PSP firmware v5.51 is on the way ... for God's sake

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9:20 AM on 06.11.2009, Jim Sterling

75 comments | 10356 views

PSP firmware v5.51 is on the way ... for God's sake photo

#firmware #PSP #Sony #ZOMG Jim moar anti-Sony bias ZOMG

It's time for Sony's billionth PSP firmware update! If there's one thing that pisses me off about the PSP, above all else, it's that in between every game for the system that's actually worth buying, a new update appears. This means that not only do I barely switch my PSP on, but when I do, I have to sit through yet another update screen. This has happened with the last three or four games I've played, and it's getting quite beyond a joke.

This update provides no features, with Sony's Eric Lempel feeding us the usual "software stability" line. This means it's another one of the PSP's quite unnecessary updates that exists solely as a futile attempt to curb piracy and irritate anybody who legally buys games and wants to just play them. It's not like the PSP has much battery life anyway, we don't want to waste precious time with updates when we're on a plane and want to get to the frigging game we foolishly decided to buy instead of torrent.

Sorry, but Sony's obsession with firmware updates really gets on my nerves.

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next 50 comments

73 comments | showing # 1 to 50

wadawoodo

FNARG image NSFW :(

The Young Scot

I'll show you MY

Kraid

WTF meng! An anime girl sleeping on a bed are you out of your fucking mind!? What are you thinking everybody at work thinks I'm a nazi pedophile now! GO to hell Sterling I hate you.

also Piracy.

Soulwax

Can we keep the anime/manga shit on japanator please? I come for the videogame news, not cartoon porn.

king zetta

soulwax your a terrible person

Slique

The PS3 firmware updates aren't much better. The damn things take so bloody long to download, and it drives me crazy how they can't be temporarily skipped for a later time.

Tha Meat

I'm pretty sure you hate everything about the PSP Sterling. Yet in several of your articles you claim you love your PSP. What do you actually LOVE about it?

Wintersocks

@Kraid

I think that was his plan.

Nic128

I'm fine with updates, I just hate when my battery is low and I can't install the update on the moment.

Jack Maverick

Wait, is that ponytail coming out of the side of her head? That really bugs me, since I'm somewhat OCD and seeing it offset like that irritates me. However, I also find it slightly erotic.

Anyway, I'm not big fans of Sony, since I'm pretty sure the employees working there probably have masters in elitism. I also am not fond of what their business plan, which is pretty much "Hey, here's a bunch of promises we made. Now go download this crap if you want them." So meh.

Cadtalfryn

[queue music] Plug it in plug it in.

funran

You dont need to update each time though, most games don't require the newer firmwares....just dont update it

Jim Sterling

"hypocrisy... u know what that means?.... "

You evidently don't.

buri3

so, it's not ok for L4D community members to complain about their issues, but it's perfectly ok for you to complain about Firmware updates that take care of issues that you don't see or know of.

I'm gonna have to do this "BAAAWWWWWWWWWWW"

Seriously, if this firmware fixed a bug in the hardware which caused your data to be corrupted you'd want the update, even if you haven't encountered or heard of the error before.

If this constitutes news to destructoid and jim sterling, perhaps you should rethink your 20 minute update cycle, or learn the standard publicist practice of renaming emotionally detached in order to deliver FACTS, this is why fox news is such a joke.

buri3

On another note, i can't believe you're actually complaining about a company regularly supporting and updating their hardware to combat issues such as piracy and software incompatibility.

Snacks n Candy

TASTEFUL PANTY SHOT!! Seriously, Japan lacks any sense of the word "subtlety". They're like "HERE, HAVE SOME CROTCH! ^_^"

CocoJambo

Pantsu.

atastysammich

Who cares how ridiculous it is that the PSP updates never add any functionality and give the system a case of PS3 Envy! Time to FREAK OUT over the headline image!

Kris S

This is the second story I've read today because of the good artwork - not the crotch shot I might add - and the second that doesn't really interest me. I'm easily led by anime/manga it would seem :P

ejamer

"Seriously, if this firmware fixed a bug in the hardware which caused your data to be corrupted you'd want the update, even if you haven't encountered or heard of the error before."

But it doesn't. This firmware update doesn't add or fix anything useful, just like so many other PSP updates. That is why Jim is complaining, and that is why comparing it to the release of Left 4 Dead 2 isn't valid (ie: L4D2 does contain new features and content).

If Sony provided useful content in their updates, and rolled them out a little less frequently, or if they provided good PSP games more regularly, then this wouldn't be an issue. But Sony doesn't, so it is something worth complaining about.

ShawnKelfonne

I frankly hate the fact that I have to charge my PSP to full to do an update even if it's plugged in to the wall. "Want to play this demo? Oh, sorry, you need to update! What? Your battery is dead because you haven't played this in weeks? Too bad! Charge first!"

Jim Sterling

"so, it's not ok for L4D community members to complain about their issues, but it's perfectly ok for you to complain about Firmware updates that take care of issues that you don't see or know of.

I'm gonna have to do this "BAAAWWWWWWWWWWW"

Seriously, if this firmware fixed a bug in the hardware which caused your data to be corrupted you'd want the update, even if you haven't encountered or heard of the error before.

If this constitutes news to destructoid and jim sterling, perhaps you should rethink your 20 minute update cycle, or learn the standard publicist practice of renaming emotionally detached in order to deliver FACTS, this is why fox news is such a joke."

In this thread: Butthurt L4D2 boycotters.

able_to_think

That's why my hacked PSP is awesome, an update takes me like 10 seconds so I don't even think about it.

Kris S

Hmm but has Jim started a pathetic boycott group of the PSP? What's that you say, no? Just you then, clowns

SantanaClaus89

Sterling STFUAJPG. Or just STFU. Either way we don't have to be subjected to your hate blogs.

Kris S

@SantaClaus89
I'm quite into my football - the proper one - so I read a lot of the BBC football writers blogs including a guy called Robbo Robson. A lot of other users don't like his humour but you know what, they still read it and complain about it on the comments page. Does this remind you of anyone?

Jim Sterling

"Either way we don't have to be subjected to your hate blogs."

Ummm, who is subjecting you to them now? Have you ever heard of a concept called "not reading something you don't like"? I know that's a difficult concept to grasp, but once you bend your mind around it, you'll be a lot happier.

Oh sorry, I didn't realize I was pointing this gun at your head until you'd finished reading all my "hate blogs." I'll stop doing that so you can have a better quality of life!

CommanderPoopypants

You assbags giving Jim hell should go finger your sisters/moms in the other room. I'm sure you're MUCH, MUCH more talented at that than trolling on Dtoid lmao.

wastedyears

If only Sony would have a firmware update that forced users to make stupid little cartoon characters instead. That would be so much better than increasing stablilty, or adding features.

LsTr Of SmG

@wastedyears

Of which this new update is doing neither. It's adding no new features and if you delve a little deeper little in the way of added stability. Only more piracy controls.

Also adding stupid cartoon characters is technically adding a feature numb nuts. Shit feature though it may be - it's still adding one.

Logic - you possess none.

buri3

i'm not part of the L4D community, i don't even own any versions nor did i bother to pirate it, i'm simply illustrating how you are unable to practice what you preach.

buri3

Also, it's nice to see you making a rebuttal to my point of why it's a problem that sony actively supports their consoles with consistent firmware updates that aren't bells and whistles updates; instead attempting to illustrate my non-existent participation in a boycott.

Jim Sterling

Buri the boycotter:

The day I start a melodramatic boycott about something I haven't even played, you can accuse me of practicing what I preach. However, I own a PSP and am illustrating my issues with it. That is quite different from people boycotting a game that isn't even released yet based on their own wild interpretations of what "might" happen, as opposed to what *has* happened.

There's nothing wrong with complaining about something. There is something fucked up about boycotting a game just because it was announced.

Nice try, though.

Soulwax

@king zetta

What does my a terrible person have to do with this?

buri3

Agreed, there is nothing wrong with complaining about something. But sony is doing their consumers a service by offering consistent updates to their system, despite the method of delivery.

But this is a news site, not a console forum, take your complaints somewhere where you aren't supposed to be delivering news. Sony devs check the forums on the playstation blog all the time, perhaps you should voice your concern somewhere productive to solving the issue at hand?

LsTr Of SmG

*massages Jim's manly shoulders*

Take him in the third round! The third round!

xerag2099

I had a ds lite and I didn't think the life was much better to be honest. Even though I love my psp I will admit that the updates are a pain in the rump.

nilcam

@xerag2099: The DS Lite battery can last much longer. I've noticed that SRPGs and RPGs suck the battery down very quickly, as does non emulation. When I play action games on the Lite, it runs rings around my PSP 3000's battery life.

King Hippo

Let me summarize this article, "it annoys me when console makers consistently optimize their firmware. I don't like waiting a couple of minutes to play games on a system I hate. (insert vague comment covertly endorsing people stealing games)"

Incidently, it's much more of a pain in the ass to spoof the firmware version in cfw than to actually just update the psp legitimately.

stanfy86

Dont worry Jim, im with ya on the PSP FW updates, but diddnt you hack ur psp a few months back? you should be able to play games without updating.....im using 3.9 m33 and i could play rock band without updating.....maby im playing the wrong games.....

on the L4D point i do kinda feel screwed out of my game, but im not boycotting L4D2 just yet, valve just has to make up for it by releasing another 6-12 full levels in L4D1 then ill be happy.......waiting several months for new content, then getting the ass-end of a regular level, and a survival mode was kind of a joke, especially because usually you die at the third wave unless you are uber l33t h4x or glitch out the level by reaching a hidden area........although hazmat zombie does look sweet, and meelee weapons sound cool

Kamanashi

I totally agree with you Jim. Sony's updates make having my SNES games with me every where that much harder. Though, I haven't updated to a new CFW since I got DJ Max Fever.

Jim Sterling

"But this is a news site"

No it's not. I'm not employed to do news, I'm employed to write about videogames in the style with which I am accustomed. I don't think you ought to tell me how to do my job, when my bosses employ me to do exactly what I am doing.

Also, I am astounded people are trying to say that Sony is just trying to support the PSP. I'd rather they had spent the last six years supporting it with games instead of shitty firmware updates. But hey, if you guys love firmware so much, that's up to you.

The-Excel

I have the same complaint with Paint.NET and FileZilla.

stanfy86

@ king hippo incidently i have never had to update my FW since i started using m33 and i play all games that come out, i would say that at this point sony FW is much like DRM in the PC gaming market......pirates easily figure out ways around it, and in the end it just makes for a more frusterating expierience to the casual gamer.

buri3

Saying it has no games doesn't absolve their responsibility to technically support their hardware, and it's a completely different department anyways. The tech support doesn't double up as the development studio.

It's not that your writing style or the fact that you were employed for it is not what i am throwing into question, it's the content of this "article"

"This update provides no features, with Sony's Eric Lempel feeding us the usual "software stability" line."

you're making the claim that we should be angry that sony didn't release some crazy new app to go along with this frequent update and that the only thing it's addressing is stability. In my opinion, stability is something consumers want from their products and again, it's NOT a bad thing that sony is offering this kind of continued software support without having to be pressured by angry consumers.

ejamer

@buri3

Why are you so excited to defend Sony on this point? The update is annoying and does nothing to make the PSP more attractive for existing or new customers. Limiting piracy is a reasonable goal, but mandatory updates that provide no benefit for consumers are still a pain in the ass. End of story.

Draconianviper

I think I find it more astounding people take "all" your blogs so damn seriously Jim. Personally I enjoy some satire thrown in with some news, updates, commentary. To the naysayers, if it bothers you so damn much and it's too damn hard for you to turn on a filter, PBBBBBBBBBT! Jog on.

Jim Sterling

"you're making the claim that we should be angry that sony didn't release some crazy new app to go along with this frequent update and that the only thing it's addressing is stability."

No I'm not. I'm not telling anybody else what to think. I'm sharing MY opinion, which is what I am paid to do. My opinion is that the firmware-to-game ratio constitutes farce. That is MY opinion. I don't care who agrees with that or not.

buri3

i'm not excited about defending sony at all, i don't own a psp.

I find it perplexing that you don't consider software stability to be a benifit to customers. Do you think Red ringing 360s is a benifit? no, because it's not what you purchased, if microsoft had released a series of updates that eliminated the issue you would welcome it, because it's an apparent flaw.

They're simply fixing issues you don't know exist before it becomes a problem for anyone, this is a good thing by any standard, despite the very slight inconvenience, i as well hate waiting for updates for my ps3, but you know what? if that's what it takes to ensure my hardware continues to perform like i expect it to, then i'll take the lumps.

buri3

I also enjoy the overreaction some of these posts have started.

"Continue reading: More ZOMG Jim moar anti-Sony bias ZOMG stories"

It has nothing to do with it being sony, if you were complaining about the 360's updates i'd say the same thing. If there was less firmware updates it wouldn't change the quantity or quality of games for the handheld. Nor would it change the perceived "value" one gets from the handheld itself, they are updates meant to make sure those who have purchased a psp continues to use it in a fashion which is both legal and without problems.

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