Sony releases PS3 "stability" update

By Tom Bramwell Published 15 May, 2008

But apparently it's nothing to do with GTA IV.

Sony has updated PlayStation 3's firmware to version 2.35, but don't get your hopes up about the long-awaited in-game XMB or anything like this, because this is a "relatively minor update to improve stability of some PS3 titles", in the words of Eric Lempel, PlayStation Network's operations director.

Lempel's description had led to suggestions that 2.35 was specifically tailored to address freezing issues with Grand Theft Auto IV on PS3, but SCEA PR Manager Al de Leon quickly popped up on the resulting PlayStation Blog comments thread to deny this, saying it "isn't related to GTA IV".

"For those of you who may still have an issue playing the game on your PS3, we have identified a solution that should resolve the issue. You can contact SCEA Consumer Services for support," de Leon said. Presumably the same is true for SCEE customer services, details for whom can be found on the official PlayStation website.

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About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (28) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • TONYgr #1 4 years ago

    i just installed it.and first!

  • Steroyd #2 4 years ago

    plz Everybody's Golf plz plz plz Everybody's Golf.

  • Widge #3 4 years ago

    Yeah, just read about this elsewhere. For the record, I have a 60GB PS3 and since the GTA4 update, no load freezes or any other issues, so perhaps this is to do with something else.

  • Darren #4 4 years ago

    So much for the PS3 having less frequent updates with more features... seems like we get a firmware update on a four to six weekly basis just like before! LOL

    And it would be nice to know what these stability fixes are supposed to improve...

  • Darren #5 4 years ago

    @Widge - I've been playing the PS3 version of GTA IV for almost 50 hours and have never experienced any freezing either... I have the launch 60 GB HDD model with a 320 GB HDD installed by the way. I did have the game refuse to load one time past the Loading - Mission Name screen but I understand that was due to PSN issues not the game itself as it was quickly resolved, i.e. the very next day in fact.
    Edited by 1 at 15/05/08 @ 09:32

  • Widge #6 4 years ago

    Same here, there was one day when everyone seemed to get freezes on loading, I turned the network off.... no freeze. Once the patch came out, network back on and no freezes while playing. Across both single and multiplayer.

  • GamesConnoisseur #7 4 years ago

    Never had freezes as well, 60 gb upgraded to 250 gb. Would be interesting if people playing GTA4 with occasional freezes before firmware update get installed and encounter no further issues afterward?!

    Still rather have updates to improve performances, I suspect for Sony they are still getting to grip with the complexities of their online service and Home being delayed until its ready is a good example.

  • berelain #8 4 years ago

    My friend with the 60GB model says this patch has sorted out his GTA4 problems... but another friend with a 40GB model says that it has started GTA4 problems for him.

    Eh?

  • dadrester #9 4 years ago

    my ps3 was hanging on load before the update, but last night my missus was uploading a load of stuff (1.5GB) to flickr and so we had sod all bandwidth and for the first time since the patch gta4 was freezing breifly during gameplay, every 2-3 minutes. i unplugged my network cable and hey presto it worked fine.

  • mcwildcard #10 4 years ago

    This thread is suspiciously free of 360 fanboys.
    I suspect an ambush, keep on your toes everybody...

  • bloke #11 4 years ago

    I've been playing GTA multiplay fine.......until now.

    Installed the Update this morning.

    Am now kicked out of every multiplayer game I try to play, as soon as I leave the lobby and enter the game world.

    Coincidence? :-(

  • Beano #12 4 years ago

    "This thread is suspiciously free of 360 fanboys."

    They are still at school...

  • ps3_2310 #13 4 years ago

    I have a 60GB unit bought in October last year and i have had no problems with GTA4. I wont instail the patch just in case it starts problems. I am even thinking twice about the firmware update as thay may screw things up

  • Monkey_Chops #14 4 years ago

    I know how to fix the PS3 GTA IV problem. Step 1: throw your PS3 and GTA IV in the bin. Step 2: Buy an Xbox 360 and a new copy of GTA IV for that console. Step 3: Enjoy. Step 4: If you experience RROD, then HAHA! SUCKER!!!

  • Beano #15 4 years ago

    No GTA4 problem so far either on my 60GB launch unit... just upgraded to 320GB last week, but doubt that will cause any problems :)

  • Darren #16 4 years ago

    ps3_2310 - Unless you install the firmware update you won't be able to play PS3 games online, use the browser or access the PS Store, simple as.

  • Retroid #17 4 years ago

    Now now, don't get all fanboyesque on your lonesomes ;p

    I'll install this when I get the chance.

  • dsmx #18 4 years ago

    Remember if your attack is going well your walking into an ambush.

  • ps3_2310 #19 4 years ago

    @Darren

    Yeah i know that i will have to do the update but if GTA Starts causeing problems i will go Ape. I think it will be fine, i also pray it will be fine
    Edited by 1 at 15/05/08 @ 12:56

  • Beano #20 4 years ago

    Because Sony always release the full firmware and not patch files.

  • gizmo #21 4 years ago

    I thought PS3 GTA was experiencing problems regardless of model, you know, lower framerate than the 360 ;)

    Heh, what's really funny is that I speaketh the truth!

  • oreillymj #22 4 years ago

    @Darren I also have a launch 60Gb upgraded to 320Gb.

    Do you sometimes get a message like

    "Unable to start. The correct hard disk was not found"

    The console boots fine after a reset. It's like sometimes the HDD just doesn't spin up and announce itself as ready quick enough.

    Wondering if anyone else has seen this?

  • TurboBailey #23 4 years ago

    I take it that this update is complusory !! dammit :(

  • muscleblade #24 4 years ago

    "I thought PS3 GTA was experiencing problems regardless of mode"

    "The bottom line is that no matter what material I put through the detector, 360 came ahead in all tests, sometimes dramatically so."


    Its not the model thats the problem its the console.

  • TRACTORBOY1971 #25 4 years ago

    Please oh please when can we have xmb....I want to be playing one game, my friends come on and want to chat to decide which games to play, while I am still playing - is it that hard - i'll even pay £40 per year to have it.

    pretty pretty please

  • muscleblade #26 4 years ago

    @evilfoxhound

    If you seriously think that Uncharted has better graphics than Gears of war i dont believe you have played Gears. The best looking game on the PS3 is COD4 and it looks even better on the 360. Only a fanboy would say that Uncharted looks that good. LOL.

    Strange that the best looking console game to date in your eyes only has an average score of 88 on metacritic (not bad but not among the top titles either). Must be something wrong with the gameplay then.
    Edited by 2 at 16/05/08 @ 15:17

  • mugsybalone #27 4 years ago

    Wasn't the GTA IV v1.01 update meant to sort out the stability issue? My copy of the game (on a 60gb 'original' PS3) started freezing on the loading screen, but that was solved by disconnecting the internet connection. Now, having updated GTA, I've had no problems being connected to the net and playing GTA at the same time. So, I guess the PS3 firmware update must've been for some other games... can't imagine what else people could be playing now, with GTA IV to get through?

  • AJUK #28 4 years ago

    Is anyone else getting a bug where there are no story missions after 'Pest Control'? Seems like this is a real problem with the game :( it is impossible to complete it because of this bug.