PlayStation3 Firmware v2.4 Details Revealed

Ahmed Shaikh, Jun 30, 2008 2012 hrs IST

PS3 v2.4 will come out on July 2nd and bring trophies and in-game XMB!

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We have some good news for PlayStation 3 fans: details on firmware update v2.4 have just been released and the changes read like a PS3 fan's wish-list come true. This update is slated to hit your PS3 come July 2nd. So without further ado, let's go through what has been added.

General changes:

  • In-game XMB is here! Yes, it is finally here. We can now access the XrossMediaBar from within a game title by pressing the PS button on the PS3 controller

  • You can now read a message from a friend from the in-game XMB, and reply to the message as well

  • A welcome addition is that you can now jump across games from the within the in-game XMB. This reduces the need to jump back to the home screen and then launch another game from the home screen

  • Other features that you can access from within the in-game XMB includes the download feature and also the settings menu. Access to the settings menu from inside a game lets you activate the Bluetooth headset, from the in-game XMB directly

  • A minor thing but one long overdue: the clock and date are now visible from the XMB

  • The 2.4 update will also offer the ability to play custom music from within a game, with playback controls available as well

  • Taking a page from the v4.0 update to the PSP; Sony has added a Google search tool to the Network section of the XMB. This tool triggers search directly from the XMB, opening the search result page automatically


    • Interestingly, Eric Lempel of SCEA said that the in-game XMB will be supported by the majority of games available for the PS3. Hmmm. Majority better mean all in this case...






    Also showcased was a new trophies feature. Quite similar to Xbox 360's achievement system; here's what we were told about trophies --

    The Trophy System:
  • A new trophy collection icon has been added to the Games section of the XMB

  • Trophies will be categorized as per game titles, each game will have its own set of trophies. A percentage meter displays how many trophies you have unlocked in a particular title

  • Each trophy has a description which communicates details on how to unlock the trophy, which type of trophy it is, and when you won that particular trophy

  • A new PlayStation Network profile screen has been added. This profile looks similar to Gamercard. An interesting addition here is the element of a levelling system: winning trophies will add to your experience which helps you gain levels

  • There are four types of trophies: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Each type has a value that adds up to your level progress

  • The platinum trophy can only be won until you have unlocked and won all the bronze, silver and gold trophies in a game

  • The platinum trophy will "contribute significantly" toward reaching the next level

  • Trophies can be patched into existing titles (yes!)

  • Pixeljunk Eden and Super Stardust already support trophies. Gamers will be asked to download a patch to Super Stardust in order to enable trophies

  • Much like XBL, developers can only have a certain amount of trophies per game depending on it's type (whether it is a retail game or a PSN title)

  • You can also compare your trophies with what your friends have won.

  • Comparing friends has three options: Create Message (text), Compare Trophies, or Start New Chat










    • The following titles were said to support the trophies system:


  • BUZZ! Quiz TV

  • LittleBigPlanet

  • MotorStorm Pacific Rift

  • NBA '09

  • PAIN

  • PixelJunk Eden

  • Resistance 2

  • SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation

  • Warhawk
    •

    What's more -- we hear that these updates do not cover everything that the 2.4 firmware will bring to the PS3. Additional features will either be revealed at a later date or will be left to us to discover, as Easter eggs.
    GTA4, MGS4, and now firmware 2.4 -- these are good times to be a PlayStation 3 owner! You can check out a developer walthrough of these features yourself, just hit these two videos:

    Part I showing the in-game XMB

    Part II showing the trophy system



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