Before Sony's social media manager, Jeff Rubenstein, came to the rescue via an
informative blog post, our research had concluded that the latest
PlayStation 3 firmware update implements the following changes:
- Cell division by zero no longer possible
- Cross media bar lightened up, no longer cross
- Fun patch applied to "Go! Sky Diving"
- Triceratops tranquilized
- Placebo.exe installed for faster load times
Unfortunately, it seems our analysis was wholly inaccurate, as Rubenstein explained that Firmware 2.17 merely improves "the operating stability of some online PS3 titles." You'll be prompted to download the update the next time you sign on to the
PlayStation Network.
{ Mar 13th 2008 at 8:30AM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phranctoast @ Mar 13th 2008 8:39AM
What titles are unstable online? Ive never come across a game besides Warhawk that was unstable. Warhawk's problems were fixed a long time ago.
Extinction @ Mar 14th 2008 5:37PM
I agree, Live has no advantages over PSN. Those who say otherwise are lying to themselves.
xFenixKnightx @ Mar 13th 2008 8:48AM
"the operating stability of some online PS3 titles."
But, how can this be?!!! What, with all the dedicated servers? Oh wait...thats only on RFoM and Warhawk =P
Phranctoast @ Mar 13th 2008 9:25AM
ut3 has dedicated servers as well. Thats all i play on since the p2p suck so bad. Ill take a stable dedicated server with higher ping than a lower p2p with fluctuating ping any day.
COD4 may have ded servers, but I don't know anyway to find out since there is no server list.
Stef Geiger @ Mar 13th 2008 9:52AM
Oh look. A flamer. I'm sure that 90% of PS3 owners are quite happy to have completely satisfactory online performance for the price of free instead of getting grifted into paying an annual fee by a company famous for hilarious displays of greed.
Phranctoast @ Mar 13th 2008 9:59AM
more of a flame baiter.. Im pretty sure he's married ;P.
Fenix mixes sarcasm and truth. I used to get mad, now I find the posts entertaining.
xFenixKnightx @ Mar 13th 2008 10:19AM
Phranctoast, yea I know UT3 has ded servs. I have that game for my PS3.
Stef Geiger said...
"PS3 owners are quite happy to have completely satisfactory online performance for the price of free"
It better be free because its no goodz I tell ya lol.
You sir are Teh Failz, I'm a PS3 owner and Im not completely satisfied. You know why? Becuase it sucks ass compared to LIVE. I can compare everyday buddy and there is no comparison. Its like comparing a PSP to an old Tiger Electronics handheld. (which I used to love BTW)
SG @ Mar 13th 2008 10:59AM
WHAT sucks? What aspect of Sony's online "sucks" in comparison to Microsoft's? I don't think Live has any legitimate strengths over the PSN, nor do I think the PSN has any strengths over Live. They both do the job just fine, except one is free.
xFenixKnightx @ Mar 13th 2008 11:36AM
SG
Sure, whatever you say. You probably haven't sat down and had any real time with LIVE. Its superior in every aspect. Which is why Sony is currently trying to achieve or should I say "accomplish" lul, that level of quality.
AGAIN, I HAVE *BOTH* I-KNOW-THIS-FOR-A-FACT. No, dont feel like making a list of reasons why because its pointless. You will still be blinded by your views.
Mills and Boom @ Mar 13th 2008 9:04AM
I thought PS3 titles had perfect online to begin with? Well that's what I was told...
Dnice @ Mar 13th 2008 9:34AM
What the hell!!! Are you telling me they didn't address the old versions of flash (version 6) for their web browser (to version 9). I was hoping they would address that problem since all major sites down demand it. COME ON SONY!!!
PojoMofo @ Mar 13th 2008 9:55AM
nope they wont update flash, they dont want you going to pogo or popcap and playing free flash games when you can buy PSN games.
I dont know how normal it is but the only games I have ever played online with the PS3 are COD4, TF2, and Warhawk, and I have never had 1 issued with anything about it. but If something was there to be fixed I guess it needed to happen.
Extinction @ Mar 14th 2008 5:37PM
That's because Adobe doesn't offer higher versions of Flash's source code.
Matt B @ Mar 13th 2008 9:45AM
Gamers sure are a whiny bunch.
Boostjunkie @ Mar 13th 2008 10:15AM
I don't understand why my PS3 has to lock up for about a half hour or so to download and install an update every few weeks, when the Xbox 360 update downloads in just a few seconds and is only every 6 months. I don't mind frequent updates, they just take a ridiculously long time.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Mar 13th 2008 10:18AM
half hour or so... do you connect your PS3 to the internet with pigeons? Everytime I update it's usually under 20 seconds, unless it's a massive update.
Mills and Boom @ Mar 13th 2008 10:34AM
Yea, he said that his 360 worked fine. I guess MS are just using faster servers? My 360 updates very quickly too and PS3s are slower. I suppose with no money coming from online support their servers have less resources to cope with demand.
Boostjunkie @ Mar 13th 2008 11:00AM
I have about 5mbps down. Last night I just left my PS3 on overnight for the 2.17 update because I checked after 5 minutes or so and it had a long way to go. It's probably Sony servers getting hit all at the same time, but it's still ridiculous. Same problem with Wii updates, they can take forever, and how big could those be.
cc123 @ Mar 13th 2008 11:07AM
@Boostjunkie
My 360 updates are definitely faster than my PS3 updates. But the difference is maybe 1 min to 5 mins.
Last night this update flew, one of the fastest ones ever on the PS3. If your updates are taking 30 mins + then the problem is most likely on your end.
Boostjunkie @ Mar 13th 2008 11:22AM
Well when I can test my connection on dslreports and get between 3 and 5 mbps down, and have no problems on Xbox live, my wireless G laptop, etc, Plus typical PSN downloads download ok. it tends to make me think the problem isn't on my end. I've heard other people complain about the long PS3 update downloads as well.
Firewall @ Mar 13th 2008 11:44AM
The reason for the difference in download times is that the 360 has very small, several megabyte packages that inject code into what is already there. Basically you aren't downloading new pieces, just new instructions and revisions to the old ones.
On the PS3 side, you are getting the entire new image every time you update, regardless of the scope of changes. The PS3 method is supposedly more resilient to failures in the process, ie, less likely to brick during an update. Doesn't mean it won't happen, I'm sure it happened to someone, but it shouldn't happen on a large scale.
Feel free to correct me if you know something different.
Extinction @ Mar 14th 2008 5:41PM
PS3 updates slower cause it's firmware is 128 megabytes. 360s is 32 megabytes.
To show PS3s potential for getting even more functionality over the 360, PS3 has 256 megs of flash for firmware
ManekiNeko @ Mar 13th 2008 10:16AM
That screen looks like a Sprint commercial.
buzzbean @ Mar 13th 2008 10:19AM
Does remote play work better?
kbomb1upc @ Mar 13th 2008 10:42AM
Is anyone still making PS3 themes any more? I have a MGS4 one that's pretty cool. http://www.playstation3themes.com/ps3-themes/task,doc_details/gid,37/
cc123 @ Mar 13th 2008 11:13AM
m0dus on neogaf makes new themes from time to time. His are the best I 've seen as well.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232832
kbomb1upc @ Mar 13th 2008 1:42PM
@cc123
Man there are a lot of good themes on that website. I like the black Cell Project and the Little Big Planet themes. What do you have for your theme?
cc123 @ Mar 13th 2008 2:24PM
I've been using the Okami theme since he made it. (a few months)
I'm due for a change though, need to download some of his new ones.
kbomb1upc @ Mar 13th 2008 10:53PM
@cc123
Check out the new GOD of War theme, its tight. Best Sony theme ever.
Sneeches @ Mar 13th 2008 11:08AM
PS3 online is horrible, with COD 4, AO2, Warhawk, etc.... I hope this patch does something to fix all the issues.
Kodros @ Mar 13th 2008 12:38PM
What issues?
Martez @ Mar 13th 2008 12:08PM
God, that theme sucks.
Synner @ Mar 13th 2008 12:55PM
Does anyone else have a problem with some media files getting an error that it cannot be played halfway through? I can usually fast forward past that section, but it never happens when using media center extender on the 360.
Does it have something to do with the transcoder for xbox?
Ninja_Nun @ Mar 13th 2008 2:38PM
Wait am i actually reading that top bullet point right? Are you telling me that before this update the ps3 could divide by zero and the universe is still going?
Jeffrey Morgan @ Mar 13th 2008 3:14PM
Yeah, I am pretty sure dividing by zero was never possible.
kbomb1upc @ Mar 13th 2008 10:52PM
@cc123
Check out the new GOD of War theme, its tight. Best Sony theme ever.