Tag: Sony Online Entertainment

Playstation Network: We Can Rebuild It…


Good news and bad news for PS3 users on Massive Action Game and DC Universe Online. The good news is that Sony is still working around the clock to get the Playstation Network back up and running. The bad news is this involves rebuilding the system itself, and there is no further information on when the service will be back up and running. On one hand, Sony has officially admitted that the service break is due to an external intrusion (ie: hacker) that broke through the network’s security. As stated on the official blog:

Our efforts to resolve this matter involve re-building our system to further strengthen our network infrastructure. Though this task is time-consuming, we decided it was worth the time necessary to provide the system with additional security.

Hopefully there will be better news in the days to come.

Suit Up: More Star Wars Galaxies Server Mergers Coming…


Star Wars Galaxies is always an interesting topic here on MMO Fallout. On one hand, you have Sony Online Entertainment, who referred to Galaxies as having one of the most active communities in SOE’s portfolio of games. On the other hand, you have those who remain in Star Wars Galaxies who, apart from complaints of only a small number of the remaining servers being active, are more likely to agree that the game has improved in leaps and bounds since the NGE and CU updates. On the third, mostly useless vestigial T-Rex arm sprouting from your chest, you have the Star Wars Galaxies Pre-Update players, a group of disenfranchised “veterans” (I hate that term) that devotes itself to trolling any MMO discussion, even if it has nothing to do with Galaxies, or Sony for that matter.

Sony is opening up free server transfers on Star Wars Galaxies, and historically that has lead to just one outcome: server mergers. The announcement mentions no end date, but does mention that while players will be able to transfer off of Starsider, they will not be able to transfer back. In addition, a Sony staffer mentioned that paid transfers will no longer be possible. Players will be restricted to one transfer, per character, per 90 days.

You can read the details here, but the link has been dead (along with the entirety of Star Wars Galaxies’ website) for quite a while. I will follow up with more details when I can get them. Obviously a server merger has not been announced, but given the status of many of the remaining servers (according to players), a merger is likely on the books.

There is a forum thread to discuss the server transfers here.

The Agency Canned Amidst Sony Layoffs


SOE is discontinuing production of The Agency so it can focus development resources on delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties, while also maintaining its current portfolio of online games. All possible steps are being taken to ensure team members affected by the transition are treated with appropriate concern.

With the announcement that Sony Online Entertainment had performed layoffs and shutting down studios (Denver, Seattle, Tuscon), a lot of the eyes on the news websites turned at The Agency, Sony’s upcoming yet secretive MMO. So, although disappointing, it isn’t all too surprising that the game is the first on the chopping block among the cost cutting at SOE.

Granted, the news is not all bad. In reaction, John Smedley has posted to Planetside Universe that the Planetside Next team has actually expanded, and a post on the Everquest forums has reaffirmed players that the game is not going anywhere.

Once again our best wishes go out to the 205 employees who are now on unemployment. Hopefully you’ll all have just as easy of a time finding a new job as the Realtime Worlds guys did last year.

The Agency Canned Amidst Sony Layoffs


SOE is discontinuing production of The Agency so it can focus development resources on delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties, while also maintaining its current portfolio of online games. All possible steps are being taken to ensure team members affected by the transition are treated with appropriate concern.

With the announcement that Sony Online Entertainment had performed layoffs and shutting down studios (Denver, Seattle, Tuscon), a lot of the eyes on the news websites turned at The Agency, Sony’s upcoming yet secretive MMO. So, although disappointing, it isn’t all too surprising that the game is the first on the chopping block among the cost cutting at SOE.

Granted, the news is not all bad. In reaction, John Smedley has posted to Planetside Universe that the Planetside Next team has actually expanded, and a post on the Everquest forums has reaffirmed players that the game is not going anywhere.

Once again our best wishes go out to the 205 employees who are now on unemployment. Hopefully you’ll all have just as easy of a time finding a new job as the Realtime Worlds guys did last year.

Major Layoffs At Sony Online Entertainment


Word that Sony Online Entertainment Seattle is having layoffs and that studio closure is possible. http://bit.ly/eSxtvq
-George Broussard on Twitter

This was reported by Kotaku, although there has yet to be an official statement, Kotaku reporter Owen Good (who reported on the story) has confirmed it with a more involved source than George. It has yet to be seen which studios have closed down, although reportedly the studio behind the upcoming Agency MMO has been slashed.

This is no doubt a bombshell, not only for us playing Sony’s games but more importantly for the people who are losing their jobs and livelihoods. MMO Fallout is committed to this story, and will be updating as soon as any news is released.

Redeem $15 Station Points, Get $10 Free


Who could say no to free money? I can, but then again, I’m not willing to buy five packages of cereal at three dollars apiece in order to save two dollars with the coupon that printed out for me at Target. That’s just me, I won’t judge the people who change their whole diet on the grounds of what comes in the coupon booklet each month. That being said, I do enjoy a real deal when it comes my way.

If you subscribe to any Station games via credit card, the time card just got a little more appetizing. Purchase a fifteen dollar Station cash card, and redeem it by the 21st, you will receive ten dollars extra. On the other side, you can use the fifteen dollar card towards a subscription, so a player could extend their subscription and still receive the 1,000 station points.

Station Cash cards are not available in all areas and countries, and this does not apply to online purchases.

Sony and Square Enix: Not Billing Japan This Month


With the recent earthquake in Japan, the power companies have asked that people and companies conserve as much power as possible, for fear of an electricity shortage. In response to the warning, Square Enix has decided to temporarily shutter services for Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV in Japan for at least a week, and will not be billing players for the cycle through April. More information is expected on how long the servers will be down, although players in Japan likely have more important out-of-game issues to deal with at the moment.

Source for Square Enix

Meanwhile, Sony Online Entertainment has announced that they are suspending billing for Japanese players. The company does not host servers in Japan. In addition, Sony had linked up players to the Google relief effort where they can donate.

http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

Our hearts go out to those affected by the earthquake, and we here at MMO Fallout wish a speedy recovery for Japan.

Everquest: Second Progression Server Tomorrow


Flippy Longstockings

A few days ago, I wrote about how Sony was reactivating inactive Everquest accounts until the 21st of the month in lieu of the time locked progression server, the aptly named Fippy Darkpaw, renowned for his ability to run headlong into guards far higher than his own level, assuredly the first Leroy Jenkins before Leroy was Leroy. As it also stands, I also happen to be a moron, as not only did I manage to misspell “Fippy Darkpaw” in the past two articles, I did it about twenty times, especially given the 490×392 screenshot that sat at the head of the article each time. I am, at this present time, writing this article from inside of The Chokey, where I have to admit my iPad is receiving terrible wifi reception.

Those of you who have experienced Sony’s progression servers in the past will no doubt be sarcastically aghast to learn that the server has attracted so much attention that it has been at maximum capacity since launch. Due to the overwhelming demand for the new server, Fippy Darkpaw (got it!), Sony announced today that a second server is being created, to launch tomorrow (the 16th), if sooner. The server will be named Vulak’Aerr, after the Draconic Lord.

Players wishing to get on Fippy Darkpaw are better off waiting for Vulak’Aerr. The server is at maximum capacity at all hours.

Update: The Vulak’Aerr server is live.

Everquest Reactivation Campaign


Fippy Darkpaw

Damn you, Sony! With the impending release of the Everquest progression server, people like myself are no doubt trying their hardest not to resubscribe just to try the game out one more time, a feat that (at least I am finding) is proving hard to keep up. And much like the insensitive alcoholic who shows up at your one year of sobriety celebration with a case of beer, willingly shoveling your addiction right underneath your nose, Sony is ensuring that those of us on the fence will be knocked right off with a brick to the septum.

If you log into your Station accounts, some of you may find that your Everquest accounts have been reactivated until the 21st of February, just long enough to get a good week in with the progression server. Not all accounts appear to be affected by this, and I am unable to pinpoint exactly what the prerequisites are for the reactivation. If your account shows as “pending,” then you will be able to log in until the 21st.

So thank you, Sony. While you’re at it, can you spot me twenty bucks for Cool Ranch Doritos and a couple gallons of Sweet Tea? I’m going to need them.

[Humor] Planetside Next Trailer


Alright, so this isn’t the “official” trailer, so to speak, but it just about sums up our reaction when the real trailer comes out.