PlayStation 3 users have found that updates for some games are no longer available for download. This means that players who own these games in a digital or physical format will no longer be able to download the latest version of the software if they have not already done so. Users on PSNProfiles and ResetEra both report the issue. Some users have committed to a list of games that no longer offer updates, but it is unclear whether this is a temporary issue or a deliberate move by Sony. Regardless, fans of the console are quite concerned about what it might mean.
Reports come just weeks after Sony announced that the PS3 store will close on July 2. Although that news has become a big disappointment for those interested in preserving video games, at least players have been given significant time to prepare and buy games before they are removed. In comparison, the removal of these updates came without any warning and could have a major impact on some games. In an age where patches from day one have become the norm, the idea of updates being removed is certainly worrying.
Removing these updates highlights one of the biggest problems facing the video game industry. Video games released 20-30 years ago remain largely played as intended. Retro fans are often forced to jump through hoops to play them, but the games still reflect the final version offered. For modern games, this may not be the case. The updates have given developers much more freedom to solve problems discovered after the release of a game. Unfortunately, if these updates are not available for download, the delivered version will be the one that remains played after the fact, warts and more.
Sony has not confirmed the removal of these updates and it could be a big accident. However, PS3 fans may want to upgrade their games to current versions to be safe. It could mean the difference between playing the best version of a game and one that does not reflect the final vision of the developer.
Worried that Sony is removing these updates from the PS3 Store? What do you think about preserving video games? Tell us in the comments or share your opinions directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp let’s talk about all the games!