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!
jus called Sony Customer service. i simply asked why the instructions are not correct on the welcome back page instructions…it tells us to select “get it now” then back out and do the same for game 2, however it skips the kinda important part where u have to also click on “download now” AFTER u select get it now. the guy at sony said the”get it now” option was only for psp users to auto download, so WHY ARE PSP INSTRUCTIONS BEING GIVEN TO PS3 USERS?…thats the only reason theres even 4000+posts here. someone other than me hasta try an get ahold of the online development team and ask them why in the heck are we being given the wrong-incorrect instructions on the console itself..we shoudlnt have to come online for answers. this is another failure on their part, not for the offer, not for the apology, but for the delivery. shame….heres a suggestion..add the information about going to your acct-transactions ON THE PS3 INSTRUCTIONS WELCOME BACK PAGE. problem solved. shouldnt it be that easy?
@peruviansicario To answer your question, you get nothing because most PSN users before the attack used a credit card. All those users were scared of identity theft. You had nothing to lose. Thats why you wont get nothing. sorry but thats all there is too it.
Ahh.. I’m letting the tide go out before I try to get my stuff. Luckily just the old lady wants LBP, everything else I have or have access too already. No more Sony products for me, this was ridiculous, nor EA products either. Two companies that could not care less for their consumers.
@abruptedWotas
I have only played live once for xbox and it was pretty good. as for the exclusives, i have always like the ps exclusives alot. its been a while since i have played xbox. it was really fun though :)
@@peruviansicario also you bought a PS3 then and guess what, you want stuff but your breaking rules by cussing. You said a word that is not allowed. You might get banned.
Before i get crap about saying xbox live is better. Here is an example yes you can get free t.v. over the air with a antenna, ya its cool cuz its free, but then you evetually want something better so you pay for cable, xbox live is only better cuz its a premium service, and since it costs money they have the money to put into their service, to have faster servers…etc….but i am also happy with PSN
It’s literally been 24 hours and infamous isn’t finished downloading yet. high traffic?
Yes !!!!
and i was one of the raging people when psn was down, simply cuz i paid for PS+ but that was resolved
does anyone remember when Netzero was free, it was crap until they started charging people…never had netzero, my friend did
Some of you fools tick me off. I, and most of us, have been on PSN since 2006-2007. I have over 70 PSN games. I am a PS Plus subscriber. I have 35 disk based Sony exclusives. I have spent God knows how much money on DLC. I have 580 total downloads from the PS Store. We are the reason Sony does so well. I am glad to have all of you who purchased your PS3’s on April 21st or later on the PSN but you are not out anything. I mean, really? This console has been out almost 5 years already. The loyal customer base does not include those who just purchased their console at this point. Sony doesn’t really OWE me anything, let alone you. So just enjoy the highest quality video games on the market and quit whining, trying to get something for free. Please.
i dont have that kind of money to get all of that stuff lol
want to share? lol jk
@KillerTomato
+ 1 and add me on PSN. I also own over 100 titles from the PSN, most are PSone classics. I have 54 PSone classics, so 6 dollars 54 times is how much i already spent on PSone classics alone. These new fools think they can come here and say “BS i made an account after the PSN was down and i get nothing?” BLAH BLAH BLAH you all make me laugh.
i tried to get my welcome back games and nothing came up:( i did some research and i found i should go to the services list then it said no content was found. THANKS SONY!
peruviansicario… GOODBYE , we dont need you anyways child.
samman643,
Sony will probably do something………eventually, cuz your not the only one that followed their directions to fix the problem, and still couldn’t get anything
I cannot see the welcome back section in the menu on the PSN store on my PSP :-( How so I retrieve my free games?
@KillerTomato
It’s saying that Sony doesn’t owe you anything that gets me annoyed. Look how much money you spent, and Sony basically is giving you the finger. Their appearance at E3 was so important they forced the store up before it was ready to try and avoid going into the biggest gaming expo of the year with a dysfunctional system. Everyone paid for their PS3 and therefor purchased the PSN. I don’t know about you but I bought both my PS3 and my 360 myself within a year of each other and paid about 200 more for my PS3. Is it that much better than XBOX? No you had to pay upfront for their network unlike the xbox live premium service. Then after the network went down Sony kept on pimping games that needed the store to work like DC universe. Or when they keep pushing the DLC content for games like L.A. Noire but you can’t actually download it for a month after the game was released.
whats wrong with p.s home i keep getting a server error
Whats wrong is PSN is only up for E3 they don’t care if it works right.
I have looked on forms about this issue and saw nothing about this so if i reapeat any thing sorry .. so i friday i was having errors trying to download my 2 ps3 games from the welcome back menu … went to loook at my download history and nothing there and also went back to welcome back screeen and now i cant pick any thing anybody else have the same thing happen to them .. im lost
@peruviansicario
Dude they take care of there customers! They wont give you anything because your new and did not have nothing to lose. Sorry but thats how it is. Go ahead, get a 360 with high failure rates, crappy games, awkward controller button mapping, over heating problems and the works. Bye. Nobody cares what you think.
Pay no mind to the whiners who feel like they’re entitled to something for free. I could care less if Sony gave us anything because of the blackout. I love Sony’s products. Always have, and I always will. My only complaint is their prices are a little high, but their customer service and quality of their products(when they don’t get hacked) is miles above anyone else. Give Sony a break. They can’t please everyone.
How long will it take for sony to get up from the butts and fix this problem??
@divinasdaemon
whats up with you. Your saying you pay upfront for PSN? Its FREE. And 360 IS worse then PS3. a 360 with high failure rates, crappy games, awkward controller button mapping, over heating problems and the works. Yep its true.
on my sps i cannot get the playstation plus 30 days please someone help?
i tried every step to getting my 2 free games but when i go to my service list it says that “no content was found” and i cant find anything that says “SCEA Promotions” but i am able to get my 1 free movie rental so does that mean im too late or something for the free games?
@ bigbaddoom31: You said “Have you considered the fact that because you couldn’t create an account sony has no way to see when you bought your system or make it so you could receive something?”
There is only one fair way to handle that situation. The fair way to do it would be to offer it to EVERYONE! I am in the same boat as peru. I bought the “It only does everything” PS3 and spent quite a bit of money to come home with the “It only does half of what I paid for” PS3. I and peru and many others had to endure the same outtage as everyone else. You included. I’m sure that if you were one of the people that bought your PS3 on 4/20/2011, you would be on here screaming now. Don’t defend Sony for something that you and anyone with a brain knows is wrong and extremely cheap.
If anyone showed LOYALTY, it is that poor guy/girl that went and picked up a PS3 at Gamestop or any retailer only to find a random error with no explanation for days on end.
im sorry on my psp*
why do people even buy ps3 xbox will always be better. xbox got the black ops maps long before ps3 will
can i delete the downloaded game after it is installed to free up space? If yes how to? thanks
i keep getting an error when i try to go to the welcome back pack, some sort of numbers, is ther an error?
Ok I have to defend XBOX here.
I have had my XBOX red ring on me once and my xbox was almost 3yrs old and they replaced it straight away for free. Don’t really have any hate for the controller comment. I like PS3 controller more for FPS games, but overall I prefer the 360 control, probably just more use on it for me. Crappy Games? You are aware unless it is a franchise game like Metal gear for PS or Halo for XBOX, they release on all platforms even the WII usually. So I have no clue what you mean there. As for having problems and no one caring, my hard drive on my PS3 has had to be flashed and reformatted 3 times and all sony said is too bad too sad. So before you spew hatred for another system look into it. At least Microsoft (and yes I usually hate MS) customer service was awesome. they updated me and responded to my questions. Sony has yet to appease many of us with their horrible people skills.
@BasketKaise
For the 8th time, and even sony said it, YOU AFTER THE PSN WENT OUT DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE YOU DID NOT HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH DELICATE INFORMATION ON IT DURING THE ATTACK. OMG! WHAT IDIOTS. WE ARE REWARDED BECAUSE OUR PERSONAL INFO MIGHT BE IN THE HACKERS HANDS! YOU DONT BECAUSE YOU DONT HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!
LOYALTY: I had the option to take the machine back and get an XBOX 360, but waited it out, because I chose the PS3. It obviously wasn’t about money. It was my choice. This is how Sony appreciates customer loyalty. They rewarded all those jerks that were on here cursing their name 3 weeks ago. It’s not about free stuff. it’s about the principal of it. It’s about being excluded, when I sure wasn’t excluded from the outtage.
Peru… I agree and anyone with half a brain does too.
Sony… FAIL!!!!
I can’t wait to see what happens next gen. This has left a bad taste in a lot of customer’s mouths. I have a prediction… M$ and Nintendo battle for first and second… Sony sits around scratching their heads wondering where their fan base went, when all they’d have to do is think back to April 20th 2011 and the days to follow.
ccrogers15,
Quit being a fanboy, I have had just as many friends have the YLOD, then friends with RROD, overheating issues etc… I have had my 360 for 4 years, not one problem, buy a ps3 back in feb. i am already having to send it for warranty repair. And i baby my systems, lots of breathing room etc. A ps3 could smack you upside the head, and you would still blame 360
@divinasdaemon
i went through 4 XBOX 360 systems all got red ring. ITs just an overrated brick. The only reason people like it better is because there poor and cant buy a PS3. And according to MS the new 360 wont get red ring/light. BS my friend got error code twelve and the red dot and its now a brick. Take fan wars somewhere else people are needing help getting there stuff.
thank you divinasdaemon! ms customer service is great(most of the time) ill call sony about this huge problem and let them fix it( if they can)
@ccrogers15
you just trying to be a dingle to people? These people paid good money and have every right to be upset about this. Like one gentleman said, these people went out and bought a new PS3 or even a used one. Last I checked they don’t sell for peanuts. Then they go home hook it up to find out it most certainly does do everything. It can’t even handle the things built into it like the network.
As for XBOX having the map pack first. Yeah it’s awesome the Hotel map rules. While everybody was busy defending Sony like it was their sisters virginity, I was busting heads on the new maps on my 360.
How you like them apples?
please i personally own an xbox and a ps3 and i have had no trouble with either stop abusing the comment box people might want help with their questions
looks like Nintendo has been hacked/attacked too:
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110605/110605_Nintendo/20110605/?hub=CP24Home
daemon,hahhaha your so right
I got Super Stardust and installed it without a problem, but I can’t seem to get WipEout HD. My Download List says I’ve downloaded the Full Game Unlock and the Fury Add-On, but wasn’t there a third piece I needed? The Service List under SCEA Promotion simply lists Welcome Back Games 1 and 2 (WipEout was 1) and says “Remaining 0.” Thanks for any help you can provide!
@divinasdaemon
stop being professional. Your advertising 360 on sonys blog witch can get you banned. Read this fully:
AFTER THE PSN WENT OUT DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE YOU DID NOT HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH DELICATE INFORMATION ON IT DURING THE ATTACK. OMG! WHAT IDIOTS. WE ARE REWARDED BECAUSE OUR PERSONAL INFO MIGHT BE IN THE HACKERS HANDS! YOU DONT BECAUSE YOU DONT HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT!
And:
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.
finally:
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.
thats the truth and there rules. Nothing in the rules will change. Sorry!
When I try to get the free Playstation Plus thing it keeps telling me “This content cannot be accessed on your account.” Please help!!!
Help with their questions? You see anyone from Sony giving two seconds to these people’s problems. They respond on the first page of comments then go blank when people realize it is still not working right.
But if you go over to the blog about going to E3, Sony had interjected fifteen comments in the first 2 pages alone, but what about here? Now at 4100 and counting. Everything must be going great over at Sony. As they roll on a bed of our money.
@ccrogers15
Dude you just say the same thing over and over. No real point or proof.
“Go ahead, get a 360 with high failure rates, crappy games, awkward controller button mapping, over heating problems and the works.”
Lets see here I have both systems in my house. Game wise we have all the same exact games for PS3 that we do for 360. So how does that work out. Considering most games are on both consoles. And well usually all the map packs and bonuses seem to hit 360 first… So yeah I can see why you think its crappy.
Failure rates and overheating… Same 360 for quite awhile now and not one issue. Unless you want to count me not marking daylight savings at startup. PS3 however. Since I bought it nothing but issues. HDD failure 3 times, over heating, no picture or video, corrupt HDD that will not recover. And my current one wont read ANY disc’s and a pixalated picture. yep XBOX is sounding pretty bad right now.
@divinasdaemon
How do i like them apples? Are you 5? Go away and play your overrated brick. ( did i say overrated, i meant overheated, piece of poop, ugly, overrated, red ring 360 )
I’m not pushing 360 on anybody, just stating the obvious. I would love to know where it says you can’t talk about XBOX on here.
I however do know that calling people idiots is against the forum rules. Bet you get the axe before I do.