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[TheSeks]

PS3 has problems, and the update process sucks, but let me just say: If you haven't updated Hot Shots Golf/Everbody's Golf: 5, you have no fucking ground to stand on to bitch about the PS3 process.

At least Sony has improved it from THAT point. I had to download a FIVE FUCKING HOUR update just to play with Sackboy/DLC. Seriously: WTF?

 

[iceatcs]

I don't bother much maybe because I'm PC guy.

 

[duckroll]

I just kind of have a hard time believing that's actually more time efficient for you. I've never had it take longer than 5-8 minutes to download an update.

Good for you. I've had previous updates take over an hour. Meanwhile downloading stuff on PSN itself gets me 1gig demos in like 30 minutes. So obviously the routing they use for the update server is different and sucks for me. Downloading off the website means while I'm not using the PS3 I can download an update in the background while I'm doing other things.

 

[calder]

It's been well over a year since a FW update took longer than about 5 minutes to d/l and install for me, and I live in central Canada. How ppl who live in San Francisco complain so much about it (ie tech writers and gaming press) is beyond me, Sony should just throw another PSN node there simply to shut up that vocal complaining. :lol Maybe we just get surprisingly good downloads here, it's been about 1M/s for demo's etc for a long time now but lately it quite often seems closer to 2M/s or more, I downloaded that Section 8 demo in like 15ish minutes and it was well over 3 gigs. In theory Shaw could be improving their network... nah. :lol

Of course, much like some of the epic kvetching about it we used to hear all the time from 1Up Yours back in the day really what they should be complaining about is not having compelling reasons to use their PS3's often enough... it's not like Sony has been doing a patch a month for the last few years.

 

[Snuggles]

PS3 has problems, and the update process sucks, but let me just say: If you haven't updated Hot Shots Golf/Everbody's Golf: 5, you have no fucking ground to stand on to bitch about the PS3 process.

At least Sony has improved it from THAT point. I had to download a FIVE FUCKING HOUR update just to play with Sackboy/DLC. Seriously: WTF?

I just got a new PS3 and I had to do 13 updates to play LBP online.

 

[vazel]

Even if it only takes a minute it's still annoying because it takes away from the pick up and play aspect of consoles. This goes for game patches too.

 

[WrenchNinja]

No, no. That only means you will run into the problem every time you turn the fuckers on. That's what happens to me at least.

What? I have never run into this problem of being drowned in updates because I turn on my systems often enough and not just once a month like it sounds like other people do.

 

[WEGGLES]

I have a decent speed and updates on PS3 are awful. Take ages to download, ages to install. What's worse is when it's compared to the 360 which is quick and painless. Cost of Live worth it for fast patches alone. When I wanna play I wanna play.

 

[fernoca]

On my crappy connection, it talkes 25 minutes, then the installation.
Though is funny how the solution for some is "lol get a better internet connection".
Yeah, I'll gladly send you the monthly bill.

Lets see if they actually fixed it, come next update.

 

[TheSeks]

I just got a new PS3 and I had to do 13 updates to play LBP online.

Those are faster.

Shit, every other game with a bunch of updates is faster.

HSG wants a 5-7 GIG file through a download pipe. Even if you aren't playing online for the online service + DLC. Why can't they make the DLC courses and shit a CLIENT update and let the server shit be that five gig download?

 

[duckroll]

I've heard horror stories about the HSG update system. Lucky for me, I'm not much of a minigolf fan.

 

[thcsquad]

Nobody give this guy Little Big Planet. The mandatory costume patches will make him jump out of the window.

 

[overthehill99]

HOLY FUCKING BALLS!


I TRIED TO PLAY A MOTHER FUCKING GAME, AND THE UPDATE TOOK 36 YEARS! I WAS FUCKING DEAD BEFORE I COULD PLAY IT!


But on the Xbox, I would have been alive.

 

[duckroll]

HOLY FUCKING BALLS!


I TRIED TO PLAY A MOTHER FUCKING GAME, AND THE UPDATE TOOK 36 YEARS! I WAS FUCKING DEAD BEFORE I COULD PLAY IT!


But on the Xbox, I would have been alive.

But the Xbox wouldn't.

 

[Barkley's Justice]

full article: http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/...-a-reason-your-multiplatform-games-suffer.ars

when did Ars start doing comedy?

i mean if it takes 30 minutes to update your PS3.. there's something wrong alright... with your ISP!

nah, homie speaks the truth. i hate turning on my ps3 because of shit like this.

 

[luka]

Good for you.

I guess it is.

If updates seriously take an hour for you that's absolutely insane. I don't play online with my 360 so I appreciate that psn is free to begin with and can stomach a less "streamlined" infrastructure, but if it took me that long I can understand getting annoyed.

I mostly play single player games so if I ever don't feel like updating I just don't.

 

[grap3fruitman]

I really do hate updating the PS3. I was on vacation last week, right before I left I updated the firmware on my PS3. I get back and there's another update waiting for me, hooray! To add to the insult I have three systems that need updating. Ugh.

 

[fernoca]

And the classic example of The Eye of Judgment.

2,599 individual files, 3.6GB, and then the installation of those 2,599 files.
Just to try the game online with a few friends.

All made slower, because it downloads each of those 2,599 files individually at varying speeds.


EDIT:
Fixed the size with the actual size and number of files.

 

[Snuggles]

But the Xbox wouldn't.

duckroll
banned

 

[XiaNaphryz]

I've heard horror stories about the HSG update system.

Oh god.

 

[supermackem]

Im with bt in the uk and even my firmware upddates take around 5 mins. I think he needs to check his network.:lol

 

[mollipen]

Xbox 360's system for "updates" is garbage. Sure, PS3's take a little longer, but seriously, they're no big deal.

 

[Calcaneus]

I barely even notice updates, it hasn't taken more than 10 minutes at the very most for more than a year now, and I'm on a wireless connection.

 

[DuckRacer]

Xbox 360's system for "updates" is garbage. Sure, PS3's take a little longer, but seriously, they're no big deal.

>download one 5-minute megaupdate a year
>download a 5-second patch for a video game when needed
>garbage

versus

>spend half an hour downloading misc. shit so you can play online
>no big deal

okay

 

[WEGGLES]

>download one 5-minute megaupdate a year
>download a 5-second patch for a video game when needed
>garbage

versus

>spend half an hour downloading misc. shit so you can play online
>no big deal

okay

Yeah, honestly.

How can you consider a 10 second patch garbage compared to 4 minute download, restart, install for 6 mins.

 

[Deleted member 17706]

I just kind of have a hard time believing that's actually more time efficient for you. I've never had it take longer than 5-8 minutes to download an update.

I have a hard time believing it only takes you 5-8 minutes.

I've lived in five different locations and two different countries with my PS3 using a variety of wired and wireless connections and the updates have always taken an ungodly amount of time. Demos and other PSN downloads are the worst, but firmware updates are horrendous and I don't think it has taken me less than 10 minutes even once.

 

[Dead Man]

The store should have the latest versions
on the store. I do like that patches usually have all dlc included in them, which is useful in games like lbp.

Being able to keep all updates on the hdd is a plus as well.

Yeah, this. Can't remember what it was, maybe SSHD? but I tried a demo, bought the game, and then I had to do a patch of the game right away?

As for FW updates, they only happen about 4 times a year now, and people bitch that it is not often enough. I do wish they were smaller, but really? If you are not playing online you can skip them, and if you are, you are part of the death of local MP and therefore not my concern.

 

[luka]

As for FW updates, they only happen about 4 times a year now, and people bitch that it is not often enough. I do wish they were smaller, but really? If you are not playing online you can skip them, and if you are, you are part of the death of local MP and therefore not my concern.

I like the way you think. :lol

 

[shintoki]

I personally don't even do updates on my PS3 anymore. Whenever I see a thread warning about a new firmware update, I rush my ass to the Playstation support site to grab the firmware on my computer. The next time I feel like turning my PS3 on, I'm prepared with a thumbdrive loaded with the firmware update. :lol

Hey, their shitty update system has been the greatest thing ever for budget management. New game comes out and I decide to go look for the demo. Can't access store till I update the system, and since I don't keep up with the updates(Always behind). Takes about 15-20minutes to catch up and by the time it does. I lose interest and normally jump back to one of the other systems or end up getting caught up watching something. :lol

 

[fernoca]

Xbox 360's system for "updates" is garbage. Sure, PS3's take a little longer, but seriously, they're no big deal.

Garbage?.
It would be cool if you could choose which ones to keep and which to delete, but is no biggie. Barely takes any time (under 1 minute) and usually keeps the around 5 to 10 of the most recent games you've played.

Compared to the varying amount depending on the game (like the 24 hours it took to update Eye of Judgment).

Firmware updates happen once of twice a year and are usually small.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

I remember standing up and going outside IN THE COLD to get Ocarina of Time... FUCK THESE KIDS AND THEIR DOWNLOADS

"During the war..." /Uncle Albert

 

[industrian]

Back when I had a 512K connection in Scotland, the updates and patches for 360 games took no more than 5 minutes to download and install. PS3 updates and patches would sometimes take hours.

Conversely with my 100Mb connection in Korea, it'd take longer to install PS3 stuff than to download them, whereas 360 stuff downloaded in seconds and was ready to play.

 

[nextgeneration]

Completely agree with the article. I have both my 360/ps3 connected wirelessly to same router. My 360 download speeds are blazing fast. My ps3 - not so much. Downloading anything from psn is an exercise in frustration - ditto with firmware. Everything takes forever. I get so incredibly frustrated that I don't even bother with psn anymore.

 

[Persona7]

I have a hard time believing it only takes you 5-8 minutes.

Yeah, I find it hard to believe as well. The last firmware update on PSN was probably the fastest update I have experienced to date and it still took 23 minutes for the entire download and installation process.

 

[Aselith]

It's not comedy, it's down right trolling because it seems to be brought up over and over but I think it's more to do with the connection than anything else which I agree with you.

That's ridiculous. If it's the connection then updates should take just as long on the 360. I have the same issue. I tried to play Uncharted 2 and the shit took an hour plus to update on first boot up multiplayer (actually it was probably more. I eventually just realized I should walk away for a while and went to play DQ9.) I've never had an update take longer than 10 minutes on the 360. Same deal with system updates. Most are maybe 2. Updates always take forver to install on PS3. The bigger issue is the constant updates for PS3. They update way too often especially considering the time it takes to install. The shit is ludicrous.

 

[The Blue Jihad]

If it absolutely kills you to have to download updates, maybe check the PS blog for when they are scheduled and make sure you turn on your PS3 and get the update WHILE YOU DO SOMETHING ELSE. You can do the same for games - they aren't updated all that often. If there's a game you want to play later, during your precious single-hour-that-you-have-for-gaming-because-you're-an-adult, throw it in and download the update WHILE YOU DO SOMETHING ELSE.

Whoa whoa whoa hold the fuck on. Are you seriously going to sit here and tell those of us with precious little time that we should just go and run a few errands or something while the PS3 runs through whatever slow updates it needs?

I love how you say to just "check the PS blog" as if everyone apparently has such an immense amount of time to spend dicking around on some other company's website during the day. I work through my lunch break, for chrissakes, because that's what needs to happen or else I get swamped with bullshit. You think anyone who works a damn is going to have time to check the PS blog? What, are you working part-time? Are you even working at all? Do you know what work is?

"Just go and do something else" is your fucking solution to this? Fuck you, dude. lol. We adults have spent our entire goddamn day "doing something else." You know. We've been working. I'm looking forward to hearing about how much time and energy you end up having when you get a full-time job that puts you up at 6 am and rarely gets you back home til 8 or 9 at night, not to mention puts you on the road during some of the mind-numbingly idiotic traffic you've ever seen.

For you to sit here and basically defend a prehistorically slow update system blows my mind. It's like you don't or can't even remember when games actually used to be plug n play. As in, you put in a game and you're playing it immediately. Apart from a few select, rare games this generation, plug n play is a distant fucking memory.

Please get your head on straight before you go into blithering idiot mode again.

Oh! Furthermore, the shitty update system has prevented me from buying older games on more than one occasion, because I know there are going to be a few dozen updates a piece and I have zero inclination to have an entire gaming system taken over for god knows how long. So that's money Sony could have been earning all this time had their update system not been clumsy as it is stupid.

 

[feel]

Since it's an hassle and takes forever compared to other systems, I just (almost) never update my ps3 games or the console, they work just fine for me offline and without patchs.

 

[Future]

What is bullshit is that often these ps3 updates give me shot I don't give a damn about. At least if I got some killer new features I wouldn't mind the wait. But usually I don't even know why there is an update at all

The install shit is the worst bit. Why not give me an option for it to immediately install after download. Why do I have to accept terms every goddamn time. For firmware. When will I not accept them? Who even reads any of that shit

The article in the OP is spot on for my experience. Not sure if it is 30 minutes, but it feels like forever when gettin firmware. Compared to the 360...well there is no comparison

 

[xbhaskarx]

i mean if it takes 30 minutes to update your PS3.. there's something wrong alright... with your ISP!

It definitely takes a lot longer to update on the PS3 than the 360, and games take much longer to download/install.
And it can't be my ISP because like 99.999% of the population I do not use different ISPs for each console.

 

[njean777]

This crap is starting to get on my nerves. If you bitch about this like most people on podcasts, then turn on your fucking ps3 more. Its not xbox live and shouldn't be either. I dont pay for it so I have no problem not bitching about something that is free.

 

[ZeroRay]

Honestly, my 360 and PS3 take the same amount of time downloading and installing firmware updates.

Games and demos also take the same amount of time to download but the install and patching process on the PS3 is fucked.

 

[MGR]

I have a hard time believing it only takes you 5-8 minutes.

I've lived in five different locations and two different countries with my PS3 using a variety of wired and wireless connections and the updates have always taken an ungodly amount of time. Demos and other PSN downloads are the worst, but firmware updates are horrendous and I don't think it has taken me less than 10 minutes even once.

Yeah, I find it hard to believe as well. The last firmware update on PSN was probably the fastest update I have experienced to date and it still took 23 minutes for the entire download and installation process.

Not that I doubt either of you but I can confirm virtually all PS3 firmware updates I personally have ever done have taken less than 10 minutes.

I live in Australia and while we're not exactly renowned for our fast internet speeds perhaps our local PSN server or node or whatever doesn't suffer as much load as other countries.

 

[luka]

For you to sit here and basically defend a prehistorically slow update system blows my mind. It's like you don't or can't even remember when games actually used to be plug n play. As in, you put in a game and you're playing it immediately. Apart from a few select, rare games this generation, plug n play is a distant fucking memory.

To be fair, the days of "plug and play" have been gone ever since perpetual connectivity and online play because major bullet points. If you wanna pop in and play a single player game just like you used to go right ahead. No updates necessary. If I intend to play something online I usually budget myself a little more time, regardless of the platform I'm on.

And from one working adult to another, ad hominem is a pretty immature way to get your point across.

 

[Yeef]

Obviously the fact that this topic comes up semi-frequently means that there's an issue. It might be on teh ISP side or Sony's side or both, but lots of people seem to have slow download rates from PSN and it shoudl really be looked into.

Firmware and game updates have always been fast for me and the only time they've been prohibitively long is when I buy lots of things at once (20 rock individual Rock Band songs, for example). I do think that auto-downloading of firmware updates should be available to everyone; not just PS+ users. In the same regard, the downloads on the PSN store should be fully-updated versions instead of the originals.

I don't get the complaints about game patches though. If you're playing online a lot you're likely up-to-date and if you're playing offline they're not mandatory. The only people they inconvenience are people who don't play online much but you'd run into the same problem elsewhere. If I were to not turn my PC on for 3 months then suddenly decide I want to play TF2 I'd most certainly have to wait for it to download a bunch of patches.

Xbox 360 doesn't have that problem because they limit the size and number of patches devs can put out. If I had to choose, I'd personally I'd prefer for games to get tons of free, post-release support over saving a couple of minutes on installing patches once in a while.

Yeah, I find it hard to believe as well. The last firmware update on PSN was probably the fastest update I have experienced to date and it still took 23 minutes for the entire download and installation process.

It only took me a couple of minutes. I recall starting the download, going to the bathroom and coming back to it already about a quarter of the way through the install. I think the percentage of free space you have on your hard drive can slow the installation and download rates.

If firmware updates are really taking that long for you I'd recommend doing and unattended update. This wouldn't work too well for the average user, but it shouldn't be an issue. There's always a thread on GAF with the release details when a new firmware update goes up. When you see the thread just start up your PS3, go to System update and check "Turn off system automatically when update finishes" and press OK. You'll just have to accept the EULA immediately and everything else is done without anymore intervention. It takes all of 12 seconds.

 

[goldenpp72]

Installing NXE on the 360 was like a couple minutes, ps3 firmware takes like a fucking half hour for minimal updates, I don't see the problem on the 360 end there outside of it erasing old patches on games.

 

[bloodforge]

I find PSN to just be slow in general, doesn't matter if its a firmware update or a demo/video. It shouldn't take me an hour to download a 1gig file on a 20mb connnection on PSN. I have no problems with speed on Xbox Live.

 

[hey_it's_that_dog]

Whoa whoa whoa hold the fuck on. Are you seriously going to sit here and tell those of us with precious little time that we should just go and run a few errands or something while the PS3 runs through whatever slow updates it needs?

I love how you say to just "check the PS blog" as if everyone apparently has such an immense amount of time to spend dicking around on some other company's website during the day. I work through my lunch break, for chrissakes, because that's what needs to happen or else I get swamped with bullshit. You think anyone who works a damn is going to have time to check the PS blog? What, are you working part-time? Are you even working at all? Do you know what work is?

"Just go and do something else" is your fucking solution to this? Fuck you, dude. lol. We adults have spent our entire goddamn day "doing something else." You know. We've been working. I'm looking forward to hearing about how much time and energy you end up having when you get a full-time job that puts you up at 6 am and rarely gets you back home til 8 or 9 at night, not to mention puts you on the road during some of the mind-numbingly idiotic traffic you've ever seen.

For you to sit here and basically defend a prehistorically slow update system blows my mind. It's like you don't or can't even remember when games actually used to be plug n play. As in, you put in a game and you're playing it immediately. Apart from a few select, rare games this generation, plug n play is a distant fucking memory.

Please get your head on straight before you go into blithering idiot mode again.

Oh! Furthermore, the shitty update system has prevented me from buying older games on more than one occasion, because I know there are going to be a few dozen updates a piece and I have zero inclination to have an entire gaming system taken over for god knows how long. So that's money Sony could have been earning all this time had their update system not been clumsy as it is stupid.

Wasn't defending the system completely. It obviously could be improved. But there are small things one can do to prevent the apparently massive rage-strokes that these updates cause. Turn on your system more often, for instance. I thought it was clear, but I wasn't suggesting that during your designated game time you start the updates and then run errands. I was suggesting that, if this small inconvenience brings you to tears and causes you to lash out at others on a message board, perhaps you could think ahead and download the updates while you shower, or prepare a meal, or any of the things you do while you're not at work and not playing games. You don't have time to check the PS blog for 5 seconds during your workday or any other time? I don't believe you.

You had time to write that post, after all.

 

[fanboi]

HOLY FUCKING BALLS!


I TRIED TO PLAY A MOTHER FUCKING GAME, AND THE UPDATE TOOK 36 YEARS! I WAS FUCKING DEAD BEFORE I COULD PLAY IT!


But on the Xbox, I would have been alive.

No, your house would have burned down.

 

[nextgeneration]

Obviously the fact that this topic comes up semi-frequently means that there's an issue. It might be on teh ISP side or Sony's side or both, but lots of people seem to have slow download rates from PSN and it shoudl really be looked into.

Yup, exactly. This IS an issue. A bunch of my coworkers have the same problems with PSN. With 360, however, their download speeds are blazing fast, just like mine.

 

[Shadow780]

No problem with updates, it doesn't take more than 10 minutes.

But they should figure out a way to download and install at the same time, it's still a hassle to download a game and THEN install it separately.