Sony responds to free PlayStation Store credits found in inboxes

Tanya Valdez writes: Some of you were lucky enough to check your messages on PSN the other day, only to find $10 PSN Points voucher waiting for you. Since then, we have had numerous asking them how it is determined on who receives these vouchers. I reached out to Sony and to end the head scratching. I received a response from a Sony representative who works on the PSN side of the account

[phantomexe]

I'm on psn alot compared to most of the people on my psn friends list and i spent alot on psn. I'm thinking they sent them to people who dont make alot of purchases on psn ,to try and get them to look around a bit but thats my opinion. Most family that are on psn dont buy much and they all got it. Its good move on sonys part i supose.

[violents]

Agreed, it gets people that havent used the store a reason to go check it out.

[admiralvic]

Even if that was true (it isn't), I don't think forcing ANYONE to use that new store would result in more sales.

[guitarded77]

I want to know what the criteria is... some of my friends messaged me saying they got one, and just assumed I'd get one too since I am on everyday and have 200+ downloadable games and 200+ disc games. $10 would have been nice since I just got $30 from Sony rewards.

[Azmatik]

Im actually VERY dissapointed :( ive been a sony fan for yeaaaars had every system at launch and am a undergroud member since 2006 look me up, i live in canada.... Definatly givin sony a call lol but i cant be mad sony is just great.

[jadenkorri]

yeah but if its targeted towards low end users, its a slap in the face for those that spend money and are on every day.

[guitarded77]

@ jadenkorri

I don't think it's geared toward "lower end users". All my friends that reported getting one where trophy lvl 14 - 25, and all have huge game collections. Maybe there were newer users getting the credit, but the ones I heard from are veterans.

[kreate]

I got the 10 bucks. Trophy level 14.
Psn account made in march of 2007.

[elmaton98]

I agree, i believe is a move to let people be aware of the psn store and all the great games that are in there.

[vikingland1]

Um I use it all the time and I got the voucher. So I guess your theory is wrong. I think it was just a random thing. I've had access to alot of betas also. Is that also because I don't use PSN?

[Gorilla_Killa_X]

I have probably spent over $2000 on the psn store not counting plus subscription and I got the voucher. As a matter of fact, I have 3 accounts and only received it on the account I used to make psn purchases.

Edit: I will say I have a Vita on that account as well.

[calis]

It's random people. Jesus.

[gtr_loh]

Pretty sure this was totally random. I have all PlayStation systems and 2 Xperia phones as well as a Bravia TV linked on my Sony Entertainment Account. My trophy level also almost stretches to level 14 and have at least 38 games linked onto my profile.

[Dmarc]

all I got was assassin creed 3 dlc message :(

[ThanatosDMC]

Well i had a PS3 a couple of months after release... maybe that's why I got one? I think it was my Christmas (2006) present for myself.

[violents]

How is that "forcing" anyone to do anything?

How dumb are people, here Im going to give you ten dollars, in turn this forces you to go to a store.

Your rediculous.

[admiralvic]

It has nothing to do with purchases or at least little to do with it.

My one friend is constantly buying things on the PSN and he got one.
I haven't bought anything past an avatar or two in the past 9 months and I got one.
Another friend spent 400+ last year on PSN games and received one.
Yet another friend spent around 10 dollars on the PSN last year and didn't get one.
My alternate account that hasn't spent a dime in over 2 years didn't get one.
etc.

There was probably another requirement, like "X time online" that decided who got what. I did notice that all my active friends (except 1) got the message, which strongly implies Sony found a good indicator of loyalty or we all got it via random chance. Either or, I've seen both groups (active PSN buyers and inactive PSN buyers) get the voucher.

[ABizzel1]

I have to disagree. I'm on PSN often, I'm a PS+ member, and I've downloaded nearly 1,200 items from the Stores since launch, my little brother just got one so he can't have nearly as much content as I've downloaded, and he didn't get it, so I doubt that the reason some got it and some don't.

Whatever it is I want to know.

[akiraburn]

Yeah, I'm a little confused on this myself, as I'm in the same boat. I've also spent hundreds on the PS store, downloaded over 1100 items, have over 4200 trophies (level 21), registered a bunch of products on the Sony site, created my profile including the owned and wanted list on the PS site several years ago, been a PS+ subscriber since day one, and despite all this unfortunately I have not received a code as of yet. I'm not upset, but kind of confused as I'd think that I fit the criteria for it.

[dragunrising]

I've spent hundreds of dollars on PSN and got it. I've also been a PlayStation Plus member since its introduction. Maybe its recent purchase history or completely random. Food for thought.

[spongeboob]

I have made a lot of purchases on the PSN through the years and I received the credit email from them.

Thanks Sony, you rock!

[Kane22]

actually i spent well over $2000 in my psn account since Ive been on psn for almost 5yrs. personally i think they went by how much you bought there exclusive stuff throughout the time you had your psn account.

[evilhasitsway]

i bought over a $100 worth of stuff this month alone and i got the $10

[FFXI101]

That's not accurate, I bought a lot of games on PSN or at retail store.

I've bought every Sony console or handheld. If what you said was true then I shouldn't receive it but I did.

I was in their reward program too.

[FACTUAL evidence]

Sorry phantomexe, but that whole sending people the 10$ to people who doesn't buy from the store is not accurate at all. I have over 2000$ or purchased content, and I received the 10$ voucher.

[slaton24]

i buy alot of things off the psn store and i still got it look up slaton22 if u want to game sometime i have plenty...if that dont work please send measlesonurface an invite or campersonduty

[finbars75]

I disagree.I buy stuff all the time along with all my friends and we all got the voucher.Its just a random pick thats all not people who dont spend money in the PS.Its not the first time we have seen this especially with codes to betas and so on.

[Good_Guy_Jamal]

Yes, lets reward those that don't spend money by giving them credits and even less reason to spend money.

[Jaces]

I was skeptical at first but after that $10 credit hit my wallet it was pretty awesome. I thought this was just because my birthday being today.

Guess not but w/e, still wicked cool on Sony's part. :D

[morkendo23]

im hardly on PSN dont like digital games its like trying to buy AIR you cant see it or feel it.

[DizzyDino]

Sony gave me the money also but I have spent over $1,500 on ps3 games,psn games,themes,add ons, and avatars.

[mi_titan27]

i spend alot of money on psn, i get my $10credit as well.

[Slapshot82]

I got one and I think it was for people who have purchase either a set amount of money on SEN, or have purchased Full PS4 Games on SEN.

I'm guessing, of course, but I've downloaded numerous Full Games and I got one, but my friends who have not didn't.

[andibandit]

I got 2 vouchers for some reason, but then again my COD:BO2 K:D ratio is almost 3, so maybe its not so strange :)

[lilbrat23]

I got this message a few days ago just not sure why I haven't purchased anything in the store in a while. Could be the reason but who knows.

[WeAreLegion]

It was sent to people who rarely purchase things on the PSN. :)

[Redempteur]

NO
I have psn+ and a large selection of games and rock band dlc ..i buy things regulary and i got one ..

So it's random ..

[WeAreLegion]

That's really weird. All of my friends with Plus didn't get them. All of my old accounts that I haven't used in two years got it and so did my brother's old accounts. Same with friends. I guess that's just a coincidence.

[irepbtown]

Time to check myself, I hope us Brits have got a voucher aswell.

[doctorstrange]

Spoiler: They don't really give a response...

[perdie]

seriously, I don't think any company would start with "thanks for reaching out..."

[Erudito87]

i didnt get one :(

[Insomnia_84]

I spend a lot on PSN and got the $10.

[kingmushroom]

same here, sony has been good to me. fucking love sony

[Donnywho]

I got the message with $10 and I spend a lot of money on PSN. I bought Dishonored, Resident Evil 6, Okami, Dragon's Lair, Space Ace, Hitman collection and Hitman Absolution all on PSN and that's just recently. So forget that people who hardly buy stuff crap.

[Baryndor]

I received a $10.00 credit. But I spend around 100 bucks a month. So to me it was a nice rebate. Thank you Sony! I also have a Playstation Credit card. I wonder if that ties into it at all.

[Soldierone]

I think its simply being active, logging in etc... Mine came in about two or three days after people reported it being done, so hold out.

You don't need to be in PS Plus, I'm not currently in it and have only ever purchased 3 month subscriptions.

Also it might have to deal with Vita as well. Noticed some people that didn't get it also didn't own a Vita.

[Ultraplayerxp]

You may be right. I made a new account on my PS3 so I could tie it to my Vita. All I ever did with that account was buy a 1 yr. membership to plus, and I got the $10.

[SAE]

What !!! I did the same thing and only bought ps+ for my vita and i only got 5$ ! Oh well , At least i got a little bit ..

Note: My 2007 account didn't anything..

[REALgamer]

I own a Vita with the same US account across both Vita and PS3 and am a PS Plus member but didn't get it...

Might just be completely random.

[rocky047586]

Yeah you're right because I am always online and active! I buy things from the store all the time too. They gave me the $10 just two days ago so people need to hold their horses if they think they aren't going to get one because they just might.

[Riderz1337]

I was so happy to find this in my mail =). Gonna probably buy Jak 3 with it or get a 20$ PSN card to resubscribe to PS Plus.

[DarkBlood]

i dont get stuff like this i think, usually when its something like that its from someone else on my freind list that i past it off as spam

[Sithlord-Gamble]

Ive had a PS3 since day 1, PS+ since day 1, Vita since day 1 ... lvl 17 w/ 15plats ... & ive spent ALOT of $ on PSN over the years ... and I DIDN'T get a voucher.

Kinda BS ... but goes to show that it's obviously random selection ... hence why they have no explanation on the criteria...bc there isnt any criteria.

[Y_5150]

Like how they do their private betas I think. I think it's just random if you been on the PSN, you are eligible.

But I count yo as a loyal PlayStation gamer buddy, I hope you get that $10.

[Sithlord-Gamble]

Thx Buddy! I hope you do also ...
And everyone else that shouldve got one that hasnt.

[ado908]

Yeah seriously I agree with sithlord I've had the PS3 the first month it was released and I didn't get jack from Sony.

[Canary]

I think it might have to do with how often you make purchases. I.E., they may have chosen a single span of time--a day, a week, or a month--and either sent out $10 to people who DID spend money in the store (to reward them for being "loyal"--or to those who did NOT spend money in the store, to encourage them to buy stuff.

...

But, ultimately, the revelation a few days later that nothing you buy on the PSN w/ your PS3 will transfer to the PS4 saps the gift of any real meaning, as Sony devalued their PSN content quite a bit on the 20th.

[Sniperwithacause]

Has anyone thought about it having anything to do with trophy levels? Plus it is a smart move on Sony's behalf, give ten dollars away and someone sees something they want but it cost 20 forcing, or should I say obligated to put up the other half of the funds to buy the content. I received the ten dollars and I don't buy a lot of content from the store, but I have over 4000 trophies. Just a thought.

[TronEOL]

I'm pretty sure it's based on activity. Both my girlfriend and I received $10 and we've been playing Mass Effect 3's MP (among many others games for myself) almost every day since it was released, minus the time I was out of town for work (about 3-4 months).

Not to mention I'm sure I spent well over $400-$500 on the PSN within the same time frame. Also, I have PS+ & Vita and she (girlfriend) doesn't. So PS+ & Vita wasn't necessary for this. She was also on a brand new account made in 2012, with me using the one I had since before the "PSN" existed (PS Underground account transferred over).

So I'm almost 100% sure it has to do with activity, and maybe a few were to reel them (gamers) in to use the PS3/N more.

[Beatboxtaun]

Not true. I'm on PSN all the time and have not received one. I am on daily.

[Sharius]

spent alot in PSN, and got that right after i read about thí event

off topic: my friend said that he got his money return from that psn glitch, plus sony let him keep everything he bought and give hime other 5$ credit, damn, that's lucky bastard

http://i.imgur.com/o3FbCtY....

[TheFallenAngel]

I bought Bully with them 10 dollars. Thanks Sony!

[WeAreLegion]

Great choice!

[3-4-5]

Haven't played my PSP in about 3 week. Time to go check and see if I have a gift.

In the past month or so Sony has went from making dumb decisions to showing us they still care.

[iWishTifaWasReal]

SAO sucks ^

off topic i know. i dont care

[kupomogli]

I've spent less than $30 on the PS store. I purchase physical copies of the titles I'm interested in and haven't signed up for PS+ yet.

I didn't get $10. So it's not just the low end users or high end users(since someone posted 200+ digital titles.) It's probably completely random.

[Silly gameAr]

I was surprised when that msg popped up in my inbox. I almost thought it was spam.

[Y_5150]

I'm going to buy the next All Stars DLC with that money. :)

[Saucyknight]

I dont even have ps plus and i got one. Sweet!

[CatXFlash]

Odd... oh well.

[Hicken]

Does it really matter? Yeah, it'd be nice if we ALL got the ten bucks. I've had a PSN account since I got my PSP back in about 2006 or so. No credit for me.

Oh, well.

It's still nice to see that Sony's doing this for their customers PERIOD. We all know what other companies give out...

[tarbis]

It seems to be random selection. I got the voucher while my friend did not.

[Darth Stewie]

I got it and have had my account since 2006.

[TheCopyNinja]

Well that's nice. Still have my Fat 60gb PS3, & still a PS+ member yet I got nothing.

[RealtorMDandDC]

I got one
Only Level 12 tho. But I've own a PS3 since day one and I've tried almost every demo, been on EVERY BETA since day one, purchase a few games PSN games, avatars, themes of all types, I've rented a few movies. And I do download a crap load of those awesome PS Plus Freebies tho....

[gamingisnotacrime]

im active on osn, have a PS3 and Vita and have bought plenty. I got my $10 credit and used it for mass effect. Sweet