PS3 XMB, trophy update a go for E3?

  • By TomM_GScom, GameSpot
  • Posted Jun 25, 2008 12:06 pm PT

Source: UK gaming-news outlet Computer and Video Games, and gaming blog PS3Fanboy. What we heard: It took a fair amount of rumor and speculation to get there, but Sony finally confirmed last week that the PlayStation 3's next firmware update would include the oft-requested and long-promised in-game...

Source: UK gaming-news outlet Computer and Video Games, and gaming blog PS3Fanboy.

What we heard: It took a fair amount of rumor and speculation to get there, but Sony finally confirmed last week that the PlayStation 3's next firmware update would include the oft-requested and long-promised in-game cross media bar (XMB) and trophy achievements. Unfortunately, the console maker did not reveal the full contents of that update or when it would be available.

Cue rumor and speculation. Waving the "exclusive" banner today, CVG reports that an anonymous tipster has leaked the contents of PS3 firmware update v2.40. Making Sony's promise of "some other new enhancements" appear as a modest understatement, CVG's leak reveals a bevy of features that will allegedly be part of the in-game XMB, listed below:

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 "exciting new feature" that Sony alluded to last week may be the background music (BGM) functionality. According to CVG's tipster, the newly added BGM feature will let PS3 gamers play, stop, skip forward and backward, repeat, and shuffle tracks. When song playback is stopped, the game music will reportedly pick back up. A similar feature is available through the Xbox 360 dashboard, which also allows streaming from external MP3 players onto the console.

CVG's tipster believes that Sony will loose v2.40 on the masses in "around three weeks," which would put it smack-dab in the middle of the most heavily publicized event of the year: the E3 Media and Business Summit. However, given that v2.40 promises to deliver two of the most frequently requested features to the PS3's firmware, and considering the ides of June are well in the past, the three-week time frame makes sense.

As one more bit of secret sauce that Sony is allegedly pouring out with v2.40, CVG's tipster dropped a few details on the mystery-shrouded Trophy system. The trophies will reportedly be 2D images and will be awarded as bronze, silver, gold, and platinum, with the top-tier trophy apparently becoming available only after all other awards have been collected in any given game. More importantly, the system will not feature an overall gamerscore a la Xbox Live Achievements. Instead, it will award experience points as part of a leveling functionality that the tipster did not expound upon.

As for what those trophies will look like, PS3Fanboy may have the answer. Earlier this week, the gaming blog posted with a measure of skepticism shaky-cam photos (pictured, top) of what a tipster claims to be shots of the trophy system in action. That information was apparently verified by another informer, who sent in a follow-up shot of a prototype gamercard (pictured, bottom). According to PS3Fanboy's second informant, experience points will be awarded in relation to the level of the trophy, and gamers will level up as these points accumulate.

The official story: "We can't comment on rumors or speculation."--A Sony representative, clearly looking forward to E3.

Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus on all counts.

553 Comments

  • ps3_fanatic001

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 10:19 am PT

    Go to the official PlayStation blog for more info. There has been an update on the site and there are now two walkthrough videos for the 2.40 update.

  • CompaqFS7600

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 8:36 am PT

    This tipster had the right game card so it's not bogus and if you don't believe me check out dlb-network.com for videos.

  • Evinco_DX

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 6:01 am PT

    Good job on another rip off sony. Anyways ps3 gamers, enjoy what 360 gamers been enjoying for the past 3 years.

  • kos1085

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 5:37 am PT

    Can't wait for these features to release on July 2.

  • TheLastRevenge

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 5:37 am PT

    rattaz - that means manage your headset, mouse and others. BGM is custom soundtrack. Probably music folder in your Ps3.

  • TheLastRevenge

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 5:34 am PT

    Sorry for my language, i'm only learning.

  • Wezker619

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 3:13 am PT

    I love my ps3, Reason NO REGION PROTECTION.

  • zap-23

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 3:11 am PT

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=U9-JK07lVUk

  • rattaz

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 1:44 am PT

    Manage Bluetooth devices....what do they mean bye that?
    and wat is BGM?

  • PSWII60user

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 11:26 pm PT

    get a life ozzy, go post on the 360 threads and talk about that awesome 50 bucks u spend on xbl

  • PSWII60user

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 11:01 pm PT

    jaredrichards3
    -YOUR AN IDIOT, the ps3's graphics engine is better than 360, it is just developers dont have the resources to use all the power that is possible. read up on facts before you post!

  • PSWII60user

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 10:57 pm PT

    Taygun91-
    1. it is not copyrighted
    2. now that sony has all those features and you stil dont have to pay for psn, what is the better value?
    3. OHHHHHHH free themes M$ FTW!!!!

  • Nightfalls93

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 10:44 pm PT

    Im a 360 "fanbot" but Ive played pS3 online and it was already well put together and this will further improve it, keep it up sony im rooting for you, and i never hate on sony because when there was no xbox, Sony was always there for me>

  • Dan2002sk8er

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 10:44 pm PT

    trophies are a booger now I have to build up my Gamerscore and PS3 trophies at the same time. I just broke 10,000 gamerscore, now I have to worry about my PS3 score as well. this makes a problem as to witch system to play games on good thing I work at a Video store and get free rentals.

  • Taygun91

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 10:38 pm PT

    And yea you can download free themes on the 360. Just not all are free.

  • Taygun91

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 10:37 pm PT

    mbgbeserk

    Dude, the PS3's new update is an exact rip of the 360 features. Enough said the 360 has thought ahead. And having one feature like web surfing isnt that good of an update considering the late release.

  • kazuya001

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 8:54 pm PT

    TheLastRevenge---Hmmmm...Ohhhh-kayyyyyy,,,,

    About time Sony.

  • jaredrichards3

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 8:49 pm PT

    it's about time sony got with the times, xbl has made psn and the ps3's xmb look terrible for a long time. Lets just hope Sony go the next step with more dedicated servers and a better web browser. too bad the graphics card in the ps3 is still weak though

  • mbgberserk

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 7:49 pm PT

    2.40 is not a copy of xbox 360 it's better than it for one you can't use a web search on a xbox so ha ha they can't download free themes for the xbox 360. ps3 is getting stronger each week by this sep. ps3 will be the system to beat !!!!!! mad games are coming sony is number one now and for ever they started in 1995 and now look at them they still here !!!! xbox can't stop them no one can

  • PSWII60user

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 7:30 pm PT

    TheLastRevenge

    WHAT????? lrn2englishplz.

    ...on another note. LETS GO E3 i cant wait anymore

  • Sammojo

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 7:13 pm PT

    Metal Gear Solid 4, and now this. Wow, double whammy.

  • lordmt

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 6:52 pm PT

    Ok i guess. But i will leave the achievements to the 360. I will only play ps3 exclusives anyway.

  • Shtinky

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 6:45 pm PT

    I dont even use half the special features tucked away in XBOX live such as music playback, because the Blade / guide interface is so slow and clubsy to use and usually crashes the game.

  • Scianix-Black

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 6:08 pm PT

    MP3 in-game playability, huh...

    Call of Duty 4 and Britney Spears, anyone?



    C'mon, yaknow you wanna.

  • ShadowOfKratos

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 4:35 pm PT

    another thing I was wondering...
    if one will be able to convert trophies into funds... hmm, maybe a bit too much ask eh... lol.

    and "PHOTOTYPE615", it's people like you that make me have stupid thoughts like; maybe I should copyright my legs so that the next millions of people born with legs should have to clip them off so they won't imitate me... jeez... get a grip.

    my point is this; all next gen. systems should have these features. better late than never. besides, Sony did use up alot of time to research BluRay and the cell processor (which I'm glad they did, even I would make those a priority)

  • BdaRenegade91

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 3:47 pm PT

    woooooooooooooooooooooooo awesome dude

  • baller72

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 3:15 pm PT

    ok now I will enjoy warhawk, gta4, and nba 2k8, DMC4, and maybe even MGS4 alot more with my own music mix

  • PHOTOTYPE615 posted Jun 29, 2008 2:00 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    PHOTOTYPE615

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 2:00 pm PT (hide)

    PS3 needs some originality, Xbox Live already have achievements, you can say xbl stold it but this is new generation gaming were talking about dont try to compete with taking the same thing your opponent has done

  • TheLastRevenge

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 8:36 am PT

    It's really annoying when you stucked in action and somebody writes you - game need to be finished. I think they release it in 10 july - Burnout update comes, Conquest for Bad Company - they must get trophies with them i think.

  • CageFury

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 3:06 am PT

    Now all they need is private voice chat and cross-game invites and I'll be happy. Btw, with the exception of msging your friends, this is not a PSN update. This is simply a dashboard/GUI update.

  • darkangel494

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 2:39 am PT

    no chat rofl

  • SteveTwo

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 12:00 am PT

    Can I server the music to the PS3 off my PC or MP3 player or do all the songs need to be on the HD?

  • DSfanatic5

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 8:55 pm PT

    Honestly, I think PS3 owners would've paid the same amount for Xbox Live, if they could've had all this from day one. PS3 owners can afford it, since most early adopters paid $500 plus for their system.

    The only problem with free online, is that nobody can complain when it isn't working properly. Hopefully Sony can provide a quality experience, whether it's free or not.

  • PSWII60user

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 8:47 pm PT

    even though these rumors usually prove to be correct...that ? is killin me!!!

  • PSWII60user

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 8:40 pm PT

    brink16
    I am pretty sure they mean in game private voice chats.
    but then again i could be wrong, many people dont read the whole article

  • pipopper

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 8:37 pm PT

    @brink16

    dude that is not a chat feature, thats just sending n receiving messages while in a game. Totally not the same thing.

    all they have to do now is make a continuous chat system like xbl and I will officially be satisfied. MS really needs to step up their service in order to make that annual fee worthwhile.

  • brink16

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 5:38 pm PT

    just putting this out there but for all u guys saying there is no chatting dudes seriosly its the second freaking one on the list god u idiots

  • PSWII60user

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 5:27 pm PT

    GamerDude3282-
    agreed but personally i think the ps3 was better b4 anyway. this is just gonna fill the holes in the psn

  • ShadowOfKratos

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 4:31 pm PT

    .....but it's about time that I can "at least" pretend that I've got an iPod on GTA4 when travelling on foot... xD

  • ShadowOfKratos

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 4:05 pm PT

    "tagan55"
    those fanboys are probably too bored to stick around at their side of the site, so they come here... hating... crying... begging for attention like the little kids that they are...

    anyway, a thought about the firmware... it would have been so nice if you could also access the internet while in-game... you know, when you want to check out an online guide or something without having to run off to your computer.

    I also hope that when HOME comes out it will be accessible on the in-game XMB.

  • thekodaman

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 12:32 pm PT

    The only two things there that interest me in the slightest are the BGM functionality and the In-game XMB, the rest is a load of supeficial waffle that could have waited.

  • tobster12

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 12:11 pm PT

    sounds cool, i gotta get my PS3 first though lol. im getting one on my b-day yay!

  • L0000m35

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 11:51 am PT

    wow im impressed sony congrats cant wait

  • j5r9s2

    Posted Jun 28, 2008 11:21 am PT

    Is it here yet, Is it her yet, Is it here yet...

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