Server overload slows down PlayStation Network restoration

An avalanche of password-reset requests has slowed down the phased restoration of Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN) after a month-long outage, infuriating eager users who have long awaited the gaming network's comeback.

After the announcement of the PSN's initial restoration Sunday, Sony's server was dogged with persistent requests for password resets, overwhelming the network and slowing down the process.

"Due to the high volume of emails, some users are experiencing delays receiving their password reset instructions. Thanks for your patience," the Japan-based gaming company said in its official PlayStation Twitter account.

A full day after jumpstarting the PSN's restoration, Sony has yet to address the impact on its server, forcing it to shut down for a couple of minutes to address the request backlogs.

"We're experiencing a heavy load of password resets and will be turning off the services for 30 minutes to clear the queue," the company said, adding: "If you've requested your password reset, it's taking time to clear all of the ISPs, so please give it a bit of time to reach your email."

Users, meanwhile, were left frustrated about Sony's handling of the restoration.

User Crystal Reed of Salem, Oregon expressed frustration on Facebook: "so idk wth is going on but it's saying psn is undergoing maintenance again UGH!"

"Awesome the moment i signed off psn it goes back to being 'down for maintenance'," lamented Shan Powers of Gering, Nebraska.

Carlito Peralta, Jr., a Filipino residing in San Diego, California, meanwhile threatened to leave his PlayStation behind in favor of other gaming consoles. "If PlayStation Network's 'treat' when servers go back up is a lame wallpaper or a free DL of a game no one wants, I'm buying an xbox360," he said in a Facebook status update.

Sony had earlier announced a phased restoration process for the PSN, starting with users from the North American region and could take as long as two weeks to complete, it said.

The company has since apologized for what could be one of the biggest security breaches in Internet history that exposed personal information of more than 77 million users of the PSN, and promised a more robust consumer data protection policy to combat future attacks.

"We are taking aggressive action at all levels to address the concerns that were raised by this incident, and are making consumer data protection a full-time, companywide commitment," Sony official Kazuo Hirai said in a statement.

The gaming company also said it is introducing an early warning system that will alert the company of any attempts to penetrate the network, among other new security measures.

Filipino Internet users, meanwhile, welcomed the news of the restoration with a mix of optimism, disappointment and desperation: