User demand is to blame for rampant problems in the public multiplayer beta of Slant Six's SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation, the PlayStation 3 incarnation of the tactical shooter series.

"Due to overwhelming demand for the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation Public Beta, we are experiencing load related issues," reads a statement on the SOCOM website. "These issues are causing abnormal latency, disconnects, long load times, login errors and community features such as clans and stats not functioning correctly (or at all)."

In response, the SOCOM team performed server maintenance and issued a patch, bringing the game to version 1.10. The patch adds support for dedicated servers in Europe and Australia and "addresses a number of stability and late joining issues." The patch is available for download now.

Sony today confirmed a North American release and $50 price point for the official PlayStation 3 wireless headset that was revealed earlier this week.

The very same headset included in the $60 retail edition of Slant Six's multiplayer shooter SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation (PS3)--due October 14--the Bluetooth device interfaces with the PlayStation 3 to show battery charge and volume details on-screen.

An exact date for the standalone release of the device itself was not provided, though a PlayStation.Blog post by product manger Anand Agarwal promised a fall debut.

The Shacknews delay tag has gotten another workout today as Slant Six's PS3 online shooter SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation had its public beta test pushed back a few days.

The "good news," according to the SOCOM website, is that the final game is still on track for its October 14 release.

The "bad news" is that the preview for pre-order customers--originally set to launch yesterday--has been moved to Friday, September 5, and access for Sony downloadable video magazine Qore subscribers will not start until September 12. To make up for the delay, the beta has also been extended to October 5.

With SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation (PS3) slated for a downloadable and retail release on October 14, Sony has announced that the beta for the Slant Six Game-developed multiplayer shooter will run from September 1 to September 30.

Those who have pre-ordered the title from GameStop and obtained a beta voucher will be able to access the beta on September 1, whereas those who purchased the June issue of Sony's downloadable video magazine Qore have to wait until September 8.

"This information only applies for North America," community manager Seth Luisi wrote on the game's official site. "Details about the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta in other parts of the world will be announced by the regional Sony Computer Entertainment offices."

Slant Six Games' downloadable multiplayer shooter SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation (PS3) has been delayed, franchise community manager Seth Luisi revealed on the official SOCOM blog.

Previously scheduled for a September 16 debut, the title is now bound for retailers and the PlayStation 3's digital storefront on October 14. Luisi explained the delay as necessary for last-minute improvements.

"Our top priority is delivering the best SOCOM online experience possible," Luisi wrote. "We just had to face the facts and do what is best for the title. Rather than sacrifice features, quality and stability, we had to do the right thing and re-adjust our schedule."

Several new screenshots of Slant Six Games' SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation have been released, showcasing a few of the game's urban battlefields.

The online multiplayer-only shooter will be available as a retail release and a PlayStation Network download on September 16.

Sony Computer Entertainment revealed that Slant Six Games' SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation (PS3) will hit retail shelves and the PlayStation Store on September 16.

In addition, SCEA director of development Seth Luisi also announced the SOCOM community site, which will feature message boards, screenshots, video, and developer blog updates. Ostensibly, the site will also serve as a stat-tracking and clan management page, similar to Halo 3's Bungie.net, when the game goes live.

Breaking its long-running silence on the first SOCOM title to hit PlayStation 3, Sony Computer Entertainment has unveiled two new screenshots and a few new details of the upcoming multiplayer-only SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation.

The shots depict a new map and a remake of the fan-favorite Crossroads, as well as a new over-the-shoulder camera perspective. The game is being handed by SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALS Tactical Strike (PSP) developer Slant Six Games, with series creator Zipper Interactive presumably playing an advisory role as it did with Tactical Strike.

"There is an option to use classic SOCOM camera," design director David Seymour assured series fans on the official PlayStation blog . "It looks and feels like the original classic camera!"

Revealed last May, Confrontation will be a downloadable effort similar to Incognito's Warhawk (PS3), which was also multiplayer-only. The title will support up to online 32 players and was originally slated to hit last fall. No new release estimate has been provided.