On Tuesday, PlayStation 3 pushed its latest firmware update for the console. The update was supposed to improve system stability but instead ended up temporarily crippling many users' systems.
The new update was meant to allow PlayStation 3 owners to add Trophy notification options. Instead, users reported problems after the update forced a reboot of the system. A reboot is standard when a new update is downloaded, however, upon downloading the 4.45 update, rather than bring people to the XB next display, it locked them on the flowing ribbon animation that comes after the PS3 logo is displayed. IGN reports many people tried to reformat their device after encountering this problem but that only rendered it completely useless, or "bricked."
Players who downloaded the update and encountered the problem took to the PS3's official forum to report the issue and air a few complaints and frustrations. The forum can be found HERE.
Sony has pulled the update but, PlayStation Plus users with auto updated activated on their consoles may have downloaded the update automatically. According to PC Mag, the company announced via their Twitter page, PlayStation Europe account, Sony acknowledged the update's problems.
"We have temporarily taken 4.45 offline and are investigating," Sony wrote. "We will announce when the system update is available for download as soon as possible and we [apologize] for the inconvenience."
Since that time, the latest update available on the Sony PlayStation site is the 4.41 update from April.
The firmware debacle comes at a poor time for the PlayStation's public relations. They are coming off of a recent victory against their rival, the Xbox One, at this year's E3. The next generation PS4 console trumped Microsoft's new console with its features, price, games and lack of restrictions on used and shared gaming. PlayStation 4 will be coming out along with the Xbox One in time for the 2013 holiday season. However, the PlayStation 4 can boast a price tag that is $100 less than its competitor.
