+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted June 29, 2008 Subscriber² Share Posted June 29, 2008 (edited) Part 1: In-Game XMB - http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/06/29/...part-1-the-xmb/ Part 2: Trophies http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/06/30/...art-2-trophies/ Part 3: Pixel Junk Monsters direct feed to show off new features: http://gamevideos.com/video/id/19717 New PLAYSTATION?3 System Software Update (v.2.40) to Enhance Community Features>Update Includes XMB? Access In-Game for Easier Communication with Friends and Trophies, a New Ranking and Rewards System for PS3? Gamers FOSTER CITY, Calif., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced details of PLAYSTATION?3 (PS3?) system software update 2.40, designed to enhance the way PS3 users play and interact with one another. Through regular firmware updates, SCEA has the ability to continually deliver new features to PS3 system that address the needs of its users. Now with the 2.40 update, PS3's community and in-game experience will be upgraded with new offerings that gamers have asked for. The update will deliver XMB? (XrossMediaBar) access in-game, enabling PS3 users to connect and communicate with other gamers and utilize other XMB features seamlessly while playing most games. In addition to being able to communicate with friends from within a game, PS3 users will also be able to earn Trophies following the 2.40 update. This new, integrated system enables gamers to tout their accomplishments via profiles, which also allow users to compare their skills to other members of the community. Firmware update 2.40 will be available on July 2. "Today's PLAYSTATION 3 experience has evolved significantly from what we debuted at launch, and the 2.40 firmware update will drive the PS3 community experience forward at a time when the platform's momentum is stronger than ever, with the launches of several recent blockbuster titles and other exclusive content on the way," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing and PLAYSTATION Network, SCEA. "We listen closely to our community, and we're proud to deliver new features that have been among the most requested -- XMB access in-game and Trophies. These features provide new ways for the PS3 community to easily connect, communicate and share gaming experiences with one another in and out of games." XMB Access In-Game XMB access in-game will enable gamers to interact with friends using messaging, view their friends' online status and profiles (including their -- all without interrupting the flow of gameplay. By pushing the PS button on the PS3 controller, the Home menu takes center stage over a game in progress. Depending on the game, XMB access will either automatically pause the game or it will continue to run in the background. With these enhanced communications features further connecting the PLAYSTATION Network community -- which has more than 9.8 million registered accounts worldwide as of June 2008 -- the Friends list capacity has doubled to 100 Friends. Beyond utilizing Friends list features, XMB access in-game will allow users to sign-in to PLAYSTATION Network, manage PLAYSTATION?Store downloads, quit a game, and access various options within the Settings category. PS3 users can also quickly end their game and navigate directly to other PS3 system features simply by selecting to view content such as photos or videos stored on the system's hard drive. XMB access in-game works with most existing PS3 games. In addition to these enhanced community features, the 2.40 update lays the groundwork for gamers to customize their individual gaming experience by accessing the XMB during a game and selecting music stored on their PS3 system's hard drive. Once a music file is played, users can access a control panel via the XMB that enables them to pause, stop, or repeat the track; go to a different track; or shuffle. The 2.40 update provides developers with the tools that will enable them to offer personalized background music as an option in their games, and the supporting titles are expected to be announced in the future. Additionally, the firmware 2.40 update includes Google-powered Internet search functionality on the XMB, allowing users to input search terms and be directed to a search results page without having to first open the PS3 Internet browser. PSP?(PlayStation?Portable) system recently added similar Internet search functionality through a firmware update. Trophies Trophies offer a new and innovative way for gamers to showcase their gaming accomplishments. PS3 users can earn virtual trophies, which will be viewable on the XMB's Game category under a new Trophy Collection icon, and will also be touted through individual profiles. These profiles will serve as virtual representations of PS3 users, allowing them to personalize their identities and display their gaming accomplishments within the PlayStation community. Gamers will be ranked on a Level-basis depending on the bronze, silver, gold, and platinum trophies they earn across all games. They will also be able to see how much progress they have made toward the next Level, as well as compare their Trophies to friends. Super Stardust? HD, a PLAYSTATION Network-exclusive released in June 2007, will be the first game to leverage the Trophies system and will offer a variety of trophies*. The following first-party games are also slated to offer Trophy support: -- BUZZ!? Quiz TV -- LittleBigPlanet? -- MotorStorm? Pacific Rift -- NBA 09 - PS3 -- PAIN* -- PixelJunk? Eden -- Resistance 2? -- SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation -- Warhawk?* *Requires a game update to be downloaded and installed. PS3 users can expect to see additional first and third-party games bringing Trophy support to their feature sets through 2008 and beyond, providing even greater opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and compete with friends. SCEA is actively working with developers to ensure that Trophies are incorporated into new titles in the future. Edited July 2, 2008 by Audioboxer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigapixels Veteran Posted June 29, 2008 Veteran Share Posted June 29, 2008 I'm guessing that means the update should come this Thursday... Sweet :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted June 29, 2008 Veteran Share Posted June 29, 2008 Do we really need a new topic for every single piece of news regarding 2.4. Isn't that what the official topics are meant to be used for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted June 29, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted June 29, 2008 Do we really need a new topic for every single piece of news regarding 2.4. Isn't that what the official topics are meant to be used for? This is an official heads up for the video walkthrough. First piece of official news we've had since the confirmation of 2.4 actually coming. Have a problem, report the post. I see no wrong in a topic for this news - People are going to be discussing these two videos once they see them, and where are they going to discuss them? In here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popisdead uk Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Do we really need a new topic for every single piece of news regarding 2.4. Isn't that what the official topics are meant to be used for? News like this gets lost in the bigger threads. I'm thankful for the separate threads with clear headings as to what they are about. Thanks AB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted June 29, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted June 29, 2008 News like this gets lost in the bigger threads. I'm thankful for the separate threads with clear headings as to what they are about. Thanks AB. The bigger threads we already have on 2.4 are filled with rumours/speculation and a fair bit of debunked drivel. This is an official confirmation from Sony, so I think it deserves it's own topic away from all the speculation and rumours. It's the most anticipated firmware update for the PS3, I think it was obvious we were going to see rumour topics up to release, and then official topics for release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPyro Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Let's hope they release this on Canada day :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted June 29, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted June 29, 2008 Let's hope they release this on Canada day :) When's that? Thursday? I hope for a release on Thursday. But hey, firmware updates have come out on Tuesday before :whistle: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DPyro Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 July 1st :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
American Ninja Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Awesome news! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGM Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 where is this video? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popisdead uk Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 where is this video? It's not out yet mate, but it will be on the US PS Blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightz Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 I'm guessing that means the update should come this Thursday... Sweet :) firmware updates usually come on tuesdays. fw update + store update on the same day will kill psn. :p hopefully it does come out this week though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted June 29, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted June 29, 2008 LOL Some people are nutters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corris Veteran Posted June 29, 2008 Veteran Share Posted June 29, 2008 Awesome. Can't wait to finally see everything working and not silly leaked shots that could be real or fake and what not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matrix XII Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 LOL@that top pic!! :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sn00pie Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 I've been sorting out the music I'm going to put on my PS3 HDD to play while I play games. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narc2500 Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 (edited) First video! http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/06/29/...part-1-the-xmb/ Note: Notice the date in the clock of the XMB. :shiftyninja: 6/19 4:14 PM Edited June 30, 2008 by Narc2500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted June 30, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted June 30, 2008 (edited) First video!http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/06/29/...part-1-the-xmb/ Note: Notice the date in the clock of the XMB. :shiftyninja: 6/19 4:14 PM It's looking nice and responsive :D I think the firmware was originally scheduled for earlier in the month hence the earlier vid. Here's hoping Trophies are shown later today/tomorrow (Y) Everytime Sony announce a firmware and say it's out soon, it's usually the next day, however until we see trophies we obviously ain't getting the update :p Anyway, CUSTOM MUSIC SUPPORT :woot: !! Edited June 30, 2008 by Audioboxer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazzyyfool Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 First video!http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/06/29/...part-1-the-xmb/ Note: Notice the date in the clock of the XMB. :shiftyninja: 6/19 4:14 PM In the words of Paris Hilton. "Thats Hot!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigapixels Veteran Posted June 30, 2008 Veteran Share Posted June 30, 2008 So it looks like the FULL XMB will be available while in-game, which is a step up from the 360 in-game dashboard. One thing that bugs me is that going to the XMB does not pause the game, which I think is completely backwards of what one would expect. What game would you want to leave playing while you're fiddling with other things? It just doesn't make sense :ermm: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted June 30, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted June 30, 2008 So it looks like the FULL XMB will be available while in-game, which is a step up from the 360 in-game dashboard.One thing that bugs me is that going to the XMB does not pause the game, which I think is completely backwards of what one would expect. What game would you want to leave playing while you're fiddling with other things? It just doesn't make sense :ermm: Full XMB, but obviously not everything will work whilst the games running. Yeah I guess :/ Suppose it's not hard to pause then load it up - Not like you'll be loading it up for the sake of it every 10 mins :p On the GAF, I told you guys would be pretty happy with this update. There is a bit more that I am sure you guys will get a kick out of. Hopefully Sony announces all the features in the next video and doesn't leave features out as easter eggs. They always leave some things in the FW updates for us to find! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gigapixels Veteran Posted June 30, 2008 Veteran Share Posted June 30, 2008 Yeah, it's not that big of a deal... There's just really no reason to not pause the game automatically, if you ask me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted June 30, 2008 Author Subscriber² Share Posted June 30, 2008 Yeah, it's not that big of a deal... There's just really no reason to not pause the game automatically, if you ask me. I guess some games, like some sorta RTS can carry on playing themselves whilst you send a message :p And your custom music if on would keep going. But yeah, strange one. I guess it's to allow both types of people their ways.... Maybe someone will find a game that doesn't really need paused? Would be good if there was an option to either pause on press, or keep playing. According to chatter, so we'll see... MGS4 pauses when PS Button is pressed. Thats developer's choice. Other games don't pause when PS button is pressed. Same goes for 360 games. Obviously you couldn't pause an online match, so maybe it is a developer decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackice Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 One thing that bugs me is that going to the XMB does not pause the game, which I think is completely backwards of what one would expect. What game would you want to leave playing while you're fiddling with other things? It just doesn't make sense A lot of games pause when you hit the PS button anyway. I know MGS4 and R:FOM do. Other games will probably get patches. Do like the video, though. Quit game icon is the same as the leaked video (the Bioshock one). I hope it all works on PS1/PS2 games as well. Ooh... I'm going to rip the MGS3 soundtrack CD for MGS4 :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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