Since NCAA Football 09 released on July 15 there have been issues in the game's two newest, and most lauded features: the EA Locker roster system and the online dynasty. The EA Locker lets gamers name players in the game (the NCAA doesn't allow its amateur athletes to be identified by name in games) and then upload their roster file to a public space for others to download. A number of stories around the Net document the serious problems it's faced. We've heard about players or entire teams disappearing, or teams being rated 0 overall. While a fix is on the way, it won't be immediate. According to EA's community site, and confirmed yesterday by EA spokesman Tyrone Miller, a patch to sort the roster issues will arrive the first week of August (it's already been submitted to Microsoft and Sony, and is going through their approval process). Until then, users can stay updated with the latest roster information, along with what rosters aren't causing issues at FreeNCAA09Rosters.com .
As if one problematic new feature wasn't enough for the only college football game in town, new issues have been reported around online dynasties. Sports game blogger Pasta Padre reported glitches that have been echoed by users around the internet. While this apparently only affects around two percent of users, those hit by the bug aren't able to load their online dynasties, are experiencing system freezes, or they're seeing losing teams being awarded wins. As for EA, they know this is happening.
"We are aware of an issue within the Online Dynasty mode with Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of NCAA Football 09 that effects a very small percentage of users," Miller told us. "We have identified the problem and should have a permanent solution in place soon."
After a discussion with EA, Pasta Padre got his dynasty problem fixed, which is a promising sign. Too bad, not every troubled NCAA Football gamer with their online dynasty on hold will get that privilege. EA's ability to fix his problem individually does give us some hope that this problem can be remedied on the server-side so NCAA Football 09 gamers don't have to wait for Sony and Microsoft to approve fixes.
1UP
7/26/2008
7/10/2008
Some unfortunate readers had their systems bricked by firmware 2.40. A PR representative from SCEA has informed us that they will fix your PS3 system for free if you were one of the few unlucky enough to have a bricked system. How's that for customer service?
"Our Consumer Services department is working directly with any impacted PS3 users, and, if it's determined that they were affected solely by the 2.40 issue, then their units will be repaired or exchanged at no cost. SCEA stands behind its products and always works to ensure the best possible consumer experience."
To contact SCEA support, visit this web page. If you go through SCEA support, let us know how your experience is.
PS3Fanboy
7/08/2008
In an official statement issued to ThreeSpeech, SCEE explains the problem with firmware 2.40. It seems that there was a problem which "prevented a limited number of PS3s from activating properly after updating to version 2.40, when certain system administrative data were contained on the HDD." This has now been fixed with 2.41, though those who suffer from the problem (which prevents the PS3 from loading up the XMB) will not be able to access the new firmware update.
Instead, those who had problems with 2.40 will need to contact Customer Services and will receive a replacement PS3. 2.41 will prevent this problem happening to anyone else. The statement also reiterates that those who installed 2.40 successfully will not suffer from any issues. Good news all round, really. We're happy those people who were too slow to grab 2.40 will now be able to start earning trophies and enjoying in-game XMB with the rest of us.
PS3Fanboy
7/04/2008
This is a possible fix to the problem many ps3 users are facing due to the error in 2.40.
The ps3's firmware remains untouched so technically it's not a brick but rather a bug. I have heard that people have seen the download jump from 50% to 100% right away. Between those those percentages are integrity checks and for some reason they were skipped. After the PS3 will boot and attempt to load that update file but it will be unable to as it's not complete.
Fix 1: Replace the Hard Drive so the ps3 will boot the last firmware you were on. (Firmware was never updated) Then the ps3 will ask you to format it so do so.
Fix 2: (You will lose all game saves) If you don't have two hard drives you could always hook the hard drive up to your computer and reformat it. Then put back into your ps3 and the ps3 will ask you to format it.
PS3Hax
