Sony is at it again: On November 2nd, a new system update for the PlayStation 5 was released. The firmware, numbered 26.07-14.22.00, weighs around 1.27 GB and arrives just eleven days after version 14.20. The reason is no secret: GTA 6 is set to be released in just under three weeks, and Sony wants to prevent the PS5 homebrew scene from having a usable jailbreak by then.
What's in PS5 Update 14.22.00?
The patch notes are extremely brief. Sony merely states that it has made „some security corrections to the system software.“ The company reveals nothing further – which is typical for security updates. However, the clarity this time is new: The October 21st update (14.20) didn't even mention security in its notes, but was widely regarded as a reaction to recent events. This time, it's explicitly stated in black and white.
Why is the PS5 Jailbreak Such a Hot Topic Before GTA 6?
In late September, a jailbreak emerged that supported all PS5 models – including the PS5 Pro – running firmwares 7.00 to 13.60. Anyone who hadn't updated their console the week before was vulnerable. A jailbreakable system opens the door to modifications and, in the worst-case scenario, to pirated copies. This is precisely a nightmare for publishers, and GTA 6 is the biggest title of the year.
Furthermore, some PS5 games recently required firmware 14.00 just to download updates. This fueled the search for a new exploit for the more recent software. A prominent member of the scene recently showed evidence of a jailbreak on firmware 14.10 – though reportedly without the ability to dump game executables. This arms race is reminiscent of a cat-and-mouse game: the scene cracks one version, and Sony patches the vulnerability with the next update.
What Does This Mean for You as a PS5 Player?
Specifically: Update your console. There are speculations that GTA 6 will require at least firmware 14.20, or now even 14.22. This has not been officially confirmed by either Rockstar or Sony. If you automatically download updates anyway, you don't need to do anything. If you've disabled automatic updates, you should catch up before November 19th – also because Sony might release further security updates by then.
From our perspective, the update frequency shows how seriously Sony is taking the situation. Eleven days between two firmware releases is unusual for the PS5. Whether the strategy will succeed remains to be seen: Sony needs to outmaneuver the scene not just once, but continuously.
Source: IGN
Have you installed the update yet? Let us know in the comments how you're approaching the GTA 6 launch on PS5!
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