It’s not PSN: PS3s are being downed by internal clocks, “APOCALYPS3″ continues

UPDATE: Gamers currently believe the situation will resolve itself when the PS3′s clocks can agree on a date which actually exists. Read more.

The mysterious story of PS3s everywhere not working properly, which Shufflingdead reported just hours ago, has led to a truly shocking place. PS3′s online functionality isn’t being downed by Sony’s PlayStation’s Network, it’s been taken out by the system’s own internal clock. chubigans over at NeoGAF provides an explanation:

Here’s what’s going on right now: something with the PS3′s internal clock has borked in some pre-slim models. This is not a PSN issue; it has to do with your PS3′s clock. This clock is NOT related to the OS clock. It seems to be a leap year bug. Setting your clock ahead will do nothing. All PS3s around the world were affected at the exact same time.

[...]

-If you have a “fat” PS3, you may be affected. Some fat PS3s have worked ok, but it seems a good majority have been bugged.

So there you have it, the reason behind error 8001050F. Instead of being an issue which could be quickly fixed by work on Sony’s end, the PS3′s plight may now turn out to be far more severe. We’ll have to wait and see if this is a problem which can be rectified by the PSN guys or not.

For those encountering the bug, it means an inability to access PSN. You won’t be able to play any PSN games, play games which rely on PSN, or access DLC. It’s been reported that Heavy Rain isn’t working, likely due to the game needing to access the system’s clock in some fashion. The best thing to do now is wait it out, don’t turn your PS3 on, and see if the systems auto-correct in 24 hours.

One theory suggests that the PS3′s internal clock is trying to roll over to the date of 2/29 instead of 3/1, with the system incapable of handling a date that doesn’t actually exist, the whole thing falls apart. It may be that the system is confused by its first even-numbered non-leap-year.

[source]

Another Sony blunder: PSN down, suffering “Global Network Lockdown”

UPDATE 2: Gamers currently believe the situation will resolve itself when the PS3′s clocks can agree on a date which actually exists. Read more.

UPDATE: It’s not PSN, PS3s are being hit by their own internal clocks. Read more here.

Original story:

Kotaku is reporting that “from Europe to the Americas” the PlayStation Network is down for many users, mainly those with the older, non-Slim PS3s.

Sure, networks go down, it’s understandable, but this issue isn’t just preventing gamers from competing online. Many games, apparently those with something called “dynamic trophies,” whatever those are, aren’t working at all. That’s a pretty astounding design blunder, one which Sony can proudly add to the likes of disc-ejaculating PSPs, PS1s that only work upside down, and PS2s with short life spans.

Most concerning, this may very well be a sign of things to come. With more and more technical functionality shifting to “the cloud,” periodically being unable to use even devices sitting right in front of you is likely the way of the future.

The issue’s cause is anyone’s guess at this point, with Sony not offering much help besides a blunt “stay tuned.” That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, considering the company’s history of disrespect for their customers (remember Sony expecting players to “earn” their expensive PS3s?). Sony’s recent redesign of their PlayStation website and reports from affected users that their calendar settings have been reset may be clues.

PS3 owners do have one thing to be thankful of: PSN being down means they won’t be tempted to watch The Tester.

[source]

ShufflingdeadCast Episode 5: Nintendo’s Press Conference and Adobe’s Photoshop

Listen via iTunes – Download MP3

Welcome to ShufflingdeadCast, the Shufflingdead.com podcast. This is week five of the show! You can now subscribe to our podcast via iTunes by clicking the link above. Be sure to give us your feedback and questions at hosts@shufflingdead.com. Hit the jump for the full show notes.

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The Dungeon: Nerd Olympics 2010 part 2/4

Kirsten Dunst sings “Turning Japanese,” The West’s Fantasy Japan: Akihabara Majokko Princess

Have a look at this video (note: NSFW due to anime tits), it’s called “Akihabara Majokko Princess,” and stars Kirsten Dunst singing “Turning Japanese” while she visits Tokyo dressed as a magical school girl. The video was directed by McG, and was produced by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami.

At first glance, the video appears to be a fun, Japan love session from the perspective of a western visitor, with the Dunst character having found the place of her dreams. Having watched the video an unhealthy amount of times at this point, however, I think there’s significantly more to it than that. I view the piece as telling the story of a westerner enamoured with an imaginary Japanese culture constructed in the west and existing in her head. The Dunst character from the early parts of the video may also be representative of the west more broadly.

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