Sony’s “Welcome Back” program launched – free games and downloads available

Right, you’ve waited long enough.  Nearly two months later and after a few delays the PlayStation Network is finally back online.

To entice users back to the network Sony has launched their “Welcome Back” program.

“We’re so excited to welcome you back to PlayStation Network. With the PlayStation Store back online, we’ve been getting all caught up this week, having launched an abundance of amazing content for download on PlayStation 3and PlayStation Portable devices across games, movies, themes and DLC.”

As part of the programme PSN users will be given access to free content and downloads, including games, on the PlayStation Store.  There are a number of smaller offers but here are the big ones.

PlayStation 3 owners will be able to download two of these games,

• Dead Nation
• inFAMOUS
• LittleBigPlanet
• Super Stardust HD
• Wipeout HD + Fury

PSP owners will be able to select two of these games,

• LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
• ModNation Racers
• Pursuit Force
• Killzone Liberation

These will be full versions of the game with no limitations – and if you have both a PS3 and a PSP that means that you will get four free games.

To download you r games all you have to do is,

1. Log on to PlayStation®Store
2. Click on the “Welcome Back” tab in the upper left menu
3. Select “Welcome Back Free PS3™ Game 1”
4. Within the category, click on the “Welcome Back Free PS3™ Game 1” product and “Get Now”
5. Select your free PS3™ game*, and “Download”*
6. Repeat steps 3-5 with “Welcome Back Free PS3™ Game 2”
7. Go to the XMB™ to play your free games.

Qriocity Music Unlimited Premium subscribers will get an extra 30 days’ subscription.

If you have a premium PlayStation Plus account will get a good few extras, including “games, huge discounts, exciting exclusives and added features like online storage and automatic downloads […] for 30 days at no charge, requiring no long term commitment .”

Sony has reported that due to huge demand for the offers their network has been running slow over the weekend, which isn’t surprising when you consider over 42 million people were locked out of their accounts for so long. If you get an error all you can do is try again at a later point.

The offers will be available until July 3.  More details about them are available here.