European PlayStation Network to experience downtime during mysterious online upgrade

(All rights reserved - Sony Computer Entertainment)

Sony's PlayStation Network (PSN) is to go offline for just over 12 hours, starting at 4pm BST on Wednesday June 9, though there is one way that PlayStation 3 owners can ensure their daily online gaming needs are met: log on to PSN before 4pm.

The maintenance period affects the PSN Store as well as basic account management and creation features, and will temporarily deny access to online gaming for those not already signed by 4pm.

As the European Store usually updates with new games and demos for PS3 and PSP on Wednesdays, the June 9 batch of content will be going live a little earlier than usual, at 12 noon BST rather than early evening as is the norm.

One of the titles scheduled for European release on June 9 is Joe Danger, a cheerful game about a motorcycle stuntman from UK debutants Hello Games, and it has been picking up some extremely high scores at review.

Sony are keeping tight-lipped about reasons for the upgrade, though they are known to be keen on pushing 3D technology at the important Electronics Entertainment Expo, June 14-17.

There are also regional enhancements planned for the store's film content, which is currently only available in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Perhaps not co-incidentally, June 10 is the date that 3D gaming launches on Japanese Playstation 3s. A console update going live enables the output of a 3D signal, and an expected Japanese PlayStation Store update would include the promised 3D versions of Super Stardust HD, Wipeout HD, Pain, and demo level from a re-jigged Motorstorm: Pacific Rift.

Vouchers for those four are being given away in a Japanese Sony 3D TV promotion that is to be rolled out in Europe at the same time.