Sony Begins Free Games Compensation Over 2011 PSN Hack

Following the announcement of a $15 million settlement last year, Sony on Friday began reaching out to United States users with details about how they can claim compensation over the 2011 PlayStation Network attack that compromised more than 70 million accounts.

Anyone who had a PlayStation Network, Qriocity, or Sony Online Entertainment account before May 15, 2011 can request documents to file a settlement claim via PSNSOESettlement.com.

Individual compensation will vary depending in part on what type of account(s) you had at the time. Some of the options, per Sony's official descriptions, include:

• Payment equal to paid wallet balances (if $2 or more) in PSN or SOE accounts that have been inactive since the intrusions.
• One or more of the following: a free PS3 or PSP game, three free PS3 themes, or a free three-month subscription to PlayStation Plus (once valid claims exceed $10 million, class members will still be eligible for one free month of PlayStation Plus).
• A free month of Music Unlimited for Qriocity account holders who did not have a PSN account.
• $4.50 in SOE Station Cash (amounts will be reduced proportionally if valid claims exceed $4 million).

In addition, Sony said it will reimburse users with out-of-pocket charges who suffered legitimate identity theft related to the network intrusion. Users can receive up to $2,500, though they'll need to provide documentation that the theft was caused by the network hack.

People who don't want to file claim forms over the internet can request the forms from Sony's Claims Administrator by writing to "PSN-SOE Settlement, PO Box 1947, Faribault, MN 55021" or by calling 1-877-552-1284.

A court assigned to the case will hold a Fairness Hearing on May 1, 2015 to confirm the settlement, and all claim submissions must be filed either online or in the mail by August 31, 2015.

About the settlement terms in general, Sony writes: "The Sony Entities deny any claims of wrongdoing in this case, and the settlement does not mean that the Sony Entities violated any laws or did anything wrong."

For a detailed breakdown of the infamous 2011 attack, which brought the online service down for close to a month and led to a US Congressional Hearing, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.