! :D

  • Sony, I do appreciate the thought, but when I try to download the game I get this during the download:
    1. I’m trying to download inFAMOUS which takes 7056MB, but why is it that when its in 800+MB it stays in 0%?
    2. When it reaches a certain amount of MB it either signs me out or say instalation error, I thought it was my internet until my friend told me the exat same thing.
    Please answer this for me, I’m going to end up selling my PS3 if this keeps up :(

  • im trying to get inFAMOUS but its not part of the list does anyone know why? just the other 4 games are there to choose and i havent clicked the game 2 thing…

  • I was able to download two of the four games I believe were open to us. but I still don’t have the option to access the games or enter my transaction section to complete the alternative suggestion. I guess i’ll just have to wait.

  • You know, the other day when I logged in to the store for the first time, I was a bit surprised that the small balance I had was gone. i’m certain that I had between three dollars, to as low as two something. Nothing large, nothing major, just enough to buy a tv show, as I normally do. So when I was looking through the stuff, I noticed that my wallet was empty. So I’m curious, and I don’t want to start some type of flame war with folks, but honestly, in the cyber attack, when they stole the info they got, did they also manage to clean out the accounts? If so, that might explain the good will games. The one thing I wonder about though is if anyone out there may or may not have lost over a hundred dollars in their wallet for the PSN Store, and if so, what happens for them?

    Overall, I’m very happy now. Sure, I was so angry that things took so long, but now that things are back to normal, I’m extremely happy. Hope this never happens again, so that I don’t lose any more game buddies to this sort of thing. I was doing so well in Killzone 3, but most of the folks I played with are long gone. It’s a shame.

  • Keep on trying peeps… press circle to go back one step, and try again. 8~)

    Keep on trying peeps… press circle to go back one step, and try again. 8~)

    Keep on trying peeps… press circle to go back one step, and try again. 8~)

    Keep on trying peeps… press circle to go back one step, and try again. 8~)

    Keep on trying peeps… press circle to go back one step, and try again. 8~)

    Keep on trying peeps… press circle to go back one step, and try again. 8~)

    Keep on trying peeps… press circle to go back one step, and try again. 8~)

    Keep on trying peeps… press circle to go back one step, and try again. 8~)

    The system is working fine… if you’re having problems, it’s because you’re stupid!!! 8~(

    Sorry you’re so stupid!!! Sorry you’re so stupid!!! Sorry you’re so stupid!!! Sorry you’re so stupid!!! 8~(

    … @#$%n’ twidiots!!!

  • It sucks because customer service is also isn’t working because of high traffic….I mean honestly people..do u really have to call for help changing your password?

  • My 60gig PS3 just yellow lighted…UUGGGH!! I was only able to download Dead Nation. >_<

  • I brought my FatBoy back to life 8 or 9 times with a Reflow procedure found on YouTube!!!

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