In an interview with GamaSutra, SCEA Vice President Rob Dyer says he believes the industry needs to continue to make disc purchases the number one priority. “You can talk about why DLC is important to help limit the used game business and to keep people holding onto (the game. I’m all about that too. I love that,” Dyer admits. “But I want it on the disc so that one hundred percent (of the people) out there can play this thing. What are we, north of seventy percent on the network now?” he questions. “Seventy three, I think. Microsoft (is) probably the same. (That’s) still a significant number of people that aren’t able to get (DLC), whether they don’t have broadband, whether they just flat out can’t get on the network. Whether or not you do it, they’re not using it. I want it on the disc, that way, when they buy it, they get it. So if I can do that, that’s great.”

His comments have won unanimous support from users on computerandvideogames.com, with poster Athrun888 noting “Finally someone high up expresses sensible views, now why isn’t he president of the US branch again? We need more people like him in top jobs”. User dark_gamer concurs, saying “Not everyone in the world has a internet connection (let alone a decent one)”, while Soviet1918 goes for the gold with “Rob Dyer I love you. I want to have babies by you”.

In an official statement, the company stated that, “We are sorry if users of Linux or other operating systems are disappointed by our decision to issue a firmware upgrade which when installed disables this operating system feature. We have made the decision to protect the integrity of the console and whilst mindful of the impact on Linux or other operating system users we nevertheless felt it would be in the best interests of the majority of users to pursue this course of action.”

The statement goes on to say that “As you will be aware we have upgraded and enhanced functionality and features of the console by numerous firmware upgrades over time and this is a very rare instance where a feature will be disabled. Further enhancements are in the pipeline.Users do have the choice whether to install the firmware upgrade and this is clearly explained to them at the time the firmware upgrade is made available for installation. Furthermore our terms and conditions clearly state that we have the right to revise the PS3’s settings and features in order to prevent access to unauthorised or pirated content.”

In related news, Amazon has actually offered compensation to one user who found himself unable to use Linus on his PS3 following a Firmware update, despite Linus still being offered as a service when he paid for it, a move that has raised speculation other users could soon start demanding similar compensation.

Computerandvideogames.com caught up with Zapper lead programmer Nate Klee to see if the reality of the game stands a chance of living up to all the hype, and whether that “256 players online at once” claim really will work. “It does work,” Klee insists. “We take into account where people playing are located and pick a server that’s closer to the majority of the people, so during peak times when playing in Europe the majority of servers will be hosted in Europe for those players.”

Klee also assures gamers that “MAG” will have dedicated servers though is unsure about suggestions that the game could be adapted to include the current flavor of the month in the industry – motion control. “I don’t know of any plans currently to include any motion control into “MAG”, but it’s a possibility,” Klee concedes. “I think there’s definitely potential there… If you look at the Wii console, for example, a lot of people are using motion control for games already in a similar way. The thing that the motion controller that’s been presented by Sony adds is absolute position and different degrees of freedom that allows you to do an even better job and (be) more precise.

“MAG” is released in the UK on Friday.

Tretton seems to be barely able to contain his exuberance at the company’s growing success, saying that Sony continues to “redefine entertainment experiences for consumers, both at home and on the go” and that they are “in the midst of one of the most exciting times for PlayStation”.

He goes on to say that the upcoming release of “Uncharted 2”, which “promises to be a system seller”, the hugely successful launch of the PS3 Slim and the availability of the PSP Go has all cumulated in them having “made unprecedented strides in digital and mobile entertainment”.

The statement goes on to say “In NPD Group’s September 2009 video game sales data, released today, the PS3 ranked as the top console sold for the month, beating out all our competitors. It was also the only hardware platform to realize an increase 112% when compared to the same period last year… The PSP Go is driving additional momentum for the entire PSP platform. In its first three days on store shelves, top retail partners experienced a 300 percent life in overall PSP hardware sales compared to the previous week.

During this time, the PlayStation Network also experienced the single number of downloads ever for a single week period.” Tretton concluded his emailed statement with a final toast to his company: “There simply has never been a better time to be part of the PlayStation family,” he wrote.

“Watchdog” declared that over a hundred and fifty complaints had been made to them about the fault which Sony then charges to repair if it occurs outside the one year guarantee period. The fault is believed to lie with fractured connections, which independent console repair businesses say can be repaired by heating up specific areas of the circuit board, a process referred to as “solder re-flow”.

However, in a statement made to the BBC, Sony, while acknowledging that their have been many such faults, refutes allegations that is in an inherent design flaw. “We entirely refute the suggestion that PS3 consoles have an inherent defect  or other design issue… Of all PS3’s sold in the UK to date, fewer than one half of one percent of units have been reported as failing in circumstances where the yellow indicator is illuminated,” the statement claims.

“The yellow indicator light is simply a non-specific fault indicator that can be triggered in a range of circumstances… It would be misleading to suggest to viewers that the basic solder reflow process you describe… is necessarily a reliable procedure when performed in that way, or that it can be properly done cheaply and quickly…It is standard practice for businesses in the electronics and many other consumer products sectors to provide free servicing/repairs only during the warranty period, but to charge for out of warranty repairs. It is therefore unfair to criticise Sony Computer Entertainment UK in this way.”

Precisely what the purpose of this detector appears to be something of a mystery at present – perhaps the PlayStation will give you an electronic shock or something if it thinks you’re too bored, for instance? Apparently, Sony is even considering applying this technology to other media as well, including television and film. The patent, however, doesn’t appear to be too dissimilar to another idea already being developed by Microsoft for its upcoming project “Natal”, which is also allegedly going to be capable of detecting body motions, and user expressions and voices. Microsoft is attempting to come up with a gaming system completely devoid of any physical control system. Sony’s patent describes the idea as a “laugh detector and system and method for tracking an emotional response to a media presentation”. Response from users to the idea has been mixed, with one gaming site saying “In the war between console manufacturers to see who can come up with the most inane and bizarre control system for a console, Sony may have just won a decisive victory.”

The original release date for the game was June this year, but while that obviously did not materialise, Sony Computer Entertainment America, the company behind “MAG”, were initially dismissive of online stores that started listing the game as being delayed until next year. “We have made no announcements in regards to “MAG”’s launch date,” a Sony representative said in a statement just last month, insisting that “Retailers are speculating.” Well, it seems that speculations were dead on, as the news broke just yesterday that the game was indeed being delayed, the confirmation this time coming straight from the horse’s mouth. “The team at Zipper and SCEA are happy to announce that “MAG” will hit North American retailers on January 26th, 2010,” an official post on PlayStation Blog revealed yesterday. There was no reason given for the game’s delay. “MAG” gives up to two hundred and sixty five players the chance to take sides in a military conflict, viewing the game’s setting from their particular side of the battlefield. Users who play Commanders will get a top-down view from which they can direct their troops, while those users who choose to play lower level soldiers will get a first person point of view straight from the front line. Next month’s Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle is set to feature a MAG community party to no doubt further the hype for the new game.