PS3 Firmware 3.61 is overheating old units - Rockstar

Rockstar has blamed latest PS3 firmware update, version 3.61, for causing older 'fat' models of PS3 to overheat or involuntarily shut down.

"We have received some reports of PS3s overheating while playing L.A. Noire or beeping three times before shutting down/turning themselves off, mostly on older 60GB and 80GB fat models," said Rockstar in response to complaints (via MCV).

"Primary reports seem to be that updating to firmware 3.61 will cause PlayStations to overheat. There have been various reports of this on a few different games now, all reporting their PS3s turning off or 'Red Lighting' after having installed 3.61," it adds.

"This can range from games randomly freezing to PS3s turning off anywhere between 30 mins use to 2 hours. We have confirmed locally that multiple games (Rockstar and non-Rockstar) overheat or freeze only when 3.61 is installed."

Oh dear. It just doesn't get any better for poor old Sony, does it?

Rockstar recommends users contact Sony with issues, while it offers assurance that it too will look into the issue. "We are continuing to test L.A. Noire on all firmware versions and hardware models to isolate the issues and see what can be done. As always, we will update this article as soon as we have updates," is said.

Have you had any issues since the firmware update?