Black Ops Escalation Map Pack Coming To PS3 On June 10

Activision has confirmed that PS3 gamers will be able to download the Escalation map pack for Call of Duty: Black Ops on June 10 for $14.99. The Escalation map pack includes 5 all-new multiplayer maps including - Hotel, Convoy, Zoo and Stockpile and Call of the Dead. 

PlayStation Network Compromised, Password Reset Exploit

The PSN troubles are not quite behind us as Sony finds out that their password reset system has now been exploited. The exploit has forced Sony to take the password reset system offline temporarily until it irons out all the issues, again. Users who have been affected by the recent PSN hack have had their data stolen including their email address and date of birth. The two key ingredients for creating a brand new password which any hacker can use to create a new password for your account. Let's hope this will get fixed as soon as possible and that gamers will revert their attention to what they really want to do, game in peace. 

PlayStation Customer Appreciation Package Details

Details are now emerging about Sony's welcome back package to its customers affected by the recent PlayStation Network hack attack. The official PlayStation blog has confirmed the details of the "Customer Appreciation Package" for North America. Sony is welcoming you back with a welcome package that includes:

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.

Currently the PlayStation Network Store is offline and will be back online shortly so customers can access all the above. A similar welcome back package is offered to European customers. Get the details here.

Amazon Server's Apart of PSN Attack?

According to Bloomberg, Amazon Web Cloud Services ere used by hackers last month to attack Sony's online entertainment systems. Hacker's supposable signed up with a fake name and rented Amazon's EC2 service and launced the attack from there. The account that was registered has been shut down. Funny thing is they legitimately signed up for the service to send out the attack but not break into any of Amazon servers. This does raise a concern for cloud secuirty with many more services using the cloud for many tools. Let's hope another cloud attack won't happen in the future.

PlayStation Network Fully Back Online

After weeks of downtime due to the hack attack on Sony's PlayStation Network and much frustration, the PlayStation Network is fully back online with upgraded security measures. Unfortunately the data that was stolen from millions of customers will never be recovered. Sony has issued a new firmware update that is mandatory for all PS3 consoles and you will be asked to change your password as soon as you sign into your account. The good news is that you can only change your password from within your own console alone. Sony has stated that its customers will get a welcome package in the next few days to sweeten the whole bitter situation PS3 gamers have went thru. For more info, hit up the source link and get your gaming on!