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.
They NEEEED to put it on their site RIGHT NOW. Seriously, sucks waiting for them to put it on the web, while everyone else is using it! ARRRRRRGGG
Wow, took longer to install. Already update for super stardust. Now I have to wait for it.
in all honesty, niether of you work for the development team behind it. so do either of you “really, for real” know. both arguements are complelling to say the least. but bottom line, speculations at best. :) i just want it is all i care about for now, it’s not like cheating will get you money or anything. i’m sure we’ll all be able to figure out whose doing what, won’t it be obvious. at that point, the question becomes less a why and how, but more a ban and now. :)
@1204
…umm, what?
One minor thing that would be neat!!! Showing the status online, away, be right back, etc…Also when online last, 1 hour, 2 hour, 2 days and so on.
when will we see this update
@1109
No mob mentality here. I like sending out of game invites till people join =] I like setting up voice chats with people from work to talk privately while we play. These are things I like on xbox live and they are things I want on PSN. I’m use to them and I want them, not having them is like taking a step back and why would I want to do that?
@junebug 12:07EST is up now.
2.40 is up now. Thanks again Sony…
o ya its up thanks sony cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:( no SSHD update for Aussies yet …
Boy what a junk update. You can’t even turn that absurd clock off. That’s a burn in waiting to happen.
Stardust is about a gig now with the new trophy support, that’s real nice. More of that mandatory chipping away of your hdd.
Garbage update, man. The xmb is pointless, as I said it was. I don’t need to text people in game.
What was this all for? No in game music. Just a bunch of crap. Let down about sums it up.
i don’t know if this was asked or not but why aren’t Trophies retroactive?
gamesblow..go eat a dik
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS I’m downloading the update right now.
It’s my second time trying, though. I got an error the first time. But it’s not Sony’s fault, it’s my internet provider’s fault, which sucks.
My friends already downloaded it and I’m still here waiting… Now the bar meter moved to 3%… Nice.
i can’t listen to MUSIC while in game what is this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i cant believe it i really wanted to listen to my own music while playing games to be honest this update sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FW 2.4 in the bag..download took about 2 minutes, install was about 3-4 minutes but Super Stardust 255mb download took 5-7 minutes! so far everything eems to be working as advertised…
Great Job Sony!!! Jeff could you please respond back to my question? My question is, when a friend logs in out out, can there be a sound, like when achieving a trophy, and also, could you please update the in-game xmb by puttng in in-game private chat, game invites, and voice messaging. With this PS3 could DOMINATE any console, and most users would really enjoy these features. please think about this and please respond!
P.S. Nice work Sony!
what about @west i live in L.A. when will i get it
@1219
add to that a sound when you recieve a message while in the xmb. because in a game it would be annoying.
the new FW is great. now is there anyway to hide the time and date? it’s cool and all but it be nice to have that option. *shrugs*
Will it be possible to change in-game the sound output?
Yes, sound output changes are supported.
Just downloaded the firmware update and i cannot change ingame the sound output. It says if i want to quit the game to do so.
thnx for 2.4 i love this ingame XMB! :)
This is crap guys. I just checked out “in game xmb” and you can’t access anything. It says you ahve to quit or that feature is no available in this game.
What the hell is this update for? What a completely useless waste of time.
This is living, huh? I guess the xbox 360 guys are in heaven if this is living. Pathetic. I’m about done with Sony.
Did anyone notice “on a serious notE” that SSD is now loading like garbage? It won’t even boot up for me 3 x’s out of 7. It’s really laggy. Seriously on this one, guys. Is this happening to you all?
LOL @ gamesblow
Here we go again!! SSHD is NOT a gig, its not even half a gig, so that proves your idiocy and false claims/bais opinions right there.
And you KNEW what you can access before hand, now you are complaining again? Friends, downloads, some settings music (if devs enable it). Thats something to me.
What the !@#$ I just downloaded the update and there is no trophies for MGS4 or any of my games, and i cant listen to music in game, this update was worthless. sony I have been with you since the Playstation 1 times, but im really starting to doubt you, how long do you keep us waiting and waiting. Its so frustrating!
@gamesblow — damn man calm down. I know the custom soundtracks part of update sucked and SONY should of had more 1st party games ready to support Trophies from day 1 …
However i think your taking this overboard is nearing troll level. What we need is SONY to tell developers to include custom soundtrack support – to include Trophy support while they work on giving us features like cross game chat and invites for future FW updates.
Eric, you said this in a recent interview:
“We’re happy with what we’re doing right now and we’re going to stick with it,” he stated. “I think being free is always an advantage. The fact that it’s free is nice for consumers who want to try out the online experience, those who may be new to it and may not be ready to commit to spending dollars, and that’s a really good message for us. Being free also gives them the opportunity to spend the money that they may have spent on a subscription on online items or online games instead. We have a ton of games for the price of a subscription and offer a significant amount of great original content that you can’t get anywhere else.”
I’m surprised Sony don’t promote this aspect more, especially now that the PS3 feature set has been improved. Seem like such an obvious selling point.
Have I missed something here completely?
I’m unable to listen to music through the XMB on GT5p, MLB 08 The Show, and PAIN. Just curious to know if anyone else is running into this. Is this normal; did I overlook something about music from the XMB being compatible with certain games?
=( can you play music in games?? at all cause i cant!! =(
@ 1225
LMAO, I am sorry but someone is a noob for not reading the FAQ above…
WOW.
Just read that the games need to be patched before in-game music will work. What a bummer. I’m not sure I completely understand that. Add to the fact that MLB 08 The Show is a Sony game and you’ve got one very frustrated customer.
I just hope they – and other developers – get these games patched in the very, very near future.
It has to be patched –.– . I’m sure it will be fixed shortly and it is disapointing but lets not have people coming in and being huge a** chirpers.
Man this system is disgusting, its a waste of my time, and im glad the PS3 lost billions of dollars, they have let us all down with this one. back to gears of war then.
I’ve been getting error after error trying to download it.
Come on, people!! Everybody Sign Off now, and lemme download the god damned update!
Now I can’t even connect to the PSN servers to download it.
well Xulap thats what happens when you buy a crappy system that doesnt care about the customers. just stick to the xbox 360.
@1213
You’re an idiot. This is the BEST update for this console so far.
IN-GAME XMB FTW!!!
…voice messaging,private chat, and cross invite system is all we need now.
@gamesblow
Wassup dawg? why you doing that to yourself? you setting yourself up for failure..on this very blog Jeff and Eric went over what would be supported and what wouldn’t… granted its a lil on the impy skimpy side but dawg..its not like you DIDN’t know beforehand..i knew this would happen..maddening cries for “IN-GAME XMB” and its here and its like it still aint enough..they hear our pleas fam…give em time…
ThE UpDaTe iS OuT SoN…
HeLLa DoWnLoAdiNG It RiGhT NoW Ya DigG!!!
BeEn WaiTinG On ThIs Sh** FoR ThE LoNgEsT HAha!!!
Go AnD DoWnlOAd It =]
OxPAYIZZLExO GeT At Me FoR SoMe CoD4
@ Dondada
We didn’t get in game xmb… We got another thing to look forward to sometime when Eric gets around to it. That’s what we got. More problems and inferority.
You can’t access 1 damn thing on this xmb at all. The funniest part, you can see where your downloads are but when you game with a game that has a leaderboard or is online, they don’t move and they pause on their own.
Great feature, Eric!
DAMN YOU SONY!!!!!!! DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG WE HAVE WAITED FOR THIS AND NOW LOOK AT WHAT IT HAS BECOME! GARBAGE!
Could we get list of things that ARE supported by ingame XMB? Seems every reason to even have it is either disabled, or not implemented. The article focussed more on negative things than listing the positives. So basically all I got out of it was; yes we implemented it but you really can’t do much more than look at it.
@safaa09
Hmm..what’t that i smell? a troll..anyone got a lighter? lets throw his @$$ on the BBQ! cmon dawg seriously..i have a 36 and it aint all peaches and crean over there either…how is that DRM tool working out for you? not as easy as Major made it seem huh? how about you go BUY a p3 first then you can talk about it? sounds fair no?
Anyone notice that one of the trophies in this ultra cool SSD can’t be obtained on your own? How the hell is that for being even kill.
Makes no damn sense. so basically we can’t get 100% if we don’t have a buddy up our asses 24/7
Good going.
@Dondada
Listen you dumb @#$%, I have a PS3 and an xbox 360, and the 360 is way better than the PS3 becuase it does not make you wait like this everytime something new comes out, when microsoft releases an update, they do it right, not like sony. AND ANOTHER THING< I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE F^$& YOU ARE SAYIN YOU DAMN NERD!
This system is a total letdown…
@gamesblow
ok my dude…tell me this..for arguments sake..what good is “FULL” in-game access to XMB? to be honest most wanted access to friends list, messages, music and the extra bonus of managing your bluetooth headsets..thats what the MAJORITY needs…there is no reason to adjust my display settings in-game, or themes etc..the communication aspect was most lacking and they resolved it…granted you can argue that voice chat isnt where it should be and music isnt either..but the point is yesterday we couldn’t and today we CAN..so its a start..so lets focus on things we actually need and not fuss over fluff we don’t!
I have a few requests for 2.41, not that this was a bad update, it’s laid a good ground work for future updates.
1. The clock/date needs to be moved to the left of the screen because when you’re on the XMB and you press the button for battery level, it goes over the time and date and looks untidy. I think this has probably just been overlooked, but it would just make it that much nicer
2. Can we add the year to the date feature and have it stacked?
00/00/0000
00:00
That’s my only real complaints.
I can’t wait until the other games get patched. More replayability.
So far, the In Game XMB is really good. Not laggy in the least bit (other than loading each individual section when you come to it). Messagin is fast and quick (thank you Sony. Now I can actually answer messages while in a five hour Oblivion session). My only complains are these:
The in game XMB seems cluttered for one reason:
A lot of stuff in there will never be able to be used in game…ever. Videos should not be there unless a future update allows us to use them. Most of the Settings menu is only usable out of game, the only one usable in game is “Accessory Settings”. I am glad I can start up my blue tooth headset while in game. I wasn’t expecting to be able to do that since it was so minor.
Finally, I know you guys said Custom Soundtracks had to be implemented by the devs, but your video seemed to contradict itself. On one hand, the dude in the video said he turned the music in PJM: E off to demonstrate Custom Soundtracks, so I thought it would be possible to do that in games instead of waiting for patch to make it actually respond to what the game itself is doing (Example: Custom Music stops when a cutscene comes up), but lo and behold, that doesn’t work. Personally, I can’t wait until the patches for games and stuff roll around.
Overall, the update wasn’t good, but it wasn’t bad, I’d say average at best, but I can tell you guys did put a lot of hard work into it, and it shows with the minor things, like the quickness of the XMB popping up, how fast it is to send/receive messages, and the fat that I can actually answer messages in games. I do thank you for the update, because it is a major step in the right direction and I know that it will get better in time.