PS3 firmware no longer optional

SixthAxis writes:Firmware updates are a strange thing, with the recent 2.80 update being entirely optional until this weekend's VidZone update. Whilst I can't personally confirm right now whether Sony have actually pushed the button marked "obligatory" on the PlayStation 3's Firmware Update 2.80 C&VG are claiming that to...

[vhero]

They are optional though you don't HAVE to download vidzone though do you?? Some people write stupid articles..

[Jamie Foxx]

im sick and tired of stupid articles rergarding ps3 'prototype sells more than infamous' not on the ps3 it didnt,'ps3 only good for exclusives'...no it isnt and so what if it was?

wheres all the 360 doom and gloom news?

[PirateThom]

You know that article "Xbox beats PS3 and Wii to become the 'it' console?"

It forgets to mention that the 360 is the cheapest console but still gets outsold by the Wii.

But that's standard, bad 360 news tends to be twisted.

[Syronicus]

Because so many "journalists" want to see Sony fail due to their superiority for the last ten plus years. Many would rather ignore the short comings of the 360 and point out the minuscule issues with the PS3 just for the sake of getting hits on their lousy sites. It's just the way things are here. There are issues with the 360, it's just too many "journalists" turn a blind eye.

[Rhythmattic]

Maybe, just maybe, its a way Sony controls the "homebrew" community.

For the homebrew users out there (not that they are successful YET) , it means a 2nd PS3. One for ":aaargghh" and one for online ?

Just a thought.

[Christopher]

Most firmware won't be optional because, as Sony has recently said, the stuff they put into this firmware updates are codebehind stuff for developers to use in order to improve their games.

For example, say Capcom wants to utilize a certain function in their game but need to include a function to do so with the OS for quick calling and streamlining. That goes into the firmware update and is now available to all developers to call in the similar manner. If your firmware didn't include that update, it's likely your game would crash.

[OhReginald]

they are not optional. In order to access PSN you have to be updated in the latest firmware.

[Information Minister]

Firmware updates are a non-issue. I usually download them in background through Sony's website on my laptop (or even at work) and then transfer the update to my PS3 using a USB flash drive. It only takes a couple minutes. Small price to pay for added functionality or stability. I don't know why people complain. Must be just fanboys grasping at straws.

@ Pirate - That "article" was written by an Xbox dedicated site. I wouldn't take it too seriously.

[Syronicus]

Because the number of PS3 bashing articles gets more and more. It seems to be the one hot button that sites use to help generate buzz and hits while the game news is sparse. It's interesting but pathetic at the same time.

[BLuKhaos]

The 2.80 update was optional.In fact, if I hadn't of came here found out the update was available I would've never known it was out.

[shingo]

i've just checked. it's finally available on the ps3 xmb, but i still can connect to psn and play online just fine without it. so it's still optional to download.

by the way, the story title is confusing... it should say "2.8"

[cayal]

You don't hear any 360 doom and gloom because most of those stupid articles come from Americans.

[PLAYINB3YOND]

^^^ this

[siyrobbo]

There may come a time when somebody finds an exploit in one of sonys firmwares, maybe sony are aware of something we are not and are taking the necessary precautions?

[Microsoft Xbox 360]

It's been optional since 2.70

[plstcsldgr]

so 1 update has been optional so that has how its going to be for ever now?

[typikal82]

Only a few firmware updates have been optional. What a useless article.

[novaIS350]

Some Firmware updates free up OS memory or make improvements upon the OS, which if you didn't download and install would render certain games and or future services unusable. Big Duh

[JD_Shadow]

2.80 mostly did some behind the scenes things (improved playback, made it easier and faster to do certain things, etc.). Not sure why it would've been a tenth number update (maybe a hundredth number one), but it's probably what one article (I forget which) said: it's laying the groundwork for FW 3.0.

[plstcsldgr]

it was the first thing i did when i turned it on was update. i never had a chance to say no. i've only seen 2 optional updates and the only reason i've ever seen them option is because they didn't directly kick me off psn to update it. the person who wrote this is dumb.

[ian72]

Does it really matter? NO. Stupid article, got to be something more interesting than this to write about.

[CryWolf]

The saddest thing about this is 90% of the time its a 360 fanboy that writes these kind of articles cause they want a ps3 so badly but their also Loyal to 360 they don't have the money to buy one so they are trying to get Sony to drop the price with these articles online.

[da720izcumin]

that was funny...
and here I thought, all in all the 360 was more expensive.
need to make up your mind, which is it?
which is more expensive?

[Aft3rKill]

When were ps3 updates ever really optional. To sign into PSN you had to update. So while you can go with out udating you would have to be one the few who don't have internet in which case you wouldn't know about the update outside of reading it online or getting it from the site and manually updating.

[viking805fan]

I think every patch should be welcomed, especially if it improves the console's software in general...

[Knightofelemia]

Personally if an update arrives for the Ps3 why b!tch about it Sony does it to make the Ps3 even better for the fans and everyone b!tches. Do people b!tch when XBOX Live needs an update, or when your computer is reminding you it needs an update. Plain and simple if you hate updates then don't take it online I want Sony too keep the updates coming because I want the my Ps3 running at its best. As far as I remeber Firmware updates are not optional I tried a game out before 2.80 and my system told me I had to download it before I could even play the game.