If you were among the early few to get the PlayStation 4 when the next-gen console launched in North America earlier this month, you may recall problems logging in to the PlayStation Network, as that was what roughly a million and something other new users were trying to do. With everyone trying to get in to take their new consoles for a ride, servers were jam packed, and left many unable to access it. Now, as the PlayStation 4 released today in Europe and the U.K., the exact same thing is happening all over again.
That's what owners here and overseas are reporting, even with Sony disabling certain PSN features to keep the servers from crashing entirely. Sony has said the load is unprecedented.
In an update on Twitter and the PlayStation Blog, Sony has issued the following statement:
"We are aware that users are experiencing some disruption to the PSN service. To minimise the inconvenience we have suspended the 'redeem voucher' functionality whilst we investigate further. Unfortunately this means that money cards, product vouchers, PlayStation Plus vouchers, PS3-PS4 upgrade vouchers and any other vouchers for digital content are not redeemable at this stage. Other PSN features such as log-in, online multi-player gaming, PlayStation Plus trial, PS Store (excluding voucher redemption), trophies, messages, friends etc. are all available.
We apologise and will provide an update to this announcement soon."
It's certainly a pain in the ass, but you can't say that this sort of thing was entirely unexpected either. Unfortunately, it's unknown how many users are affected by the issue, or when it will be resolved. Still, Sony is asking owners to be patient.
For those unable to access the Network, but who still have to get the day one system update, you can still download it from your computer, and place it onto a flash drive, and install it on your console that way. In the mean time, I'd also encourage you grab the companion app as well, if you haven't done so already. It's another way of keeping track of what's going on without being logged on via the PS4, and Sony recently started giving out free games for both the app and PS Plus members.
Sony recently revealed that a million PS4 consoles were sold during the first 24 hours of the North American launch. Today being Black Friday, and the console releasing overseas, and Christmas on the way, expect the numbers to climb even higher.
Under the hood, the PlayStation 4 boasts Supercharged PC architecture, X86 CPU, Enhanced PC GPU, and 8GB Unified Memory according to the official specs.
It supports the same PlayStation Plus service as the Vita and PlayStation 3. However, a Plus subscription is required for online multiplayer games, but not for additional media services like Netflix. Sony has also updated the Dual Shock controllers with a touch screen and improved shoulder triggers, and bundles the console with a headset.
Available titles for the system include Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag,Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Madden NFL 25,NBA 2K14, Need for Speed: Rivals, and more. You can check out a complete list of launch titles' prices and install sizes here. It currently retails for $399, and a PS4-PS Vita bundle package was also recently announced.
Be sure to keep checking back with Gamenguide for more of the latest updates.