The majority of the PlayStation 3 experience consists of watching a long progress bar slowly fill up as the system downloads and installs its endless supply of bloated updates and patches. According to some new information dug up in the latest firmware, however, it would appear that Sony is implementing something it should have done years ago -- a patching system that doesn't totally suck.
When updating the PS3's firmware, the console doesn't just retrieve the new information it requires. Instead, it redownloads the entire firmware, which is mostly comprised of old information. This leads to lengthy patching processes, with the PS3 taking significantly longer than the Xbox 360 to install even the most insignificant of updates.
However, nosy gamers have dug into the latest firmware update to find an "incremental download patch," which should allow the PS3 to download smaller updates with only brand-new data. The short story is that future updates might not be so damn irritating. Good job, Sony, you've done something worthwhile with your PS3 updates. You don't see that every day.
Imagine, we might be able to spend more time playing games instead of watching a progress bar. It's a brave new world for PS3 owners! Now it would be frigging nice if this capability could be extended to other software updates. No excuse for the PS3's bullshit when the 360 downloads patches in mere seconds.
PS3 Firmware 3.41 introduces new patching system? [CVG]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
10:20 AM on 07.28.2010
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No srsly this is pretty neato
Or obvious sarcasm.
It depends on how literally you read things, really.
/sarcasm.
Still, the way the updates work could be better and it seems they will be better and that's a good thing in my book.
Apparently the most recent "does nothing but adds a recommended section in the store" update actually updated the flash support in that joyous console feature - the internet browser.
Thanks again Sony. x x
Anywho yeah it's good their fixing that since I'll be finally maybe obtaining one next week DEMON SOULS HERE I COME TO SMASH and 3D Game Dot Heroes, oh shit I'm drooling.
Why are people praising sony for finally fixing a feature the other consoles have been enjoying this whole generation?
I guess Microsoft have more experience to develop patch systems, considering Windows and it's zillion patches.
Why are people praising sony for finally fixing a feature the other consoles have been enjoying this whole generation?
Also Jim I think some people can't detect sarcasm on the internet.
Glad to know they've added this. Now if you could auto-download game software updates when you're not doing anything...(shit, that's the PS Plus thing, isn't it...)
Of course the majority of your time is not spent on fucking updates. Jim HAS a PS3, which he PLAYS ALL THE FUCKING TIME. *brainpalm* Are you guys seriously that fucking stupid or are you just trolling?
Jeeeeesus titty fucking christ.
I actually remember after spending significant amount of time away from Uncharted 2 all the friggin updates and how long they took. Kind of ridiculous.
*sadface*
xx
My condolences jim...
You make me feel sick.
So, yeah, this is great news!
"You all must have shit connections or something, because I'm not experiencing any of these long installs you all ramble on about,"
is trolling, n'est pas?
Anyway, Jim is right.
Quoted for fucking truth.
It's when I buy, oh , say Burnout Paradise for $7 and have like 600mb of fucking updates to install before I can play it.
My point was, spend any significant time away from the game and let the patches mount up and you'll be waiting a while.
Also it could just be my shitty connection but Bioshock and Metal Gear Solid 4 took ridiculously
Long (close to an hour) to put on the PS3. In Bioshocks case due to the blank screen we thought the game had frozen up the system.
There's something to be said for simplicity.
That said, that doesn't mean I wouldn't enjoy developers having the possibility to patch broken Wii games. It's something they apparently can't do at all.
Surely there's a happy medium to be found somewhere?
Ah, screw it, I'll just go read another comment.
This is good news for me. My internet connection at home is pitifully slow and new firmware updates always take forever.
Nothing like sitting down to play some games when I finally have some free time on the weekend and being told that I have to wait an hour or more for a firmware update to download and install.
Seriously though, you haters must have mega shit net connection.
if it wasnt for hard drives and broadband we wouldnt have these problems. i remember when games came out ,not to long ago, they were fully tested as much as possible then released with little to no issues. blame all these updates on developers for releasing untested games. not sony or MS. unless your ONLY complaining about firmware. if so, thats just stupid.
As far as Jim Sterling writing a negative article concerning a positive development, this is expected. He's the British tabloid press of game BLOGGING. It's not even worth commenting on, since that's exactly what he wants. Just roll your eyes and move on.
We shouldn't have to "make do" and "be patient" when we know for a fact that there are better alternatives. The PS3 is more powerful than the Xbox 360. It shouldn't take significantly longer to install a patch. It's pathetic in comparison. Even the Wii's quicker.
Don't give me that crap.
as a PS3/PSP ONLY gamer i can honestly say that my time is spent playing games, sure theres an update sometimes but its not what these haters make it out to be,the longest i think i have waited for an update is like 5 minutes, anyways i would also like to know what games these haters are playing, where the fuck are all these updates?
While they're at it, they should do something about patching games. Last week I got LBP and had an hour to play it before work, but I didn't get a chance to because it had to download 10 updates before allowing me to play.
Anyone who's honest with themselves knows the PS3 updates are slow as molasses compared to the 360 and its good to hear that it might be changing. Now if only they would run in the background as well and it would be perfect.
*comment installing*
Can I play a fucking game now?