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!
lilgenral account management and then service list. your games are in there
bigbaddoom31,
Can’t you get in trouble for pretending to be a part of sony or a family member of Sony corporate
nope
due to size limit: Second if you can post you can read the blog so others don’t have to keep posting stuff on here all the time for you. It does say don’t be a jerk but don’t think others won’t speak their minds. Just because someone says something you don’t like you don’t have to bash them. And last don’t lie. We are all on the same boat here and we really need to work together as gamers. No console or game is worth a fight.
I could swear i read that in the terms of service somewhere not to impersonate Sony employees
AbruptedWotas the only time I can think of getting in trouble for this is if you contacted sony and tried to get some sort of freebie from them with that statement. I just think he was doing that to make himself look good.
bigbaddoom31,
Its amazing i can talk about how i love my 360 all i want, but when i say i have a ps3 too, no one cares and doesn’t start anything
I bought a PS3 the day PSN went down and was unable to sign up when I got it home (I was unaware of the situation before I purchased it). Same as everyone else, I was unable to use PSN during the entire span of the “outrage”, and signed up the day it became available once more. While it is true I have not owned a PS3 for long, i still encountered the same issues as those who have owned them for years during the shutdown of PSN. Why should I unable to take part in the welcome back program?
Hey guys why do I not get the choice @ my psn on my psp to get free ps+ ?
I got my ps3 games, but wasnt i also suppose to get 2 psp games, what is going on here?
to everyone having trouble, read the updated post. it explains how to get your games from your account
.
to anyone complaining about getting free games…really?
to anyone who thinks they are entitled to games or free stuff when they bought the system during the outage and just created their FIRST account after that, its called “Welcome BACK” for a reason. You arent coming back to anything, if you never were here to begin with.
@BasketKaise Once again. Try to understand this because this is the reason, even if you don’t like it. The Welcome Back content is to apologize to LONGTIME users. For not only the downtime but for the risk of identity theft. There is no chance of anyone who purchased their PS3 on or after April 20th, 2011 having their personal information exposed. So once you’ve had time to call yourself a loyal customer, or a customer period, you have something to be upset about. Other than that, welcome to the Playstation Network.
joppy,
look at the top of this page, there is some steps, see if that helps
Abrupted here you go:Impersonating any person, including an employee of Sony Corporation, SCEA or any third-party
And I was meaning some people talk about being fanboys and then people get ticked off.
good work sony now I want cross chat please
To octus-
Why do you feel the need to get on here and criticize others?
If you had anything worthwhile to say, you would say it somewhere that matters, not on a PSN blog.
I had nothing more than a question, which apparently crossed a line for PS3 fanboys such as yourself.
Abrupted here you go: Impersonating any person, including an employee of Sony Corporation, SCEA or any third-party and the comment about consoles was for the people who like to attack fan boys.
yeah but if I go to the ps store I only can choose 2 free games, there’s no free 30 days ps+ :(
I did that and there is only the one promotion for the 2 ps3 games, and as I remember there was only one download in the store not two
@4274 psp users do not get the plus free month.
I don’t understand why everybody is having so much trouble getting their welcome back package ahahaha … for real tho. when i found out about it, i logged onto my ps3, i downloaded my psn+ gift, downloaded my 2 games, i had them in about 2 hours or so. the next day i downloaded the few things in home i wanted. i just don’t understand what’s so hard about following directions :\
Why not :( I also got a ps3 btw but this sucks :P
i have a thing i know its way off topic, one thing i find annoying on the ps3, is having to force the ps3 to display 1080p for 1080p games, it automatically goes to 720p, so you have to go to display settings and uncheck the 720p to get 1080p, and if you forget to put it back on 720p when your done, the 720p games go too standard definition
@4285 The plus is only for the ps3.
on my store there was never a download for free psp games
On the psp if you look at set mini’s you will see that it says plus prices.
Can I keep the themes and avatars that I download with the PlayStation Plus ?
@4291 yes u keep that
@4290 You can keep the free stuff as long as you have the plus active, once it goes away you only get the stuff you pay for. @RavenGoddess did you try to go through media go on a pc or just your psp?
Btw it’s awesome that I made 3 accounts, now I can download all games for free =)
I downloaded Little Big Planet for the PS3 as my first choice, I ran into alot of error messages in the process..
The PSN store gave me 2 downloads of Little Big Planet =( but I was not able to pick another PS3 game it only gave me just the 1 title, And there is no other pending downloads or even access to be able to get a second title.
Could anybody offer some advice on the matter please would really like to download Infamous!
@basketkaise grow up. People have the right to say what they want and just because you don’t like their logic doesn’t make it half baked. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t make sense to you or you just like to start fights.
If I bought my ps3 during the outage does that disable me from getting 2 games welcome back says its unavailable for my account? But avitar items still downloaded free
OMG I CANT RESET MY PASSWORD FOR MY PSP i put the wrong email on my psp and now i cant set me password on it and i can ask a represenitive for help!!!! i might to 360 then
@4252 get infamous
@4297 why not call them and see if they can help you. That or see if the email account you put in is not one that is being used if you used yahoo or hotmail. open it up then reset from there.
@4296 it should not allow for you to.
My apologies if this question has been asked/answered already but I’m not about to browse/search 86 pages of comments. I’m unclear regarding the following:
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.
Does that mean any free maps, themes, avatars, qore and free games such as Oddworld will not be available after the 30 day free PSN+ period?
Okay so for some reason, the network says I do not have access to the downloads for the Playstaion Plus or games…movies I was able to download however. Is there a reason for this? I’m getting very frustrated :(
the ones that you buy r yours . but the free games r gone after 30 days unless you buy plus.
how do i get the playstation plus i have tried going on the welcome back section but nothing is coming up can someone help?
I LOST MY DOWNLOADS!! i clicked ‘add to cart’ cause i ran out of room on my ps3. when i cleared some room i could not download them and the icon disappeared. what to do!?!? kinda feels like a royal slap in the face
Is it two games per Playstation of per PSN account?
also when i click the welcome back feature for the games…no game one or game 2 section even pops up…does some accounts not get access to all features? help!
@4307 try the steps listed in the blog to see if you see them.
Question regarding free games from PLUS in general:
The games that says “Free” in yellow if I have downloaded it, will I still be able to play it after the PLUS subscription had expired?
@4309 once your plus expires any free content goes away.
so, i’m sitting here playing wipeout hd. this game is sooo fun.
Sent this to the Sony Knowledge Center:
Downloaded free game, Infamous, but cannot install. Thanks for thinking of those of us who bought your system when they first came out with the smaller hard drives. Now, I can pay for a larger harddrive, about a hundred bucks, buy a new playstation with a larger harddrive for 300 bucks or so, or switch to Xbox. What can I do about this issue? What can you do about this issue? I am certainly going to post this complaint all over the internet. I’ve been a Playstation fan and supporter since I switched from Sega when they screwed us with Dreamcast. Now I’m feeling screwed by your company. So, what next Sony? Your move.
Probably won’t do a bit of good, but I shelled out 400 dollars for my PS3 5 or so years ago. If I’m going to have to shell out more money, I may just have to switch to Xbox…which sucks!!
My son is going on a school trip tomorrow and i’m desperately trying to buy a film for his psp. it keeps telling me the server is down though. i’ve now managed to change the password – any idea when it iwll be up? also it tells me there are no free games on the welcome back package??? any ideas?