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.
849
You’ve clearly never used an XBOX 360 if you believe that the Sony implementation of “in-game XMB” has the same features as the XBOX360 in-game options.
It’s not even close.
Gamesblow and Ed, you guys are saying that this was a waste of time and they haven’t deivered on a FIFTH of what we asked for? How the hell can you even think that? We wanted friends list access, we got it. Reply to that? Music access, we got it. Reply to that? No, you won’t, you will complain about something else like not getting voice chat yet.
Almost all games allow you to mute the games music, and keep the sfx. That’s what he did there, went to PJM sound options, muted their music, and selected a song from his HDD. He clearly said its still a concept, watch the video again since you yourself said you only watched it once.
Now you say the videos are misinforming people about 2.4s features! Next up; more whining.
@TouchyEd
You really believe your own BS don’t you? Wow!! We’ll be free of you and the others like you soon enough…
#854
We didn’t get music access. We got the potential for future music access if companies decide to add it.
So please, stop fricking say that we got music access.
Even Eric admits that they didn’t add that.
@ Submish
Only thing I am lobbying for is for sony to get their damn act together. I don’t care what system you buy or they buy. I know which ones I play and which ones get my time while gaming.
@ Navito
No one is saying that the trophies aren’t better than achievement points. Not at all. What I think we’re saying is what good are they when only “SOME” games are supporting it? See, sony doesn’t mandate this stuff. Microsoft does. Do you think the guy buying Untold legends is going to be able to partake in the trophy system?
No. No they’re not. What if that is the only game he bought? I guess that “Trophy” system isn’t so super to him is it?
just like this 2.40 update isn’t super to me or many others.
think about it.
I’m not going to argue with you any further Sentry. You’re an ignorant twit who keeps saying the same incorrect things over and over, despite being corrected again and agin.
We’ve proven you wrong so many times but you just keep coming back to the same completely false points.
I don’t think 2.40 was a waste of time. But it was certaily disappointing after an 18 month wait.
We deserved better.
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VOICE MESSAGING
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PRIVATE CHAT
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CROSS-GAME INVITE SYSTEM
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I agree with this list. :)
:-P
Still TIME GUYS !!!!!
XMB IN GAME VOICE CHAT
CROSS GAME
Sony is hearing US !!!
GOGOGOGOGOGOG
Gamesblow and touchyEd
guys guys guys , calm down.. it just a game console … you know to have fun ? and being entertained, you guys are getting very upset.
You spend a lot of time posting your toughs ,ok its cool, its feedback but its becoming on a non constructive critique. Obviously you guys dont like the PS3 and dont like the official support ,OK its cool, just dont use it.
Simple as that,play with another console and thats it.
You are not forced to play it !!
Come on guys ! lets play for fun and entertainment !
Oh and yes ,im biased.
Ok, if you deserve better, then dont come here. Jeez, both of you should jump into bed together and give each other reach arounds, you’re like two babies complaining.
@ Sentry (816)
I absolutely see where you’re coming from and I harbor no ill will towards you, in any way, shape, or form, nor were any of my “fanboi” comments made directly at you. In fact, I appreciate those who are willing to go all out in the things that are important to them.
About the in-game voice chat, again, where’s the proof ? Because Sony said it was coming ? Please ! It wouldn’t be the first time Sony hyped something they never had… *cough* original model PS3 *cough* Sony needs to “Show, or roll over”
Now, if it’s that simple, just a flip of a switch or a check in a box to implement In-Game Custom Soundtracks, then make it MANDATORY. If it’s true that Microsoft holds the Holy Grail of In-Game Custom Soundtracks due to the nature of a player playing atop of a game, and Sony needs to do it this way, fine, but make it MANDATORY. Go “around” Microsoft. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had to.
I highly doubt that SquareEnix is going to allow Custom Soundtracks for their Flagship, Final Fantasy 13, if they do, I’ll be the first to applaud them. But, if I recall correctly, some key people over there have already spoken about their dislike for such a feature. They feel it takes away from the hard work that the composers do with their music. Granted, there is no doubt a lot of work, blood, sweat and tears that goes into the grand symphonies of a game like Final Fantasy, I however do like to play my own music over it sometimes, and it sucks that they are the ones who get the final decision on this.
Trying to say that “People asked for In-Game XMB and they got it” means nothing if you still have to quit the game to do the things you wanted the In-Game XMB for ! It’s pointless. All this for connecting my Bluetooth and messaging friends ?
And that “free” comment… with things like Qore, I question how long it will remain like that.
I am very happy to see that Sony has decided to actually listen to, consider, and take action on our suggestions and opinions. It’s a very smart that I wish more companies would make.
Concerning Firmware update 2.4, I wonder how big the download will be, and at approximately what time the download will be available.
The other question I have is if we will be able to change our PS3’s resolution settings with the In-Game XMB. For instance, if we pop in a game that only supports 720p but we’ve got it set to 1080p, and it automatically defaults to 480p – will we be able to bring up the XMB, go to settings, display, and then change the resolution type and output for the system?
I’m excited about this. =)
Sentry is right. It is he who has proven you both wrong time and time again not the other way around.
I have a friend who has a 360, we have always both agreed that the 360 has better features for online gamers, but he has said that people over rate the 360. Many of the features have to be paid for, such as playing online, we get that free, getting the top downloads when they come out, oh wait we get that free.
I bought my PS3 because I didn’t like the 360 I wanted something different.
@ Sentry
What in the heck is wrong with you? WE DON’t HAVE IN GAME MUISC!!!! What we have is what we’ve always had and that is the Developers choice and a wing and prayer.
That is all we have.
As I said. Do you think the people with games like Lair, Untold Legends, Stranglehold and so forth and so on are ever going to get in game music or even Trophy support? No, they’re not. Some people, believe it or not, only buy garbage games or mediocre games like Genji 2. what happens when those people are on level 1 and everyone else is on level 5 or 8 cause they were buying commercially successful games?
& the other guys weren’t?
Reply to that. Do you understand that while Trophy’s are cool and the concept is cool to us, the people who buy lots of games, it’s still not viable to the casual player who only buys Dark Sector? games like that. I hope you wake up soon.
I am not complaining, here really happy about the update, but only say that
cross game invites will be great if they put it at 2.40. there are a lot of god games as COD4 that hasnt this option so if sony creates it a lot of games will become on great games.
thank you and regards
vanace
@ gamesblow if the father of playstation where still her this would of not happen …
PS3 is getting its butt kicked by Wii and Xbox 360 …..they dont even drop the price to match the wii …..so what if they lose alot of money on that ideal in the end they will make up the lost in proifts .
and 60 dollars for a blu ray game thats way to much for a game ….thats why i buy used games at gamestop…..cost lest and it dont hurt me in the money .
sony’s not seeing that the U.S. stock markets are not doing so good and the price of oil is very high …people are going to close gas over games once oil hits 200 dollars next year . sont’s is not play smart here .
@ 858
LMAO! Dude, if you see, they could have added in-game music for all games, as shown in the video. But that would be in violation of MS patent, so they are letting developers enable the feature.
That video was of an earlier version of the FW, where all games could use in-game music. Why would they remove that and let devs enable the feature instead? One explanation.
Explain to me how in the hell are they are ‘not even delivering a 5th’ of what we asked for on in-gme XMB? We asked for friends, they gave it to us, the other half? Music, they gave it to us, and they gave us more like some settings and whatnot.. How are they only delivering a fifth of our requests?
That is pure ignorance, my friend.
@ FERSIS
No, man. It’s not like that at all. I just want people to understand while this update was good for them. the trophy system is ideal for them, it isn’t for everyone.
As I have stated in my last few post. And until Eric, Jeff, Noel or Grace can tell me how those people are going to run neck and neck with people who buy lots of games and more over commercial games, I’m still going to be a bit puzzled. Sorry if you don’t understand that.
@508
gamesblow, you seriously need to relax. think about it; why would 1st party games NOT be patched if SONY is the one that publishes them? i expect resistance, ratchet and clank, uncharted, heavenly sword, and warhakw (already announced =D) to be patched.
i also think MGS4 will be patched, since Metal Gear Online is supposed to be “expanded” through the PS Store anyway. one developer that i’m really doubting will patch is Infinity Ward. They still haven’t answered our cries to have a dualshock 3 supporting patch; i doubt they’ll add trophies until they do that first.
and ERIC or JEFF or ANYBODY WHO CAN ANSWER ME!!!!
do you think you could have that cool Playstation Network icon animation appear as part of the notification messages? i’m referring to the one at the beginning of this video:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33595.html
you know, like have that animation appear every time we unlock a trophy or when we receive a friend message alongside the whole notification message? you know, just a little more flashy and nice!
and i’m really looking forward to this update: but please tell me we’ll get cross-game invites and cross-game voice/video chatting and messaging very soon!
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CROSS-GAME INVITE SYSTEM
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Everyone let Sony know they need to implement these features if they want a GREAT online service.
These should of been implemented with the IN-GAME XMB. That was one of the main purposes of the IN-GAME XMB!
Will there be any way to turn off Trophy Notifications? I mean, that’s the reason I left Xbox Live, I hate achievements, and what they do to people. So I guess I can’t really get rid of Trophies, but I want to be able to complete ignore their existance.
@ vanace thats just BS talking ……sony will do nothing to get the makers on this in-game crap …they dont care all they care about is making money .
all the old PS3 games are not going to get patched just watch and you will see ….like COD4 they never said that once the in-game XMb comes out they are going to patch the game .
This is a great, great, great update. Can’t wait to download this update when it is release.
2.40 is looking great! But one of the biggest problems of the PS3 is that the user interface limits its usability. The XMB works great for few movies and music, but when you have a large collection it gets very painful to browse the files. You guys should inspire on Apple TV GUI, at least for music and videos. Add the ability to browse six columns of video and add the ability to search to our library.I really try to use My PS3 to watch a lot of videos (I actually encode my dvds to mp4 so they are always on my PS3) but the user interface sucks so bad I’m considering buying an Apple TV only because of the easier interface. Please Sony, do something about it, I want to have only the PS3 at my living room, but I’ll only do so if it gets usable enough for everything it was designed for, not only games and blu-ray, but music and videos in a very comfortable user interface. Maybe in 2.50?
Private chat? You can have private chat, in the lobby join a party with your friends, in game join a squad or mute other players. It doesn’t take too much effort.
Xenosaga, COD4 still isn’t patched for our Dualshock 3’s even. No way in hell they’re going to patch in game music for us.
In fact, 97% of all the games released won’t get music patched. Wait and see.
Motorstorm needs a damn patch but since we have to wait on word from Evolution I guess it’s safe to say it’s not going to happen.
Like Trophies for that game. Trophies for Resistance. Hell, what about Heavenly Sword? How is that going to get a patch, Sony? I mean, you ran Ninja Theory out of your studios.
I’d love an answere for these questions.
@ 863
Glad you understand me. I don’t need proof, if you look around dig into the past, previews, rumors etc. You will find out the answer, which is that they are working on it. You think they are not? But time will tell anyways, so I don’t need to prove it or anything.
And read post 869, like I said it could have been across all games, but why wasn’t it? One reason; patent.
@ 866
I don’t know about you, but I don’t really play ‘Lair, Untold Legends, Stranglehold’ and whatnot anymore. I am playing games coming out now, MGS4, GTA IV, Socom, etc. Those titles will get support, so before you complain about not getting something for games no one plays anymore, remember where peoples priorities are right now.
*sigh*
Again, some people here are just like infants. They beg for a toy, they finally get their hands on it, and then they cry and want something else. This is what is happening. You whined, they gave you what you want, and now you complain about something else.
How ridiculous.
At 873: “all the old PS3 games are not going to get patched just watch and you will see ….like COD4 they never said that once the in-game XMb comes out they are going to patch the game .”
Burnout Paradise has already been confirmed to get it, and Konami have always stated their intention to use this feautre, in fact it is them who have been lobbying for it.
@ gamesblow even the makers of Resistance said that there not going to patch Resistance for the Trophies ….thats just BS there
@871 they will do cross in-game invites. They will do all of that, well maybe. If Sony has got this far to give us in game XMB. they will probably give us more in the future. i dont think it will stop here.
@Sentry
“I don’t know about you, but I don’t really play ‘Lair, Untold Legends, Stranglehold’ and whatnot anymore. I am playing games coming out now, MGS4, GTA IV, Socom, etc. Those titles will get support, so before you complain about not getting something for games no one plays anymore, remember where peoples priorities are right now.”
One of the biggest mistakes you’ve made so far. You couldn’t be a PR guy for a Walmart, let alone Sony.
You don’t play those games, huh? Well, some people do. you are not the world, as I am not the world on this blog. See how that works?
Some people can only afford used games. Older games. Some can only afford them cause the PS3 was so damn expensive. Do they buy GTA4 brand new for 65 bucks or do they get Untold legends, Strangle hold, Lair and others for 15 bucks a pop off of Amazon or at Gamestop?
don’t ever alienate a core audience to your system. that is why trophies won’t work. Wake up from your dream world.
this update is great, but a few more setting features would have been nice.
i like how you can register bluetooth headsets; very nice.
but if i have a game that only supports 1080p and my TV settings are at 720p only, and i want to upscale without quitting the game, it would be nice if i could do that.
and a cross-game invite system and cross-game voice/video chatting are really the make-or-break features that we need sony! ok ok, in-game VIDEO chatting may be a bit of a stretch, but cross-game invites and cross-game private voice-chat is really what i need the most. i hope i dont have to wait until this holiday when Home comes out to get these features. especially after waiting so long for this update and finding out it doesn’t include these features.
if Sony is going to stress “in-game communications” so much then those two features should have been obvious.
but i’m not going to complain much: at least Sony actually listens to feedback and delivers on it, which is something you cant say for many other companies.
thanks for listening to our feedback by delivering in-game xmb and trophies, Sony. now could you do deliver again soon and give us cross-game invites and cross-game private voice chat? thanks!
Thanks for clarifying some of that up. Though I would like to see a more extensive list of games that are already out which will be trohpy enabled. Like, Super Stardust HD isn’t even listed on the other one yet it was shown in the video.
Are trophies supported offline as well?
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to tell the truth sony, i wouldnt even mind a delay to E3 to get these features. once we get them i know i’ll be happy! as long as the wait isnt too long (like i said, a push to E3 wouldnt be so bad)
@ Sentry (869)
There you go again, saying that it is violating an MS patent, something just earlier you said you didn’t know for sure, but thought was “logical”.
This is a prime example of why Microsoft gets away with the things they get away with.
They keep saying that Linux violates it’s patents, they even convinced some major Linux people to pay them money so that Microsoft didn’t sue it’s users.
Well, have they ever proven that they own these patents ? No.
Have they even made clear what patents Linux violates ? No.
Have they ever sued me, using a distribution of Linux that hasn’t ponied up the money, and outright stands defiant against Microsoft ? No.
Will they ever ? No.
Why ? Because they are full of crap. And with statements like that, you are proving yourself full of crap too. You can’t say that you don’t know something, then defend the argument for it.
One explanation ? How about the PS3 has trouble doing it due to the nature of the architecture ? Isn’t that another, “logical” explanation ? Maybe the PS3 isn’t the “powerhouse” we were led to believe it was ? Isn’t that a “logical” conclusion ?
They did NOT GIVE US MUSIC. They gave us something the devs already had access to, but just wrapped it in a different package.
@ Xenosaga
yup, not going to happen. Everything is forward thinking at Sony man. They got our money for all these games and now they want to ensure we spend more money moving on down the line.
Why patch Resistance? We’ll just make that feature for Resistance 2! Why patch Motorstorm, since it’s fundamentally the same game no one will buy 2 if we do.
I know what sony is doing. And only have Stardust as the game to break us into Trophies, what kind of horse $#*T is that? I don’t even like SSD, man. And only 300,000 people even have it if that. so basically 13 million Ps3 owners are assed out until they get off their asses and patch more games for trophy use.
God I miss Ken, Phil and Mark Cerny.
@everyone who has an issue with the ingame music. i totally aggree with you but what is going to happen nothing….there not going to change it its basically rubbish. 2.40 update consists of what TEXT thats TEXT messeging to your friends and trophies that will not come alive until about a year. no exsisting games are going to be patched wait correction no good 3rd party games i.e orange box,gta iv, mgs4 it just sucks its horrible becuase ive been a loyalist since the ps1, and now im so tempted to buy an xbox. the sad thing is that every game i own for the ps3 is on xbox apart from metal gear solid 4. this just plainly sucks in my opinion.
why sony why? YOU DONT EVEN GIVE US AN EXPLINATION ON WHY INGAME MUSIC AND VOICE MESSEGING IS LEFT OUT OF THE UPDATE YOU JUST HAVE SAID NO. you havn’t listend at all !!
Question still is … Can you opt out of the trophy system
Please say yes please!!!
…..let’s hope this update doesn’t break something else that’s currently working with no problems !
@882
i think you lost your mind man. I dont think sony can hold a pisto to developers head and say PATCH THIS GAME NOW!!!! It’s up to the devs. They can talk to the devs and say, back us up with a patch to make our firmware update game library a little more bigger, but thats all they can do. It’s only that if the devs dont want to, then they dont want to. Devs are busy too don’t you know.
@ Tristanmike
“One explanation ? How about the PS3 has trouble doing it due to the nature of the architecture ? Isn’t that another, “logical” explanation ? Maybe the PS3 isn’t the “powerhouse” we were led to believe it was ? Isn’t that a “logical” conclusion ?”
Yes, yes it is. Actually the best answer for the subject matter.
As I said, in game music has to be patched by the individual developer cause only the individual developer knows how the ram allocations go for the system while their game is playing.
You all might not like to hear this but it is true.
The gamer can’t say alright I’m going to play GTA4 and it’s only going to use this much ram while doing it to use in game music. The developers have to code a path to your hdd’s and in doing so set up a music player inside their own game.
This is why you don’t see it outside of Dev only support. It’s because the ps3 is limmited by their own shallow ram wells.
@ 889
Sorry I don’t need to be a PR person, nor do I try to be… In-game music is not going to be put in a title like stranglehold, because the developers won’t see the need, it is now an old game, and people dont really play it. Why would they waste their time? I honestly dont care if EVERY game is not supported for in-game music, only the ones people are playing. Not EVERY game needs it though, mind you. I don’t want it in a game like MGS4, where I would want it in a game like Warhawk.
@ 887
Well then would you like to explain to me why they are not allowing music for all games? It IS POSSIBLE, as the earlier FW video shows, but they are allowing developers to turn that feature on, because of…? Why? Only explanation in my mind is patents for the feature. Explain to me what the other reason could be? There i no other reason. Blaming it on the RAM makes no sense, since that is proven wrong in the video shown…
hey PS BLog!
since you just added a sound to the notification message for trophy support, do you think you could make things a bit more flashy by adding the little playstation network icon animation to the notification messages? i’m talking about the PS Network icon animation at the beginning and end of this video:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33595.html
you know, just to make things more flashy. so when i get a notification messgae (like if i get a trophy or if a friend messages me), that little animation will play in the top right hand corner with a little sound and then the notification message will appear!
idk, small favor, at least consider?
@ Sentry
As a matter of fact, I JUST bought Untold Legends on the cheap because I didn’t have enough cash for something new. 20 bucks for the game was OK to me, and me and a friend are playing it whenever his wife lets him come out to play.
So bullocks to, “people don’t play those games”.
And I LOVED Lair. Would love to have yet another reason to play it again. But alas, only for nostalgia now.
@ The mangone
See, it shouldn’t have to be this way!! It should’ve been a manditory thing since the ps3’s launch. the ps3 is a broken system and that is why it is placed 3rd in the market.
Microsoft has unification across the board. All games support achivments. All of them. Even Sneak King for ***** sakes! PS3 games,
“maybe they will… I mean, it is really up to the developers.”
You mean, developers who are too lazy to code for the ps3’s multiplatform games so they look even close to the xbox 360’s versions? C’mon, man.
@894 yea i understand what you mean on a game like metal gear solid 4 but, and this is a big but, we dont actually have the option if we wanted to do we, and yes you may not want it in that game but others may and if they do they cant end of story. that is what i find insulting.
@889
They are still working on the PSN. Do you honestly think they cant do another firmware update To better facilitate things? This is just the starting, Take it easy guys. I would love those things too, but it does take time to implement those things, test it out, make sure it doesnt screw with other things, ect, ect. I mean if its easy to do all the things you and us ask for why arent you working for sony. you can probably deliver all these things in no time.
Great update but I’m still hoping for cross game invites, cross game Voice chats, and a better solution to custom soundtracks
correction was at 894 ^