Sony: In-game communication, firmware 2.4 coming in Summer

Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmware update 2.4 and the strongest line-up of games through our third party partners and our own studios. I'd personally like to thank our trade and business partners for helping us on the start of the PS3 journey says Sony Computer Entertainment UK boss Ray Maguire

[mighty_douche]

Summer it is then guy's. MGS and in-game XMB.... happy days!

[Time Lord]

and maybe even Haze...wow..its going to be great summer for us PS3 owners

[Cwalat]

June 12, the day after i finish my examen, Swedish word for graduate.
No more school, 100% on job and earning some real money. Then after One year i'll begin studiying art and visual art, digital art.

June 12, the day MGS4 comes Out. Earlier in May, Haze, even Earlier in April 29, GTA4.

September, after hard sommer work, Killzone 2, Resistance 2,
Omg Happy Days indeed.

[Exhaust]

Setting up games of COD4 with the phone is painfully inconvenient.

Disagree me all you want. Sony is hurting the PS3 taking so long for this basic feature. Should have been here on day one.

Disappointing.

[Qbanboi]

Who else think that they are going to put this update on the MGS4. But, i mean, the kinda that says "Hey, you want In-game XMB a week earlier? Buy MGS4" And If a week earlier of in-game XMB is the little push for those who aren't sure if buying MGS4 on firstday, they may buy the game first day.

^^ I know i sounds stupid. And Sony probrably wont do that. But Marketing is marketing.

[sonarus]

i am hoping in game xmb comes before the summer

[cLiCK_sLiCK9]

So i guess gamesblow was right? He did say to look foward to in-game XMB this week.....
He never said it was going to be ready to download.
I dont know..i thinking he knows alot of more stuff we dont know...

[xsteinbachx]

yah ingame xmb would be nice, but you know i really don't care to much.. .. i'll just keep playing my games.

[travelguy2k]

about in game XMB, only in game communication. and of course it will be in the MGS$ game disk. They would not release a game and then KNOWINGLY need to patch it within one week of release. Who do you think they are...Microsoft...lol ;>

[Stubacca]

The PS3 is the greatest console on the market. The King Of Consoles. The wii is for kids, the X-box for idiots. And it pains me that the PS3 lacks the key feature of in-game XMB.

I wanna play my own tunes and message my buds at any time Mr Sony. Grant my wish as soon as possible and I'll spend more money on your games!

Deal?

[name]

Is it really that complicated of a feature? I think they're holding off in game communication until home's arrival. They've added features way more complicated than in game XMB in past updates.

[mighty_douche]

it is rather complicated as you need to reduce the over all OS foot-print to allow a set amount of memory dedicated to the XMB. Thats actually a very large undertaking.

But i agree they might be saving it for HOME, as that way it seems like a larger update for the Playstation in general...

[rawd]

And you know this because you are a Sony XMB developer?

[Slayer OP]

He is probably a computer whiz.

[RJ2000]

TO 2.1:

Being a computer science major, I believe he is basically saying that they have to dig into the serious hardware issues before they can get the XMB working properly. Either way if they have to change how the hardware works they have to test near a million things to make sure it doesn't change things for the developers or even worse brick systems!

[Exhaust]

If obvious Sony never considered universal in game voice chat during development. Like Douche said its an OS foot print issue. If the feature was built in from the ground floor it wouldn't be a problem but since its being tacked on its very complicated.

Even with the 360 having it on launch day a year before the PS3 came out Sony was asleep at the wheel.

I'm not a Sony hater just stating the obvious. Should have been there on day one.

To see a game like COD4 tell you to "exit out of COD4 to add friends from XMB" on the invite screen... That's sad.

[Kleptic]

The original OS had nearly 70megs dedicated to the friends list, with another 30megs or so goin to the rest of the OS...althought i can't find the article that I read that in...it would make sense though...Ted Price commented on how the original dev kits for the PS3 that they worked on were using over 100megs for the OS during actual gameplay...but that Sony had been reducing that significantly immediately after the system launched...rumors now suggest that the PSEdge toolset upgrade/update (which was free) has the OS optimized down to under 50megs now (compared the the 360's 32)...

In either case...It is probably safe to assume that the in game messaging, at least, was originally there...but following the early negative feedback SCE recieved regarding the OS footprint...they very likely could have had to drop it for a while...and ever since have been figuring out a way to get the same functionality, with a quarter of the memory requirements...

it would have been easier for SCE and all developers had the PSN been completely unified from the beginning...meaning there was a protocol that developers had to follow to make all networking features identical...which is what MS requires with XBL...after this update the PSN will be fully unified...but it is definitely a lot more work for them to be fixing this now, than if it would have been this way before the very first game even started development...

[vhero]

dont have to be a tech to know what hes talking about the last thing you need is for them to mess it up and it brick your console like MS have done with so many of thier updates.

[moparful99]

Exhaust shut up dude, you sound like a little baby... Do you know whats sad? A console that the maker knew was broken on release but released it anyway. Sony's method of launching the console and adding features that they can test properly and make sure they wont affect the operation of the system is a good idea.. People are too d@mn impatient.. I want what I want and I want it right now! Why can people sit on their hands and chill. I only care about being able to talk to people that im playing a game with... I could care less about not being able to view text messages, I'm playing a game if I wanted to talk to my friends I wouldnt be in a game........

[akaFullMetal]

wow, just great, this summer is going to be really special for us ps3 owners

[rofldings]

So there's a strong possibility home will come with this update..?

[Andronix]

A massive Firmware update that delivers HOME and in-game XMB would be amazing. But, he mentions Firmware update 2.4. We are currently on Firmware 2.1. which possibly means 2 more minor firmware updates?

[paul_war]

Obviously I was wanting this sooner, but as long as it works, I'll wait.

[chasegamez]

we just need 2 access the friend list
just like lost planet,resistance and few other games do already
and 2 play a song or 2

[Relcom]

we need full XMB.

Sony shouldn't copy Xbox, they should give us full access and be unique

[switch-it]

He did say in-game communication

[mikeslemonade]

I rather just have in game messaging/voice then in game music and game invites. Those latter two things are nice to have but those would effect the potential of great games which is most important. Sony has always been about options. If the developers want in game music and game invites then they can have it but the baseline in game messaging/voice should be a standard.

[MikeGdaGod]

we just need in game communication and custom music.

why do you need access to your pics and videos during a game? i could see accessing them in Home but thats about it. we dont need that for every game.

my #1 is in-game music. everything else is secondary to me.

[mikeslemonade]

We already have in game music just not standard for all games which is the best way. Some games just shouldn't be played with custom music and I like how the developer chooses whether to have it or not.

[Salvadore]

*Writes it down in calender* All that remains now is getting a job and WHOLA!!! I have a PStriple.

[The Wood]

its almost impossible getting your first choice unless your really creative

i have TecZero, Verichip, EastLondon and toomuchspeartime

[The Wood]

but i made these accounts before the ps3 was released in europe.

I would gladly give them off but I did make them with my friends in mind so yes it was a selfish act and an abuse of something that is free. If anybody likes the look of the names I got, pm us and ill give you the deets which can then be changed to what you deem fit

In-game XMB or parts of the XMB is a step in the right direction. cross game chat is a little lower down my list of wants/needs. Sound output options are a little higher as the ps3 doesn't allow sound to sent over all the outputs simultaneously at the mo

[hardmetal]

Confirmed!

[scoobysnacks]

we are on 2.10 at present. If being able to talk to friends, via in-game xmb, is in firmware 2.40 update (summer, approx june-sept), then when and what are we gonna get with the 2.20 and 2.30 updates still to come between now and then. I'm curious to know what other things Sony are gonna be gracious enough to give us in the next two updates.

[ar]

BD-Live maybe? I sure hope so at least.

[P4KY B]

Good news, I'm now one step closer to buying a PS3.

[switch-it]

Great news ;)

[Bubble Buddy]

One step closer to the edge, and i'm about to BREAK.

And yeah nice, ps3's worth it, trust me :D. Torrents, then transfer to ps3, free moviesss without wasting a cd.

[Cop_Boy]

anyway its sony for u D3LAY B3YOND lol

[Lifendz]

With the games, movies, and in-game xmb it's like a perfect storm. MS could learn a lesson from Sony: when you don't rush something it's all the better when it does come out.

[aftrdark21]

Thank Goodness for Ignore button!

[Mr Playboy]

So you are RROD Cop, right ??

[Jason 360_Niglet]

Stomme Amerikaanse f*ck

[Mikelarry]

sony actually telling us its gonna be relased soon pinch me i must be dreaming. but this is good news. no more w8 i have to quit the game to talk to you.

[callahan09]

Sounds good. I'm surprised the PS3 sold faster in Europe than the PSone and 2 did. That's pretty impressive, regardless of whether it was sold primarily as a movie player. As long as the machines are out there, people will be using them for games, even if the occassional owner never puts a game disc in theirs. This is interesting to hear that it's the fastest selling Playstation brand console in the UK because up until this point I'd kept on hearing about how successful the 360 is there and how British aren't buying as many PS3's. Regardless of which system is doing better there, this is a pretty impressive thing for them and it's definitely good news for Sony. Evidence of success, indeed.

[timmyp53]

That would be sweet.

[forcefullpower]

My Predication is:-

2.20 will be ingame XMB which will be this month or even earlier this week.

2.30 Will be Home integration updates.

2.40 They where talking about ingame communication. Not XMB. Don't get the two confused.

[The Wood]

either way the sooner the better for ps3 owners and potential ps3 owners IF those are deciding factors in their console choice

[Doctor Strange]

That sounds right. I was thinking the same things since 2.4 is a couple of firmware's away.

Sony has been on the ball this year, hope they keep up the good work.

[THE_JUDGE]

when HOME is launched we will have in-game XMB.

[callahan09]

What about in-game Home?
Watching the most recent leaked video of the Home Beta, it looks like all the features you could ever want and then some are part of Home. The only problem I noticed with it was that it takes a while for it to initially launch and load up. I think that they should just make Home the new standard interface, because it contains the XMB (in-game PSP) among other things. It could be a cool interface even for people who aren't connected to the internet. And then if somebody really doesn't like it, you could always choose not to use Home as your standard interface and use the original style XMB.

Maybe I'm dreaming, I don't know! Hahaha.

But I wonder ... I know Sony promised in-game XMB this year, but I've read that it takes a lot of RAM to run the XMB, and that the games need access to that RAM. So how can they solve that dilemma? Is it possible for them to use the HDD to cache information and use that as a sort of memory buffer or something? Or is the HDD read/write time too slow for that kind of functionality? I wonder how they'll pull it off...

[DarkSniper]

Dark Sniper would like to take the time out to issue credit to Gamesblow. He was partially right on this particular news. Dark Sniper read his blog on myspace and he specifically stated that In Game XMB would be coming this week, or Sony would be making an announcement on when it would come. While he was not spot on correct, he was very close.

Good job Gamesblow on giving the gamers a true source of news and reliabilty. While the rest of the Sony Snipers have not believed in you just yet, they soon will. Keep informing those who really want the truth.

$niper

[Bleucrunch]

why do u speak in the third person other than that good post!

[sabbath420]

Dude how many people must tell you that you are retarded before you get it? Well listen to yourself little guy. You sound like a slow kid when you speak in the third person like that. And wow, you now think your a freaking prophet? Well we all knew sony would someday come out with in game chat. How many years have you all been waiting now for what xbox had years ago? Good for you. Nothing new here. Maybe you will get some music options or I.M. to. PLAY B3HIND! Oh but you got a bluray movie player. That makes the crappy game selection all better eh?

[captainpwn]

He's a desperate amateur trying to get some attention. I've seen his name on the Playstation.Blog comments spamming and insulting Sony by saying their useless and how we need in-game XMB, home, and better store updates.

I will guarantee you all 1 thing: Home is not June 17th-June 30th. He just guessed they'd put it close to the end of Spring. Watch, as soon as Home is announced, he'll be back saying that they decided to 1) release it early or 2) delay it.

Go ahead, believe this guy, but get ready to be disappointed.

[DiLeCtioN]

it already sony..rfom is a simple example of in-game xmb so it wont be that hard to add full features

[kewlkat007]

MKV Files On Playstation 3? without installing linux?

I have HD 720P downloads which will not play grrr

[SPARTAAN]

he just updated it according to him in game xmb is still comin this week or next n tht the firmware 2.4 is home

UPDATE 2.4 is not IN GAME XMB!!
Category: Games

Man, people chill out... Please. As I said, people are going to be more upset about what in game XMB doesn't offer, rather than it does. The in game XMB is hitting very soon.

V2.4 is home... which will hit on June 17th to June 31st. Like I've always said. More or less June 17th, though.

In game xMb is a whole different thing all together. It's done... I've seen it and it's ready to go. Will it offer you everything you want? Probably not, but we're never happy.

2.4 is not... I repeat... NOT... IN GAME XMB.

I'll be back soon to post.

http://blog.myspace.com/ind...

[sonarus]

i suspect custom soundtracks will be absent. but we'll see

[Bleucrunch]

Thanks for the heads up spartan. I agree people wont be satisfied with it even though I wont care as long as I can check messages while im playing a game.

[Ri0tSquad]

I actually didn't believe Gamesblow when he spoke on In-Game XMB but now I do. The last G.A.P. pole's majority vote was Custom Soundtracks and ironically the pole finally got taken down about 2 weeks ago. Eh, who knows what Sony will do. But Custom Soundtracks did have more votes over In-Game Messaging/Communication. Either way its good to hear Sony has announced again that we will be getting this feature, but with a date included....well, sorta.

[PStriple703]

good news, home...mgs4....gta4....rumble. ....in-game xmb

[bakasora]

support more video codec!! MKV, x264, rmvb, wm.....
heh.. I'm greedy

[forcefullpower]

We will have XMB way before HOME.

Why does everyone think that just coz home is not out Everything stops.
We will get updates before HOME comes out. It's not the be all and end all of the PS3.

FFS

[kalel333]

Finally about time ! :) .

[Mr Playboy]

Good to hear

[whoelse]

At least we dont have to wait till Christmas

[btkadams]

it doesnt really say that ingame communication is part of 2.4... maybe one of them is coming sooner? i really want cust soundtracks i hope it comes before summer

[pwnsause]

well its comming. there you go confirmed. I guess we'll see home packed in with this as well. In the words of Martin Lawerence in Blue Streak -"You want thirty-one flava's? Baskin and Robbins is where you wanna be. Be cool."

[whoelse]

One thing i noticed is it said in-game communication... not necessarily in-game XMB! :(

[Kleptic]

oops...

[SL1M DADDY]

Firstly he mentions in game communications, then the firmware update (specifically 2.4) and then a strong line-up of games. So I ask the question, what firmware update with the communications come in and is 2.4 going to be Home? I know about the great games coming but the other two questions I have are the two items I would like to know the answers to.

[aggh im on fire]

Bout time.

[TheMART]

Delay after delay after delay...

Almost two years after the PS3's launch!!! My god. Why did it took them that long in the first place?

And I bet they won't make summer, like the PS3 didn't make spring 2006, but Christmas 2006 in USA/Japan and even March 2007 in Europe.

Somewhere in 2009 maybe???

[fenderputty]

feature. The whole delay angle you're going with though is lame. There's been plenty of things delayed on the 360 including your godly Halo, ME and Too Human. As long as it's coming and it's confirmed then I'm happy.

You should be happy too. You know you're going to get a PS3. BD has won. I know you love GOW. I know you're interested in LBP. Who wouldn't want to play MGS4? You'll have rumble, ingame xmb, HOME and freeonline service. Couple all that with a price drop and I don't see how anyone could turn that down. This year is a great year to own a PS3 and everyone knows it.

[Rockwallaby]

They never announced it so it can't be delayed.

[KozmoOchez]

in game xmb is good and all, but what about HOME?

[kevin1122]

only thing i dont understand is they were showing off the in-game xmb before the ps3 released and now we are finally getting this stuff a year and a half in. Who was the genius that thought they should show it off early and then release it a year down the road.

[aggh im on fire]

This is one of the reasons ive been playing online with my 360 rather than my ps3. Glad its finally coming... you have dragged your heels on this one though Sony.

[undacovabrothe]

Will not be a firmware update so... 2.2 must be the blue ray firmware and 2.3 dont really know maybe just a bunch of ideas Sony came up like the voice changer. Home should be coming out around may maybe late april if not the official release then the open beta at least since japan is getting theres at the end of march. Anyway good to hear that in-game xmb will be here before killzone res2 and possibly socom. Hopefully socom and the in-game xmb hit together.

[sleepbox]

For all Sony's goofed on network wise, how is Home gonna be so special? They can't even get in-game communication working without major overhauls. Home will be a waste.

[chaosatom333]

still kinda a disappointing. I thought it would come with the launch of gta or something.

[PimpHandHappy]

to tell ppl sending me invites that i will follow after the game is over.

[sephy 9 2 5]

That guy that was banned from here seems to be right regarding the "timeframe" this time around based off what I'm hearing.

[Robulos]

I'm just glad Sony doesn't use the public for beta testing their software like M$.

[gixxxer]

Eventhough I never use the chat function on my PS3 I can tell it's a good thing to have so YAY for that!

[WINZLOW]

THE ONLY GAME WHERE YOU CAN TRUELY UTILIZE IN GAME XMB IS RESISTANCE FALL OF MAN. YOU CAN SET A GAME UP WITH FRIENDS AND CREATE A PASSWORD. COD4 DOESNT HAVE THAT SO YOUR STILL GOING TO PUT UP WITH ISH TALKING SEHCTIB IN YOUR ROOM THAT YOU SET UP FOR YOUR BUDDIES. YOU GUYS SOUND LIKE A BUNCH OF BABIES.

[Boink]

you lose a bubble for not turning your caps off...

[Rockwallaby]

yeah de-bubbled for caps

[Boink]

although it still boggles the mind as to why these were not implemented since day one.

and what about the games that have been in developement for years now, will they have to push back release dates just to support it?

or will they just not support it?

good for sony fans though!

[eagle21]

You know it's going to slick, and not just the normal...

[Stubacca]

It's like the only thing Sony have really disappointed me with. I expected my PS3 to have it automatically. It's tragic. Some game soundtracks are really repetitive or in a word- crap.

Still, would rather not have it than have RROD instead...

[JBaby343]

But I'll believe it when I see it. Till then I'm still hoping.

[snoopgg]

Yeah we got a bluray while you got a failure like the hddvd good point. Secondly, considering that the 360 and ps3 had mostly the same third party mutiplatform games, that would make the 360 have a shatty software selection also. Considering the lackluster first party releases by microsoft right now, the 360's software selection sucks right now and the rest of 2008.

[gamesblow]

1st of all...

Gamesblow is not on the Offical Sony blog... sorry for you luck. That isn't me. I'm always being asked that. It's not ME!!! It's someone trying to be me and if you watch my vids or venture to my blogsite you'd know this.

As for In Game XMB... this whole 2.4 thing is not It, sorry... I'm in the beta for home and know for a fact, as I've said all along on my blogsite... HOME will not hit until the summer. 2.4 is HOME... it's not in game xmb.

For anyone who wanted to doubt me... I told you this announcement would come... And, to further stick my neck out on the line. I am, once again, confirming, In game XMB is dropping very soon. I stand by my blogsite...

I'm sorry, after all the times I've been right, you all aren't standing by me yet. That's fine... you all can take your "yes/no" Surfer Girl news as truth.

I've tried to tell you time and time again... I'm not a super successful, smash hit, forum posting, blog burning, truth pill dealing, 98% approved videogame reporting Icon for no reason.

Trust in Gamesblow... How many times does one have to be right around here to finally be taken serious?

[Iamback]

Some people will never acknowlede that you are right even when you obviously have been numerous time. For us that follow your blog know this to be true. You shouldn't care about that group and what they think, you are getting more and more follower that trust you, so who cares about those others?

[xsteinbachx]

im waiting gamesblow for the next week + or - a few days. i have trust.

[Montage]

Does this mean games will actually play like they should on this 'amazing piece of machinery' or will they still run slower and look dodgier than they're xbox versions??