Rumor: In-game XMB features have been revealed

by Justin McElroy { Jun 25th 2008 at 12:15PM }

We still don't know when we'll get our dual-shocked mitts on PS3 firmware 2.40, but, if a recent post from CVG is to be believed, we now know what you'll be able to do through the sexy new in-game XMB. The features, which they say came from a super-secret inside source, include:

View, send, receive messages
Manage downloads
Set the vibration feature of the controller
Manage Bluetooth devices
Use the voice changer

...and several others that we've put after the break. Assuming the list is legit, what do you think? Is this the in-game functionality you've been pining for?

[Via PSPF]

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

Tags: 2.40, in-game-xmb, ps3-firmware, ps3-firmware-2.40, xmb

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

syrik zero @ Jun 25th 2008 12:18PM

I just got my PS3 for MGS4 and the first thing me and my friends found was how many updates there are and all the installing... Even for a demo, it just takes days.

Misfit Toy @ Jun 25th 2008 12:32PM

Too true. Not to add to the PS3 bashing...but since I own one I feel I have license to do so.

The PS3 downloads are ForEVER...and I have a 20 Mbps download! Also, I find it lame how you download a demo, and then you have to install it. How is it that the 360s games work right after you download them? I don't know, but it sure makes more sense to give the end user less work. The PS3 feels more like a computer and less like a video game console. Plays movies great though :D

DarkNessBear @ Jun 26th 2008 1:26AM

No joke, but for me the 360 downloads take 2-3x's as long then my PS3 downloads. My PS3 downloads are really fast.

nightmare452 @ Jun 25th 2008 12:34PM

Get used to it!! The PS3 on that regard has a lot more 'small' updates, and games come compressed, thus the "installing" time. (360 does this too, but you never notice it since its integrated I believe)

Just wait, since most games come with mandatory hard drive installs, if you have a 40GB, that means you can only have a maximum number of 10 games or less at a time (for me it sucks, but that seems decent for most)

On to the topic: XMB seems great, and trophes seem nice, at least something to earn while I play games.

syrik zero @ Jun 25th 2008 1:13PM

I do agree with you nightmare on the trophies, that will be great! I love the 360 achievements! They don't do a damn thing but they make me try harder just to get them. And I'm sure I'll get used to the installs maybe. Before getting a PS3 and reading about the installs I didn't think it could be that bad. Then playing MGS4 and having to do it every act is kinda silly. Graphics are amazing and I haven't seen a bluray movie yet but I bet it's stunning!

Phizzy @ Jun 25th 2008 1:16PM

360 downloads have all the individual files up on the XBL servers. You download all the files to a folder so when it's done they're ready to play. PS3 downloads come in uncompressed archives. They need to be extracted to the hard drive before they're playable.

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jun 25th 2008 1:16PM

i dont understand why the demos dont just automatically install after they are done downloading though. i mean, i wouldnt download it if i didnt want to install it, so shouldnt they just cut that part out? the download already takes forever, plus the added fact that i have wait when i actually go to play the thing for it to install the demo. i tell you what, thank god for remote play so i can be somewhere else in the house and install the demos.

JS Beckerist @ Jun 25th 2008 1:30PM

Nah, no installation required for the 360. Decompression might be included in the download progress bar but if you look at the file system of any disk or demo it's basically laid out like you'd see any directory under your Program Files folder (with the exception that the executables are XBE not EXE.)

I'd assume that if something like a registry exists, that would be updated upon first run or something, but a traditional "install" never really happens.

Tiptup300 @ Jun 25th 2008 1:52PM

Firmware updates take HOURS. Seriously, it's terrible.

CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jun 25th 2008 2:09PM

You guys have connection problems if your updates are taking this long. I have a 5Mbps connection and no firmware update and install have ever taken over 30 minutes.

Beddoes @ Jun 25th 2008 2:12PM

I also got a PS3 solely for MGS4, its a good console but comes with tons of irritating little niggles.

-Downloads take forever demos, updates etc... a typical demo will take well over an hour to download on my 10MB line
-Demos have to install! Some take upwards of 15 minutes
-Does not come with an HDMI cable (40GB Euro) unforgivable if you ask me, especially for the price
-Games have to install (why is this? slow read time on blu ray?)

Even with these issues i still like my PS3, MGS4 is just beyond anything i have ever played and will not be bettered for a number of years in my opinion.

cc123 @ Jun 25th 2008 2:18PM

Some of you people need to either:

1. Fix your watches.
or
2. Fix your internet.
or
3. Stop lying.

Misfit Toy @ Jun 25th 2008 2:52PM

While you're touting how a download doesn't take over 30 minutes, I think the longest update my 360 ever took was a couple minutes...oh, and that included the installation, not in addition too. I hope they fix that in the PS4.

Raikage (GOLDEN Gun Of The Patriots) @ Jun 25th 2008 2:57PM

Someone here needs to:

1. Calm down.

Also, why don't you ask Mr. Grant about the download times on his PS3, I'm sure he's a total fanboy and he'll tell you they take forever compared to his 360 just for fun.*

*Source: one of the earlier podcasts.

You apologists make me sick, and never want to buy said console... but MGS4 is better than... everything so I just might have to deal with your guys crap.

cc123 @ Jun 25th 2008 3:32PM

I think you need to take your own advice, Raikage, and calm the fuck down.

I was addressing bs exaggerated comments like:
"Firmware updates take HOURS. Seriously, it's terrible."
"The PS3 downloads are ForEVER"
"Demos have to install! Some take upwards of 15 minutes"

nightmare452 @ Jun 25th 2008 3:36PM

Ok, I already passed MGS4, and yes, the installs every chapter suck, but its ok, it gives me a breather.

The PS3 updates are way longer than anything remotely close on the 360. (example, yesterday I update Frontlines, took 5 second if at all).
On average a PS3 update will take about 20 minutes (and I have timed them !!), that just seem bad in my book, I understand Sony wanting to make a PS3 more like a computer (and that why I love mine), but you should just separate the two, a console or a pc (look at the Wii's success)

Also, I downloaded a couple of the same demos on PS3 and 360 and the 360 files are larger, so they aren't compressed (latest example: Battlefield: BC demo, 360=1.5gb, PS3=1.4gb) not much but there it is.

The reason I will get a 360 game over its PS3 version was most of the time achievements cause that gives ME something extra to do. I am really looking forward to this update and seeing does trophies. I just hope they got trophies for all my old games, like Assassin's Creed or Ratchet and Clank.

ViagraFiend @ Jun 25th 2008 3:38PM

My downloads don't take long at all.

I think the main reason that they dont install right after they download is so that if youre background downloading, and it completes, it wont automatically kick you out of your game to install the demo that just completed.

Raikage (GOLDEN Gun Of The Patriots) @ Jun 25th 2008 4:07PM

Why do I need to calm down, your the fanboy freaking out because your console has some legit flaws that you are too blind to see... well you obviously have to see them, but you're too blind to accept what they are.

Now I don't own a PS3 but if Chris Grant and many other people here that I do respect are saying this, and you, the sole fanboy warrior, saying against it, who am I suppose to side with?

Now I played MGS4 at a friends (so what if I house sitted for the sole reason of playing it?) and installing is no big deal whatsoever... and anyone who says even 20min is a big deal needs to go fly a kite.

Installing between Acts is just a longer load time... no biggie... It also gave me some more time for the awesomeness to sink in...

But the fact that using a 40gb PS3 and installing 10 games fills it up is inexcusable and unfortunate :(

cc123 @ Jun 25th 2008 4:33PM

Freaking out? Like I just said a few posts above I was addressing the stupid exaggerations here. 15 min demo installs - NOT TRUE. Hours to install a firmware - NOT TRUE.

You start by telling me to calm down then go on to have silly little hissy fit. Omg you're not gonna buy one now cause of a comment on a blog...oh noes!

"Now I don't own a PS3"

Exactly which makes your input on this matter stupid and worthless. You're just a parrot for other people's comments.

Varone @ Jun 25th 2008 5:41PM

Downloads don't automatically install because the PS3 uses a proper filing system, unlike the 360. This way you can transfer your files (including demo's, games data, and saves data) onto an external storage device to transfer to another PS3 or just to save space. Clever huh?

On topic: I have no real interest in the trophies. I would prefer in-game acheivements that reward with game extras or making-of films. Acheivements and trophies for bragging rights is just childish.
The XMB interaction looks good though. I didn't expect to be able to view HD video while in-game, but everything else seems to be there.

Tamyu @ Jun 26th 2008 2:27AM

cc123;

I do own a PS3, and the installs DO seem to take forever. I have timed them and gotten anywhere between 4 and 17 minutes depending upon what was installing. Demos do seem to be worse than games - I don`t really know why though. More unpacking? But it seems like the processor should be able to handle things a bit more quickly if it is.

Downloading is fast for me, but then again I`m in Japan on a dedicated 100Mbps line so they had better be. I don`t feel the firmware installation/update is overly long. I think I would feel a bit less comfortable if it were too short, as errors during the install could equal a brick. As it verifies multiple times and writes to several different locations for safety, I have little to worry about there.

Still, as much as I like the hardware, and as happy as I am with it`s Blu-ray features... The PS3 does have some irritating flaws - like the fact that everything has to be installed and takes a relatively long time to do so. I can download a demo on the 360 and be playing it within a minute - a great way to kill time. But with the PS3, I cannot do that even with the fastest installing ones. It is quite an annoyance.

cc123 @ Jun 26th 2008 10:47AM

@tamyu

What demo(s) took you 15 mins+ to install?

I've never had that happen and I've downloaded most of the demos on the service. Even the ones that are 1.5 gigs and over get knocked out in under 5 for the install. And I would think install times are the same or very similar for everyone.

Tamyu @ Jun 26th 2008 7:40PM

cc123; For the life of me, I can`t remember which demo it was. It was just after getting our PS3, and downloading pretty much every demo available... So it may have been something incredibly lame. It was done while my husband was at work. He said he`d heard the installs were long, and asked me to tell him how long it took. From the end of the download (didn`t count that) to actual playability, it took 17 minutes for one of them. In general, they hovered around the 6 to 8 minute range.

It does seem like things have gotten a bit quicker with recent firmware updates, so I`d like to think they`ll become even faster in the future. That leads me to think it`s some sort of software limitation rather than the PS3 itself being incredibly slow.

I`d also like to think installs are the same for everyone - however, it seems like everyone we know who has a PS3 (along with most everyone online) falls into 1 of 2 categories. 1) Installs are incredibly slow, taking far too long, worse than a PC install, stopped at 60% for 5 minutes, etc. Or - 2) I don`t know what you`re talking about. It`s never taken more than 2 or 3 minutes for me.

Wish we`d been one of the lucky ones to get a 2 minute install PS3, but as everything else works perfectly I`m not exactly ready to trade in our backward compatible version for another. And, in the end, it`s only a one time annoyance so something easily dealt with.

Huey2k2 @ Jun 25th 2008 12:19PM

I love live and probably will never own a PS3. But I have to say, it's a good thing that Sony is adding all these features to the PSN, it will force MS to continue to evolve live and add new features.

Competition is a good thing!

WTangoFoxtrot @ Jun 25th 2008 12:59PM

I hear ya mate ! ive purposely not renewed my Live account since it expired as I hope MS has enough sense to make Live free once the PS3 gets all these features that have been exclusive to Live. if that doesnt happen i see myself migrating to a PS3 then in the future....

E.J. @ Jun 25th 2008 1:24PM

Don't hold your breath, WTango. If you're so unsatisfied with "your" 360, you might as well "migrate" now.

On topic, this is great news. I just hope this news doesn't turn out like the Xbox Live "Spring Update", turning into a puff of smoke when it's supposed to be executed.

BMErdin @ Jun 25th 2008 1:54PM

I agree. As a 360 owner, I say good on the PS3 for adding some functionality that I'm sure many PS3es have been looking forward to.
Now, if only Nintendo would add some of these to my Wii, too, I'd be a happy happy man.

MarMar @ Jun 25th 2008 3:16PM

dude, I love life too.

na2ru1 @ Jun 25th 2008 12:19PM

bye bye £40/$50 a year

deaftly @ Jun 25th 2008 1:00PM

Now you can quit your job at McDonalds!

Mr.ESC @ Jun 25th 2008 1:24PM

Burned!

na2ru1 @ Jun 25th 2008 10:50PM

Dont even like mcdonalds. even though i have 2 part time jobs whilst studying, i couldnt even give a f*ck how much/less they charge.

The fact is they charge for no reason. chat, friends, msg etc is all incorporated in the xbox already. so why charge for us to use it

domgbrown @ Jun 25th 2008 12:24PM

I don't see voice chat. I was hoping I would be able to talk to my friends while playing single player games. Hopefully, if this is possible, it will be included.

LordChimp @ Jun 25th 2008 12:29PM

I saw the same thing. I hope this feature is included.

Shagittarius @ Jun 25th 2008 12:38PM

"View, send, receive messages"

I don't believe that is specifying ONLY text messages. I think they also mean voice messages (e.g. voice chat).

domgbrown @ Jun 25th 2008 12:39PM

I hope so.

tcc3 @ Jun 25th 2008 12:44PM

There's a difference between live chat and voice messaging.

YinzJagz @ Jun 25th 2008 12:49PM

Why would you want to talk to your friends over a ps3 headset in a single player game? I know we're all gamers and all but, outside of the virtual world there is a nifty little device called a phone. you may have heard of it alexander graham bell invented it a couple of years back. In case you have'nt heard of it, you use it to call your friends when you have something important to say.

That being said i think voice chat in single player is superfluous, but everything else sounds fine and dandy. There was no mention of "trophies", will it still be in the update? If so the PS3 will finally have an online experience to rival or surpass the 360!

Shagittarius @ Jun 25th 2008 12:47PM

"Use the voice changer"

I think the voice changer would be less useful if you could only do voice messages. I guess it doesn't actually say there will be voice chat though.

domgbrown @ Jun 25th 2008 12:51PM

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. The word "messages" doesn't imply chatting to me. Hopefully I'm wrong.

domgbrown @ Jun 25th 2008 12:51PM

True, there's not a huge demand for it. Sometimes, though, I talk to my little brother when he is online since it doens't cost me any money, and it would be nice to be able to play GTA while he is playing COD and be able to chat. I'm with you though, not a deal breaker.

Vidikron (FU) @ Jun 25th 2008 1:29PM

@YinzJagz

"That being said i think voice chat in single player is superfluous, but everything else sounds fine and dandy."

I don't use it all the time, but there's been quite a few instances where I was playing a game and started a chat with one of my friends who was playing something else. Or vice versa... I was at the dash and started a chat with a friend that was playing a game. It's just a nice feature to have... to be able to chat with anyone no matter what either of you are doing.

Misfit Toy @ Jun 25th 2008 12:26PM

Wow...sounds just like the XBOX 360. Way to stay revolutionary Sony!

Friends on XBOX LIVE: 66
Friends on PSN: 0

Perhaps this will help change things.

Co @ Jun 25th 2008 12:31PM

You forgot friends in real life: 0

LOLZERZ!1!!!1

BornSkillful @ Jun 25th 2008 12:32PM

Or maybe nobody likes you :/ Seriously, Xbox Live > PSN, we get it. Its not even that hard to add friends on the PSN...

Misfit Toy @ Jun 25th 2008 12:33PM

Wow...so funny. How do you come up with this quippy replies?

FOXHOUND @ Jun 25th 2008 1:07PM

LOL @ Co.
*swish* +1

Though I've got a decent number of people on PSN on my friends list, it's nice to now have the ability to message or "join game" when they're on. It shows they're playing MGS4, but unless I go into MGO mode, I'd never know if they're playing the story game or the online side.

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 25th 2008 12:41PM

Xbox fanboy: Live is greater because we have this many features that PSN doesn't have. Losers.

*PSN adds missing features that make it almost completely equal to live, and free.

Xbox fanboy: BWAHAHA way to copy someone else Sony

Seriously with a mindset like that they can't ever do right. Dare I bring up Microsoft's avatars, lips (singstar ripoff), and motion controller? Sure they're rumors for now, but everyone knows they're coming.

Fernando Rocker @ Jun 25th 2008 12:49PM

I just want Live Gold for free. I don't play online a lot, and I feel like I'm paying for nothing.

And yes, it's nice for you guys to have all those features, but there are still a lot of advantages on the 360, and one of them is that the 360 has a headset included. And the other problem is that the majority of people who owns a 360 and a PS3, already has his gaming community on the 360.

Is not only about having all those features... people still buy the multiplatform games more on the 360 because all of his friends buy the games on the 360 too.