Nintendo Announce Wii Select, A Nintendo Wii Price Drop, And A New Nintendo Wii Bundle

Nintendo have announced Wii Select, A New Wii Bundle, and A Price Drop. The Wii Bundle now consists of either a white or black Wii with Mario Kart and Steering Wheel. This bundle will have a suggested retail price of $149.99 and comes out 15th May. The Steering wheel can now be bought separately in white or black for $9.99.

Also coming out 15th May is Wii Select. these are a collection of games that will have a suggested retail price of $19.99. these "must-own" games will start off with 4 titles, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing: City Folk, Mario Super Sluggers and Wii Sports.

In The UK, The 4 Wii Select titles will be Wii Sports, WarioWare: Smooth Moves, Mario Strikers Charged Football and Animal Crossing: Let’s Go to the City. These titles come out on 20th May, the same time as the new Nintendo Wii Bundle. Wii Select games will cost £19.99, the new bundle will cost £129.99.

UK Information from Nintendo UK and Eurogamer

Press Release

REDMOND, Wash., May 4, 2011 - Nintendo is dropping the suggested retail price of its Wii™ system to $149.99 and including a Mario™ game with the Wii hardware. Starting May 15, the newly priced Wii system will come in either black or white with the Mario Kart™ Wii game and a matching colored Wii Wheel™ accessory, replacing the previously included Wii Sports™ and Wii Sports Resort™ games.

Also on May 15, Nintendo launches the new Nintendo® Selects collection of Wii games, a set of popular games that millions of people have already experienced, at a suggested retail price of $19.99. The four must-own games in this collection are The Legend of Zelda™: Twilight Princess, Animal Crossing™: City Folk, Mario™ Super Sluggers and Wii Sports, which is available for the first time as a separate software purchase. Parents and video game fans can now easily expand their library of fun, family-friendly Wii games.

"From the day it launched, Wii has let players of all ages and experience levels have fun with one another," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "The new suggested retail pricing for both the hardware and select games will help create more of these magical moments for even greater numbers of people."

With Mario Kart Wii now included with the Wii hardware, players will be able to enjoy fun go-kart racing with Mario and all his Mushroom Kingdom pals right out of the box. The Wii Remote™ Plus controller, Nunchuk™ controller and Wii Wheel included in the package will all match the hardware, meaning they will be either black or white. The new black Wii Wheel will also be available separately at a suggested retail price of $9.99.

Remember that Wii features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.5 billion video games and more than 577 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company's website at http://www.nintendo.com.

Hit X Podcast: All The News From QTE Gamers From Tuesday 3rd May

This is all the news From Tuesday 3rd May.

You can subscribe to the Hit X Podcast on iTunes by clicking on the link below, and if you do or are already a subscriber it would be very helpful for me if you can rate and review the podcast.

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The Re-Cap: News From QTE Gamers From Tuesday 3rd May

• QTE Blog: The Re-Cap: News From QTE Gamers From Monday 2nd May http://ht.ly/1csR40
• QTE Blog: Hit X Podcast: All The News From QTE Gamers From Monday 2nd May http://ht.ly/1csTRE
• UK Game Charts top 5, Portal 2, Mortal Kombat, Zumba Fitness, Operation Flashpoint Red River, Call Of Duty Black Ops http://ht.ly/4M1vS
• Mac: Apple have refreshed it's iMac lineup. all come with Thunderbolt and Intel Sandy Bridge. same look + price as before http://ht.ly/4M1ND
• Wii: its strongly rumoured Nintendo is launching a budget range of Wii Games called Wii Select, $19.99, and a new Bundle http://ht.ly/4M1VS
• Its rumoured that the new Syndicate game is more like Grand Theft Auto than the original game http://ht.ly/4M1Zb
• 360: Cliff Bleszinski reveals he approached Microsoft to get Master Chief in Gears Of War 3, but decided against it http://ht.ly/4M1RY
• Wii: Satoru Iwata, Vitality Sensor not out until its quality is high enough to where 99% of users find it natural http://ht.ly/4Mbvs
• its rumoured Jerry Bruckheimer Games have 3 games in development for PS3 and 360 http://ht.ly/4MctW
• QTE Blog: Sony Online Entertainment Announce Hackers May Have Stolen Information From 24.6 Million Accounts http://ht.ly/1ct1hS
• PS3: its rumoured a single player demo for Resistance 3 will come with the Bluray release of Battle Los Angeles http://ht.ly/4Mdy8
• Silicon Knights' Denis Dyack has said they intend on completing the Too Human Trilogy http://ht.ly/4MdFB
• QTE Blog: Zen Studios Announce A Fantastic 4 Table For Marvel Pinbal Is Coming 18th May http://ht.ly/1ct518
• Daisuke Ishiwatari says a new Guilty Gear game will happen, just no word on when or what platform http://ht.ly/4MkFp
• its reported Ubisoft have opened a new division called Ubisoft Motion Pictures, focus on adapting games into shows/movies http://ht.ly/4Ml9F
• QTE Blog: Nickelodeon And 2K Play Announce Nicktoons MLB For The Xbox 360, Wii And Nintendo DS http://ht.ly/1ct8lz
• Wii2: rumoured it only has 8GB Flash Memory built in, uses 25GB Discs (bluray?), stream games to touch screen controller http://ht.ly/4MnlD
• A Resume on Linkedin mentions that Saints Row Drive By has been cancelled. http://ht.ly/4MnrC
• QTE Blog: This Weeks WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console Releases http://ht.ly/1ctczj
• PC: Specs for Duke Nukem Forever released. Minimum, 1GB RAM, 10GB HDD, XP, Vista, 7, Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz + more http://ht.ly/4MoA0
• Nintendo announce their E3 press conference is on 7th June at 9AM PST/ 12PM EST http://ht.ly/4MoF4
• Ghost Voice Actor has hinted an announcement is coming in May for a game he's working on, Modern Warfare 3 speculated http://ht.ly/4MoR8
• 3DS: Shigeru Miyamoto says Nintendo won't rely on remakes, The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past would be a good remake http://ht.ly/4MoUt

This Weeks WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console Releases

Nintendo have detailed the games that came out on the USA WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console stores. in all there 5 new games and 1 new demo.

Virtual Console

RIVAL TURF!
This is a 1 -2 player game that costs 800 Wii Points. this is a Super NES game. this game has you defeating enemies on screen by fighting them, you can do this in single player or in 2 player co-op. there is also a vs mode.


WiiWare

BINGO PARTY Deluxe
This is a 1-4 player game that costs 500 Wii Points. this game lets people play bingo. there is 75 ball bingo and 90 ball bingo.


WiiWare Demo

BIT.TRIP RUNNER


DSiWare

Anonymous Notes Chapter 2 - From The Abyss -
This is a 1 player only game that costs 200 DSi Points. this is an action RPG set in an infinitely extending dungeon.


Ikibago
This is a 1 player only game that costs 500 DSi Points. this is a puzzle action game where you have to align barrels of the same colour. there are 121 missions.


Picture Perfect Pocket Stylist
This is a 1 player only game that costs 500 DSi Points. you can invent new hairstyles for cartoon characters in the game or yourself and friends by using the camera. you can then import the created styles as pictures.


Press Release

Spring flowers aren't the only new arrivals you'll want to savor as May gets underway. The latest downloadable games for the Wii™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems include action-packed fare that's sure to keep your adrenaline pumping. For the WiiWare™ service, a new demo version of BIT.TRIP RUNNER invites players to discover the fast-paced, retro-flavored platforming fun of the BIT.TRIP series for zero Wii Points™. On the Virtual Console™ service, RIVAL TURF! delivers classic street-fighting kicks from the Super NES™ era. And for the Nintendo DSiWare™ service, Anonymous Notes Chapter 2 - From The Abyss - plunges hand-held gamers deep in the heart of a rich dungeon-based adventure.

WiiWare

BINGO PARTY Deluxe
Publisher: Ateam Inc.
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: In BINGO PARTY Deluxe, play with up to four players in 75-Ball BINGO, 90-Ball BINGO or BINGO PARTY game modes. (Additional controllers are required for multiplayer game play and are sold separately.) The more you play, the more BINGO points you collect. Keep collecting BINGO points to unlock fun goodies such as new game modes and BINGO card patterns. All BINGO game modes can also be played with computer players, and the difficulty setting can be easily adjusted to match your skill level. The exclusive BINGO PARTY game mode adds excitement by having players compete to find and stamp BINGO numbers on multiple BINGO cards, eventually completing patterns to earn big points. Players can also enjoy the classic 75-Ball BINGO and 90-Ball BINGO game modes. There's plenty of fun for everyone.

BIT.TRIP RUNNER (demo version)
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 0 Wii Points; full version available for 800 Wii Points
Description: Race across the moon, kicking down crystal walls and sliding under chomping moon-slugs. Bound through the Robotic Mines and face off against the MinerMech. Dash through the Big City on a quest to find friends and defeat the final boss. BIT.TRIP RUNNER is the fourth entry in the award-winning and critically acclaimed BIT.TRIP series. Players control CommanderVideo as he runs, jumps, slides and kicks through more than 50 levels. Chiptune supergroup Anamanaguchi makes a guest appearance. Join CommanderVideo on his most epic journey yet.

Note: Some demo versions do not support all game features, and players cannot save their in-game progress in demo versions.

Virtual Console

RIVAL TURF!
Original platform: Super NES
Publisher: Jaleco
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Take back the streets with RIVAL TURF!, the classic two-player action game that originally launched on the Super NES. Clean up the streets in a fast and furious display of tag-team street-fighting action. Get your licks in with a range of attacks, from body slams and leg sweeps to jabs, hooks and uppercuts. Go it alone in single-player mode, fight alongside another player, or go head-to-head and toe-to-toe in the special Versus Mode. This could be the toughest fight of your life, so you'd better start swinging.

Nintendo DSiWare

Anonymous Notes Chapter 2 - From The Abyss -
Publisher: Sonic Powered Co., Ltd.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) - Mild Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Discover an action-packed RPG set inside an infinitely extending dungeon. Sweep away the monsters wriggling in many places and defeat a strong boss monster lurking in the deepest part of the dungeon. Even after the boss monster is defeated, the dungeon automatically re-creates itself, so players can try new games over and over. Using a skill called Soul Capture, the male character can take magic and other skills away from the monsters, as well as weapons and shields to power up. It's exhilarating to strengthen your character by combining equipment and skills, and then crush the monsters in a sweep.

Ikibago
Publisher: Neko Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Alcohol Reference
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Play the role of a pirate and set out to discover the lost treasure of Ikibago in this fascinating puzzle-action game. Differently colored barrels move from left to right. Your objective is to align at least three barrels of the same color in one column before they disappear from the screen. Use the stylus to switch the barrels while anticipating different traps. Bonuses are available - be sure to use them carefully to succeed in the game's 121 missions.

Picture Perfect Pocket Stylist
Publisher: 505 Games US Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Thanks to Picture Perfect Pocket Stylist, your hairdresser will always be with you. Have fun inventing new hairstyles for cartoon characters or for yourself and your friends. Take a picture of yourself and see how you look with a new haircut. When you find the right style, save it to your Nintendo DSi system's photo album. You can also import pictures from the album and use them to create new styles. Enjoy thousands of combinations of styles and makeup.

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://wii.com or http://www.nintendodsi.com.

Nickelodeon And 2K Play Announce Nicktoons MLB For The Xbox 360, Wii And Nintendo DS

2K Play and Nickelodeon have announced Nicktoons MLB for the Xbox 360 Kinect, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. the game has 30 MLB Teams playing against an Nickelodeon All Star Team, consisting of SpongeBob SquarePants, ZIM, Dudley Puppy, Fanboy, Chum Chum, and Ren and Stimpy.

Screenshots


Press Release

New York, NY – May 3, 2011 – The epic showdown that fans of America’s favorite pastime have been clamoring for is on! 2K Play, Nickelodeon and Major League Baseball® Properties today announced Nicktoons MLB for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft featuring support for Kinect™ for Xbox 360®, Wii™ system, and Nintendo DS™. For the first time, an all-star roster from Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons series will take on players from all 30 MLB teams, delivering not only an unforgettable baseball gaming experience, but also the first to fully take advantage of Kinect for Xbox 360.

Nicktoons MLB will feature a dugout full of Nicktoons characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, ZIM, Dudley Puppy, Fanboy, Chum Chum, and Ren and Stimpy, along with players from all 30 MLB teams, including Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals), Andre Ethier (Los Angeles Dodgers), Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers), Jason Heyward (Atlanta Braves), Cliff Lee (Philadelphia Phillies), and Robinson Cano (New York Yankees). Custom created digital ballparks will add new meaning to “home field advantage” and range from the famed Fenway Park to the frigid Frosty Freeze Field.

“The Nicktoons are an animated bunch and it’s no secret they have been petitioning our office to facilitate this unprecedented match up,” said Steve Lux, Vice President for business development of 2K Play. “Whether an extraterrestrial from Planet Irk, superheroes who wear underwear on the outside of their costumes, or a secret agent dog, time will tell if these heavy hitters have the grit to play in the big leagues.”

“Our Nicktoons stars are taking the field and plan to ‘go yard’ against the best players in Major League Baseball,” said Shaan Kandawalla, Vice President of Digital Retail Games for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group. “Nicktoons MLB will introduce a whole new rivalry on the baseball diamond and mark the first time our popular animated characters and MLB’s players will be featured in the same game.”

The excitement leading up to the summer launch of Nicktoons MLB will be supported with social media and special events in Major League ballparks throughout the country. The games are not yet rated andare under development by High Voltage Software for consoles and Black Lantern Studios for Nintendo DS. Stay tuned for updates on this extraordinary showdown by visiting 2K Play on Facebook (facebook.com/2kplay) and Twitter (twitter.com/2KPlay).

2K Play is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO).

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone®, iPod® touch and iPad™. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.

About Nickelodeon Consumer Products

Nickelodeon Consumer Products manages the world's third largest licensing business, representing leading properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.

Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. ; Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

About Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., and MLB Advanced Media, L.P., respectively. All rights reserved. Visit MLB.com. ©MLBPA – Official Licensee, Major League Baseball Players Association. Visit the Players Choice on the web at www.MLBPlayers.com.

Kinect, Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft.

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.

All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained herein which are not historical facts are considered forward-looking statements under federal securities laws and may be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "potential," "predicts," "projects," "seeks," "will," or words of similar meaning and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the outlook for the Company's future business and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to them, which are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may vary materially from these forward-looking statements based on a variety of risks and uncertainties including: our dependence on key management and product development personnel, our dependence on our Grand Theft Auto products and our ability to develop other hit titles for current generation platforms, the timely release and significant market acceptance of our games, the ability to maintain acceptable pricing levels on our games, our ability to raise capital if needed and risks associated with international operations. Other important factors and information are contained in the Company's Transition Report on Form 10-KT for the five month transition period ended March 31, 2010, in the section entitled "Risk Factors," and the Company's other periodic filings with the SEC, which can be accessed at www.take2games.com. All forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements and apply only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Zen Studios Announce A Fantastic 4 Table For Marvel Pinbal Is Coming 18th May

In Celebration of 50 years of The Fantastic Four, Zen Studios have announced they are released a new Fantastic Four table for Zen Pinball. This new table will come out on the PSN in the USA on 17th May and 18th May on the PSN and XBLA across Europe.


Watch Marvel Pinball - Fantastic 4 Table in Tech & Gaming  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Screenshots


Press Release

LOS ANGELES – April 29, 2011 – ZEN Studios today announced that “Fantastic Four” will be the newest addition to Marvel Pinballon PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox®360 videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft. Helping to commemorate this year’s 50th anniversary of Marvel’s First Family, who ushered in a new age of Super Heroes in 1961’s FANTASTIC FOUR #1, this downloadable content will be available May 17 for Marvel Pinball on PlayStation®Network in North America, and May 18 for PlayStation®Network Europe and Pinball FX2 on Xbox LIVE® Arcade.

Featuring Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Thing and the Human Torch, the Fantastic Four table features loads of interactive 3D models, online multiplayer competition and multiple layers of Super Hero gameplay. Guide the ball up the Torch Ramp, discover a set of Invisible Flippers, and feel the full crushing force of the Thing as you take down Doctor Doom just in time to face mighty Galactus and save Earth from obliteration.

“Fantastic Four” will seamlessly integrate into the Pinball FX2 platform on Xbox LIVE® Arcade, and Marvel Pinballplatform on PlayStation®Network, with full social feature support. “Fantastic Four” will also feature new Achievements and Trophies, operators menu and rule sheet.

Guest starring such fan favorites as Galactus, Doctor Doom, Super-Skrull, the Mole Man and H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot, the Fantastic Four table adds another action-packed pinball adventure to the critically acclaimed Marvel Pinball,which already includes “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Wolverine,” “The Invincible Iron Man” and “Blade.”

For the latest Marvel Pinball news and more details on the Fantastic Four table, visit www.marvelpinball.com.

About ZEN Studios
ZEN Studios is a global producer and digital publisher of interactive entertainment software for all leading game platforms including Microsoft Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DS™, Wii, and Apple iPhone / iPod Touch. The company is headquartered in Budapest, Hungary with representative offices in Canada and California. ZEN Studios has worked with some of the largest intellectual properties in the videogame industry, including Capcom’s Street Fighter and Marvel Comics’ The Punisher. ZEN’s Pinball FX2 franchise on Xbox LIVE® Arcade is one of the most popular titles on the platform. The studio launched Marvel Pinball in December, 2010. For more information about ZEN Studios, please visit www.zenstudios.com.

About Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. For more information visit http://www.marvel.com/. Super Hero(es) is a co-owned registered trademark.

MARVEL, Fantastic Four, and all related characters: TM & © 2011 Marvel Entertainment, LLC. and its subsidiaries. Licensed by Marvel Characters B.V. www.marvel.com. All rights reserved.

Sony Online Entertainment Announce Hackers May Have Stolen Information From 24.6 Million Accounts

Sony Online Entertainment have confirmed that they and their customers are also a victim in the Sony PSN Hacking Incident. It appears that during the attack on the PSN, a similar attack was made on Sony Online Entertainment. because of this, Sony Online Entertainment has shut down all the servers related to their products. The result from this attack on credit/debit cards is:

• 12,700 non-USA credit/debit card numbers and expiration dates (not security codes) may have been stolen.
• 10,700 Direct Debit records from Austria, Germany, Netherlands and Spain may have been stolen. this information would also have bank account number, customer name, account name, customer address.

As well as the details above, personal information from 24.6 Million user accounts has also illegally been obtained. this information includes:

• name
• address
• e-mail address
• birthdate
• gender
• phone number
• login name
• hashed password.

In response to this, Sony Online Entertainment will grant all customers an additional 30 days to pay their subscriptions as well as compensating them for the time their games are down. Sony Online Entertainment will also work with users in enrolling them in identity theft protection services.

Additional Information from Joystiq

Press Release

Tokyo, May 3, 2011
- Sony Corporation and Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that their ongoing investigation of illegal intrusions into Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE, the company) systems revealed yesterday morning (May 2, Tokyo time) that hackers may have stolen SOE customer information on April 16th and 17th, 2011 (PDT). SOE is based in San Diego, California, U.S.A.
This information, which was discovered by engineers and security consultants reviewing SOE systems, showed that personal information from approximately 24.6 million SOE accounts may have been stolen, as well as certain information from an outdated database from 2007. The information from the outdated database that may have been stolen includes approximately 12,700 non-U.S. credit or debit card numbers and expiration dates (but not credit card security codes), and about 10,700 direct debit records of certain customers in Austria, Germany, Netherlands and Spain.
With the current outage of the PlayStation® Network and Qriocity™ services and the ongoing investigation into the recent attacks, SOE had also undertaken an intensive investigation into its system. Upon discovery of this additional information, the company promptly shut down all servers related to SOE services while continuing to review and upgrade all of its online security systems in the face of these unprecedented cyber-attacks.
On May 1, Sony apologized to its customers for the inconvenience caused by its network services outages. The company is working with the FBI and continuing its own full investigation while working to restore all services.
Sony is making this disclosure as quickly as possible after the discovery of the theft, and the company has posted information on its website and will send e-mails to all consumers whose data may have been stolen.
The personal information of the approximately 24.6 million SOE accounts that was illegally obtained, to the extent it had been provided to SOE, is as follows:
name
address
e-mail address
birthdate
gender
phone number
login name
hashed password.
In addition to the information above, the 10,700 direct debit records from accounts in Austria, Germany, Netherlands and Spain, include:
bank account number
customer name
account name
customer address.
SOE will grant customers 30 days of additional time on their subscriptions, in addition to compensating them one day for each day the system is down. It is also in the process of outlining a “make good” plan for its PlayStation®3 MMOs (DC Universe Online and Free Realms). More information will be released this week.
Additionally, the company is committed to helping its customers protect their personal data and will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in each region.
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) has been a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games since 1999. Best known for its blockbuster hits and franchises, including EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Champions of Norrath®, PlanetSide®, Free Realms®, Clone Wars Adventures™, and DC Universe Online™, SOE creates, develops and provides compelling online entertainment for virtually all platforms, including the PlayStation®3 Computer Entertainment System, Personal Computer, mobile and social networks. SOE is building on its proven legacy and pioneering the future of the interactive entertainment space through creative development and inspired gameplay design for audiences of all ages. To learn more, visit www.soe.com.
For more information and update about the SOE services, please visit www.soe.com/securityupdate.