PlayStation Store Back Online This Week, Sony Confirms

Sony has just confirmed that it will be bringing back the PlayStation Store this week, after the service, part of the larger PlayStation Network, was taken offline after a serious hacker attack.

Sony saw a full scale attack by various hackers last month, forcing it to take down the PlayStation Network completely in order to rebuild it in a more secure fashion, while seeing servers for its Online Entertainment division, as well as multiple websites, be taken offline for shorter periods over the last few weeks.

The company did bring back a part of its PlayStation Network earlier this month, allowing users of its PlayStation 3 or PSP devices access to their accounts and the possibility of engaging online multiplayer.

Now, the last and biggest part of the PSN, the PlayStation Store is set to be brought back online before the end of the week.

While this was rumored intensely in the last few days, Sony now made it official by releasing a statement, which says that users will now be able to enjoy things like:

• Full functionality on PlayStation Store
• In-game commerce
• Ability to redeem vouchers and codes
• Full functionality on Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3, PSP, VAIO and
other PCs
• Full functionality on Media Go

“We have been conducting additional testing and further security verification of our commerce functions in order to bring the PlayStation Network completely back online so that our fans can again enjoy the first class entertainment experience they have come to love,” said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. “We appreciate the patience and support shown during this time.”

The PlayStation Store will be brought back online for territories including North America, Europe, other PAL territories as well as Asia, but excludes countries like Japan, South Korea or Hong Kong.

These territories just saw the return of a part of the PlayStation Network over the weekend, so it's expected for Sony to bring back the Store after a few more weeks.

The return of the PlayStation Store will also allow users access to the "Welcome Back" program, which is going to be detailed by region in the next few days, and will include things like a free month long PlayStation Plus subscription or free games for the PS3 and PSP consoles.