In compensation to the PlayStation Network (PSN) users who suffered service interruptions and down-time in December, Sony is offering 10 percent discount codes and a five-day extension to their PS Plus subscribers.
The one-time code can be used when buying items from the PS3, PS4, Vita and Sony Entertainment Network Stores. There are restrictions on how the code can be used, however. Customers cannot use it for Music Unlimited or video rentals and it cannot be applied to a PS Plus subscription.
“This discount can be used toward content available on PS Store including blockbuster new releases, award winning indie games, game add-ons and season passes, and an enormous selection of TV and Movies,” said Eric Lempel, Vice President of Sony Networks Entertainment, said in a statement.
The discountrue.com offer is an attempt to mollify Sony’s customer base after service was interrupted on Christmas Eve and continued through Christmas Day. Hackers with Lizard Squad claimed responsibility for the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack and a UK man has been arrested in connection with the attack.
“An 18-year-old man arrested for ‘swatting’ and denial of service offences has been released on bail,” said a statement from the South East Regional Organized Crime Unit (SEROCU).
The investigation is being conducted jointly between SEROCU and the FBI. The 18-year old from Southport, UK has since been released on bail.
“We are still at the early stages of the investigation and there is still much work to be done. We will continue to work closely with the FBI to identify those who commit offences and hold them to account,” said Craig Jones, head of the Cyber Crime Unit at SEROCU.
Service to the network was restored on Christmas Day, but problems were reported over the next several hours. Limited access caused many of Sony’s customers to not be able to log into PSN.
More details and the codes will be published by Sony on Twitter and through the PlayStation store. The 5-day extension of service will be added to PS Plus subscriptions automatically.