I don't think there has been any indication that this a payback operation. It could just as well have been for financial gain.

Sony did piss off a lot of hackers, though, so maybe they had it coming...

Anon actually didn't do the DDoS attack. From the press release-"For once we didn't do it"

http://anonnews.org/?p=press&a=item&i=848

Quoting Anonymous on their involvement is a moot point. The lack of hierarchy and completely radical differing opinions of members within the "group" allows for confusion and varying ideologies. Since a press release, in the mindset of Anon, is released by an individual or a group of individuals, they may not be aware that a separate member did perform the hack. In the end no one really knows until someone pretty much steps forward.

Quoting Anonymous on their involvement is a moot point.

a moot point? moot? really? i like your choice of words. Heh.

I thought Anonymous apologized to PSN users for the collateral damage? Makes me wonder if they're just trying to save face after realizing the users were turning against them too...

"We realize that targeting the PSN is not a good idea. We have therefore temporarily suspended our action, until a method is found that will not severely impact Sony customers." -- Anonymous

Then they went on to say something about how Anonymous is a diverse group and they can't control everyone, blah blah blah.

Maybe it's all about the lulz until the lulz are about them.

I think given the severity and potential criminal lawsuits for this nobody will step out right away, however I'm pretty sure the geohot story pissed off some good hackers who found something to do in their spare time...