Probably coincidental. After every firmware update, some claim that problems began after the firmware update was downloaded. So, surely all of those people can't be lying. I can see updating my system, and having some oddball internet setting be changed that I had previously set, causing me to not be able to connect online.

But - this one game, "Pro Evolution Soccer 2008", was recently released everywhere but U.S.A., and there are major issues with it. Stuttering gameplay, systems having to be rebooted, it's just a poorly tested game. Apparently, the issues are for people using standard, non-HDMI TV's though.

So as you can see, it can very easily happen when people try and rush games out. Sad part is, COD4 had a long-running beta test with zero problems. It figures that they start having problems when the actual game comes out. Tsk Tsk.

I highly doubt your system will be bricked by the game, and am sure they are working on patches and fixes for the internet problems in the game. It's easy for people to blame a broken PS3 on whatever game was in the system the last time they played it.