Sony has its online infrastructure up on blocks today while it spruces up its servers.
PlayStation Network is down right now for planned maintenance. The system came offline at 9 a.m. Pacific time, and it will remain offline until 11:30 a.m. This will prevent you from accessing the PlayStation Store, your account, and Video Unlimited.
The timing of this particular maintenance is likely due to the imminent launch of the PlayStation 4 exclusive game Bloodborne. This spiritual successor to Dark Souls has many gamers excited to take on the grim world filled with monsters. It releases tomorrow, but players can start preloading their digital versions today — although that won’t work until the maintenance is over.
As usual, most people will still have access to online multiplayer as long as you’ve signed into PSN “recently.”
Sony’s new status site, status.playstation.com — which just went live last week — explains why this sort of network interruption is necessary.
“We endeavor to ensure that PlayStation Network services are available at all times,” reads an update on the service site. “However, occasionally Sony Entertainment Network may need to be taken offline so we can perform essential maintenance. This is to ensure our network continues to run smoothly and securely and to provide you with new and updated services.”
Sony takes PSN offline about once a month to ensure its performance — something it’s had trouble with in the past, especially in its early days.