Your PS3 is about to get a digital gift in the form of another firmware update. Version 2.36 will improve "system stability when playing select PlayStation format software titles." That is to say, not a lot. Still, the latest PlayStation Blog post has finally confirmed the rumors that another firmware update is on its way at some point. 2.40 will include in-game XMB and trophies. But you already know that.

There's no real timeframe for either of these updates, but you can expect to see v2.36 within the next day or so. As for 2.40, the PS Blog is careful to stress to us that they, and only they, will be the source for when it is coming. You may have heard various rumored release dates for the update which have passed by uneventfully, so that's clearly something to keep in mind. Needless to say v2.40 will get the full video tutorial treatment, as usual. We'll let you know as soon as we're told anything new.

Well hopefully it comes out during summer, as first reported. And hopefully we'll get an update to make us pay money to play games online as well, to make PS3 owners understand how awesome Xbox Live is.

haha oh yea, lets pay to play, come on Sony, be greedy!!

I highly doubt they'll make us pay for an update, especially since:

1. The company prides itself on it's free online gaming.
2. Most likely most PS3 gamers wouldn't buy the update, because they got the PS3 (besides for specific games) for its free online.
3. Because of reason 2 there wouldn't be a valid reason why to make it a pay service.

Though I hope the new updates would allow us to connect to our friend's games. For instance my friend has X-Box live and when he and his friends are playing CoD 4, all he has to do push that center button check his friend's status as to which server they're playing on and select they're name.

Nice! I wonder how the Achiev... trophies work for older games. What ever happen to Home (this update > Home)? They should also make PSN the standard online with PS3 games so you don't need to sign up usernames for different games and crap like that.

Nice! I wonder how the Achiev... trophies work for older games. What ever happen to Home (this update > Home)? They should also make PSN the standard online with PS3 games so you don't need to sign up usernames for different games and crap like that.

Is 2.40 coming tomorrow?

"The PLAYSTATION®Network will be taken offline during the following times for a scheduled maintenance:
Starting on June 24, 2008, at 8:00 a.m., Pacific Time
Ending on June 24, 2008, at 2:00 p.m., Pacific Time

During this time, access to the PLAYSTATION Network will be restricted, including:

* No access to the PLAYSTATION®Store
* No access to play online games on the PLAYSTATION Network

64 CommentsCVG has managed to get its grubby hands on the final list of features for the hotly anticipated Firmware 2.4 update, which was yesterday rumoured to be due early next week. But that's not the case we've been told...

Speaking under strict conditions of anonymity, a source has told CVG that Firmware 2.4 is expected to launch in around three weeks' time. A quick look at the diary reveals that E3 is just under three weeks away. It doesn't take a genius to see that Sony's pre-E3 conference would be the perfect time to launch the Sony XMB assault.

Announcing something and making it available at the same time is the way forward, as Microsoft proved by revealing Doom isn't just coming to Xbox Live Arcade, it's on Xbox Live Arcade a few E3s ago. Apple is known for this approach too.

We've also scooped the following list of XMB features that you'll be able to access in-game. Here goes:


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

As previously reported the update will also allow you to play back your own tunes in-game from the XMB Music column. It's unclear whether this feature will be compatible with all games or just new titles created with more recent development tools.

The system BGM will offer functions such as Play, Stop, Previous track, Next track, Change repeat mode, Change shuffle mode, Change volume (five levels). When you stop the playback of your tunes, playback of the game music will then begin.

So, we're finally able to talk officially about PS3 firmware 2.40. Available July 2nd, this hotly anticipated firmware update has been the topic of discussion throughout various internet forums and our own site. Many rumors stemmed from supposed leaks, and we can now say that many of these reveals were right on the money. The features to be added in firmware 2.40 represent the biggest jump for PS3 owners, more so than 2.00 released a few months earlier. The key features of the update include the most-wanted things voiced by a majority of PS3 fans. In-game XMB and achievement-like trophies are the two biggest additions to this update.

In-Game XMB
Finally, in-game XMB will be implemented for the very first time. When one presses the PS button, it will bring up with entire XMB. No features are hidden in this menu; you will be able to see all of your Photos, Music and Video. While everything can be seen, not everything can be accessed from the menu. For example, if you want to click on a video, a message will tell you that the game will end if you proceed any further. This will allow players to jump from one activity to another quickly on the PS3. For example, you can jump from a game of PixelJunk Monsters, directly into Resistance 2. Then, you can quick to a video on the hard drive, and then listen to some music. It makes the entire system much easier to use.

While many features of the XMB won't be fully accessible whilst in a game, there are many things players will be able to do. For example, fully interacting with a friends list is finally possible. No longer do you have to quit the game in order to check a friend's message. You can add friends, check and send messages, and adjust Bluetooth settings on the fly. However, you won't be able to initiate a voice chat. You also will not be able to use music from your hard drive, unless the game is specifically programed to take advantage of the feature. Unfortunately, no games will be able to take advantage of in-game custom soundtracks when the firmware update goes live. (However, future games and game patches can enable this feature. It depends on whether or not the developer chooses to include it in their game.)

Unlike the Xbox 360's Dashboard, triggering the in-game XMB runs without any delay. You will be able to bring up the XMB instantly and use its features as easily as you would outside of a game. If you want to bring up the usual power options, to turn off the controller or system, simply hold down the PS button for a bit longer.

Trophies
The other big feature of firmware 2.40 is trophies, PS3's answer to Xbox 360's achivements. Those familiar with achievements on Xbox 360 will find many similarities here, especially with the interface implemented. Under [Game] on the XMB, players will be able to find their Trophy Collections, which shows all the trophy-compatible games played. By clicking through, players will be able to see all the trophies they unlocked, and what trophies remain. Details on how to acquire each trophy are available -- although some will be hidden, similar to Secret Achivements on the Xbox 360.

Each trophy has a different value, represented by its Gold, Silver and Bronze color. Each of these trophies add to a gamer's "level," a representation of how many achievements they've unlocked. Each game can only offer a set amount of level, so each developer must allocate how many Bronze, Silver and Gold trophies they want to offer. The intent is to make each colored trophy of equivalent value -- a Gold trophy in Resistance 2, for example, should be as difficult to earn as a Gold trophy in Motorstorm. If players are able to earn all the trophies in a single game, they'll unlock a valuable Platinum trophy, which will add an incredible amount to a gamer's level.

The first games to take advantage of trophies will include Super Stardust HD, PAIN, Warhawk and PixelJunk Eden. Games that have been released before this firmware update must be patched to take advantage of trophies. For example, Super Stardust HD will be patched "within hours" of the firmware's availability. Obviously, future Sony first-party titles will all support trophies, but third parties are also planning on taking advantage of this feature. For example, Bioshock will include trophy support.

Developers will have to choose whether or not to include trophy support. However, if any previously released titles get patched (a la Super Stardust HD), players must essentially start anew to get any trophies. Trophies will not be retroactively awarded based on save data.

Gamer Profiles
Also new to firmware 2.40 are expanded gamer profiles. Previously, looking at a gamer's profile only revealed their avatar, phrase and languages spoken. Now, players will be able to see the most recent trophies you've acquired and your gamer level. Of course, players will able to see your information as well. Both of you will be able to compare the trophies you've acquired. Just like Xbox Live, you can see all the games both players have played, and you can see when each trophy has been unlocked. See an example here.

A Few Other Things ...
A few small things have also been added to the upcoming firmware. Now, you'll be able to see the time on the top-right hand corner, just like you would on your PSP. Also, the recently added Google search of PSP firmware 4.00 can now be found on PS3. (Be grateful that this firmware update features much more than its PSP counterpart.) Finally, you can now have up to 100 friends on your Friends list. Wait ... that's already available!

Honestly, we cannot wait for firmware 2.40. What we've detailed so far should give you a good idea of what to expect from the upcoming update. Of course, it's not like this will be the final update for the system ever -- we can be pleased in knowing that even more awaits us in the future. There are a few features that we need, like persistent voice chat -- but with the addition of achievements and in-game messaging, we're pleased to say that PS3 and PSN offer almost everything Xbox Live can, without the pricetag. The folks at Sony told us they'd thank the enthusiastic support of the fan community -- they listened to your requests of in-game XMB, and they've finally made it available to you. Undoubtedly, they'll continue to listen to PS3 fans and add even more functionality in future firmware updates.

Unlike the Xbox 360's Dashboard, triggering the in-game XMB runs without any delay.

70% of Playstation 3 games that are already released will be compatible with Sony’s answer to Xbox Live’s Achievement system, Trophies.

The July issue of Official PlayStation Magazine UK states that:

“PlayStation 3 achievements - called ‘trophies’ - will be unveiled soon (this bit we already know, but here’s the interesting bit), and 70% of games will already be compatible.”

This could be true because apparently it only takes developers half a days work to implement the trophy system into their games.

Sounds good. Not that I have many games I want to catch up on, but I'm sure a lot of other people would like to get some trophies in some of their old games.

Only thing I'm hoping they don't screw up with is the saves. It's already been said that there are no retroactive saves, so your previous accomplishments in the game mean nothing, you'll have to play through them again. Only thing I'm worried about is the fact that savegames can now be uploaded online nowadays. While I don't have a problem with that being done, the whole transferability of trophies can be exploited that way too.

If I check TED's Sony PSN account, it will tell me every game he's played on the PS3, including PS1 and PS2 titles? If that's true, that would be neat. I like information like that being tracked, like Last F.M.

The in-game XMB seems useful.

My friend said that he was unable to play MP3's while the game was running. It asked him to exit out of the game first. Anyone else have that problem?

While it seems like every time the PlayStation 3 undergoes a firmware upgrade is plagued by people trying to blame broken systems on the update, last night's 2.40 update seems to have caused genuine issues with many posters over at the official PlayStation forums. Owners of PS3s in all shapes and sizes have been reporting that their systems were loading to the initial PlayStation wave screen and simply hanging there after applying 2.40. No icons, no controller functions, no nothing, just the wave across the middle of the screen.

I might hold back on downloading this update for the time being.

The release of PlayStation 3 firmware 2.40 last night seems to have caused a wide number of issues for those who updated to the new release, as we reported earlier. It now appears that Sony has since pulled the newest update, reverting back to firmware 2.36 as the most recent available version. We were just prompted to download version 2.36 after having skipped the most recent pair of PS3 software updates.

This may be a temporary move to prevent more widespread reliability issues. We are awaiting confirmation on the move from Sony and will update when we hear back.

Thanks to Eddie H for the quick tip.

Update: SCEA has gotten back to us to let us know they are "looking into it."