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Sony’s networks coming back online; Austin studio loses chief to Zynga
Over the weekend, Sony began bringing its beleaguered PlayStation Network back online in a phased rollout that started Saturday. In a press release, the company said:
The phased restoration will include the return of nearly all of SOE’s portfolio of online games, the reinstatement of SOE’s game forums and websites, and added functionality to require players to reset their passwords.
The PlayStation Blog has more details on the service restoration.
I was able to login yesterday to my account for the first time and changed my password. I haven’t given new credit card information to the company, nor do I plan to anytime soon.
Today, the company is expected to bring back Sony Online Entertainment games like “Free Realms” and “EverQuest 2.”
Separately, Sony Online recently lost the head of its Austin studio. John Blakely, who spoke to us in January about the launch of “DC Universe Online” and who was also vice president of development for SOE, has departed for Zynga to become that red-hot social gaming company’s general manager. Blakely’s been succeeded by Lorin Jameson at SOE, who is now in charge of Austin operations.
Here’s Sony’s official statement on the matter:
After nearly nine years of service, John Blakely has resigned from Sony Online Entertainment to pursue new opportunities. From successfully launching EverQuest II to the recent DC Universe Online, Blakely has proven to be an invaluable member of the SOE team and has made significant contributions to the company’s success. We are grateful for the passion and leadership he brought to work every day and fully support him in his future endeavors. Blakely will be replaced by Lorin Jameson, executive director of development at SOE, who has been responsible for the oversight of all development teams at SOE’s Austin studio for the past five years. In his new role, Jameson will oversee the day-to-day operations of SOE’s Austin studio, including providing executive oversight on DC Universe Online and Star Wars Galaxies, and future games under development at the studio.
For Blakely, it may have been a timely exit: he left for Zynga shortly before Sony’s online security meltdown, according to his LinkedIn page.
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