First PS3 Firmware 2.5 Details

A development source has told CVG that PS3 firmware update 2.5 is rumoured to have screen grabbing built in.

Exactly how this would be done and what you could do with the shots once you've grabbed a piece of the action isn't yet known. But you've got to reckon that uploading them to a server and showing off and using the images as themes would be a safe bet.

[Alexander Roy]

Am I the only one who would rather see "real" custom music in games, i.e. not needing the game's support, before we get something new to tinker with?
Anyway, nice to see more and more features. Though I'd love to see them get them right one after another instead of just cramming them in somehow...
I can dream, can't I?

[sonarus]

Custom music won't happen unless sony forces developers to put it in.

I really really want a music player though and some ipod support damn it. That other way is just a plain ol hustle

[StephanieBBB]

Private in-game chat between friends.

This compliated by the new bluethooth headset that's coming with socom would be the best thing that have hit the PS3 since MGS4. No lie.

[kindi_boy]

i don't see details where are the details?!
this article is a waste of time...

[Mr_Bun]

Firmware 2.5 might be able to screen capture...that is all is in the article

[SI7VER]

Sony cannot implement the standard for all games to use custom soundtracks, due to Microsoft owns a patent on it. If you don't believe me...Do some research bud.

-777-

[Jellzy]

As much as ingame custom soundtracks would be pretty good, the fact i have a bluetooth dongle hooked up2 the PC just so i can use my bluetooth headsets 2 speak to friends across games, and during games (between loading etc..) is ridiculous.

Kudos 4 microsoft on their corss-game-chat, as its really the only feature that the PS3 is sorely in need of.

[kindi_boy]

i know that information is there and i happen to know it (don't ask how, forgot).

but that's no where near the word DETAIL. this person needs to check his vocabulary.

[pwnsause]

"Uumm just FYI,
Sony cannot implement the standard for all games to use custom soundtracks, due to Microsoft owns a patent on it. If you don't believe me...Do some research bud.

-777-"

Uh, yes they can, Warhawk is going to do it.

[PimpHandStrong]

i couldnt agree less about custom music

while games like MLB The Show and a few other games have custom music i just wanted to say

Music in some games moves the game along

Madden: I have Sam Spencer playing only! I would never think of putting any other music over my Madden. IMO the NFL deal for EA rules because they can put that music into the game!

If game makers want you to have custom music they can add it to the game. If devs want you to hear the music they made to create a feeling of suspense then i would advise not throwning your own music over top of it

[mfwahwah]

I agree, but it's different with online MP. When I'm playing CoD4, I want to listen to my playlist. I've been listening to music while I play games since I started playing WoW a few years ago. I always liked listening to my music while grinding, raiding, PvPing, etc.

When it comes to SP, I agree. Many times the music fits really well and adds to the atmosphere. For instance, I can't really imagine playing a game like Devil May Cry 4 and listening to Fat Boy Slim lol.

[solidt12]

You do know that you can listen to music on your iPod Now right. the problem is that you can't see the title names of the songs due to Apples encryption. But if you plug in your iPod then hit triangle and display all you can see the files and play them.

[pwnsause]

why disagree if Warhawk is doing it via the XMB? you press the PS button, then go to music, then play it while in game. are you guys dumb?

[Alexander Roy]

Since most people seem to mistake my first comment as bashing or just don't get my point, let me elaborate further.

When I play MGS4, I wouldn't dare to lay a finger on the music. During the Olympic Games a few days ago, I saw a recap of the highlights. They played the MGS4 Love Theme in the background. I cried. I remembered that rollercoaster of emotions I went through during the game and shed a few tears while watching Usain Bolt breaking two WR's in slow motion.

I recently started Final Fantasy XII again. I've come to a point where I need some intense grinding to unlock some things on the license board, just because I like the feeling of being overpowered. Gives me the freedom of concentrating on the story instead of number crunching and having to fear every second boss. Racking up a line of 200 Skeletons in the Lhusu Mines is a chore. Listening to the BGM for the first three rotations, but after that, it just leeches my brains out.
That is the grinding example mfwahwah already did.
If I had the option to listen to some stand-up comedy while doing it, it would be easier - more enjoyable - to me.

The very first time I played Star Wars Episode One: Racer, I won every single track on the first try. I just *pwnd* every opponent. The third race in or the last four (the ones you have to unlock), I couldn't win. I always got carried out of the corners. Didn't hit the brakes right. Didn't get the boost ready soon enough. After ten or so tries, I got up, put a CD - the very first Pokémon Series OST (you may laugh now) - and put the Team Rocket song on loop. On my first try, I finished the race second. I restarted the race one last time - and won by more than ten seconds lead.

To me, music is important. It can affect both my body and mind to a large degree (if I listen the right way). It can get me pumped. Sooth me. Make me nervous. Remind me of things. Help me concentrate. Make my blood boil.

Now, there are games that have a perfectly fitting OST, IMHO. MGS4 for one. But that isn't true for all of them, the reasons being explained in the last few paragraphs. I hope more people get my point now. I really want build-in custom soundtracks. Yes, I can listen to my iPod while playing, no big thing. But it isn't exactly convenient. We have the option in some games and that's all cool, but I would be *happy* to see it being realized better.

And even though I still think that a screenshot option is gimmicky, I like the idea. Even if it just makes it easier to show off your highscores.

[Lord Anubis]

screen captures are already in some games/ as long as you have a keyboard with your PS3. I guess they are putting it on the xmb like they did with the in-game music (too a feature that had been there before but not on the xmb)

[DanB91]

MS has a patent on OS based in game music, meaning ALL games can play custom music in game and the dev doesn't really have to do anything to enable this feature.

To get around this, the dev for the game has to implement the option themselves. Just because you can access in game music via the XMB on warhawk doesnt mean Sony can automatically make all games support it.

The option of accessing music via the XMB isn't OS based. All its there for is so that devs don't have to create their own interfaces to enable it.

[Sitdown]

"When I play MGS4, I wouldn't dare to lay a finger on the music. During the Olympic Games a few days ago, I saw a recap of the highlights. They played the MGS4 Love Theme in the background. I cried. I remembered that rollercoaster of emotions I went through during the game and shed a few tears while watching Usain Bolt breaking two WR's in slow motion. "

*slowly backs out*

[morganfell]

This article kills me. They have no idea how screen grabs would be done? Did they not play MGS4? Doooohhhh!

[thereapersson]

And my report was listed as fixed, even though it wasn't. What gives?

[Fishy Fingers]

"Published: 6 minutes ago | Rumors | PlayStation 3 "

Well it's marked as rumour, although maybe adding it to the title may of helped.

[Bombibomb]

Edit: Fishy beat me to it. Go to hell haha.

[SmokingMonkey]

gotta be, WTF was all that HOME "theme" DL beta access thing?

EDIT: if true ;)

[Fishy Fingers]

The Home Theme was essentially an application for the expanded closed beta. If you DLed the theme you should keep an eye on your e-mails.

[slave2Dcontroller]

that Life with Playstation was supposed to be out already so thats my guess. As far as that HOME Theme lottery is concerned, you guys know or heard about anyone getting in?

[Lew_Ijgee]

I also think the HOME theme download scheme was Sony's way to get a figure on just how many PS3 owners were interested in HOME.

If true, it is an excellent way for them to be prepared for the server load when the beta is opened.

[Droid]

yawn

[LoVeRSaMa]

Are you tired?

Maybe you should get some sleep :)

and 2.50 should be good none the less [=

[AIi_The_Brit]

he's tired of playing gaylo 3

[Kratos Spartan]

a droid is a Sony fanboy. 360 fanboys are bots. This female is confused. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[BLuKhaos]

nah he's just tired of waiting for his RROD bomb to come back from the repair shop.

[Sez]

i think he's tired of waiting for patches to fix patches when it comes to sony firmware.(2.4,2.41,2.42 comes to mind) how many system will this firmware brick so sony can charge their costumer to fix it.

[ozhuerta]

PS3 get updated firmware. On the other hand, x360 just get RROD.
PS3 owners win (again).

[Sez]

did that like take you all day to come up with that one. you need to try harder. maybe with a patch to fix you broken firmware will fix that problem. lol

[morganfell]

He has plenty of sleep. It isn't like he is playing his 360 - it's in the shop.

@Above, better to have broken firmware than a broken xbox due to a Major Design Flaw that still hasn't been fixed.

[Sez]

broken hardware? i wouldn't know what you are talking about since i have my LAUNCH 360. you might be talking about the ps1 and ps2 those are the only two systems i have ever had problems with. i guess you are still waiting for MGS4 to load the 2 act. don't worry in another hour you will be watching it.oh i mean playing it. LMFAO

[Dyingduck]

So you think constant updates = bad? Here is what bat:

To my beloved Xbot M$ lemming…I mean Xbox360 friend,

So, what is like playing a 10-year Too Flop? 10-years must make it one hella good Flop!

Oh wait, did you forget to pay your LIVE bill...yet? You don't want to pay 50 bucks for 1 month worth of LIVE. Hey, I am here for you if you need any loan. I promise I won’t charge you 100% interest if you’re late!

Oh yeah, how many times did you say your beloved 360 pooped out, RRODed? I was wondering, was it like more annoying the first time or the 4th time? I bet you had M$ support numbers saved somewhere on your phone. Do you know if Sony has one? I never had to call…

Speaking of which, how many games did you lose due to disc scratching problems? Have you tried renting Xbox360 games? It’s like playing Russian roulette with 3 chambers and one bullet! Yeah, I am totally sorry that one time my dog ran over your Xbox360 while you were playing Too Flop. My dog did the same crap on mine, but I just continued playing.

Did your living room burn down yet due to over-heating? Did you try to cook eggs on the XBOX, yet? My friends did and it worked. We actually ate the eggs ON it – we got bored playing too flop…

What are you going to do to your crap-box come this September or whenever your warranty runs out? My favorite was to use it as a door stopper or use it as a book-end…

Oh...how's Halo 3? What!!? You're playing CoD4, instead? Aww, me too!!! Of course, mine is free to play on dedicated less-lag servers! No worries brother, you DEFINTELY don’t need to worry about lag when playing a FPS!

You must be also very excited for Gears2! It will be just like those OLD, glorious days!!! ... in fact, "EXACTLY" like those old times! Enjoy your Gears 1.5! Aww, don’t worry about me you silly goose, I’ll get the superior version on my PC just like the original Gear! No need to be so concerned!
Go here: http://i37.tinypic.com/1zvp...

So, what about your HD? Did you run out of space? Want to borrow my 320GB HD? Awww! Too bad you can't, go spend ~120 dollars on 60gigs…I got my 320gigs @ newegg.com for like ~2games worth. It’s a good deal.

Oh and what color will you make your kiddie Wii-copycap avatar wear? I am excited!!! Please tell me when you know! I will be waiting.

Well until next time,
RIP, 360
-Your fellow PS3 friend

PS. R = RROD

[morganfell]

No I have had 3 dead 360s so far. I know what it is to be a multiconsole owner. The same way I own you every time I turn on my PS3, you get owned.

Enjoy that chugging hunk of last gen crap you pretend to game with.

The 350 wishes it had the reliability of the PS1 and PS2 instead of the never ready dieaholic that is the 360. The 360, unreliable no matter which way you turn it.

[Sillyace92]

They're adding that in game video chat thing. But yeah I agree Sony should make a universal custom in-game music without the need for developers to add a patch. more Music visualizers, a pause button on the music player thing, and a faster forward thing on music like the psp has it's a pain when I'm listening to a long podcast and I accidently end it and I have to waste my time fast fowarding it for 15 minutes

[Panthers]

I dont see how in-game music is a big deal to anyone. I guess it would be a nice feature, but I would never use it. I have a music player in my room so I could either use that or listen to the games music, which is usually what I wanna do anyways.

[LeShin]

I totally agree and there is only one genre of game I would probably ever use it on and that would be racing games (excluding Wipeout as it's music is usually perfect)

[Andor_Trask]

It just sounds better when the music is actually a part of the game...

Also @1.5

Microsoft owns a patent on an idea? wtf? how can they own a patent on being able to play your own music while playing a game?

grummble

[mfwahwah]

http://www.ripten.com/2008/...

"The US patent named “Method and Apparatus for Creating and Playing Soundtracks in a Gaming System” appears to cover any application that allows users to create soundtracks using their own audio tracks, such that they can be played during the execution of the game instead of the game’s default soundtrack."

It's complete BS. I understand that business is business, but still. This just sucks.

[Andor_Trask]

@5.3

that sucks.....but from what I've read, they just have a patent on the 'method'. So competitors can still do it, they just have to create their own way of doing it...I know nothing about programming so I don't know how they would do it, but I am sure that sony can do it.

also, did I mention...'DO IT' ?

[Dark General]

Sounds kind of cool. But i would like if it was more like the icon maker for the video section of XMB. Where while playing a game you could hit pause or go into xmb then record the last 15 seconds of what just happened.

[Maywell]

I really really hope there is a chat feature as the console program, that give u access to chat with ur friends, while playing a game, any game. I'm sure we wont get bored playing any games. :D

[RememberThe357]

I was just thinking about this when I was playing Uncharted. That skyline needs to be put in picture form.

[pornflakes]

lol.. another firmware update? Poor PS3.
Its better to have a PC than a PS3...

[Sk8boyP]

What!? Poor PS3? Well I guess it's sad to have a console constantly being updated with features and expanding the functionality and transforming it from just a simple gaming console to a media center. Yeah, I also bet your still waiting for Dark Night to be announced on HD-DVD.

[morganfell]

Yeah if I was an idiot 360 owner I would be jealous of a PS3 that gets constant features added too.

[djb]

you could be stuck with a xbox 360

[Droid]

yeah, a console which only gets like one MAYBE two firmware upgrades a year which actually rule and actually do stuff. also which download in about 10 to 15 seconds. yours take maybe 5 hours and do almost nothing. all promise. no delivery.

enjoy it.

[Blackmoses]

hurry!!!run off to school little boy before you miss the bus....

-Black

[InMyOpinion]

And have achievements, custom soundtracks and private chat as a standard feature in all games? Yeah that would be dreadful lol!

[fllysurfer]

I´ve had the PS3 for a year roughly now. Always connected to a amplifier with optical connection. After the latest update audio has been failing over optical. It fails intermittently and is a pain. Getting HDMI amplifier is way to expensive... fix it gdamit

[tiropitas]

i connect mine with an optical too but i havent had any problem so far.
(apart from the worse mic sounds out there which ps3 rocks for some reason..)

[legendkilla]

no problem with the optical output on my amp...
what kind of amp do you have?

[winther_]

Sk8boyP - QFT

[drdistracto707]

I hope you can capture videos, then i wouldnt have to use my dvd recorder which takes up an hour to copy to a dvd then rip on my computer.

believe it or not, thats a feature Ive been hoping for almost as much as the in-game xmb

[mfwahwah]

That's basically the youtube feature. Not every game uses it, but I'm sure more and more will pick it up, and it'll eventually be commonplace. At least I hope so.

[waznotwaz]

If my memory serves me,the 2.4 firmware update gave us partial XMB support and Sony told us not to worry as this was phase 1 of 3 firmware updates that would be rolling out over time.I'm not bothered about rumours of what else may come in 2.5 firmware update,as long as Sony finishes what it has started.

[mfwahwah]

I agree. I'm happy with the XMB, but there is a lot more I wouldn't mind having (private voice chat plz). I understand that the ingame XMB update was HUGE though, and that they're handing out updates like 2.41 over some period of time.

If they don't deliver on these updates though, I'll start to get a bit bummed out.

[jay2]

Ah, so it's finally been leaked.

[Wildarmsjecht]

u sneaky sneaky man you.

[MTROB]

Sony - PLEASE update the Flash Player!!!

[Common Sense]

PSP!!!

[REPLOID24]

video messaging!

[Mr_Showtime1]

I would guess that the next firmware, possibily 2.5 will come when Playtv is released in europe, bringing with it life with Playstation.

Remember Sony said they wanted to cut down on the amount of firmware updates they were going to release, so it would make sense to roll them into one.

[whoelse]

PlayTV doesn't need a firmware update, and LWP will probably be the same because it will probably be a seperate app like folding@home.

[Mr_Showtime1]

I watched a video on here a few days ago with a review of PlayTV, where the girl mentioned you needed a firmware update to bring up the new section o the XMB...

[FantasyStar]

You think that might have something to do with the PSN Downtime?

[Giant_Enemy_Sackboy]

plz sony,or konami or kojima productions plz is all i want

[UNCyrus]

i agree... that may be the only thing that could give more lasting power to MGO. Because they need something like that to recover from the Gene expansion debacle

[chrisnick]

ms can't do as many updates as sony can........can't risk the thing exploding while trying to pull off a web browser.

[sak500]

They dont need to cuz MS has already got everything in the console for gamers unlike ps3 still after 2 years and still not half decent feature list except for playing BD movies.

Btw is 2.5 to fix the fix for the 2.4? Or are they now upto 50% of features of 360? Maybe by 2010 it will have all the features for good online play.

[SpecialSauce]

by 2010 the 360 failure rate will be less than 5%.

[macalatus]

@sak

Unfortunately you haven't got an "intelligence" update yet.

[Djomblade1]

Screen capture could be cool. It would be a way to catch users cheating, glitching or hacking and the like. Then send it to the devs or what not and get their punk cheating asses banned! It could also be cool for bragging rights if your into that sorta thing.

[JasonX43]

Combine screen capture with the printer option and an update to the list of printers the PS3 is compatible with and BAM! Instant original posters! Also this feature would probably make life easier for gaming publications, too!

[gameraxis]

1000 degrees with 50 some-ought messages??? i think alot of people were disapointed

[dkgshiz]

So its bad to get updates? I like updates, brings new content and overall just good. Your pretty fuking stupid.

[NeoBasch]

Must be prepping for LittleBigPlanet. Wonder what other neat features are in there that they haven't yet revealed. :D

[pain777pas]

Why don't I care about this announcement? HMMMMM.......

[equax]

I think something good is coming.

[na2ru1]

fyi, ps3 also has miles better features that no1 can imagine being on 360.

so far, 360 updates have been nothing but.....nothing unless shuffling market place icons around counts as something
So have fun paying ur life savings for more memory and enjoy having to redownload the data on the slow xbl.

[Sez]

"so far, 360 updates have been nothing but.....nothing unless shuffling market place icons around counts as something
So have fun paying ur life savings for more memory and enjoy having to redownload the data on the slow xbl"

are you sure you are talking about the 360. because everything you yapping about reflex the PS3. you guys get countless update that basiclly does nothing or have to fix what the last update f@cked up or where surpose to do.

and a slow XBL. are you really trying. or just making this up. there hasn't been a slow download since xbl started. maybe you are thinking about PSN. you have to upload then you have to install. our downloads take seconds. your takes much longer. next time do your research before posting stupid comment.
you guys are spending for more memory. since a large majority of your games have to be installed to the HDD which burns up most of your space. leaving you guys to have to spend to put a bigger drive in just to install more games.

[creeping judas]

As a fan and owner of both systems. I can truly say that MS has their s**t together when it comes to XBL. PSN is good but not as good.

[Cajun Chicken]

I'll be able to get that perfect screenshot of the U-Boat in Uncharted!

[Bathyj]

Those textures are amazing aren't they?

[Cajun Chicken]

No joke; the game looks amazing. I love the detail of clothes getting wet and slowly drying off too.

That skyline with the U-Boat and the river get me everytime. Even though I typed it here, its STILL stunning because you just can't remember and visualise something like that with your imagination.

That's what I like about Naughty Dog all the little details people don't notice until you either let someone else play the game or they watch you and go;
"Oh wow! Did you just just see that? His clothes got wet and creased!"

Awesome game, but I'm afraid I want a new Jak instead of Uncharted 2. I'd rather U2 get given more development time.

[Kratos3452]

being able to listen to iron maiden while playing mgs4 or bioshock would be AWESOME.

I hope they put more effort into making that happen.

Oh and does bioshock have custom soundtracks?or any other games that are coming out this year?

[AKIronMaiden]

Heh. I agree.

[RAM MAGNUMS]

I hope you know that bluray movies interact with the Internet for more cool options, updated!
I hope you know ps3 has a web browser, updated!
us droids are running heavy programs & games! I hope you know!
I hope you know ps3 has every game xbox360 has except for the overhyped little
DVD exclusives!
I hope you know Naruto ultimate storm is a ps3 exclusive!
I hope you know! I have a 320gb hardrive that holds pirated
movies from the net, HD movies I own from psn video store &
full retail games that I downloaded. I hope you know!
my psp is fully compatible with my ps3!

Who needs netflix & gears2?!
New York city don't need it.
this city has upgraded.
It must suck to be you, I hope you know!
LOL

[ReBurn]

Sounds cool to me.

[chewmystink]

Cross game invites and private chat!!!!
Why keep updating the firmware with useless stuff instead of things that are really needed to have a solid gaming experience on the PS3.
Once we get cross game invites and private chat then look at updating with the other features not before.
Hurry up $ony I've only been waiting since launch for this basic functionality.

[Zulwarn]

more waiting,under delivery & lets not forget flops

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

You can connect your iPod to your PS3.

I don't recommend it on the new ones...because it hasn't been tested. I have, however, tested all the iPods but the iPod touch and found them to work well with the PS3. It's hard to find your music because of the bad organization, but it's doable.

Add iTunes and Mozilla Firefox, Sony. That's all we ask.

[Dyingduck]

Another new upgrade! Wohooo, I am so glad I went with PSN rather than CRAPPIER and -50USD LIVE (wtf? does that even make sense?)

[Exoteric]

I am always curious to see what the new updates bring.

[chinesesoldier]

i want emulation update...

[RobertoYNWA]

am i the only one who can see the problem, wouldnt a button need to be pressed for a screen grab? and what if some games already use all the buttons?