Sony has agreed to a $15 million preliminary settlement in a class action lawsuit over the 2011 hacking of the PlayStation Network that saw the data of 77 million users compromised.

Polygon reports that if the settlement is approved by a judge, then Sony will offer gamers a choice of PS3 or PSP game (most of which were already offered as part of the Welcome Back programme after the incident), or three months of PlayStation Plus. Free subs to Music Unlimited, SOE Station cash and PS3 themes could also be available.The titles that Sony has confirmed will be offered include Dead Nation , inFamous, LittleBigPlanet, Super Stardust HD and Rain, and it's also highlighted you'll need to have an active PS Plus subscription in order to qualify for the additional free months. Only US residents will be eligible for this offer if it's approve, as separate territories have taken the company to task in their own ways. The UK, for example, charged Sony £250,000 ($396,000) for a "serious breach of the Data Protection Act".A judge won't rule on the settlement until May 1 next year, but if it goes through Sony will notify US gamers via publications and on websites (like this one). You'll then have the joy of filling out a form to claim. Given most of the items will be distributed digitally and have already been created, it's a safe bet Sony won't actually pay out $15 million, rather that's the market value for the goods if sold.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK News Editor. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on Twitter