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.
Thanks for the new firmware update, I’m a little dissapointed that you can’t go the the XMB while viewing a dvd or something of that nature, nonetheless, I can’t wait to download this update tommorow.
Firstly, congratulations on v2.40 – it’s a refreshing change to see a multinational company take suggestions on board so readily and implement the requests from their consumers.
A couple of points that I’d like to raise, however:
1) Will the update be released tonight, i.e. 00:00 on the 2nd (Wednesday), and on what timezone should we consider to be accurate?
2) In terms of the ”PSN ID’ is now online’ graphic; has there been any thought into enhancing that a little?
I appreciate that functionality comes before elegance, but it looks as if someone has knocked it together in the space of a few minutes – there’s very little creativity involved compared to the, ahem, XBL version of the same graphic.
Sorry just have a two questions at this time.
1. Can we turn off just the Trophey messages in the upcoming FW?
2. When loading a game with older save data, will overwritting that data with the new FW activate it for Trophey use or will you have to completely delete the save data? I don’t mind not having the Trophey I just want to have a save game corrupted and be forced to restart.
@ 951
You are exactly right. Sony actually said over a month ago that custom soundtracks would be up to the developers to be put in. They never once said, “This will be universal for all games”. If you didn’t like the PS3 for what is was when you bought it, then why did you get one? We are lucky that they improve they update the system at all.
Man this faq made the update kinda pointless…Everything that I wanted to happen is not going to happen… What a load of crap. You fail sony
Keep up the good works guys and Iam looking forward to the bad ass update.
My only gripe right now is that the PS3 internet browser locks up almost every time I use it. I have cleaned up the history, cookies and such and it dont seem to matter. There are a few other goofy bugs go’n on also but one thing at a time.
nice
You see, I said earlier that Sony couldn’t tell us when/if a 3rd party company would patcht their games to include trophies! I was right, Criterion has just announced that they will be added trophies very soon.
@CallOfDutyFreak 951
@filthyvillain 956
i mentioned the same thing in my post #945 but people are morons and like to open their mouths without reading the facts…thats called ignorance or laziness is you will
@plqa 952
when did ANYONE from SONY say it was removed???
@xenosagax112 949.
i just went back and watched the video in case i misunderstood…but NOPE i didnt!!!
im not a big fan of mr lempel at all but i clearly hear him say that “SONY has laid the groundwork” for custom soundtracks and WILL be included in v2.40
and another thing for those too lazy to actually read what was said i’ll quote it again
“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).” – Eric Lempel
@ XD9 …….theres no game as for now that can use custom soundtracks …..do you really think that the game makes would use this feature where they spent alot of money on there own music ?
games like lost planet that dont have music at all i want that feature in there but thats not going to happen but capcom wants money for crap like that .
and they can 1) patch the game or 2) bring out the same game that has that feature in it …forcing people that have the game to get it agian ….see my point .
@962
Yes…i do think game makers would use the feature…read the newest PS blog, Burnout Paradise is adding it July 10th via patch, and trophies soon after.
Also this takes away more credibility from you Xeno, because if you have heard Burnouts soundtrack, its good. They definantley shelled out cash for it.
@xenosagax112
yes i see your point…but what you want and what you get are 2 totally different things…welcome to the “real” world
people shouldnt get so bent out of shape…SONY said they would introduce custom soundtracks and THEY DID!!!!…just becuz it works differently then you want it too shouldnt be reason to get bent out of shape
but again i understand your point and i too feel that a custom soundtrack should be able to play any song on my PS3 with any PS3 game…but you cant always get what you want
xenosagax, you should just sell your PS3. It’s pretty obvious that you are completely unhappy and find it necessary to make other unhappy with you. Seriously, don’t bother downloading the update. It’s worthless to you. lol
@KenLanzJr
exactly…developers would be dumb not to patch this feature into existing or even include it in new ones…consumers want features such as this…if developers dont include it then they become as arrogant and oblivious to consumer wants as SONY is.
Any chance of enlightening us to what the “Off” button does. Does it do anything other than switch off? Does it switch off when downloaded are complete?
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20080701/ps3up05.jpg
actually i’d like to strike the oblivious in my previous statement…if SONY were that oblivious we wouldnt be getting the ingame xmb, custom soundtracks, clock, enlarged friends lists, etc.
but arrogant they are!!!!
@XD9
The developers can only gain more customers and following by patching for soundtracks and trophies. Its rediculous how a certain few act when Sony steps it up a notch. It bothers me that these people even have PS3’s. =)
Oh boy cant wait for tonight!!!
@KenLanzJr
chalk it up to ignorance, selfishness, laziness and just a flat out distorted view of what the “real” world is all about…thats why they’re 12yrs old…
the same kind of 12yr olds that would f’en crawl up into fetal position AND cry if they’re parents dropped them off on a street corner and said go fend for yourself!!!!! LOL
@ filthyvillain no just no ……i have PS2 games and i sold my old PS2 system for money to get my PS3 ……you should sell your PS3 off if you think that that every maker out there would spent more money on a patch for this update .
that list of games for this update is small and it shows that makers dont care .
Will MGS4 have trophie support???
I would love for it to have support :)
Congrats on the update, however it seems like splitting hairs to give us in game TXT and STILL there is no in game VOICE chat across all titles. Surely you have received the message written a billion times on these boards.. if the lazy developers won’t give us consistent in game VOICE chat then it is your job to fill that void for your customers. PLEASE and for the last time!
Cheers,
DK
I’d rather have the developers come out with new games than patch an old game for [DELETED].
Resistance 2 is pretty much scheduled for the last quarter. I would think getting the game out in time for the shopping season is more important than adding trophies to a soon to be obsolete game.
Tekken5DR probably won’t get patched as Soul Calibur 4 is coming out this summer. And I’m fine with it because the alternative in which the PS3 game gets delayed which results in both the 360 version being delayed (split shipment dates) and Tekken 6 being delayed to avoid competition between Namco’s own brands would be a far worse scenario.
Seriously this retroactive trophy stuff is annoying. “Oh I love the game but I can’t play without trophies.” If you actually liked the game, I’d think you’d be more excited at the prospect of the sequel coming out sooner than later.
I guess its cool that they are adding all these features, but another thing i forgot to mention is I want the ability to have more than one bluetooth headset registered to my console at the same time. Does not having this affect anyone else out there?
@952
Don’t be ignorant morons and think about this little bit. Sony does not want a mediocre way of adding in soundtracks. Playing MP3’s requires resources which can be used by developers to use other things and if the memory is not addressed correctly then there could be corruption caused thats why games have to be updated for this feature. You know why you get a “General Protection” faults in windows because one process is trying to access the resources of the other process intern causing both too crash. Sony did not take away anything they simply gave the developers an option to enable and none of the games so far are enabled be cause it has not been enabled. Now if you don’t get custom soundtracks then blame the developer not sony. Not only did they have to create a dedicated memory space for in game XMB you want them too make dedicated memory for MP3’s . Now if you don’t like what you get with this update wait for the next update or create your own PS3 with its own OS and enable these features on your own, I doubt you will get pretty far.
“We currently have no plans to support the trophy system with “___(X)___” game but we are looking to incorporate the feature into later products.”
This is the responce I was just given when e-mailing a (major 3rd party developer) yesterday about the trophy debacle.
Do you think it’s possible for Sony to implement voice messaging/private chat and cross-invite system in the following firmware update?
I would only like to say one thing. Congratulations on such an awsome firmware with tropies, in-game xmb and all the other goodies, i really can’t wait to try this out, ive been waiting so long, lol.
I have a question though, Warhawk? Will we have somehow find away to reset our account to get the trophies we cant earn again or will this game be retroactive?
@ gamesblow whitch major 3rd party developer ….i want to know b/c maybe i have a game from them ….i only have 7 PS3 games that i can alford this year .
Can we get a list of games that will support the new firmware sometime this week.
@978
Was it EA with Madden 08 because thats whats gonna happen with all the sports games we are gonna have to wait till next years comes out.
@Synthesize
anything is possible with software creation and i personally feel SONY will add these features…just not in 2.40
just be aware…look how long it took to get what were getting in 2.40
@983
Jeff already said he is encouraging all the dev’s to post 2.4 functionality.
No, and I am a bit weary of posting the name here on the blog. hit me up in a message on the Sony forums.
I’ll give you the link to my photo bucket where the e-mail is captured for proof.
@XD9
I agree but hopefully it doesn’t take another 2 years to implement such simple features.
@gamesblow
Do you do this on the other system’s forums? It has RROD, and you should be all over that, but I have a feeling that you only do this to Sony. Prove me wrong…
@ 968
If you watched the walkthroughs carefully, you could have spotted that this will be in the users section, and pressing it will turn off the system.
Just like they added a quit game icon while in-game, they also added a turn off system button.
@Synthesize
That’s what some may think, but requested features have been known to take ages to implement.
Trophy sound ftw!
Release a patch for this takes long than you guys think. I just spoke to an Insomniac Developer over at the Resistance forums and he said that it would take a large period of time for them to patch Resistance, especially as they are working on Reistance 2. He said that it needs to be designed and then tested for bugs and that can be a long processs and takes up a lot of a developers resources, so no Sony cannot force a developer to patch already released games, but I don’t agree that they should force them to include it in new games.
Great post, thanks for clearing everything up. You can’t have everything at once, but it’s GREAT to see that you guys are definitely working at giving us as much as you can. I wanted in-game voice chat, but I’m more than happy to see the XMB finally here and the knowledge that it’s being worked on is enough to satisfy me.
My 2.40 makes me the breakfast so im happy
Thats if the patches have not been prepared already
Omfg Gamesblow dosent know when to stfu….
AWESOME! You guys are seriously awesome!
Mad props to Jeff for running the blog and the same for Eric and the crew for making great updates! :D
will COD4 have a patch for trophies too?
Great job Sony!!
I think this it the most commented article of all time on the blog, 1000 comments=O_o
No, one article got spammed to like 5.5k comments once