Joystiq

PS3 Firmware 3.0 troubles spawn class action lawsuit

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:40:00 EST

What's New? For one: a class action lawsuit filed by John Kennedy, who accuses Sony's 3.0-version PlayStation firmware update of breaching implied warranty and signaling an act of negligence (among other complaints). As detailed by Courthouse News Service, the suit alleges that "thousands" of PS3 owners downloaded the update, only to find that it caused the system to malfunction and suffer damage to hardware.

While Firmware 3.0 was reported to be problematic (particularly in unison with Naughty Dog's popular action game, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune), Sony soon issued an update to quell concerns. The manufacturer was also quick to separate hardware failures -- such as disc drive errors -- from the firmware update. It's the resulting $150 repair fee that provided impetus to Kennedy's suit, which aims to determine appropriate restitution during trial.

[Via Gamasutra]

PS3 Firmware 3.0 troubles spawn class action lawsuit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony: PS3 disc drive errors not a firmware issue

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:52:00 EST

The trouble started with Uncharted and has now reportedly grown to encompass all manner of media fed into the PlayStation 3 disc drive. The comments section of PlayStiaton Blog's Firmware 3.01 announcement has been overwhelmed by user reports of disc drive errors since Firmware 3.00 and 3.01 were released; most commonly, read errors reportedly occur when running Blu-ray games or movies, but in some alleged cases plain old DVDs are not working either.

Eurogamer has reached Sony for comment, and the console manufacturer has disavowed responsibility for the apparent drive failure, declaring it "not an issue with the firmware." In other words, corresponding repair costs are currently placed squarely on the shoulders of the affected consumers.

We will continue to follow this story as it updates. Stay tuned.

Sony: PS3 disc drive errors not a firmware issue originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 Firmware 3.01 fix now available

Justin McElroy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:10:00 EST

If you've had troubles playing Uncharted since the arrival of PlayStation 3 firmware 3.0, you and Nathan can finally get back to business with the now-available 3.01 update, which Sony says addresses the issue. However, if you were one of those complaining about your controllers not functioning properly after the update, it would seem that you're still out of luck.

So, that's the news, you can finally play Uncharted again. But jeez, could the timing be any worse?

PS3 Firmware 3.01 fix now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Doublesix chalks higher Burn Zombie Burn sales up to Firmware 3.00

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:30:00 EST

Though the PS3 Firmware Update 3.00 failed to bring about the grand, sweeping changes that most of us are waiting for, it's apparently been a boon for PSN developers. In an interview with GamesIndustry, Doublesix claimed that sales for Burn Zombie Burn jumped 40 percent following the update -- largely due to the fact that the downloadable title was featured in the What's New section, which is now the first thing that appears when the PS3 is turned on.

According to Doublesix studio head James Brooksby, the PS3 start-up screen has always had a "40 inch advertising space waiting to be used," and that the introduction of the What's New menu is "a major step forward for the entire industry and the digital distribution sector." Obviously, Brooksby completely overlooked the true highlight of the console's latest update: The sparkles. Oh God, the sparkles!

Doublesix chalks higher Burn Zombie Burn sales up to Firmware 3.00 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony 'looking into' changing PS3's newly redesigned Friends list

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

This is not what the Friends list currently looks like.

Firmware 3.00 brought many changes: some good, some bad. The good? The removal of the PS3 logo at a game's launch, which "makes the loading time a bit quicker than before." The bad? A few aesthetic changes, most notoriously the redesigned Friends list. Inexplicably, the latest software update added large gray boxes around each individual user ID, making for a cluttered look that simply didn't jive with the elegance of the XMB. SCEE's PS3 Brand Manager appeared on the EU PlayStation.Blog to admit that "updates to firmware don't always suit everyone's tastes."

Thankfully, the Friends list is something Sony is "looking into based on your comments." Mark Bowles added, "We really do appreciate the feedback you guys give us, both positive and negative."

Sony, may we recommend you take some inspiration from the mock-ups (seen above) created by Steven Shaw? The "box" idea works really well, when implemented correctly. Above, Shaw uses the box to highlight the selected user, and then takes advantage of the screen real estate to provide instant access to useful information. We're quite fond of his work -- you should definitely check out more.

Continue reading Sony 'looking into' changing PS3's newly redesigned Friends list

Sony 'looking into' changing PS3's newly redesigned Friends list originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony looking into reported Firmware 3.0 issues

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST

Players frantically mashing buttons on their unresponsive controllers, wondering why all action in Uncharted has come to a bizarre (albeit visually stunning) standstill, may have become victims of the PlayStation 3's "isolated" Firmware 3.0 issues. Writing on the PlayStation Blog, Sony's Patrick Seybold has assured readers that Sony is aware of the complaints.

"Rest assured that we are looking into the matter and will provide an update here as soon as possible," Seybold wrote. "We apologize for any inconvenience, as it's our mission to deliver the best consumer experience on all PlayStation platforms."

Hang in there, Nate, help is on the way!

Sony looking into reported Firmware 3.0 issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firmware 3.00 blamed for malfunctioning PS3 controllers

Xav de Matos — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:45:00 EST

A growing thread on the official PlayStation 3 forum alleges the recent hardware firmware upgrade to version 3.00 has spawned a host of controller connection issues for PS3 users. According to the forum, various wireless controllers -- some users specifically naming DualShock3 model CECHZC2H (Ceramic White) -- are unable to connect to the console. When turned on, users claim the controller LEDs for ports 1 and 2 activate, but the controller remains inoperable.

Users attempting to troubleshoot the problem claim that resetting the controller (through the built-in pinhole reset function) and plugging it directly into the console (via USB) do not correct the error, with one user going so far as doing a complete system restore to no avail. The issue, however, appears to be isolated, but is still a concern for a number of gamers.

Update: Overnight, the issue has spawned an interesting development. Users are pointing out that the problem may be isolated to "knock-off" PS3 controllers. Joystiq has contacted Sony for an update to see if XMB 3.00 targets these fakes or if the controller issue is simply a byproduct of the controllers not being able to catch up with the new firmware.

Firmware 3.00 blamed for malfunctioning PS3 controllers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firmware 3.0 loading times contrasted with 2.8

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST

Aside from sparkly background support and an expanded XMB interface, we've yet to point-2 many of the smaller differences between the PlayStation 3's 2.8-version firmware and its latest 3.0 update. Thankfully, we have the internet for that, and it's given us some new pedantic comparison videos to mull over and possibly dispute!

Youtube user "PS3slimComparison" has documented console startup times, Blu-ray launch times and video game loading times on his PS3 Slim, first equipped with Firmware 2.8, and then Firmware 3.0. Waiting times appear to be shorter with 3.0 (and who doesn't want to get into Arkham Asylum as fast as possible?), but we were curious to discover if there would be a notable speed improvement on a 60GB PS3 with the latest software. Based on our informally derived test results (see them after the break), the answer appears to be a curt "no." It's possible that 3.0 is tailored to take advantage of the Slim's newer hardware, excluding longtime owners from any supposed speed gains.

Speculation aside, we were shocked to find just how much quicker 3.0 is when it comes to Uncharted -- on 2.8, the game takes forever to freeze.

[Via PlayStation forums; thanks, Garrett]

Continue reading Firmware 3.0 loading times contrasted with 2.8

Firmware 3.0 loading times contrasted with 2.8 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Users report Firmware 3.0 causing Uncharted freezes

JC Fletcher — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:32:00 EST

Despite the shimmery new effects in the backgrounds, PS3 firmware 3.0 isn't an entirely calming, lovely experience for some users. Several posters on the Playstation.com forums report that, since the update, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune freezes at regular intervals. One user said every 20-30 minutes, and poor nufy8 "can't even play for more than a minute without it locking up."

We're contacting Naughty Dog to determine whether this is a known issue and to get an ETA on a fix, but in the meantime, considering that most of us have probably updated by now, our only advice is to find something else to play -- or make a game out of the freezing. Try to time it so that Nathan is in a funny pose!

[Thanks, Tristan]

Users report Firmware 3.0 causing Uncharted freezes originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: PS3 Firmware 3.00 is alive and kicking

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:26:00 EST

Is your clicky, drab Cross Media Bar in dire need of a facelift? Is it sagging around the Video tab? Got some unsightly varicose veins in its Network section? You can give your XMB the overhaul it so richly deserves with the recently released Firmware 3.00 System Update, which adds the "What's New" section, a status indicator, a renovated friends list, PlayStation Store shortcuts, and animated backgrounds to your PS3's main menu screen. Check out these features in action in the video posted after the jump.

To install Firmware 3.00, just hit the "System Update" icon under the settings menu. To update to Firmware 4.00, you'll either need to acquire some sort of time-traveling apparatus or become the president of Sony R&D. Good luck with that!

[Note: Flame-free comment thread here; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Continue reading PSA: PS3 Firmware 3.00 is alive and kicking

PSA: PS3 Firmware 3.00 is alive and kicking originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Firmware 3.00 now available

Randy Nelson — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:56:00 EST

If you haven't been selecting "System Update" from your XMB every few minutes this evening like we have, now's the time to do so. Sony has released PlayStation 3 firmware 3.00, which tweaks several long-time features (no more battery meter blocking the clock!), adds the What's New section (above) and introduces features such as animated themes.

Once you've updated, drop your comments with the others below and let us know what you think Sony got right (and wrong) with this release.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

PSA: Firmware 3.00 now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 Firmware 3.00 features in development pre-NXE

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST

"What's New" isn't really that new at all. In a conversation with Joystiq, SCEA network director Eric Lempel revealed that the feature has been in development for quite a long time, before Microsoft first revealed the NXE last year. According to Lempel, Sony "didn't want to do a big update," akin to Microsoft's total makeover. Why? "People like the XMB."

The Information Board, introduced in firmware 2.00, was always meant to serve as a placeholder for the "What's New" feature, Lempel admitted. This evolution of the PS3 operating system will make it clear to PS3 owners "what the latest and greatest is" on the PlayStation Store -- and yes, the system will continue to evolve over future iterations. One missing feature that might appear later on? The ability to see all DLC for a specific title, something NXE currently provides.

Firmware 3.00 will be available to download on September 1st and, while the PS3 Slim will debut shortly afterwords, it will not come preloaded on the hardware. Instead, new PS3 Slim owners will download a day-one upgrade to 3.00.

PS3 Firmware 3.00 features in development pre-NXE originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 firmware 3.00 revamps XMB, adds 'What's New'

Andrew Yoon — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:12:00 EST

As many of you predicted, Sony has announced a brand new firmware update for PS3. The big three point zero. Firmware 3.00 will offer support for animated XMB themes and a "What's New" section. At GamesCom, SCEE presented a theme with an animated Sackboy running on a globe. The redesigned XMB makes it easier to see what's updated in the PlayStation Store (both Video and Game content), so some comparisons to Xbox 360's NXE can be made.

The firmware will also have some Euro-specific applications, with shortcuts appearing on the XMB for various video services from BBC, RTVe, Antena 3, LaSexta and other European channels. Check out all the official details after the break. Update: The firmware update will be available on September 1st.

Continue reading PS3 firmware 3.00 revamps XMB, adds 'What's New'

PS3 firmware 3.00 revamps XMB, adds 'What's New' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: PS3 firmware 3.0 'a completely new system' [Update: Sony responds!]

Christopher Grant — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:18:00 EST

[Update: Unsurprisingly, Sony has squashed these rumors flat. PlayStation's Patrick Seybold told us, "Those rumors are completely untrue, nothing has been announced or confirmed for upcoming PlayStation firmware, and this is just wild speculation." Well, we don't know about wild ... you haven't heard our speculation about your existing PS3 transforming into a PS3 Slim after applying the 3.0 firmware. It's true!]

Sure, PS3 Firmware 2.80 didn't do much - what did it do again? - but if a new rumor out of VG247 is to be believed, Firmware 3.0 will deliver "a completely new system" to the PS3 and it'll do it by Christmas. So, let's run down this list, shall we? This "huge overhaul" will include "a reputation system," a "grief reporting system," support for background patch downloading, and "simultaneous HDMI and digital optical outputting" (we're assuming this means simultaneous HDMI audio and optical audio output ... though we're not sure who that would be useful to).

That's it? That doesn't sound like a "completely new system" to us. VG247 says they've been told more, but we'll "just have to wait" before they share that info - uh, thanks? So, does that list check off any of your must have features? We know, we know ... voice chat is still missing, so other than that?

Rumor: PS3 firmware 3.0 'a completely new system' [Update: Sony responds!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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