[UPDATE] Sony and Rockstar: Neither L.A. Noire Nor Firmware Overheating PS3 Consoles

[Live4Lotus]

I wouldn't believe it if I had not taken readings myself, and even then, I would think it was a fluke if not for the many, many people who have contacted me saying, "Ever since I upgraded to 3.41, my fan has run slower", then "Ever since I upgraded to 3.42, my fan runs slower", then "Ever since I upgraded to 3.50, my fan runs slower", then "Ever since I upgraded to 3.55, my fan runs slower", and now, "Ever since I got back online, my fan runs slower".

YES, they are intentionally killing their systems.

"Even though planned obsolescence already guarantees that the useful lifespan of a console won't be more than a few years?"
-No, because of exactly that...a few years has already passed on both systems, and we are looking at a couple more years at least before the next generation starts (the next nintendo ignored; as it is only marginally faster than a PS3, and it really falls into the same generation as the 360 and PS3, just as the Wii was closer to the PS2 than the PS3 in technical capabilities). Planned obsolescence needs a new platform to make the old one obsolete...without it, you have to resort to killing off the old units. Again, I can't speak much for microsoft, but I do know that the fan speed can be increased manually, and that this increases stability and reliability...and that the fan speed can be changed by firmware updates; so Microsoft knows about a problem, and they are ignoring it at least, if not making it worse intentionally. As for Sony, they are intentionally lowering fan speeds. I know this to be fact. I have taken the readings of temperature, fan RPM, and fan control pulse duty cycle...going from 3.15 to 3.41 had a noticeable affect on all three, going from 3.41 to 3.55 also had a noticeable affect on all three, and 3.61 did as well. This seems to be only on the fat models; so it isn't like this is an accident.

I am starting to feel like a conspiracy theorist...even with all 3.55 and below fat systems that could be used to do an independent test, everyone simply thinks that Sony; the super-honest company that they are; would never do anything like this...and I am sure they would never remove OtherOS or put malware onto audio CDs, nor would they spend their entire legal budget harassing linux developers rather than going after pirates. They wouldn't store our data without proper encryption I am sure...and they wouldn't encourage hackers to go after them either. Oh wait...It was google who never did any of that; Sony did all of those things.

I've been saying it for more than a year now...Sony is lowering fan speeds in fat models with firmware updates in a bid to kill them off. If the system is overheating, then it is a problem with the console or the firmware...no game code, no matter how bad, should cause a system to overheat unless that system was not designed to handle the heat that it generates under full load. The only way that could happen is if they made something like speedfan and wrote it into the game code...and that isn't the case, because that would only affect one platform, not both. Microsoft isn't innocent in this, but I have been sticking to the PS3 side and letting others deal with the 360 side, so that is where my knowledge is.

Rockstar is only guilty of making a game that uses the platform fully; that is not a problem...that is an ideal. The problem is firmly on Sony/Microsoft, and there are DIY solutions to both sets of issues. Please, please, please DO NOT bash Rockstar or fill their inbox with complaints, as it might cause them to rethink making a game all that it can be in the future. If this is happening to you, send Sony/M$ your hate mail, and then fix the fan speed yourself; neither Sony nor Microsoft are dumb enough to admit that they are intentionally killing systems...and without an admission of guilt, there will be no change in their policy. If you want something done about it, then do it yourself!

http://killerbug666.wordpress.com/

Are you being serious?! You really think that both Sony and Microsoft deliberately update their console firmware so as to intentionally lower fan speed in order to cause premature death of their console?! Even though planned obsolescence already guarantees that the useful lifespan of a console won't be more than a few years? And even though the profit margin on a PS3 is slim to nonexistent? And even though the evidence of that alleged illegal conduct would be easily found in the updating code? And if actually caught doing something like that, they be standing neck-deep in boiling hot water? C'mon, man. A good conspiracy theory has to be a teensy-weensy bit believable.

 

[JDKJ]

I wouldn't believe it if I had not taken readings myself, and even then, I would think it was a fluke if not for the many, many people who have contacted me saying, "Ever since I upgraded to 3.41, my fan has run slower", then "Ever since I upgraded to 3.42, my fan runs slower", then "Ever since I upgraded to 3.50, my fan runs slower", then "Ever since I upgraded to 3.55, my fan runs slower", and now, "Ever since I got back online, my fan runs slower".

YES, they are intentionally killing their systems.

"Even though planned obsolescence already guarantees that the useful lifespan of a console won't be more than a few years?"
-No, because of exactly that...a few years has already passed on both systems, and we are looking at a couple more years at least before the next generation starts (the next nintendo ignored; as it is only marginally faster than a PS3, and it really falls into the same generation as the 360 and PS3, just as the Wii was closer to the PS2 than the PS3 in technical capabilities). Planned obsolescence needs a new platform to make the old one obsolete...without it, you have to resort to killing off the old units. Again, I can't speak much for microsoft, but I do know that the fan speed can be increased manually, and that this increases stability and reliability...and that the fan speed can be changed by firmware updates; so Microsoft knows about a problem, and they are ignoring it at least, if not making it worse intentionally. As for Sony, they are intentionally lowering fan speeds. I know this to be fact. I have taken the readings of temperature, fan RPM, and fan control pulse duty cycle...going from 3.15 to 3.41 had a noticeable affect on all three, going from 3.41 to 3.55 also had a noticeable affect on all three, and 3.61 did as well. This seems to be only on the fat models; so it isn't like this is an accident.

I am starting to feel like a conspiracy theorist...even with all 3.55 and below fat systems that could be used to do an independent test, everyone simply thinks that Sony; the super-honest company that they are; would never do anything like this...and I am sure they would never remove OtherOS or put malware onto audio CDs, nor would they spend their entire legal budget harassing linux developers rather than going after pirates. They wouldn't store our data without proper encryption I am sure...and they wouldn't encourage hackers to go after them either. Oh wait...It was google who never did any of that; Sony did all of those things.

I've been saying it for more than a year now...Sony is lowering fan speeds in fat models with firmware updates in a bid to kill them off. If the system is overheating, then it is a problem with the console or the firmware...no game code, no matter how bad, should cause a system to overheat unless that system was not designed to handle the heat that it generates under full load. The only way that could happen is if they made something like speedfan and wrote it into the game code...and that isn't the case, because that would only affect one platform, not both. Microsoft isn't innocent in this, but I have been sticking to the PS3 side and letting others deal with the 360 side, so that is where my knowledge is.

Rockstar is only guilty of making a game that uses the platform fully; that is not a problem...that is an ideal. The problem is firmly on Sony/Microsoft, and there are DIY solutions to both sets of issues. Please, please, please DO NOT bash Rockstar or fill their inbox with complaints, as it might cause them to rethink making a game all that it can be in the future. If this is happening to you, send Sony/M$ your hate mail, and then fix the fan speed yourself; neither Sony nor Microsoft are dumb enough to admit that they are intentionally killing systems...and without an admission of guilt, there will be no change in their policy. If you want something done about it, then do it yourself!

http://killerbug666.wordpress.com/

Are you being serious?! You really think that both Sony and Microsoft deliberately update their console firmware so as to intentionally lower fan speed in order to cause premature death of their console?! Even though planned obsolescence already guarantees that the useful lifespan of a console won't be more than a few years? And even though the profit margin on a PS3 is slim to nonexistent? And even though the evidence of that alleged illegal conduct would be easily found in the updating code? And if actually caught doing something like that, they be standing neck-deep in boiling hot water? C'mon, man. A good conspiracy theory has to be a teensy-weensy bit believable.

Until very recently, when it was able to lower its cost to manufacture, Sony sold a PS3 at a significant loss (i.e., it cost more than the wholesale price to make one). What would be their motive to prematurely kill your PS3? In order to sell you another one at a loss?

 

[Live4Lotus]

They only started doing this AFTER they started turning a profit on consoles; not before. Also, it isn't just console sales...it is also charging $150 to do a crummy reflow when you can have a lead-reball done for under $100.

...And, Sony is gung-ho about stopping homebrew and Linux (not piracy...if they wanted to stop piracy, they would be suing different people than they are). I honestly don't think this is their main reason for killing off older systems, but they probably see it as a nice bonus to kill off hackable systems.

Let me make this as perfectly clear as Sony has: After 1 year, they offer no support whatsoever...features sold with the system can be removed, accounts can be terminated for no reason, and they have the right to remotely brick your system just to force you to buy another one. None of this is just, but it is all technically legal thanks to their ever-changing EULA that they reference every time they do something wrong (they even used the EULA as a defense when credit card numbers were stolen, as there is a line in there that says they are not responsible for their own technological malpractice).

This isn't just a theoretical thing...they are taking steps to cut down the lives of PS3 systems, and I honestly would not be surprised to see them push this a lot farther, probably under the same BS "anti-piracy" claims that they used to justify infecting my computer with a virus a few years back. Legally speaking, they can get sued for it (you can sue anyone for anything)...but their EULA is clear...and the only way they could lose is if the judge realized how the EULA is not a legal contract because of the forced conditions.

 

[GonzoGamer]

[UPDATE] Sony and Rockstar: Neither L.A. Noire Nor Firmware Overheating PS3 Consoles

Spoiler: snip

Sony says Rockstar Games wrongly accused the 3.61 firmware update of overheating PS3 consoles during play of L.A. Noire.

According to reports, a small number of users playing Rockstar Games' restoration [http://www.amazon.com/L-Noire-Playstation-3/dp/B002I0J5UQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305813593&sr=8-1] of the PlayStation Network. Now, Sony is saying it's an issue with the game itself and not the PS3's firmware.

Sony told Edge "unequivocally" that there are no issues with the 3.61 firmware update. Rockstar said it had confirmed with multiple games that its very own PS3 consoles were overheating or freezing only when 3.61 was installed, primarily with older 80GB and 60GB models, but has since retracted its statement (available through cache here [http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cachezwN0zzQ4QoJ:support.rockstargames.com/entries/20127883-ps3s-shutting-themselves-off-while-playing-l-a-noire+rockstar+games+l.a.+noire+ps3+firmware&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a&source=www.google.com]).

"As with the release of any System Update, we will invariably see a very small number of users whose console has failed following updating their console, which is an unfortunate coincidence," Sony said. "Rockstar have now updated their FAQ on the matter, have admitted that it is a fault with their latest title L.A. Noire and have offered a workaround."

"It should also be noted that the issue with this title is not PS3 specific and is also affecting other consoles," Sony added. Rockstar's support page now features instructions [http://support.rockstargames.com/entries/20126677-what-to-do-if-you-are-crashing-or-freezing-in-l-a-noire] for owners of both the PS3 and Xbox 360 that experience issues while playing L.A. Noire.

Rockstar Games either jumped the gun on the issue, or Sony challenged its evidence and laid the smackdown. If you've picked up L.A. Noire, just save as often as you can and keep an eye on your console so you don't have to solve its murder too.

*Update*: Sony and Rockstar have issued a joint statement on the PlayStation Blog [http://blog.us.playstation.com/2011/05/19/rockstar-games-and-sony-joint-statement-on-l-a-noire] that "confirms" neither L.A. Noire nor the 3.61 firmware update are causing PS3 consoles to overheat (nor Xbox 360s?). Whether that's a load of malarkey or not is unsure, so stay vigilant during your interrogations and contact Sony or Rockstar support if you face any issues.

Source: Edge [http://www.next-gen.biz/news/report-la-noire-to-blame-for-consoles-overheating]

Permalink

Time to go to work, work all night.
Search for underpants we.
We won't stop until we have underpants.
Lots of yummy pants we.

Of all the asinine things I've heard in my life, I just don't understand this. So instead of finger-pointing, they end up with their hands on each others shoulders while customers continue to have overheating and playability issues? Unacceptable.

I can't agree more. I'm just as shocked!
"Sony did it!"
Sony: "Fuck you, jackass. We're going to point out how it's your fault."
RStar: "But that'll ruin our sales and show us to be assholes (since we blamed Sony when cases of it popped up on the 360 too. major herp-derp)! Come on, Sony. You know you can use the cash. We gave you exclusive content and everything."
Sony: "Well, we do love money... Okay, we'll partner up."

*at the same time, with their hands in each other's ass pockets* Sony&RStar: "Looks like everything is OOOOKAAAAY! AAAAHAHAHA!"

...But seriously, fuck Sony for being so damn shysty and fuck RStar for being so blatantly shysty as always. How they can be a favorite developer is beyond me.

I don?t see what?s so shocking. It was bound to come to this... And a whole lot worse. Sony knows R* isn?t going to back down (especially after working for years on it) and R* knows Sony wont back down (especially right after the whole psn fiasco). The one thing they can count on is a legion of fanboys who will not only back down but lick their boots and buy new consoles if theirs gets fried.
I can?t say I?m surprised at all. I only hope they?re making a mistake of depending on the faith of fanboys too much and this turns around to royally bight them both in the ass.

Like the 360 did with the RRoD? I don't have this game and don't know if i want to buy it still. Yeah it's interesting and the story might be amazing but i am gonna probably just play it with my friend and see it at his place. He's been playing it constantly since it came out and his PS3 hasn't overheated. No his console doesn't speak for all but he also isn't an idiot who keeps his console sitting in a tight space with lots of dust and little circulation.

Not everyone who has problems is a slob you know. This generation has seen the most malfunction prone consoles: not really surprising as they?re the most complex ones ever. My first ps3 died after a week; I didn?t even have time to let clutter & dust build up in & around it. One friend of mine takes meticulous care of all his electronics and he still got the rrod.

I did just dust my ps3 so I haven?t taken LAN off my rental list. If my ps3 starts sounding like a jet engine or having weird crashes, I?ll send the game right back AND I will be contacting them about the issue as they don?t seem to be taking it seriously. I don?t really trust Sony, MS, or R* very much and seeing stories like this make them seem even more sleazy.

 

[Vapus]

Enough already .. pls let this be the Death toll of the current Gen of consoles, Its Obvious todays developers {and games} need improved hardware , and I still think Microsoft and Sony did a Terrible job in the design of cooling for the current Regime.

 

[Kayla Gray]

I have the older model PS3 and have NEVER had a problem with it -- Until I tried to play LA Noire.

Very disappointing because I was SO excited to get home and play it. I got about 2 hours in before it crashed. I tried everything that Rockstar suggested (deleting the game, reinstalling, etc) and now I cant even get past the very first scene without it freezing up.
Everything else works on the PS3. Other games, movies, BluRays, Netflix, Hulu. Just cant play my game.

Just wondering if anyone has found a solution? I enjoyed the first two hours of the game so much I am contemplating buying the newer model PS3 just to play! Obviously I would like to avoid that so any suggestions are welcome.

 

[Tanis]

HOLY NECRO BATMAN!