Hi again! It’s great to see the positive reaction to the unveiling of system software update v2.40. We can’t wait for you to finally go hands-on with XMB access in-game and the Trophy system – and it’s less than 2 days away. Not surprisingly, a number of you have posed questions both here and on other forums. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.
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Will voice-messaging/private chat be featured in 2.40 as well? If not, can we expect to see this feature added in the future?
We are evaluating the opportunity to offer voice chat, but for this update, we wanted to focus on text messaging as the key priority for communications that our users have asked for.
Can you use the web browser in game?
No, you must exit the game before browsing the internet.
Will In-Game XMB come up during playback of PS2 games, Blu-Ray discs, and DVDs?
The XMB is an exclusive feature for PS3 game titles. Accessing the XMB during gameplay was the top request from our users, which we focused on for this update. However, we continually engage PS3 owners for feedback and will evaluate the opportunity to offer XMB access during movie playback in the future.
Can we go to the display settings and change anything there in-game (resolution, input, etc)?
No, you must exit the game before changing these settings.
Will it be possible to change in-game the sound output?
Yes, sound output changes are supported.
Will we be able to access the PLAYSTATION Store while in-game?
No, but you can view your downloads in progress.
Will we be able to stream music (either via media server or USB drive) for custom soundtracks or is it relegated to music stored on the HDD?
Currently only music stored on the HDD is accessible in games that support this feature. We’d also like to reiterate that Firmware v2.40 merely enables custom soundtracks. It’s up to developers to include this feature in upcoming games (or to patch existing ones).
Does 2.4 enable cross game invites? Will it down the line?
No, cross-game invites are not available in this system software update. We are evaluating opportunities to expand on the new features delivered in 2.40.
Will trophies be mandatory for all games release here on out?
We are working with developers to ensure that Trophies are supported across the board in the future.
Where is each player’s trophy stat info held? I am going to upgrade my hard drive and I don’t know if the trophies will still be on my account if I earn some and then get a new hard drive.
Trophies will be attached to users’ PSN ID. Trophy data needs to be synchronized to the online account on PSN to be transferred to the new PS3 system.
Will the patch automatically allocate unlocked trophies according to your saved files or would you have to do it again?
No, Trophies aren’t retroactive.
Can we view PSN profiles/Trophies from a PC using a Web browser? Will there be an API for web developers to access the PSN data, so online profiles can be created?
We’re evaluating these opportunities to expand where Trophies can be experienced.
Can you only compare trophies with friends that are online?
As long as a friend has a PSN account, you can compare trophies with them regardless of their online status.
Is there a limit to how many trophies the devs can put set by Sony?
There’s not a limit on number of trophies, but there’s a value assigned to each trophy. Developers must balance out the trophies that are available to stay within an overall value based on whether the game is considered large-scope or small-scope. Essentially, a user that has unlocked every trophy in one game would have the same level as a user that unlocked every trophy in another title, all titles (depending on scope) have the same overall impact on a users’ level.
Will new games have a cool little icon on the back saying “trophy compatible?”
We’re currently working on how Trophy support will be messaged to the consumer on our software packaging.
When you get a trophy, does it make a noise?
Currently, no.How quickly things can change – there *will* be a sound effect when you unlock a Trophy.
What is Eric’s favorite cheese?
Mozzarella
Once again, we will continue to evaluate opportunities to enhance the PLAYSTATION 3’s system software throughout the console’s life cycle. Consumer feedback has contributed greatly to the contents of Firmware v2.40, and continues to be appreciated. Don’t forget, this Firmware will be available for download on July 2nd.
gameblow:
“I have never put anyone down here on this blog. I’ve never told anyone to shut up or demeaned them in anyway at all. You do it daily because you can’t stand someone who actually takes notice of the things we’re getting screwed out of.”
classic.
seriously, let it go man, if you don’t like it, GET A [DELETED] XBOX 360!!!!
Yup, forgot to put in my post *441*
All games released now are made WITHOUT custom soundtracks. Its made for the older screen, made with no custom music. So the game HAS to be patched, cuase even with custom soudntracks out, if you dont patch the game, the game won’t recognize the difference.
@426
Please quit telling people information that you don’t have any idea about.Your polluting the blog with false info.The memory footprint on the dedicated core for the OS is less than 47mb current.The 360 is 32mb.It’s a fine system,both of them are.But you keep making up false information.Trying to look important on the blog when you not.
Folks
Just use the button on the side “contact us” to report Gamesblow.He has done nothing to the blog,but troll from day one.I’ve already contacted Jeff about him,so follow up along with me.
“But do you think the companies making the 3rd party game titles for both PS3 and 360 might just use the same trophies they’re making for 360 to use on PS3? You know, instead of having to come up with all new trophy ideas. Just a thought.”
Probably, it makes sense
@ 439
You really don’t get it do you? Man, look the problem is the ammount of ram it uses to do this across the board. Nothing else.
Has anyone ever even come out and said Microsoft has the rights to this idea? It’s absurd. Think about that… Think about putting a patent on in game music.
Do you realise the only games we can have custom music for are the ones who have install or save data on our drives or require an update that goes into our hdd’s?
They need that cache to not slow down the system. Do you understand this? The music players are then stored in a small kernal inside the game data that allows this feature. Without you got nothing.
case and point, if you have HVB delete everything… Look at the file you get from just a save and then look at the file you get after the update that allowed the music.
Hope this helps.
@436
Actually,you have no idea what Naughty Dog is going to do..Don’t speak for the company when you have no idea.
@431
See your trolling again Gamesblow..Just sell your PS3 honestly.Team Xbox called and they need you!
thanks. More proof that PS Blog and Sony care about their fans!
lol i was about to ask question #1. i kind of expected it not to be in the update, but i didnt know it was still in the cards!
so while you guys are “evaluating” can you give us a little hint? are we talking voice/video messages (you know, like a voice-mail or…..video message), or live voice/video chat?
but hey, if you can’t answer THAT question……
cross-game invites. they’re definitely in the works right? like seriously? like 2008? like, SOON?
ok, if you can’t answer THAT……..
do you guys know if we’ll be getting any more classic PS1 games or Arcade classics on the PS Store?
…..yea, dont think i’ll get an answer anytime soon……..
whatever. 2.4 ROCKS!
and lol @ last question by the way
@ 446
No, you’re wrong, Timmy. 256 mb of memory are used for the OS of the system. It is used stantionary to run applications such as web, music player, blu-ray with online features and other operations.
You are so dead wrong you’re being fit for a pine overcoat.
gamesblow got me to thinking…
He may be right…(Only on SOME things)
It’s only messaging in game, access downloads, change some settings, & jump to another game. It doesn’t look like we have music, because refer to comment 114, where Jeff replied, it looks like they are not giving us in-game music. They showed it in the video and they aren’t including it in the update…
But hey- this update is very important- no more leaving the game to see what someone messages you. What a relief! I hope we get in the future a option to join a friend if they are online in a game…
What “old” games will be aviable to unlock thopies when it coming up ??? only warhawk ???, what about uncharted, resistance and motor storm ?
@ comment 450, Its seems safe to assume Sony will work on everything you asked. We want it, so it will come. No one can deny that Sony does it. Sure it may take longer than we all want, but they do it. This was a huge update. Those things coudl be added more easily, thats all just changes to messages, this changes PSN overall. I think we can expect it in 2008 :p
Do you have to be online to unlock a Trophy? What happens if you meet the requirements for a given Trophy offline? Do you get it the next time you go online?
I hope Folklore gets trophies. I loved that game and wouldn’t mind playing through it again.
Quick question. Does this firmware support multiple logins? So if a friend is playing Warhawk with me via split screen on my PS3, can he be displayed under HIS login name now rather than mine plus the number “2”?
If not, this is a feature that’s really needed for split screen and co-op play, please!
BTW, GREAT job on the update and video! These are awesome features and it’s great to see my PS3 just getting cooler and cooler all the time!
@451
Sorry,turnip..but your wrong junior.The memory footprint after 2.30 was 47mb.It shrinks over a period of time.
Did you work on Limbo of the Lost..Cause that’s how much knowledge you have..lol
@ K2016 (394)
I meant that I agree with you, they need to add arabic as I speak it, as does a large amount of the world.
@ Ripcord84 (397) / TouchyEd (418)
I am pretty sure they could not make it s standard feature across all games (like the friends list is now) because that would be in violation of MS’s patent, so this was the only way to get around it, allowing devs to easily turn on the feature for their games.
@ gamesblow (419)
Yeah, no access to voice chat (YET), no access to internet browser (wtf are you doing on the interent while playing a game anyways?), and no access to pictures in-game. Dude what is your problem, you state the above as HUGE problems, internet? Who cares, honestly. Picture? What do you want to look at your [DELETED] while playing Uncharted or something? And voice chat is going to come later on, which is no big deal because text will do for now it works fine.
Enough of your pissy fits man they all wrap up to no logic whatsoever.
And people, if custom soundtracks can now be enabled by developers, rather then implemented like before, then what tells you that this is a RAM issue?
This is an issue of Sony trying to get around a patent, IMO.
I honestly cannot believe some people are mad at being able to access the XMB in-game! Come back to me a month from now and tell me what you said on June 30th still stands true, and that you were right.
Sorry to double post but about retroactive trophies.
The developer has to make a patch and also decide how allocate the recognition.
Would you really have that over, you know them getting the sequel out sooner?
“Why doesn’t Sony just make that little snippit of code mandatory ?
Like gamesblow said earlier, the only thing Sony knows how to mandate are 5 GB installs.”
Sony doesn’t mandate the installs rather MS mandates a lack of installs and developers have to politic for it, kind of like how developers had to pressure MS to raise the size cap on XBLA games. Sony isn’t exactly in the position to mandate a lot.
＠456
me too, I love Folklore :-)
@ 456 and 460, i just bought Folklore last week, i had a tough time finding it actaully, but its worth it
Awesome! Congratulations Sony!
Gabe Newell
Cliffy B
John Carmack
3 of the worlds leading developers all said
“PS3’s ram limits are what hinders the experience across the board. In the end, if you use all the SPE’s and the Cell to grab from both pots of ram you can yeild decent ressults, comparable to the xbox 360’s, but the ammount of time and resources to do this and map it out would be a wash.”
Case and point
@ enewtabie (458)
Are you somehow suggesting that the PS3 does not have 256 dedicated memory for the OS and 256 dedicated memory for the video ? Separate, dedicated memory architecture ?
@438
I wasn’t saying it was an excuse for Sony, sorry if it came out that way. I was just trying to say that’s probably the reason it’s not here yet. Hopefully it’ll come in the near future.
@ K2016
It is jsut that, man. A text messaging system.
I wish Eric or Jeff would come on here and say why they had in game xmb in a video they produced and showed off to everyone and then took the feature away. If they took it away edit the damn video so we never knew we had it.
All I’m saying.
To whoever’s riding my coatails.
As for the 47 mb to the OS, you are clearly out of your element, Byron. the updates, as I said, go to rearranging the ram allocations. Nothing to do with stability and to think 47 mb is running your ps3… aahaahahahahahahah, please. Tristanmike has a couple of those magic beans left if you wanna buy them.
hey jeff. i have a question:
good to know warhawk will be patched; i play it almost every time i boot up my ps3 anyway so its only more of a reason.
obviously first-party games will support trophies right? you know, the games published by YOU (sony)? like uncharted or Ratchet and Clank TOD or Resistance? thanks.
and is in-game xmb automatic for all games? or is it something that has to be patched in, like custom soundtracks and trophies?
@463
What does that mean?
@ 463
It means 3 of the worlds top developers all agree that the ps3 is limited by Sony’s own bottle neck they’ve created for themselves.
@ 463
Basically, it means this is why you don’t see those guys working on PS3 games and why multiplatform games, not built on ps3 1st look like Donkey swabs.
Hey Eric/Jeff
Just to add something more to my post 401 here on the blog. Besides the pirvate chat feature for future firmware updates here is another idea that will be great. I was thinking if you guys can allow us to so our friends,friends list. In other word allow us to see the other person’s friend list that we have on our list. Remember we apreciate everything you guys are doing,its great just giving you more ideas to make this the best gaming console.
Thanks again Eric and Jeff
You guys are going to make this console shine because of what you are doing here. Never stop listening and we will contiune to give feedback.
Cliff is with Epic(Gears of War)Like the guy since he’s local,but not a Sony fan.
Gabe Newell-
Valve’s head honcho(Remember the Orange box folks?)
John Carmack(ID fame) not a big console fan..
That’s who they are.
Not sure if anyone has asked this already (no search function), but are the trophies connected to the account, or the save file itself. Because I’m sure you are aware that many game saves (after the 2.40 update) will be available for download.
Here ya go folks..
Do you own research or ask the right folks,but please don’t pay any attention to gamesblow.You can find out plenty if you want to look or if you want to take the time,but gamesblown is just trolling..Get em Jeff!
http://www.ps3forums.com/archive/index.php/t-72470.html
This guy is keeping google in business…lol
2.4 FTW!!!
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=18&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=microsoft&s2=xbox&OS=microsoft+AND+xbox&RS=microsoft+AND+xbox
This is from the us patent office website. If you can suffer through the formalities, it really does look like microsoft has a lock on in game custom soundtracks.
What is happening now, with this whole “developers can add it if they want” is sony trying to find a loophole around micro’s patent
YES!!!! Finally. Today I was at work bummed out because… (well I was at work) and it’s only monday. Then going through the few allowed websites at my job I hit PS3fanboy and there it was… In-game XMB… YAY!! the rest of my day flew as I couldn’t wait until I got home and was able to read up in detail on the blog… Better late than never… and the lateness is ok as the results are pretty good. I’m personally very excited. One thing I do have to say is that Trophies need to be demanded by Sony for all games from here on out.
Hi Jeff,
I have a great Idea for the Playstation Brand and I’ve been trying to contact any of you in any form.
What can i do?
Can you send me an e-mail?
WOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!
@Games blow (466)-
“As for the 47 mb to the OS, you are clearly out of your element, Byron. the updates, as I said, go to rearranging the ram allocations. Nothing to do with stability and to think 47 mb is running your ps3… ahahahahahahahah, please.
…”
So you honestly think that an operating system cannot be run using 47 MB of RAM (I am operating system and not the actual features the operating system is able to run)? If you do then you have no idea how much you can do with 57 MB of RAM or even ROM. The PSP is living proof that you can do a lot with less then 50 MB of RAM (the original PSP has 32 MB of RAM by the way, and only about 10 MB of that is actually used to run the operating system).
Now I know that you are going to say that the PSP’s features do not even compare to the PS3’s, and your right, but pretty much every feature the PS3 has uses very little memory, even voice messaging (which is available on the PSP, and uses about 30 MB) uses less then 47 MB (which is WAY less then 256 MB), and the PSP does this on a 333 MHZ processor. You tell me why your PS3 cannot be run using 47 MB of RAM?
“…
All I’m saying.
…”
All I’m saying is that YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! I bet you haven’t even looked at the PS3’s files, or even attempted to reverse engineer them to ACTUALLY KNOW what they contain and why they are not fully implemented, for that fact I would bet that you don’t even know what ASM is or how to even use it. Until you do I do not think that you should be telling people what the PS3 can and cannot do!
That’s all I have to say to you!
*************************************
As for in-game music, it is totally possible to implement this fully on the PS3 (as it has been done several times using homebrew on the PSP), however, people have to realize that both SOFTWARE and HARDWARE can receive a patient!
despite all the negativity over the last 6 pages, i think its a great up date
(and in case my previous post didn’t go through.. microsoft does actually have aa patent on custom music. you can find it on the patent office’s official site under patent number 7,331,869)
*I mean 47 MB of RAM
gamesblow = super troll we all know it
I am loving the features of firmware 2.40, greater functions, better communication. There is one thing that I hope for in the future.The latest Flash support in the PS3 browser. I could not watch Eric’s video on my PS3 browser.I understand there is only so much a console can do but you gave us a web browser and a homepage that links to videos that I cannot watch.
500+ message so I’m sorry if this was mentioned but..
Novatrike is another PSN game that will have trophies added to it in it’s next (first) update.
http://www.tikigames.net/NOVASTRIKE/update_20080623.php
Cool stuff huh?
Get this game peoples if you haven’t already.
PSN – ThEosSiE
Holla
Thank you!
My comments aren’t posting…
Novastrike will be adding Trophies as well..
Novastrike should’ve been the 1st game to get them. It smokes SSD ass and roates it twice.
On the in-game xmb, if i’m in a game does it notify me if someone left me a message or do I have to just go into xmb to check for messages?
Why are Trophies retroactive? I’ve played through Uncharted, and the game save is mine, on every difficulty and gotten everything, and now you tell me I have to play through the game again to unlock everything that I’ve already gotten through before?
I love the update, but seriously, this part sucks. Couldn’t you have done it like DMC4 where the system recognises that the save wasn’t made on the system and disables achievements?
This is all good stuff, thanks Sony.
OMG thank you Sony…some people are complaining that about what it doesn’t do…I am just happy about what it will do. THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE QUICK RELEASE!!!!!