Sony Answers Prayers, Delivers In-Game XMB

[Susan Arendt]

Sony Answers Prayers, Delivers In-Game XMB

And lo, were the cries of the PlayStation faithful for in-game XMB finally answered with firmware update v2.40.

A post on the PlayStation.blog [http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008/06/17/firmware-v236-coming-soon-v240-to-include-trophies-in-game-xmb/] confirms that the update will contain the much-desired in-game access to the PlayStation 3's "XrossMediaBar."

At last year's E3, Sony used some cheeky t-shirts to poke fun at the PlayStation 3 community's apparent obsession with the feature.

The 2.40 update will also include trophies (read: Sony's take on Achievements), as well as "other new enhancements."

There is one tiny catch, however. The next scheduled update, which is coming "soon," is only 2.36. No XMB or trophies coming in that one, just improved "system stability when playing selected PlayStation format" games.

So there's still a bit of waiting to do, PS3 lovers.


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[shadow skill]

Needs to hurry up and get here. But it is nice to see thease features confirmed by Sony for 2.40.

 

[The_woods_man]

What use will an in game XMB be though? Will it allow us to play music whilst playing games? Or look through photos? I don't really get why we would want this...

 

[shadow skill]

The idea is to allow for messaging while in games like the 360. In short access to specific parts of the system interface from any game.

 

[haruvister]

Yes, it will also allow user-made soundtracks, and presumably download management, too.

 

[Frapple]

Should been standard in the first place.

 

[jaxxduece]

I think 2.36 just recently dropped, so hopefully 2.40 isn't too far off.

 

[Eagle Est1986]

Interested to see exactly how the trophies will work, wether or not it's going to be a direct port of achievements or not.

 

[Bravo315]

Yeah, I just downloaded 2,36 today. I cant wait for 2,40!

I was so close to selling my PS3 (Crappy UK store, low game library, Home and LBP delays etc) but then I found out this and Resistance 2 is coming out! Yay!