Rockstar Games have released a patch for the PlayStation 3 version of GTA IV. The patch will fix the freezing issues reported by gamers since the game’s release last week. The 18MB update will "prevent GameSpy’s servers from being overloaded," making the online component of the game more stable. In turn should reduce “the impact on those servers that were causing the game to stutter and lock up.”

The update will hopefully fix all the freezing issues reported by gamers. This will mean that you no longer have to disconnect from the PSN in order to play the game.

Official Statement:

"Rockstar Games has released a GTA IV patch for Playstation 3 today that prevents Gamespy’s servers from being overloaded and therefore reduces the impact on those servers that were causing the game to stutter and lock up. We continue to monitor the performance of the game both on and offline and will provide further updates as necessary. We want to assure everyone that, together with our hardware partners, we continue to strive to give our fans the best possible interactive entertainment experiences possible. This update will ensure that everyone will experience Grand Theft Auto IV the way it was intended. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused."

In the first of two updates this week, Europe has received a number of new additions to the PlayStation Store. The most significant additions to the store are two new demos: Condemned 2 and Haze; and three new full games. Other content include new add-on content, new trailers, and a selection of videos from PlayStation Day 2008 itself. Check out the list below.

New European Content:

• Playable Demos:
  • Condemned 2
  • Haze
• Full Games:
  • Blast Factor Advanced
  • High Velocity Bowling
  • Street Skater
• Game add-on Content:
  • Blast Factor Advanced Research
  • High Velocity Bowling Character – Mike
• Videos and Trailers
  • Buzz! Quiz TV Trailer
  • Secret Agent Clank Trailer
  • Siren Blood Curse Trailer
  • MotorStorm is Back

David Reeves has announced the release dates of PlayTV for the PlayStation 3 and Go!View for the PlayStation Portable at PlayStation Day 2008. Reeves has revealed that PlayTV will be available to purchase in Europe this September prices at £99. The PlayTV device will allow PS3 owners to view and record free-to-air TV programs. Apart from the initial cost of the peripheral, the service will be free. Go!View for the PSP will see light of day before the end of June.

Go!View will be available as either a subscription service or pay-per-view, the pricing details for either option has not been revealed. The exact release date for PlayTV has not been revealed, only that it will be available to buy in September.

Rockstar are still working on a fix for the GTA IV freezing issues but until a patch is available a temporary fix is available for you to try out. According to several reports, and from our own testing, we have found that most of the freezing issue can be resolved by simply signing out of the PlayStation Network before booting the game. However, this means that you will not be able to play any online multiplayer games until an official patch is available.

We’ve tested this method and it seemed to solve most of our freezing issues. If you later sign-in to the PlayStation Network, the game may crash instantly upon successful sign-in. Most GTA IV discs work fine with the PSN signed-in, but others don’t. Let us know if this method worked for you using the comments section below.

As part of Sony’s PlayStation Day in London on May 6th 2008, there will be two updates to the PlayStation Store. Games can look forward to several new demos this week including Haze, Condemned 2, and Bourne Conspiracy. The first update on May 6th will also contain new full games, new game add-on content and new trailers. The usual update on May 8th 2008 will contain new game add-on content and new trailers. See the full list below.

May 6th 2008 Update:

• Playable Demos:
  • Condemned 2
  • Haze
• Full Games:
  • Blast Factor Advanced
  • High Velocity Bowling
  • Street Skater
• Game Add-on Content:
  • Blast Factor Advanced Research
  • High Velocity Bowling Character – Mike
• Trailers:
  • Buzz! Quiz TV
  • Secret Agent Clank
  • Siren Blood Curse

May 8th 2008 Update:

• Playable Demos:
  • Bourne Conspiracy
  • Race Driver: GRID
• Game Add-on Content:
  • Army of Two
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – Def Leppard Track Pack
  • Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – Muse Track Pack
• Trailers:
  • Echochrome Apple
  • Play Compilation
  • Press Conference

According to a Take-Two customer support representative, Rockstar is working around the clock to fix the freezing issues experienced by PS3 and Xbox 360 users. The representative said that "a patch is being worked on around the clock to address the issues. It’s bound to be. That’s how they address this sort of thing. It is being worked on. We’re looking into it. You will hear from us if a patch is released. A patch is usually the way it’s been done." This doesn’t look very encouraging to users experiencing problems.

In a related issue, SCEA has stated "Yes, we are aware of what the message boards and a few of the industry blogs are saying about a ‘freezing’ issue with GTA IV on a limited number of PS3s. Although we have seen an extremely low volume of contacts to our customer service department regarding such an issue, we want to ensure that every consumer has a great experience on our console and with GTA IV. All parties involved are working to isolate the problem for those few units and identify a solution."

According to various blogs and forums, the problem is not just isolated to a limited number of PS3s. Could Sony be playing down the issue in order to avoid bad press?

The first PlayStation Store update for May is in. US owners of Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore will be happy at the huge number of new track available to download, though they cost $1.49 each. In terms of size, the US beats Europe (as usual) with significantly more content. The Dark Sector demo is available to download from the US store as well as the full Echochrome version, new game videos and trailers, and PS3 wallpaper. Europe has received a few Need for Speed Game Add-ons, a few new XMB themes and wallpaper, and a new movie trailer. Complete list below.

European Additions:

• Game Add-on Content
  • Need for Speed Pro-Street
    • "Bugatti Veyron" pack (£1.99/€2.99)
    • "Mclaren F1" pack (£1.99/€2.99)
    • Premium Car pack 1 (£3.49/€4.99)
    • Premium Car pack 2 (£3.49/€4.99)
  • Snakeball "Team Mode" expansion (£1.99/€2.99)
  • Kane & Lynch Fragile Alliance map pack
• Movie Trailers
  • Iron Man
• XMB Themes
  • Rainbow Six Vegas 2
  • Dark Sector
  • Haze
• PS3 Wallpapers
  • Haze Wallpaper

US Additions:

• Playable Demos
  • Dark Sector
• Full Games
  • Echochrome ($9.99)
• Game Add-on Content
  • Rock Band
  • Zero – Smashing Pumpkins ($1.99)
  • Time-Sick Son of a Grizzly Bear – The Mother Hips ($1.99)
  • Red Tandy – The Mother Hips ($1.99)
  • Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore ($1.49 each)
  • (You Make Me Feel Life) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin
  • Against All Odds – Phil Collins
  • Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  • Ain’t Nothing Life the Real Thing – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
  • Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Temptations
  • Alone – Heart
  • Always Something There to Remind Me – Naked Eyes
  • American Woman – Lenny Kravitz
  • Born to be Wild – Steppenwolf
  • Careless Whisper – Wham
  • Complicated – Avril Lavigne
  • Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen
  • Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks
  • Do You Really Want to Hurt Me – Culture Club
  • Every Rose Has its Thorn – Poison
  • Flashdance What a Feeling – Irene Cara
  • Greatest Love of All – Whitney Houston
  • Here I Go Again – Whitesnake
  • I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
  • If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
  • I’m Coming Out – Diana Ross
  • It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
  • Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel
  • Ladies Night – Kool & the Gang
  • Let s Get it On – Marvin Gaye
  • Love Will Keep Us Together – Captain & Tennille
  • My Girl – Temptations
  • New York – Frank Sinatra
  • On the Road Again – Willy Nelson
  • Photograph – Nickelback
  • Proud Mary – Creedance Clearwater
  • Respect – Aretha Franklin
  • Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette
  • Straight Up – Paula Abdul
  • Sugar, We’re Goin Down – Fall Out Boy
  • Taking Care of Business – Bachman Turner Overdrive
  • The First Cut is the Deepest – Sheryl Crow / Rod Stewart
  • The Real Thing – Bo Bice
  • When the Sun Goes Down – Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker
  • Who Can it be Now? – Men At Work
  • You and Me – Lifehouse
  • You’re My Best Friend – Queen
• Game Videos and Trailers
  • Echochrome Trailer
  • Battlefield Bad Redford Blog
  • Kung Fu Panda Trailer
  • Dead Space Announcement Trailer
  • Dead Space Ship Date Trailer
  • Turok Bring It Trailer
  • Turok – Kane Gameplay Trailer
  • NBA Ballers: Chosen One TV Spot
  • Wyclef’s Fast Car Music Video
• PS3 Wallpaper
  • Echochrome Wallpapers (4)
  • Kung Fu Panda Wallpapers (3)

The UK PlayStation Website reveals more information about this year’s PlayStation Day 2008. The press-only event we covered earlier this month is to be held on May 6th 2008 and will include keynote speeches by SCEI President Kaz Hirai and SCEE President David Reeves. Invitees "will be able to get their hands on some of the hottest games coming to the PlayStation platforms over the coming year." The press day will showcase a host of exciting new developments for PLAYSTATION 3, PLAYSTATION Network, PSP and PlayStation 2.

The European PlayStation Website will cover the press day including key announcements, interviews and media. Look out for information next week.

UK PlayStation Website:

"In early May 2008, SCEE is hosting a press day in London to showcase a host of exciting new developments coming up this year for PLAYSTATION 3, PLAYSTATION Network, PSP and PlayStation 2.

As well as keynote speeches by SCEI President Kaz Hirai and SCEE President David Reeves, attendees will be able to get their hands on some of the hottest games coming to the PlayStation platforms over the coming year.

For full coverage, be sure to keep an eye on eu.playstation.com for updates from the event, including key announcements, hands on interviews and the latest screens and videos as they’re released."

Despite what you may think, Metal Gear Online will not be a separate title – it will be part of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. MGO will be free to play. Despite being called Metal Gear Online Starter Pack, Brandon Laurino, also clarified that it’s the online component of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. There won’t be a separate product; it’s dubbed as a starter pack only because content is yet to be expanded through downloadable content.

Brandon Laurino, Komani Online:

"MGO is not a paid subscription service, you can play online totally free right out of the box," said Laurino. The Konami ID, which some users thought to be the system Konami Digital will use to charge subscription fees outside PSN, is there to "confirm your identity for future potential microtransaction content updates"

With the release of GTA IV, a few owners experienced freezing issues, particularly on the 60GB PS3 and some Xbox 360 models. We’ve heard reports that the game can freeze during the mandatory install stage or right after the first cut scene, though we cannot verify these claims. The freezing errors seems to occur on both the normal copy and the Collectors Edition.

If you are experiencing difficulties with your copy of the game, you should contact Rockstar’s Support Service. Rockstar are investigating the issue but have not found anything wrong so far. If you haven’t tried your copy yet, don’t be alarmed. The issue does not affect all 60GB versions. Our copy of the game works fine.

In other issues, the online multiplayer mode seems down for PS3 users. When trying to connect to the multiplayer mode using the mobile phone, you receive a "Cannnot connect to game provider. Please try again later." When trying to view the online leaderboards via the pause menu, you receive a "You must be signed in to the PlayStation Network", even if you are already signed in.