Epsiode 17:

Note – There are two versions of this post. The first version you see here is the long (a.k.a – the TLDR post) the second version is the Clift Notes (AKA, the Internet “Approved Version”) which all can read mostly.

On – the worst thing that could happen to Playstation fans happened. The PSN was hacked into. Information was stolen. What type of information? Personal information; address, name, zip code. Possible CC info but Sony hasn’t given any more information outside of that. We don’t know who or what type of group hacked in the PSN, but as far as my friends In IT are concern this was a “terroristic event” with “overtones of revenge/vengeance” The Anons (nonaffiliated with me) who GeoHot was affiliated with – denied any responsibility.  

PSN was shut down to protect the network from any more intrusions starting April 19, 2011. The shutdown effects 75 Million (more like 35-40 million people) users of the service.

What the crackers/hackers did was evil. The fact people semi defend them shows the madness that has gone down in the internet as of late – a madness not even concerned or dealing with internet freedoms, but more of the pirating crunchyroll folk that have destroyed the anime industry in the US.

As many want to blame Sony, take them down a peg – this is a crisis of huge proportions to the Playstation Brand. Let’s not kid ourselves, they are the victims here.   Sony however, could have done a much better job in keep in constant contact and being personal with its customers. They always even at some bad times – aloof. It shows in promotions of certain games from patapon on down.

The issue with Anon/GeoHot and Anon’s response (which pretty much indicts them in the event) after Sony made the deal to settle out of court, was the protection of the games and the rest of the customers – from what GeoHot found out that the PS3’s issues and possible use in cheating in games and other such malfeasance. The update that came out to fix the problem seemed to have ended the issue. Nevertheless, the DDoS attack which lead into the hack which forced PSN to shutdown may have come from that Hardware “crack” that Sony to be honest – didn’t do enough to make sure that it was clear and away secure.

So, people are angry. They have every right to be angry. And I am angry as well.

At Sony – not because they did the wrong things – because they were too “detached” from the moment. They needed to be at the phones with the media and working the phones of the multiple gaming websites – answering everybody’s questions and calming everyone’s fears. The same way they fixed my PS2 way back when, (and it’s still purring as a Kitten) – the respect and care they did then – they needed to do now while they still have a chance.

Some gaming websites now question the future of the Playstation Brand (the same way they questioned the X-Box brand with the RROD.) But I have to give props to Microsoft and some Xbox folks – they have been very respectful and on Microsoft’s end they know despite the 14 year head start they have on networks anything can happen, warning on the phishing attacks that were a nuisance before – is now poient now.

The anger however, has created some funny and some unfunny comments, gifs and so on. Some day they can’t trust Sony on a professional level. Others say this is the end of trusting Sony period. Still Others say that as Sony fans this shakes there confidence in them.

Let me make some things very clear. We need to look at this on a honest level. As much as there is blame on Sony (and there should be some) most of the anger I see from Neo-Gaf, Gamefaqs and GiantBomb has been misplaced at Sony and not the hackers. The hackers – some of their supporters are in these boards; these hackers have been treated with kid gloves. It’s this net neutrality without honesty that has been defended again and again… Its 4chan and the darkness behind their shadows, it’s the booru’s and their images of revelry – its crunchyroll and their promise of the sexual blush at every god damn corner.

Unlike those folks on those three sites that have treated those hackers who have lived behind net neutrality’s promises and protected these three sites and the fanbases that followed them – the internet works on the real world. Unlike the power fantasies these hackers live by (moe is just another form of this power fantasy) that hacked PSN – where their actions are for the lulz – these actions, possibly stealing credit card information and selling it at a price – have real and devastating consequences. As much as the FBI haven’t gone after the bankers that have stolen money hand over fist from the American people, you can trust me that not only the FBI, Interpol and Military agencies all over the planet will be combing to find who did this. They will NOT hide. They will be found and they will be prosecuted and will be sent to the pokey in a cell with BUBBA. That’s the future that is in store for them.

As for PSN, I have no clue. As of before the 17 they were moving towards some things and behind a lot of others. After the 19 however that has changed not for the better. I can understand if some don’t want to use PSN anymore. I can even understand why they might not trust Sony fully. I can emphasize with that.

However, Sony must start a huge process – not unlike Japan has started the process – of not only fixing PSN – but rebuilding the Playstation brand. This generation is one SONY wishes it can forget. But these setbacks should show they don’t control the show anymore as much as they wish they could. This should be the wakeup call to the whole brand and maybe the whole company.

The first thing that needs to be done, after bringing back PSN – will be bring Voice Chat from DAY ONE of the return of the network and/or Store. Its been too long. It needs to show that its starting to have some faith in the new network and start to bring back those that were lost from the downtime.

The next step is to promote the PSN card as the MAIN way to buy anything from the store once that returns. Nobody would ever put a Credit Card or Debit in the network even if it had the best security. The next best choice is to actually promote the cards to get things from the store and as the safest way to do so as well.

The third step is to let people access PS+ and the cloud for the whole month of May.

Next step is to have access to the other parts of the store – Netflix, Hulu-Plus, MLB Game Pass for a week or more depending on what the companies want to do.

All of these however, is just the first step in a long and tireless road back to some semblance of respectability and respect.

Finally, this news and the response to this news hurts me as a fan of the Playstation.

All my memories of Video Games during the teen years came from here – Xenogears, Crono Cross and MGS. To see this happen hurts.

We can never forget.

Some may never forgive.

We needed however to be forever vigilant. The case for freedom that the “hackers” represents and some who have blamed Sony for everything about this incident is spurious at best, and almost insane at worse. The Anons fight against hypocrisy (from the most part) but when it comes to internet freedoms they have hurt their case in the first place.   The future of the internet will no longer be controlled by the Anon’s or the Crunchrolls of the world. They have better realize this before they become like the pirate bay and the rest of the crack/warez sites… The results of these hacks are far reaching. It’s the major problems that the rest of the modern world has with the internet – even with social media. The media was never social or based on networking – media has to be created with tools and the means to use the tools.

The fact that hackers don’t understand it or refuse to use capitalism on its honest ends means that many of those on the supposed “right” can say with all certainty that these folks are the new “terrorists” and despite Assanges claims that he’s doing what Tom Jefferson and Franklin where doing (even despite the fact they owned slaves…)He (along with Moot and GeoHot as of late) are the face and voice of these Anon’s.

As I took the name novidanon – I did it because I believed that the Anon’s were upstanding people (dealing with the Jessi Savage issue) and they were libertarian in their views of life. Turns out I was wrong on both counts. They are mostly for the lulz (and the sauce which if you don’t know anon speak – is a double entrande for both the source of data and the male/female procreation fluid) as well as causing the same sort of mayhem the Joker did in The Dark Knight. Some people just want to see the world burn and only Android exist.

I just want to make one thing clear. Im not in the business of changing people’s minds or convincing that Sony will do a better job. You live in America and you have the right to buy things or not or support other companies or not.

As for me, this generation of video games has been a massive disappointment for me personally. Some have moved to Online or others have moved to I-gaming.

But I realize that I support the losing side in a lot of issues. Music (Metal is more my thing but there hasn’t been a consistent superstar since Metallica, whereas rap is caught whether we got a new MC Hammer, or the next Tupac) TV (Glee is not totally original –Fringe got saved but gets low ratings – House is a great show people watch, I can’t stand CBS – and I hate the majority of the reality shows because they remind me of the WWE (which the latter is turning into) – governmental issues/societal issues and Video Games.

I guess I have to be different. If I was like everybody else – I wouldn’t be myself.

I have my doubts that will sticking with the industry beyond this Generation. I do have dreams and plans myself.

I will change my name – since I don’t want to be known along with the Anons. They have lost all trust and faith with me.

And if you see the internet become lot more…corny and corporate – you know who to blame.

That’s all the hype the Anon’s now give us. More of the same tripe; more of the same silly responses.

I don’t trust the web nor the mobile web anymore. Its 40 year old tech, the bandwidth (in the states) is horrible and the fact everybody and their momma is trying to get that money reeks of another possible crash of epic proportions.

If the anon’s had any guts they would have built a better system, and leave this Net behind.

They didn’t do it and they will get what is coming to them and it’s to our detriment.

Update: Sony apologized to the users of the PSN who service has been down since April 19. They promised service in a week.

Update: Sony also announced a date for the FULL PSN Service to be up – May 31. Other services will also be up starting from May 9 onward as Sony and its hired security agency finishes security testing.