Sony consumer warning; your unofficial PS3 controller may explode!

You're sitting there, quietly playing a game... your spare controller is sitting on the table in front of you... you walk around a corner and expect zombies on the screen - KABOOM, you wonder where it came from, where is that sound???

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Oh - it was your FREAKING PLAYSTATION CONTROLLER EXPLODING.

Sony today has issued a consumer warning to anyone who currently uses an unofficial PlayStation 3 controller.

Obviously, in an effort to stop the world's first PS3 modchip, the "PS Jailbreak" from working - Sony unleashed the firmware update 3.50 which renders any third party USB peripheral unworkable.

Also, the company warns consumers that "any unofficial controller may explode!".

The official Sony statement reads:

Counterfeit PlayStation Wireless Controllers, which are practically identical in appearance to genuine PlayStation 3 Wireless Controllers, have been discovered in the market. SCEA advises consumers to be cautious when buying PlayStation 3 Wireless Controllers from uncertain sources as the quality, reliability and safety of counterfeit products is uncertain, and in some cases, may be dangerous. It is possible that some counterfeit product may ignite or explode, resulting in injury or damage to the user, your PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, or other property. Moreover, SCEA does not support continued functionality of counterfeit or unlicensed controllers in system software updates and these devices may cease to function in the future because of system software updates.

SCE and its affiliated companies disclaim all liability for any loss or damage suffered by you or any third party through the use of counterfeit or unlicensed products.

We appreciate your understanding and continued support.

The official update has been to mostly negative reaction - some users are even reporting 75% of USB devices now don't work. Other users have also said that their PS2 to PS3 controller adapters have stopped working and also legitimate products like the Splitfish FragFX now don't work...

Looks like it's not all fireworks in Sony land today!