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.
-
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.
Sentry – To quote your last post
#1″@ 1144 You are dissapointed at what they did with Burnout? Dude, BO runs off of the PSN ID, NOT the game save. That is why the trophies in Burnout will be retroactive. Did you not read his posts?”
#2 “Yeah, the trophies you earned offline, will be synchronized into the system next time you get online/log into your PSN ID.”
So you tell me that the reason it will be retroactive is because the data is held on the servers but at the same time you tell someone else that they can unlock trophies offline and then it will be synchronized to the servers when they are online.
You are contradicting yourself.
There is your back door right there. You take that game save and you break the encryption and attach it to another account.
People do these things. Thats why I think it was a bad decision.
I cant put it any simpler than that. If what you say is true and you can unlock trophies offline then it will get hacked. I don’t care if you don’t believe me because thats what is going to happen.
How am I contradicting myself? At all?
Again, the game save would be useless because it would only work on YOUR PSN ID.
Before going accusing me of contradicting myself, make sure you understand what I am saying, and what you know.
It happens on Live, like I said look at the leaders and they have online achievements unlocked without a unlocked date because they used game saves and game saves are linked to your gamertag if you look at the game saves on the memory unit it has your tag linked to the game save.
YEA! TOMORROW! YEAAAAAAAAA!
Well… We all know every encryption has a decryption… Just break into sony’s HQ or where ever they stored the decryption program and steal it… -_-
Does anyone know at what time the update will launch?
Sentry, how do you know???
yay update should be within the next few hours…
and wow at 1158 comments… this has to be the most commented post on the blog
@ 1158
Well, for one, if you read every interview about 2.4, every post about 2.4, every rumor about 2.4, every update for other games about 2.4, every hands on report about 2.4, you can use your brain to put the pieces together on how things will work.
For example, when that video was release on May 30th showing trophies and in-game XMB, etc, I already realized how they would work by watching the video a few times, with piecing together what Sony has been saying in the past.
Its all about digging and using logic to put together why what and when.
I have a question about this, hopefully someone could answer before launch… If I have 2 PS3’s, (one at my parents house, and one at mine) will my trophy’s work on both?
I bring my saves to my parents house when I come to visit, and sometimes I’ll bring my save for Uncharted or something to play on a friends PS3. Am I going to have problems with the system if I use my PSN ID on multiple systems?
People wont break into sony hq to break this encryption. Sony have a hard time keeping their drm from being hacked. And Sony have hired people that are the best at what they do with regards to encryption and drm. Now your trying to tell me that a games developer who are good at making games- not implementing encryption techniques have created encryption that is unbreakable.
Well I find that humorous. You still don’t understand what I am saying do you so I’m not going to bother trying to explain to you anymore after this post. That would be wasted time on my part.
It doesn’t matter that the game saves are linked to your psn. Once someone hacks it, usually within a few days. Then it would be easy for them to link it to another psn.
Once it is hacked someone will undoubtedly create an application that does all the hard work for the cheater. I bet it will ask for the cheaters psn id and password. They click a button and the game save is now linked to there psn.
You keep ignoring what I am saying with the retort “but they will be linked to the psn id”. You obviously have no idea how this type of thing works. You probably don’t know that there are actual contests that award people for breaking encryption algorithms. You probably didn’t know that the psp was hacked within two days.
There are people who will break it just for fun and there are people that will break it so that they themselves or their group can gain their five minutes of fame.
That is why I think it is a bad idea linking trophies to gamesaves, it doesnt matter if its encrypted or if its LINKED TO THE PSN ACCOUNT, because encryption gets broken very fast and without encryption the PsnID safeguard would mean nothing.
So as a gamer I am pissed off that Sony didn’t hold there ground with third party developers because now there will be cheating.
If the user can unlock trophies offline then it is held in the game saves. Common sense.
For a future update. Multiple user should be able to log into the system. Just like in Wii and XBOX360.
@1160 Ok so go read some books on cryptography and encryption. Go to sites like neworder.box.sk and slashdot.com to keep up to date on the latest vunrabilities. Use that logic you speak of and research before you argue with someone about something you are clearly having a hard time grasping.
Don’t go crying to Sony when these cheaters start rolling in.
I am sorry buddy, but you are the only one arguing here. You ignorantly state I am contradicting myself.
Did I say anything? I said trophies aren’t retroactive because then people would be using other peoples gamesaves.
Look at it this way since you don’t get what I am saying. I can DL a game off of someone else’s PSN ID, and play it on my PSN ID, but I need that persons PSN ID still on my PS3, via the users. If I deleted the user, then the game I DLed from him will not work.
Trophies seem to be similar in that respect.
I’m sorry if you don’t get what I am trying to say here, but you need to shut your mouth and stop accusing people as well as being rude, before you even understand what someone is saying.
Honestly; grow up.
How quickly things can change – there *will* be a sound effect when you unlock a Trophy.
…..RRIIIIDDDGE RAAACERR!!! XD
…sorry, had to do it! you da man, Kaz!
or maybe….
SNAAAAAAKKKEE!!!
lol
All I want to know is WHEN!! will i be able to listen to my music while I am playing a video game. Dont get me wrong I love the Sdtrks but I need to hear some Tupac when I’m in rampage mode or Some George CLinton when I am skating. I just want to know when that update will be!
or maybe we’ll get rick-rolled!
“never gonna GIVE YOU UP!”
lol!
sorry, i think i’m drunk. i’m gonna go to sleep.
*hiccup*
Personally I hope its similar to the PSN sound, if you have watched the ads.
Anyone have a time frame for the release?
no
July 2nd so approximately between 4 hours and 28 hours
I understand perfectly what you said and it was a contradiction. I quoted it for you especially. You said to me that the trophy authentication is done on the burnout servers and you told someone else that they could unlock a trophy offline. That is contradictory. Changing your words in post 1165 does not change what you previously said.
So if you can unlock a trophy offline then that information must be stored somewhere. There are tools on the internet right now to access anything stored on the xmb partition of the ps3. This isn’t even necessary as you can backup your game save onto a usb stick and insert it onto your pc. Once you have access to it on your pc you can start reverse engineering.
The save data is just a binary file encrypted. Its not a big mystery. It is not random, there is a method of doing things. I will explain even further becuase you seem to not understand at all encryption – heres how it works in its simjplest form you could create your own encryption by just replacing letters. Look I will encrypt sentry for you S=A E=B N=X T=Y R=F Y=K So sentry now becomes ABXYFK S will always be A in this encryption E will always be B etc. That is an over simplified way of putting encryption but at least it gives you a better understanding. All of that data, the psnID etc will be held under this encryption. Encryption gets broken.The reason why I might seem ignorant to you is that I am frustrated with having to explain the same thing to you multiple times.
Lets quote your contradictory post again, word for word this time not reworded like you just did.
This is from your post 1148
@ 1144
You are dissapointed at what they did with Burnout? Dude, BO runs off of the PSN ID, NOT the game save. That is why the trophies in Burnout will be retroactive. Did you not read his posts?
@ 1146
Yeah, the trophies you earned offline, will be synchronized into the system next time you get online/log into your PSN ID.
How will it be synchronized if the data isn’t saved? Sorry but whatever way you look at it your post was contradictory because you said that it wouldn’t use game saves and then you said it would.
I will stand down and agree completely with you right now if you can tell me how they will keep it secure. How it is that they are linked. But I doubt thats ever going to happen. You my friend are the ignorant one because when someone tries to actually tell you how it works you spout out the same denial over and over again with absolutely nothing to back it up with.
Come on tell me something new, all you have said is the same “its linked to your psn account crap over and over”.
iiitttssss ouuutttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111
2.4 guys, go get it!
the Game saves Triggers the Trophy, then thats updated on your PSN ID Server side. So someone can use other Peoples game saves to do that.
ITS OUT, there not F-ing with you!!
Holy **** it is, so for all you speculators that think its not even worth downloading, well actually never mind just don’t download it it’s fine you’ll be the ones missing out ;)
OMG ITS OUT XD The day of reconing is finaly upon us!!!
Can you add someone by going through “In-Game XMB” without quitting the game?
It’s up! WooT!
Jesus tretle its like you are arguing with me when all I did was answer someone asking will trophies work offline. Chill dude, you still dont get what im saying and I wont take the time to even read you post. Why?
BECAUSE FIRMWARE UPDATE 2.40 IS OUT NOW.
That’s why. Tootles.
Mark this day on your calendars, boys and girls. It’s finally here.
Anybody listening!!!!!!!
OMFG ITS TAKING FOREVER!!!!! 43% EEEEEHHHHRRRR
going fast for me
@gooche94 — should be very soon … only 10 hours till 3rd July here …
@ 1182
Yes.
Just came out mate check
Downloading 2.40 now! Thanks for the much needed update. Keep it coming.
just so ya’ll know the update is up
Awesome it is up right now.
:-) updates finally up yay :-)
Time to try and get those SSHD Trophies!
ITS OUT NOW!!!!!
OMFG1!!
There needs to be a Solid Snake Avatar to pick
RRRIIIIIIDDDGGGEE RAAAAACCEERRR!!!
lol sorry.
but its out!
YIPFAKFJ:ADLKFJ L:GJS LJKDF:AKLFJAFK:JDG:LKJGDK:LJF:LKDFk!!!
Its at 23% … damn i can’t wait much longer…
Good thing it’s out
I second that Solid Snake Avatar pick
downloaded in about 3 minutes. not bad.