Following many reports that Sony’s latest PlayStation 3 firmware update, version 3.50, blocks third-party controllers, popular accessory maker Mad Catz has said it will replace any affected controller.
That being said, Mad Catz says that “all Mad Catz products will continue to function” even after the update, with the exception of a few models from 2008 and earlier.
3.50, as reported by angry PS3 owners, blocks third party peripherals, accessories and USB storage devices.
Sony’s response was that the ban would block “dangerous counterfeits,” mainly controllers that Sony says have a chance of exploding. Most seem to think the move is a way to stop more products from being used to jailbreak the console.
Users have claimed that Mad Catz’s 2008 Wireless PS3 GamePad, 2008 Wired PS3 GamePad and PS3 Wireless MicroCon have all ceased working after the update.
Says the accessory maker: “Mad Catz would like to take this opportunity to put gamers’ minds at ease. With the exception of a small quantity of controllers sold before 2008, we believe that all Mad Catz products will continue to function as they did prior to the 3.50 Firmware update.”
“Any consumer who owns a Mad Catz product and is experiencing an issue, including an issue with the PlayStation 3 Firmware update should contact Mad Catz customer services. Providing the product is within warranty, Mad Catz will be happy to offer a suitable replacement.”
Result for: storage device
In late October we reported that Microsoft was blocking all “unlicensed” Xbox 360 storage devices, successfully forcing gamers to only purchase memory cards sold by Microsoft, at a higher price.
Large peripheral manufacturer Datel struck back in late November, filing an antitrust lawsuit.
In response, Microsoft filed motions to have the case dismissed but a judge has thrown out those motions today, clearing the way for Datel’s suit to move forward. Because the motions were dismissed, the two parties will now meet in preparation of their upcoming June 2nd hearing.
Microsoft recently sued the UK-based accessory maker over its Xbox 360 controllers, claiming the company illegally copied the design.
The controllers in question are the Datel “TurboFire” and “WildFire” wireless controllers, which sell for $40 USD online. Microsoft says the controllers infringe on a few patents held by the software giant.
Result for: storage device
Joystiq is reporting today that “USB Mass Storage Device Support” should hit the Xbox 360 console sometime within 2010, most likely with the upcoming Spring 2010 dashboard update.
Citing a document written by a “senior software development engineer,” the support will allow gamers to save and consequently load game data from USB devices, a much wanted feature.
With the support available, gamers can download Arcade games, DLC or other content right to their storage device, although it is unclear what capacity cards will be made available (minimum must be 1GB and max must be 16GB). The source also claims that “installation of a full disc-based title” is also a possibility, although the disc will still need to remain in the tray, for authentication purposes.
In regards to the minimum and maximum posted above, the document says: “The system partition occupies 512 MB of space, and by default the consumer partition occupies the remainder of the device capacity, or 16 GB, whichever is smaller.”
