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.
@ TristanMike
See, atleast someone knows what’s up around here. Untold legends, Lair and Conan are 3 of my favorite games that were not commercial hits. Will I get support for these games? Hell no. But it’s alright, cause Sentry doesn’t play those games anyways.
Sentry, you might not but some people do and some people play them cause it’s all they can afford at any 1 given time until they can get something else.
Oh, wait, the gamer who lives by nominal means isn’t important to Sony. That’s right.
@ Sentry (894)
They showed us on Pixel Junk Monsters, a friggin’ PSN game. It’s like 200 MB and I’d be surprised if it even used all of the video RAM, let alone any of the OS RAM. Why didn’t he show it while playing Gran Turismo Prologue ? Perhaps because he was playing a patched version of Pixel Junk Monsters ? One that hasn’t been announced yet ?
I can’t explain it, because I don’t know. I can only make assumptions, like yourself. What I do know is that they did NOT GIVE US MUSIC. They gave us what we already have, but a different way of doing it.
Back my question on on a question:
Milamber, back on Post four hundred and eight (408), had a great question … any answer how that works guys?
Original Question by Milamber:
“Milamber | June 30th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Great update, been looking forward to it for awhile!
My only concerns are about in game XMB during play of ps1 and ps2 games, since I’ve been playing through some ps2 games lately and missing out on game invites from friends.
I also have a friend using a 40 gig system, would be great to get BC functionality for these users too!”
786
XD9 | July 1st, 2008 at 7:33 am
@deafwing
you just touched on a good point…I own a launch PS3 with the 4 usb ports, media card slots AND backwards compatibility…(OFF SUBJECT A SECOND) for those of you that still think you got screwed @ launch buying your $600 machines…look at everything taken away from the launch system and shut your mouth!!!!!
now on that note i do hope some how some way they can add a BD function to post launch systems…its a cool feature”
answer: looks like the answer is no for now. Still its good that you guys updated the faq and promise to investigate that add on for a later date. Keep on giving Sony, we love you for that.
So, the best way to get in-game music (for games like Sonic, or Armored Core, which will never get a freaking patch for anything…) is still an external sound mixer connected to a ps3 and an ipod…
Thanks Sony; maybe you have some cheap 2-track sound mixer to complement my less-than-self-sufficient super-powered ps3…
@ 896
Yup I love Lair too, and I hope it gets in-game Music too. But if the major games get it, then that enough for me. It is not the end of the world if I can’t dance to Bam Bam while owning AI noobs in Lair, you know what I mean?
Main thing is that I can now talk to friends while im in a game, without leaving. And more importantly, add new friends I meet in a game, without leaving the game.
You guys are making it seems like that is a bad thing, when really its great to finally be able to do such a thing.
@ 898
Yeah that is true, but it’s up to the devs to allow it or not, not Sony. Games dont need a patch to use in-game XMB, and they didn’t need a patch for in-game music either, but Sony made it that way. WHY? Only logical reason IMO is patents.
Accuse me while I try to cut in front of the garbage and ask a ?
When someone sends a friends request, will I get notified in game? Than can I just add them while in game? I can’t really remember who TH3449849053dkj is after 5 hours of gaming.
If the features of Xbox were so good and wanted. It would have not come in fifth last month. ;)
To sum up:
Xbox Live friends communication.
Does anyone have a two day trial membership I can use?
@Gamesblow
Ask yourself this. If Sony and microsoft launch their system the same year. who would be in last place, who would be in first place, and lets not forget about the wii. where would the wii be? The wii would still be in first and the fight for second would be closer than it is now. They had a unification game list with in game, ect, ect. I have a 360 and i still play my PS3 way more than the 360. Dont tell me about what microsoft does right because i know first hand what microsoft does wrong. Making the 360 with interface in game and unifying the buddy list is great. i know its a great thing. i still can play my PS3 with not having those features. I have a lot of fun. I play games thats why i have a PS3 and a 360. I dont have a 360 because they can do something a little better or the PS3 because it can do a little less in that department. I have more fun on my PSN than on LIVE, to each his own maybe it is the opposite for you.
Yay a Trophy unlock sound effect. I hope it has a nice ring to it, kinda like when you enter the PS Store.
^^^^^
@ that question
It is a good question, but i dont know if this has been patched or what but why cant we be logged into PSN while playiong PS2 and PS1 games?
is it becuase PS2 have some games taht are online thus it would be a different network that its on? i think that it
I suggest you guys read this before complaing, all of it.
http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/885/885177p1.html
Hey I have a question that I have been wondering about, and my question is this…Ok so we know you have to replay all your games to earn the trophies, BUT, say you do that, you receive some trophies, but won’t people still be able to cheat if they just copy that game data with trophies unlocked????…Or will the option to copy game data just be disabled since the update???…Please answer me guys. Thanks.
@ WHAT (908)
Yeah you get notifications of messages, friend requests etc. Then you can add and message that person while in-game.
@870 gamesblow
Its cool, but you cant do anything to please everyone ! :D
You must understand that 2.40 is a really good step on the right way BUT as eric said there is still a lot of room to improvement.
So dont get upset, you should be happy that SONY SCEA is really really paying atention at what customers want.
SCEA is fixing and updating the OS that SCEI did ,and you and all know ,japanese developers arent the best for online stuff :D
And reducing like 16MB of memory footprint is not a easy task !!!
BTW the memory footprint of the OS with ingame XMB is smaller than before. (Just a head up)
But this is not about technical stuff, this is about fun and entertainment.
Cheer man.
@Themangone
IF and IF means IF in my world, man. Right now Ps3 is sitting at the bottom of the 9th, they’re down 3 runs and they’re the ones pitching.
Doesn’t look good, does it?
ok it is impossible to restart warhawk without a new PSN account and you can not download a warhawk game save cuz all that it has in it is you favorite servers paint schemes and armor your stats are all server side so will anyone that is high ranked in warhawk just loos out or will online stats actually BE retroactive?
continuing my post from above. From what i recall i am not being charge to play online on PSN, but i am on Live. I heard it all already, Trust me i have. If you love live so much never look back, but dont come here telling Sony that they have messed up on a firmware update. From what i have seen, they have been doing their part on getting everything right. If they didnt want to give gamers what they want. this update wouldnt have exist.
y’know the sad thing is i was really looking forward to this update. i was looking forward to thrashing people online on tekken whilst listening to NiN. but no we have to wait for the devs to patch the game which will erm not happen and anyway whos to say that devs will do it in the future ??? i mean if its up to them they may deem it as not needed and leave it out then where are we oh yea were at 2.36
2.40 = 2.36 + 0.04 NULL EFFECT
@913
i think sony is smart enough not to allow that to happen.
I think its on a separate data from your gamesave. idk much about this stuff but i think it will be on a separate place on your HDD away from your saved data
@ Sentry (907)
Well, I do care that I can Bam Bam to Livin’ La Vida Loca while owning AI noobs in Lair. See that’s how life works, sometimes, people like different things than you, (like my friend who seems to adore the game PAIN), and you should be supportive of their wants if you expect anyone to be supportive of yours.
Anyway, my comment about wanting to play Lair again, was in reference to the Trophies it probably won’t get. I can’t say for absolute certainty, but by the way things move on the Sony front, I can say with assurance.
And it is a good thing that I don’t have to quit a game to message a friend. It’s very good. But it’s also something that should have been there from the start, and it’s also really the only thing this update does.
@907
No, the reason games need patches is because Sony made an update to the development SDK. Current games were not designed to take advantage of this feature because it did not exist when they were programmed. The reason all Xbox 360 games support in-game soundtracks is because that feature was a part of the 360 SDK from the beginning and M$ ordered all devs to use it.
You can’t get a general patent for a concept like in-game soundtracks any more than you can get a general patent for the concept of a graphical user interface or the concept of a word processor. I don’t know why this is so hard for everyone to grasp.
July 2! Is the begining of the end for Xbox 360!!!
go sony go!
@tretle
first of all dude…dont come attacking me if i didnt attack you first…thats called “childish antics”
secondly…i use Linux cuz its a kick ass STABLE O/S unlike the “standard” used in PC’s today
nowhere in my statements did i say i didnt understand the FOSS concept…i do…do i contribute and code for Linux? absolutely not…the C and C++ language is beyond my comprehension…can i run the operating system and install the apps i want? yes! can i make the apps? NO…and i have no problem saying that…and if you truly code for Linux…then dude more power to you and make some killer apps…im not a child that pisses and moans about making apps so dont make a comparison about someone when you dont know the first thing about them
thirdly…when did i ever say i was satisfied with this update???????????????????????
the PS3 is NOT a perfect system and if you stopped to read my posts rather then come full force at me you wouldnt have said S__T to me…so why dont you get off YOUR high horse…read a post or 2 and STFU
oh and PS. the only thing i have told people to do is stop adding fuel to the fire with GAMESBLOW…GAMESBLOW DOES NOT = TRETLE
@ Themangone
I am 100% happy that you’re happy, man. But the only thing is, I’m not happy and many others aren’t either.
What is good for you might not be good for others. Like i was telling Sentry, many people don’t have the money to buy certain games so they’re scrwed all together on this update.
If you don’t have Stardust you are forced to buy it because it is the only game supporting trophies???? That seems really balanced, doesn’t it? The game isn’t even good that’s the best part. Novastrike, PJM, everyday Shooter those are good games. SSD is garbage and I wouldn’t buy it if I didn’t already have it and I encourage others to not buy it just to see Trophies.
It was sony’s ploy to do this to get sales up for the crap ass game.
-I had to buy triggers for my ps3 cause they didn’t come with propper ones.
-I had to buy hdmi cables for my ps3 because they didn’t come with any hd cables at all. Not even componets.
-I had to buy a bigger hdd because of mandatory installs on every game because the 60gb hdd that came with it just wasn’t big enough.
See where this is going?
Wow, a lot of happy to start posting but after almost a thousand posts there is a lot less smiling going on.
@ gamesblow go get your 360 and start being happy. no need for you to be in a Sony’s blog if you dont like what you are seeing. Screw Sony for that matter. If i dont like what i am seeing i turn the other way. apparently you arent a gamer and dont care about games. you care more about a service than games, which isnt completely bad, but Games are what started me liking consoles. therefore i care more about games. Thanks Sony you are doing a GREAT JOB. 3 thumbs up if i had an extra hand.
smaller text on top rights(logins log outs)
Text to be ready by scrolling markee on top of screen while play incase online
Lol, well that’s the end of it then!
We got we wanted, and this is only the first step to more awesomeness. Next up, cross game invites & voice chat in-game.
Adios, can’t wait until they put the FW on the official PS website so I can DL it already..
What are the chances of the trophy system being enhanced with the release of Home? At the moment, this just seems like a slightly more polished version of the 360’s achievement system. But Home could really add a new level to the trophy system.
Imagine gold and platinum trophies unlocking unique items for your Home. Example: Maybe a platinum trophy for MGS4 gives you an Arcade machine in your Home that plays the NES Metal Gear game. Or a gold trophy in Gran Turismo gives you a remote control race car. Or a gold trophy in Little Big Planet gives you stuffed animals of the characters.
Any game that has a follow up on the way will not be patched.
Tekken 6
Resistance 2
Motorstorm 2
etc, etc, etc
Why would Sony want you swiming in the old games when you could be buying the new ones!!!!!!
They wouldn’t and they won’t. Trust me, no game in your collection will be patched for music or trophies. PSN games, maybe. They’re so small it shouldn’t be too much trouble.
this is why Phil Harison left Sony, by the way. He was tired of Waiting too.
I am hard pressed to believe even GTA4 will get a patch for trophy support or music support now that Konami has said they don’t plan to support it with MGS4.
Guys, would you really want customizable soundtrack on Lair?
Lair is one of my favorite PS3 games, and the music on the game is amazing.
There are games which I want the option for CS, such as racing games, but certain game developers hire professionals to create mood-enhancing music for the games, and to ditch that for some tunes, kills part of the effect of the game. It’s almost, though not exactly, like turning off the sound effects in a game and having a friend adding his own sound effects on the side, or like turning the visual off and having your friends make up the action on the game.
The only games that I use CS on my 360 are racing games. It’s really not as cool a feature as some people make it seem, and it has never been a system seller or breaker for me. If Custom Sountracks had been available in the days of NES, SNES, and PS1, no one would know the memorable themes of Zelda, or Final Fantasy 7, because everyone would ditch the hard-efforts of the music composers for their own tunes.
I think too many people are raising hell over a feature that could potentially make companies spend less money on developing memorable music for games.
@925 gamesblow.
I can understand your problems man. trust me we arent all wealthy and we dont have the money sometimes to get what we want at the time we want. When stating something like that is completely valid. To throw in Microsoft in it, it isnt good to support your argument. You are trying to compare one company to the another company. they both bring a lot to the table. both have things and the other doesnt. If you want me to compare both, i shall. I have the 60 gigger. No hdmi, free psn, ect, ect. everyone knows the deal
360 has 20 gigs, 50 dollars to play online with friends, horrible hardware, ect ,ect everyone knows the deal with that. They really isnt a point anymore to argue what one system brings and what the other doesnt.
I do understand that older games might not be supported, but is that really sony’s fault? Sony cannot do anything, except talk to 3rd party devs and say can you patch this game and support trophies, in game music, ect.
I think you are barking at the wrong tree. You should go to the 3rd party devs site and complain at them. the more you say it to them. the more they will consider it.
Gamesblow, you are just a 360 fanboy. just get over yourself. Did Phil Harrison leave you a memo on why he left? LOL. whatever man i just hope you play games instead of talking so much.
@ Sindred
It isn’t a matter of Want, it’s a matter of would like to have the option.
Gamer 2.0 man… Phil’s dream. What went wrong? Everything.
I agree that wouldn’t use it on every game down the piple line but give me the option. Give me the choice. I have the option of playing music while watching a movie in my home, give me the option to do it with my games in game.
Motorstorm needs it, man. I’m sorry it does. It has the worst music I’ve ever heard. It is absolute garbage and filth and just an ear infection away from turning it off.
Burnout Paradise is getting a patch July 10th for custom soundtracks, among other goodies.
Gamesblow
I have to agree with that. Motorstorm severly needs it. And I guess I can see what you mean… Better to have it and not use it, than not have it at all,
But Motorstorms tunes definitely could have benifited from that option.
Play music while you watch a movie? Cmon man get real, all you do is whine about stupid shii. You must be one of those farts in a windstorm gamesblow.
@TristanMike
and dude i hear ya on the “sketchy line”…i dont get it either…not saying again that GB directly insulted anyone maybe i needed to clarify that…but its blatantly obvious that he/she doesnt make the situation any better
ive said before this blog community is 90% 12yr olds that love the idea of being “internet gangsters”…more power to them but when subjects get twisted and distorted and become personal and off topic it should be diffused and ended or ignored…otherwise its back to being a 12yr old internet ganster for everyone…and im an adult who wont play childish games
and on another point you raised…free speech is great in the “real” world but here i was banned once for a benign(in my opinion) comment i made against SONY’s bulls__t hype factor…so you see our concept of free speech and censorship is WAY different from SONY’s….thats why i said before being negative is fine…im negative at times…its not what you say its how you say it
and another thing…do yourself a favor and buy a 360…the new ones have the post “RROD” modifications…you wont be disappointed…like a previous statement of mine, i said what the 360 doesnt give me the PS3 does and what the PS3 doesnt give the 360 does…you’ll be happy on every front!!!
@ sindered (932)
It’s good that the only games YOU choose to use “CS – Custom Soundtracks” are racing games. That’s great ! But you do not speak for the rest of us. Some of us like to listen to our music for RPG games, with Platformers, with fighting games. The point is that WE want to be able to choose when to do this, not governed by the company that makes the game.
We are raising hell because there is a video, that is still up mind you, that shows us they can do what we want (or leads us to believe they can do it), yet are not giving us it.
he’s either on drugs or something else.
Is it going to release today at midnight???
*UPDATE?*, Burnout Paradise to get trophies soon. New PS Blog.
Sony Keeps droping the ball ….there losing in hardwear sales , in game sales , in fans ……they had a chance to fight back Wii and xbox 360 but they droped the ball ..
what are they going to do with home dely it agian , take out mausic ect. ect. i mean come on it should of been out since day 1 and they they can patch it like thye do to the PS3 with updates .
@anyone
when was it said that we werent getting custom soundtracks???
cuz the FAQ clearly says the feature is included with 2.40 but the DEVELOPERS have to make THEIR game use the feature!!!!
that to me isnt a SONY issue its a DEVELOPER issue
Can you guys make for next firmware custom avatars and also animated avatars for psn
Never claimed I was speaking for the rest of you, but that does not indicate that it’s any less valid.
I’d love the option, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, but it’s just not on the top of my list of things that I need on my PS3.
So I support your charge to victory, not against you at all.
@922
I 100% agree with you.
@ XD9 watch the first video then you will see ……they show a in-game soundtrack then a day later they take it out …thats not fair .
@ XD9 (939)
The only thing hold me back is my seething hatred for all things Microsoft. Which is why I opted to switch to Linux, and really, I couldn’t be happier. When I show people Compiz, their jaws drop. Some of the stuff they’re doing now is simply astounding.
If it had been the Sega 360, would have been a launch owner… but then again, I did break my EA boycott for Rock Band… but they only distributed it… come on… it’s freakin’ ROCK BAND!!! :P
Like I said, the more Sony puts off the things that are attractive to me as a consumer, console owner, and gamer, the more I’m drawn to the 360 to sate my gaming needs.
I’m still heart-broken about Star Ocean… :'(
Anyway, the update does bring some welcome (finally) additions, but not nearly in the scope of what we were led to believe.
To every one saying Sony took away the Custom Soundtrack feature, you are going way overboard, just because its up to the developers to put in-game music in their game, doesnt mean Custom soundtracks were “taken away.”
@951
hell yea it does there was an example of a good custom soundtrack system and it has been removed. none of my games are going to be able to support it and if they had left that feature in then all of them would have