14 DAY TRIAL // The PlayStation Network is currently experiencing problems and is down for those trying to use it on the PlayStation 4, the PlayStation 3 or the PlayStation Vita, with Sony currently offering no details on what is causing the problem or when it might be solved to restore full functionality to all customers.
The official status page shows that the account management system and the gaming related services are all unavailable and gamers are also unable to get into the store or stream music or video content from the company.
The message posted by Sony only says, "You may have some difficulty signing in or creating an account on PlayStation Network. Our engineers are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible, and we thank you for your patience."
No downtime was announced for the start of 2016 and that probably means that users should be prepared to stay offline for the next couple of hours, especially if the problem is a complex one and affects a wide range of services or if a limited number of support personnel is available.
Sony has been known for offering limited details about PlayStation Network when they are still ongoing, and some gamers are already speculating that this might be a DDoS attack that is designed to keep the PSN down for as long as possible.
The company will be eager to make sure that all data linked to user accounts is secure and will make an official announcement when it solves the current problem or earlier if gamers need to take action to make sure that their personal information is secure.
The PSN is important for the future of the PlayStation 4
The Sony home console is at the moment leading the Xbox One from Microsoft when it comes to worldwide sales, going over the 30.2 million units mark before the end of last year, with a solid performance over Black Friday and the Christmas period.
The PlayStation Network is important to its success because gamers have come to rely on the service for multiplayer and access to extra content as well as to interact with other players, either individually or in groups.
The Plus feature also allows gamers who are willing to pay to get access to some free titles and Sony has managed to offer a solid selection of titles during 2015.
A long PSN outage, even if it is not connected to a DDoS attack, might be a problem for the company because it reduces consumer trust and allows Microsoft to market its own Xbox Live as being the superior solution.
The two home consoles will continue to be locked in tight competition all through 2016, and each will seek to use every possible advantage over its rival to generate more interest.
Sony has already said that it plans to improve the firmware of the PlayStation 4 throughout the year and that it has plans to deliver more content, including original video content, for those who use the PlayStation Network.