The PlayStation Network will undergo regular maintenance this coming Monday, March 23, Sony has announced. The maintenance period will be a short one, lasting just two-and-a-half hours from 9-11:30 AM PDT (12-2:30 PM EDT). What's the maintenance for?

　　"During this time we will deploy a series of back-end improvements to the network," Sony said in a statement.

　　This is the same exact wording Sony has used to describe the most recent PlayStation Network maintenance periods, suggesting the upcoming upkeep is nothing out of the ordinary.

　　The PSN maintenance period comes just a day before the release of marquee PlayStation 4 game, Bloodborne, which uses the network for its multiplayer mode.

　　PlayStation Network users who have signed into PSN before the maintenance period begins will still be able to play games online and access entertainment apps such as Netflix throughout the downtime.

　　However, the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Home (which itself is soon going away for good), and Account Management will not be available during the maintenance period.

　　"We thank you for your patience and support and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause," Sony said.