Bethesda struggling with Dawnguard on PS3: "This is not a problem we're positive we can solve"

Skyrim vampire add-on Dawnguard may never come to PS3, Bethesda forewarned overnight - and nor may the newly announced Hearthfire DLC, either.

There's a technical problem with Skyrim on PS3, and "this is not a problem we're positive we can solve", Bethesda's global community lead "gstaff" wrote on the company's forum.

The exact problem wasn't detailed, but it sounds like it relates back to the regretful save-game frame-rate glitch the PS3 version of Skyrim suffered at launch - and for weeks after.

Wrote "gstaff": "It's been a few weeks, and we wanted to make sure everyone knows where we're at with Dawnguard. Skyrim is a massive and dynamic game that requires a lot of resources, and things get much more complex when you're talking about sizeable content like Dawnguard. We have tried a number of things, but none of them solve the issue enough to make Dawnguard good for everyone.

"The PS3 is a powerful system, and we're working hard to deliver the content you guys want. Dawnguard is obviously not the only DLC we've been working on either, so the issues of adding content get even more complicated. This is not a problem we're positive we can solve, but we are working together with Sony to try to bring you this content.

"Dawnguard is obviously not the only DLC we've been working on either, so the issues of adding content get even more complicated."

"Gstaff", global community lead, Bethesda

"We wish we had a more definitive answer right now. We understand the frustration when the same content is not available on all platforms. When we have an update, we will certainly let you know. We deeply appreciate all the time and support you have given us, and we'll keep doing our best to return that."

When Bethesda had save-game problems with Skyrim on PS3, a Fallout: New Vegas developer came out of the woodwork with a convincing explanation of what was going on. The engine he used for Fallout: New Vegas evolved for Skyrim, but had similar problems with PS3. The developer, Josh Sawyer, also forewarned that the engine problem would be exacerbated by DLC.

Sawyer's argument, however, was shot down by Bethesda head of PR, Pete Hines. "No, it isn't true," Hines tweeted at the time. "He brings up issues we solved long ago."

This recent development doesn't necessarily mean Hines was telling fibs, but this whole situation will certainly need a lot more explaining.