Sony offers free games after PlayStation data breach

Canadian and U.S.PlayStation Network customers will get free game downloads and video rentals as a "welcome back" following a massive outage and data breach caused by a cyberattack.

A post on the official PlayStation blog late Monday said network members will be able to download two PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Portable games for free from a select list during the 30 days after the PlayStation Store comes back online.

Sony began restoring its services on Saturday and said all services will be back online by May 31.

Some servicessuch as password resets and online gameplay were reported back online by Monday in the U.S.

The PlayStation Network, along with Sony's Qriocity entertainment service, had been unavailable since April 19. That was when Sony detected an "external intrusion" on the network and then shut it down.

Days later, the company said user information had been stolen, including names, birthdates, addresses, passwords and possibly some credit card information.

The breach was also found to have affected Sony Online Entertainment, bringing the number of potentially affected customers to over 100 million.

Customers of Sony Online Entertainment, the division that includes online games like EverQuest, will receive a "welcome back" package that includes complimentary identity theft protection, free game time and special in-game items and events, the company said.

Some other freebies that Sony is offering PlayStation Network customers include free select movie rentals over one weekend in areas where video service is available and 30 days of free PlayStation Plus membership for those who don't yet subscribe to the service.