Rumor: New PS3 firmware may fix GTA problems
by Andrew Yoon 
{ May 13th 2008 at 12:20PM }
In spite of a patch, many PS3 owners are reporting problems with Grand Theft Auto IV. While a number of solutions have been suggested, many are hoping for a better solution. According to one post on the PlayStation forums, a Take Two representative said the issue was "with the launch edition of the PS3" and that "the game was checked over and passed as 100% compatible with the current version of the PS3."While this is unconfirmed, it does seem to be a plausible scenario. Considering how important GTA IV is, it wouldn't surprise us to see a new firmware attempt to fix these issues. Sony has previous released firmware updates, simply to patch games on the PSP. For example, Sony released an entirely new firmware for PSP a day after the release of Parappa the Rapper in Japan, because the in-game browser wasn't working properly.
[Via Joystiq]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
evilfoxhound @ May 13th 2008 12:44PM
I still haven't had a single problem with GTA4. Could be just a net rumour for all I know LOL
True_Darknight @ May 13th 2008 12:44PM
yeah why don't they just fix that and for kicks give us ingame XMB... hahaha yeha i know , i know....
True_Darknight @ May 13th 2008 12:45PM
I saw it happen on a PS3.. however i don't have a launch system so mine works just wonderful
OAKside @ May 13th 2008 12:49PM
I had one freeze (out of about 40 so far?) during the opening movie while loading. All HDD activity stopped, I waited about 2 minutes and "Quit game" via PS button. Never happened again. Latest firmware, clean HDD, etc.
GTAIV: Game of the year. Rockstar Games: Devs of the decade.
OAKside @ May 13th 2008 12:54PM
Also: 80GB Motorstorm (Late 2007) PS3 here.
Mein Bratwurst @ May 13th 2008 3:06PM
I've only had mine freeze on me twice (late '07 80gb model as well). Both times were during missions though and not at the loading screen. Been problem free for some time now, not sure what fixed it.
P.S. GO RAIDERS!
mercurywa @ May 13th 2008 7:20PM
I had the same issue some here are reporting. The game would freeze on the loading screen (You know you're in trouble when the music just stops, and doesn't fade out.).
First I thought it was a dirty disk. Then I assumed it was having a hard time with multiple save files, and deleted them all down to just two (technically 3, if you consider the slot 13 Autosave as a file). Haven't had a single lock up since.
koehler83 @ May 13th 2008 2:13PM
They had to firmware patch Assassin's Creed too. Why doesn't Sony provide a full set of hardware with every SDK to facilitate proper testing before launch? They're (once again) selling long-time owners and early adopters up the river.
By the way, for the non-believers, its very real and definitely not contained within launch hardware. I've read of the same problems with 40GBs. But I played on my mom's 40GB all weekend without a single issue, whereas my 60GB froze as soon as I got back on it.
Justin @ May 13th 2008 12:56PM
I have a launch system, and mine works perfectly.
I honestly feel bad for who it happens to, but I really don't understand who's affected.
chad @ May 13th 2008 1:02PM
too bad it already froze my system causing my blu ray drive to die....now I can't play or watch any blu rays...only ps2 and dvd.....got myself a ps 2.5
k1llm3kw1k @ May 13th 2008 1:28PM
Sorry but a game can't break hardware. If you system can't read Blu Ray drives that is because of a hardware issue with your system.
nobody528 @ May 13th 2008 6:02PM
Sorry k1llm3kw1k, but you're wrong.
When it freezes, most of the time the system goes completely unresponsive, so the user has to hit the power switch on the back of the system. Doing this hard shutoff multiple times has caused many peoples drives to stop reading, and has even bricked a few PS3's. The first sentence I speak from experience, and the second sentence I speak from what I've read on multiple forums. It is completely believable though, since doing that sort of power off on a PC can cause problems to the hard drive and other components.
kentuckyfried @ May 13th 2008 8:08PM
I've had to pull the plug on the ps3 at least 3-4 times in the past 2 years, it doesn't happen often, and I hope it doesn't eventually brick the ps3 (this rarely, if ever, happened on the ps2).
Back to the topic at hand, I've had a launch edition ps3 since a week after its release, and GTA4 has not frozen up on me yet *knocks on wood*.
uh-oh polio @ May 13th 2008 1:06PM
My launch 60gb ps3 works perfectly, ive never had an issue either soo lucky me i guess? its kindve an odd problem but oh well.......time for some gtaIV:)
Branden @ May 13th 2008 1:06PM
60 Gig Lunch System, Current Firmware, I have had no problems at all with GTA IV. Bought it Friday night played about 20 hours over the weekend, no issues what so ever!
Jon Acheson @ May 13th 2008 1:12PM
My 60 had problems freezing the first weekend after the game came out, but it was almost certainly not the PS3, as disconnecting from PSN cured the issue. My guess is that Rockstar's servers were to blame there. Everything is fine now, but GTA IV is still the most overrated game ever. I'm going back to playing Mercenaries for the PS2.
Shaun @ May 13th 2008 1:22PM
I agree. It's fun, but I dislike many things about it. I'll go back to COD4.
Kenneth H. @ May 13th 2008 1:14PM
yeah I have a 60 GB...not launch tho....and I haven't had any problems. I do kno personally people affected by it....so yeah its happening....why I don't know...but R* and Sony need to figure it out. Really feelin the multiplayer....sucks to have my time taken away from Warhawk. Warhawk I still love ya!!
add me for multiplayer.....
bmore2bstuy
hamsolo @ May 13th 2008 1:17PM
Does this count as the PS# DLC for GTA?
or
How much more did Microsoft bribe T2/R* for this one?
Gaucho @ May 13th 2008 1:28PM
I have a 60gb. I had a couple of freezes at the begining, during the initial load after having played a good three hours but after the patch its been smooth sailing.
Eddie @ May 13th 2008 1:42PM
I have a 40gb ps3 and I was able to play GTA for 10 minutes, then it froze. So I deleted the content and now it freezes during the reinstall.
So Ive spent $60 on something Ive used for 10 minutes. I really hope this is fixed soon.
MCX @ May 13th 2008 2:02PM
I feel your pain. I was first to get a ps3 launch day (shows commitment to PSbrand) and i was there at 12midnight for the (limited edition) GT4 and I have only been able to play 7mins. I just want stuff to work like its supposed to.
Devin @ May 13th 2008 1:45PM
I wonder if MS has acknowledged the 360 issue(s) as well.....it's not like they're unaffected either......
My friend's wouldn't load his saved game last week so I had him sign out of PSN and it loaded just fine. Hasn't had an issue since so....
drdre74 @ May 13th 2008 1:51PM
I've been lucky and had no issues. I'm 45% done and no freeze issues.
MCX @ May 13th 2008 1:58PM
That would be me. Bring on the patch. Launch edition in waiting.
Brodie-san @ May 13th 2008 3:39PM
Your Mom is pretty cool if she has her own PS3.
Just thought I'd mention that.
KidQwik @ May 14th 2008 9:15AM
My 40 gig model is so not a launch edition and locked up and crashed until I made sure to not be logged into PSN when I loaded up the game. When it was logged into PSN and the game loaded up, it would lock up on the intro screens.
greg @ May 13th 2008 4:49PM
One of my good friend in tears over this problem:
http://gta4brickedmyps3.blogspot.com/
Volomon @ May 13th 2008 5:07PM
I have a 60 and still no problems been playing it since GTA4 came out at midnight.
thawhiteguy @ May 13th 2008 5:55PM
No freezing here (60gb launch system) but i have noticed that my sixaxis controller sometimes malfunctions while playing gta4. Anyone else???
Gluesniffer @ May 13th 2008 7:20PM
My 80g (motorstorm) ps3 freezes constantly. I can not do the first "U.L Paper" mission because it locks up during the chase scene every time.. around the same location as well. My only chance is to kill the guy before he takes off.
I have tried the mission at least 10 times... It's really frustrating.
It's like all the cars float and it locks up. or the buildings don't load fast enough, and it locks up.
It's locked up in other places before, but after a restart it's fine. I'm going to skip this mission for now. Playboy X needs my help right away anyway.
Consolcwby @ May 13th 2008 7:23PM
Hm... this sounds like 'cop-out' to me. But I'll wait to see what the official response will be before I make any hasty decisions.
Kadamon @ May 13th 2008 8:16PM
I've got one of the 60 gig's from near the end of the production line I think. Back when EB Games up in Canada had their trade sale for $399.99 I went and picked mine up.
I've not had a single problem or glitch in any of my games...other then the fact that Legend of Dragoon refuses to load.
I really want to try and get the Pit thing in GTA to work tho...but I doubt it'll ever happen.
John @ May 14th 2008 2:16AM
I have a 40GB PS3, about two weeks old. I replaced the HDD with a 250GB WD drive.
A few days in, I had problems starting the game, unable to load the last save point I had. I tried for a few hours, no dice, then cleared internet cache, disabled the wifi, and all seemed to work. May have been temporary. Since then, I've turned on the PSN network again, and no freezes.
There is serious draw issues with this game however. I've seen very distracting draw issues, with buildings changing radically different shades during slow moving cutscenes in the background. It almost appears that different textures are being loaded at times, and the game can't decide which texture set to stick with.
I've had a clip issue outside the russian playhouse doors, and the second safehouse location has a momentary bright flash on the light blue door when loading a save game. Another clip issue?
I'm about 30% done, just finishing the first Paper chase mission, and finding the game entertaining despite the bugs.
This game should look brilliant if ever released on the PC. As improved as the graphics are, some textures, and faces appear washed out to me.
Laurens Holst @ May 14th 2008 6:32AM
Well, only had one crash in the beginning once, no problems since on my 20GB Japanese system (purchased a couple of weeks after launch, now has a 120GB hard drive).
@everyone having freezing issues: have you tried logging out of the PSN before starting the game? Reportedly that solves the problems.
~Grauw
Boris @ May 15th 2008 6:05AM
Have a 60 GB Euro-Edition since day one. PS3 is really a wonderful machine, does so many things...
Had at the beginning some problems with lock up, since then everything is o.k.
I have another problem which doesn't seem to be often encountered: When I want to play online, it disconnects me after 10 seconds or so (connection to other player(s) has been lost - returning to main menu). Sometimes I can play online, mostly not (90%).
Haven't had the problem with other game (MGO was brilliant!!! Team Fortress 2 runs wonderfully). Should have enough bandwidth.
Have other people encountered this problem?
Mike @ May 14th 2008 10:09PM
I have the 60gb version of the ps3 and I have had problems with GTA IV 2 or 3 times the first and second day. The game froze but since hasnt happend once.. the same thing happend to my friend on his 40gbPS3 but he hasnt complained after those first days.
Uabilb58 @ May 17th 2008 7:02PM
Help when I try to access the phone for cheat codes it will not come up I press the arrow up once the phone comes up but when I press the arrow up the second time the key pad will not come up where I can add cheat codes. Any suggestions?
Thirty3three33 @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:09AM
GTA IV froze about 30% through the game and stuffed the blu ray drive (no disks of any kind will read). Tried deleting data/reformatting hard disk, still no response.Saved everything to a flash drive and will have to send PS3 back to Sony for them to replace it with a reconditioned machine about the same age as mine. Not happy. Let alone the fact that after waiting for GTA IV it's not all that impressive compared to Sasn Andreas.
jay @ Jun 1st 2008 2:20PM
while playing the level escaping with teh drugs witk packie in the boat when i reech the boat it wont let me drive it and its just sits there and when u go back to land the enermies r invisible