Microsoft has restored a limited service to Xbox Live users after the online gaming platform was allegedly taken down by hackers.
A group named Lizard Squad has claimed responsibility for the disruption, which is still affecting Sony's Playstation Networks.
The outages come just over a week after threats by hackers forced Sony to cancel public screenings of a satirical film.
The film has since been released online.
Both companies expected heavy use as people who received Microsoft Xboxes or Sony PlayStations on Christmas Day tried to hook up.
