Tomorrow is the day Sony will release its PlayStation 3’s 2.40 firmware. Even though, to many people, this one won’t be as exciting as the 2.20 release it will carry some significant improvements. Version 2.40 will allow users to access the XrossMediaBar (XMB) system navigation menu, as well as introduce ‘trophies’ similar to the achievements system used by the Xbox 360.
Sony posted two videos describing the newest main features:
Firmware (v.2.40) Walkthrough Part 1: the XMB
Firmware (v.2.40) Walkthrough Part 2: Trophies
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XMB seems to be a pretty cool feature and here’s what you’ll be able to do from the in-game XMB:
- Friend category
- View, send, receive messages
- Manage downloads
- Set the vibration feature of the controller
- Sign in to PlayStation Network
- Register friends
- Manage Bluetooth devices
- Terminate the game
- Music category
- Use the system BGM
- Work the system BGM operation panel
- Settings category
- Assign controllers
- View profiles
- Game category
- Set audio devices
- Use the voice changer
The Trophy system will allow gamers to “collect” trophies for their gaming achievements. According to Sony, many online games will have gold, silver and bronze trophies, with platinum available for those who snag all three.
The first games to support trophy system are:
- BUZZ! Quiz TV
- LittleBigPlanet
- MotorStorm Pacific Rift
- NBA 09 - PS3
- PAIN
- PixelJunk Eden
- Resistance 2
- SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation
- Warhawk
Bellow is a Q&A posted on the official Playstation 3 blog:
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.
You can read more about the 2.40 update here!
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