Full 2.40 Firmware FAQ released

via Computer and Video Games


Director of PlayStation Network operations Eric Lempel has posted some answers to the most asked questions regarding Sony's latest PlayStation 3 firmware update.

The FAQ covers subjects like voice messaging and private chat, web browser access, in-game invites and even Eric's favourite cheese. Sounds pretty intensive. Here's the full thing:


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?

How quickly things can change - there *will* be a sound effect when you unlock a Trophy.

What is Eric's favourite cheese?

Mozzarella

So rather than simply force music by way of a function within in-game-XMB (using the PS button) Sony opted to once again make it the dev's choice?

Come the **** on Sony; from what I read custom soundtracks was always possible, but devs CHOSE not to use it (High Velocity Bowling BEING THE ONLY GAME I know of that uses it).

So I am willing to bet we are once again stuck without Music in game, thanks Sony.

Sony didn't add Custom Soundtrack straight to the firmware because Microsoft has some legal patents that restricts other companies to use this feature.

In other words, Sony can't use it because Microsoft has copy-righted custom soundtracks.

The feature is there, they're just allowing the developers to simply press the "On" button and get over that obstacle.

Y'know - not all games on the 360 use it either. It's just as optional there. It wouldn't be fair to force it on people - and what about the games that wanted to use their own music? Both would play at once, unless it was optional.

Cloudy

If I am not mistaken, IRShell mutes the music from a game when playing music from the Memstick.

So a huge international corporation with 50+ dollars an hour developers cannot best a homebrew programmer?

I am sorry, but Custom Soundtrack possibility was in the PS3 since damn near day one; we never saw it because devs didn't implement it (same thing, simply "turn it on".) The article I read was dated shortly after launch, when Sony increased the efficiency of the XMB; the article detailed everything that the XMB reserves RAM for; pretty much everything we wanted from In-game-XMB was already available to developers to call with a button press. (ie button_press_select = func_xmb_music_menu; )

Did developers use them? No. So what makes us think they will do so now if In-Game-XMB operates the same way?

And about the 360, as far as I know in the US, one cannot patent software, so unless MS discovered some hardware means of making it so (which would be rather ridiculous) I don't think they have it patented.

Copyrighted is another matter, which is possible, but even then, Sony would simply have to provide another software means of doing it (ie programmed completely different).

note to self: blow up mozzarella factory.