[Update No. 3] The PlayStation Network service is now being restored in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico and South America - more to come. [End of Update No. 3]

[Update No. 2] Certain PlayStation Network services are now going now live in the UK, Ireland, Middle East and South Africa - more to come. [End of Update No. 2]

[Update No. 1] The PlayStation Network is now live in the United States and Canada - more to come (including European territories) later today. [End of Update No. 1]

After three weeks of network inactivity, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) has finally brought the company’s online gaming and digital distribution service back to life – the PlayStation Network is back online.

With the service now semi-functional, a new mandatory PlayStation 3 firmware update has been released (version 3.61) which will allow us to change our passwords and sign into PSN, while the “phased restoration” of PSN has already begun to help get us back to playing online games.

Other functions, such as the PlayStation Store, will resume service at a later date, but according to this video message from Sony’s executive deputy president, Kazuo Hirai, a host of other PlayStation Network services are due to resume right from the get-go:

Kazuo Hirai: PlayStation Network Relaunch Announcement

SCE is currently restoring PlayStation Network accessibility by region. This means that the service may not yet be available to you, but it will be soon. When it is, SCE recommends you download the latest PlayStation 3 firmware update and change the password you use to access the network.

Here’s a message from SCE on that process:

“If using a PS3, your password can only be changed on your own PS3 (or a PS3 on which your PSN account was activated), as an added layer of security. If you have never downloaded any content using your account on the system, an email will be sent to the registered sign-in ID (email address) associated with your account when you first attempt to sign-in to PSN. This e-mail will contain a link that will enable you to change your password. In this email, click on the link and follow the instructions to change your password.

“Once you have changed your password you can sign-in to your account using your new password.”

Let us know if PSN is available in your region!