Sony reveals choice of free game downloads as part of PSN 'Welcome Back' program

by Ben Gilbert on May 16th 2011 5:53PM

PlayStation Network and Qriocity haven't even been back for 48 hours, but Sony is already explaining its "Welcome Back" program. The company detailed its "Customer Appreciation Program" this afternoon for North America and Europe on its regional PlayStation blogs, laying out a long list of free stuff that PSN users are eligible to receive as a thank you for weathering the outage.

Aside from offering the previously announced free 30 days of PlayStation Plus for all PSN users, the company is giving away two free PlayStation 3 games and two free PlayStation Portable games, all from two lists of (mostly) wonderful releases. The European Union is being offered similar titles, with a few notable swaps (Super Stardust HD is an option in the US, replaced by Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty in the EU).

Additionally, an unnamed selection of "On Us" movies will be available for free rental on an unspecified weekend in the coming weeks. Oh, and those of you who were already paying for PlayStation Plus? You'll get an additional 60 days of free subscription time tacked on to your existing plan. And, for the Home loyal among us, "100 free virtual items" will be made available at some point soon.

Sony hopes to offer all of this stuff as soon as possible, noting that it is waiting for all services to be fully restored before it does. Head past the break for a full list of options in both North America and Europe.

North American "Customer Appreciation Program":

"All PlayStation Network customers can select two PS3 games from the following list. The games will be available for 30 days shortly after PlayStation Store is restored and can be kept forever.

Dead Nation
inFAMOUS
LittleBigPlanet
Super Stardust HD
Wipeout HD + Fury

For PSP owners, you will be eligible to download two PSP games from the following list. The games will be available for 30 days shortly after PlayStation Store is restored and can be kept forever.

LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
ModNation Racers
Pursuit Force
Killzone Liberation

-A selection of "On Us" rental movie titles will be available to PlayStation Network customers over one weekend, where Video Service is available. Those titles will be announced soon.
-30 days free PlayStation Plus membership for non PlayStation Plus subscribers.
-Existing PlayStation Plus subscribers will receive an additional 60 days of free subscription.
-Existing Music Unlimited Premium Trial subscription members will receive an additional 30 days of free premium subscription.
-Additional 30 days + time lost for existing members of Music Unlimited Premium/Basic subscription free of charge for existing Premium/Basic members.
-To welcome users Home, PlayStation Home will be offering 100 free virtual items. Additional free content will be released soon, including the next addition to the Home Mansion personal space, and Ooblag's Alien Casino, an exclusive game."

European Union "Customer Appreciation Programme":

"All existing PlayStation Network members will be able to access the following from PlayStation Store*:

Two PS3 games from the following list:

LittleBigPlanet
Infamous*
Wipeout HD/Fury
Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty
Dead Nation*

For those with PSP accounts, you will also be eligible to download two PSP games from the following list:

LittleBigPlanet PSP
ModNation PSP
Pursuit Force
Killzone Liberation*

- 30 days free PlayStation Plus membership for non PS Plus subscribers*
- Existing PlayStation Plus subscribers will be given 60 days free subscription.
- For existing Music Unlimited subscribers, you will be given 30 days free subscription.
- We are working on a Welcome Back offer in PlayStation Home and will share that when it is confirmed."

Source: US PlayStation blog, EU PlayStation blog

Tags: customer-appreciation-program, playstation, playstation-network, ps3, psn, psn-outage-2011, psp, qriocity, sony, welcome-back

Reader Comments (313)

Somebody needs to rank these games in order of best to worst ...

@logicbus
PS3:
1. LittleBigPlanet
2. inFAMOUS
Dead Nation (haven't played it but heard it was great!)
3. Super Stardust HD
4. Wipeout HD + Fury (I thought it was boring)
PSP: (These are all good in some way, Pursuit's just OK.)
1. LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
2. ModNation Racers
3. Killzone Liberation
4. Pursuit Force

@logicbus
1. LBP (assuming you don't own 2)
2. Super Stardust HD
3. inFamous
4. Wipeout HD/Fury
5. Dead Nation

But they're completely awesome. That's my take on it anyway.

@KGameLover1

Wipeout HD is one of the best racers on the PS3 and it's absolutely gorgeous.

@tobz1000
*they're all completely awesome. :|

@logicbus

They're all good choices and hit on a variety of different genres. If i didn't have any, I'd probably go with LBP and Infamous cuz they're full releases, but Dead Nation is a very fun game and i've heard great things about super stardust and wipeout, which are the 2 i will be getting.

@gettinmoney662

Wipeout Pulse on the PSP is epic too.

@KGameLover1

I already own what are apparently the two best games offered, and I could not possibly give any less of a shit about anything involving zombies.

It's incredibly disappointing that Ratchet & Clank is EU only.

@gettinmoney662
I know, it IS gorgeous, however definitely NOT the best racer on PS3.

@Fullmetal Salchemist
I also own all of the games on the list (besides DN), and I also agree with you that we should get R&C.

However, if you look, I DON'T HAVE IT.
I am not the 'OMG ZOMBEEZ' guy.. but I have seen/heard things about DN but never bought it because I am sorta like you... I didn't buy it.
It's the only game on the list I DON'T HAVE.

@Fullmetal Salchemist Yeah, I'm a bit disappointed too since I already own the first 4 on the European Ps3 list and I've already played all the Psp ones except Modnation which I'd rather play on Ps3 anyways. So just Deadnation for me then but I guess Ps+ is pretty nice...

@KGameLover1
I personally would rearrange that (Although I can't speak for PSP):
1. LBP (put weeeks into this game)
2.Super Stardust HD (played for a at least 4 hours)
3. Wipeout HD/Fury (played maybe 10ish?)
4. Dead Nation (About halfway through the game)
5. Infamous (beat twice good then evil)

Personally i think if you don't get LBP you either have the game or you are crazy (but I am extremely biased towards this game) but for the second choice all the PSN games are good (I'd choose depending on your preference: racing vs silly fun arcade dual stick shooter vs moody intense dual stick shooter lol) but I don't know if I'd recommend Infamous- maybe its because I'm currently frustrated with that game as I'm still searching for that one last blast shard to get my platinum (I don't care for trophies too much but c'mon its just 1 blast shard! D:) but overall it isn't as just fun as those other games (IMO of course). Still I probably would have a very different outlook if I got it for free versus $60 and I feel like Infamous 2 will be spectacular so idk your choice.

@logicbus

Guys???

If you haven't played Dead Nation yet, what the heck are you waiting for?

Its Left 4 Dead from a top down approach basically, hordes of zombies to the point you don't get a chance to breathe and its pretty intense a horror.

Infamous is also a good buy, awesome game, especially for those thinking of getting number 2, you won't be dissapointed.

The rest are awesome, just giving Dead Nation and Infamous more credit.

@bloopface
Have you tried the broken dock i think on the right side of the map if you didnt look for it you would never see the blast shard because its out in the middle of nowhere when you see the dock you will basically be jumping from stump to stump in the water took me forever to find when i did it! and it was for my platinum in the game! good luck hunting!

@Spunky Monkey 190906 well i was waiting for it to become free during plus /thats the only one i dont have i just bought stardust when it was on sale. its a fun game guys its a move game too.

@Spunky Monkey 190906

Those are probably the two I'm getting. I just traded inFAMOUS two weeks ago, looks like Sony wants me to keep it.

@logicbus

How could Wipeout NOT be first on the list for any of you guys?

Fury was a fantastic addition, and made the original Wipeout HD feel much weaker in it's track design and game modes. This has to be one of the most under-appreciated racers this generation. I know it's sold millions of copies, but for me it's just not enough. Along with Pacific Rift, it's the only game that I have that's older on my PS3 that consistently gets played. It's timeless, it's damn near perfect for racing, and it would be a damn shame not to be in your collection.

@logicbus They are all pretty bad.

@bobdisgea

Go drown yourself under the bridge you came from, troll.

@KGameLover1

Those are all great games. I kinda wish the PSN would go down a second time to grab some awesome titles for free.

...Except only for a few hours during some time that I wouldn't be using it.

@logicbus

The fact that I own literally every game they're offering is a bit of a bummer, but holy crap! They're really offering some freakin' fantastic games! Way to go Sony!

@KGameLover1

Pursuit Force is way better than Killzone Liberation and Mod Nation Racers but LittleBigPlanet is the best of the four PSP games.

@Fullmetal Salchemist
I got quest for booty off of ebay for like 15 bucks.

@Fullmetal Salchemist Yeah, I think I've nearly killed a zombified population of earth by now. What happened to good old fashioned alien genocide?

@SuperWoody64

You bought a PSN game over eBay? Crazy Stuff.

(I got Quest for Booty for $7.50 when it was on sale, and everyone should play the LBP1 campaign as well as the inFAMOUS campaign.)

@Fullmetal Salchemist Not sure why you got downvoted (probably zombie fans), but I would echo the sentiment that R&C being EU only is too bad.

@Fullmetal Salchemist

Actually, as an immense fan of Ratchet & Clank, I thought Quest for Booty was pretty disappointing.

Sure, it's fun while it lasts, but it only lasts for about two...maybe three hours.

inFamous and Dead Nation for sure, but I am not sure on the PSP games list...

Thanks sony, though

@ZexionArmando

Wait, is it either/or, or both PS3 AND PSP?

@Gibbeynator
From what I could gather it's and. If you have a PS3 you get 2 out of those 5 games AND if you have a PSP you get 2 out of those 4 games. I think it's fair if it is indeed that way.

@Dextro

Hopefully. I've spent a lot on Sony hardware over the years, so it'd certainly be nice. :)

@ZexionArmando If I have a EU account AND US account do I get 4?

@DigitalImpulse I'll let you know once the store comes back on.

You people don't deserve anything for a free service.
So if I see any complaining, it's a paddlin'.

@Frozen Radiator So buying games that require PSN makes it a free service? Leave this place, ye troll.

@Frozen Radiator

While I enjoy the reference, there is this whole 'identity theft' thing to remember...

@Frozen Radiator
Actually, I pay for PS+.
Oh, and nice reference, wrong place.

@Frozen Radiator
what about compromised cc info?

i think that's worth something, at the least, beside the identity theft protection.

i'm sick and tired of the apologists. sony is at fault, there's no two ways about that. you can pretend that people have never tried to hack xbox live or amazon or ebay or any bank site, but when you come back to reality it'd be nice to see some common sense again.

@Frozen Radiator only a portion of the service is free, the other portions require currency exchange.

@Frozen Radiator paddlin' the school canoe, oh you better believe that's a paddlin'

@JakeAuditore

Troll? I don't even have a PS3 anymore. I'm saying what Sony is doing is a good thing and that no one should complain about which titles they chose.

@sweenish what compromised credit card info? care to cite a source or are you helping to spread more misinformation?

@Funkoid
Be cautious, somebody could pick a phone directory and steal your identity!

@Frozen Radiator

well im gonna complain because im a PS+ subscriber... and i already own all those games (which mean i gave them money for them already) so now what do i get for compensation? half of the intended appreciation program crap (which they owe me anyways because ive been without my paid service for 3 weeks)

in all honesty... i dont give an eff...but im sure more people out there do... sony just should have thought about their loyal customers (the people who basically buy everything on the console) i mean seriously who hasnt had LBP(2)/inFamous/wipeout/stardust... i mean the latter were basically the first PSN titles people downloaded when they got their console anyways right?

oh well as long as i can get back to kz3 and socom

@KiraXD

so what do you get for someone who has everything?

@lostmongoose
Dude, so much misinformation has been spread by the media that Sony is is going to have to fight tooth and nail to get back to where they were a year ago.

@lostmongoose
I know plenty of people went and cancelled/modified their cards because of the breach. Certainly, this is considered an annoyance.

Littlebigplanet and Dead Nation for me since I got the rest.

Just out of curiosity, does anyone already own all these games? I'm curious as to what your reaction is.

@MusiM Yep, the PS3 ones at least. Guess I can still pick up LBP and Modnation on PSP.

I'm cool with it, since the selections are actually really good even if they are useless to me. Good work.

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Sony reveals choice of free game downloads as part of PSN 'Welcome Back' program

Reader Comments (313)

Posted: May 16th 2011 5:55PM logicbus said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:05PM KGameLover1 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:11PM tobz1000 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:12PM gettinmoney662 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:12PM tobz1000 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:15PM tylerh1701 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:23PM APV said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:36PM Fullmetal Salchemist said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:44PM KGameLover1 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:48PM KGameLover1 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:54PM Jake5678 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:55PM bloopface said

Posted: May 16th 2011 7:36PM Spunky Monkey 190906 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 7:41PM harzac said

Posted: May 16th 2011 7:50PM hapa77 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 7:51PM Youthinized said

Posted: May 16th 2011 8:02PM Shockwave said

Posted: May 16th 2011 8:16PM bobdisgea said

Posted: May 16th 2011 8:40PM Shockwave said

Posted: May 16th 2011 10:00PM killerjuice said

Posted: May 16th 2011 11:28PM Haizeus said

Posted: May 16th 2011 11:52PM Anticrawl said

Posted: May 17th 2011 1:59AM SuperWoody64 said

Posted: May 17th 2011 5:33AM F1shBone said

Posted: May 17th 2011 9:12AM Kirkpad said

Posted: May 17th 2011 9:27AM derFunkenstein said

Posted: May 17th 2011 9:38AM Urethra Alfredo said

Posted: May 16th 2011 5:56PM ZexionArmando said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:51PM Gibbeynator said

Posted: May 16th 2011 7:20PM Dextro said

Posted: May 16th 2011 8:01PM KungFuChaosNinja said

Posted: May 16th 2011 10:01PM DigitalImpulse said

Posted: May 17th 2011 1:27AM Faceless Troll said

Posted: May 16th 2011 5:56PM Frozen Radiator said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:02PM JakeAuditore said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:05PM Funkoid said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:07PM KGameLover1 said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:09PM sweenish said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:09PM FDLMagnus said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:18PM Gashlycrumb said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:32PM Frozen Radiator said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:39PM lostmongoose said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:42PM eNriqeu said

Posted: May 16th 2011 7:21PM KiraXD said

Posted: May 16th 2011 9:50PM eat it said

Posted: May 16th 2011 9:53PM BigEgo007 said

Posted: May 18th 2011 2:07PM Funkoid said

Posted: May 16th 2011 5:57PM Mustang Fanboy said

Posted: May 16th 2011 5:57PM MusiM said

Posted: May 16th 2011 6:05PM tobz1000 said

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