Rumor: PS3 firmware 2.5 to include screen grab function

by Randy Nelson { Aug 26th 2008 at 4:00PM }

It's not remarkably wow-worthy, but CVG reports that its "development sources" have dished up dirt on a new screenshot feature planned for version 2.5 of the PS3 firmware. We have no reason to doubt this rumor, since CVG's sources previously broke the news that StarCraft 2 was going to be an MMO. Uh...

The purpose of this feature is presumably for folks to take pictures of ~~error messages for customer service~~ their in-game exploits to share with friends. Of course, we can speculate on how it will work. Most likely, it will involve a combination of button presses on the controller, since bringing up the in-game XMB would ... probably result in a screen grab of the in-game XMB.

This functionality could be a boon for those of us who write about games for a living and would really like to be able to take our own screenshots of PS3 games in HD. Xbox 360 debugs have offered this since day one – via a networked PC, no less – and we've been on Sony for a similar solution for eons. Unfortunately, PS3 debugs have different firmware than retail units, so our dream scenario may be limited only to finished retail games.

(Fun fact: Pressing the Lock and Home buttons on your iPhone simultaneously will take a grab of whatever is on screen and save it to your Camera Roll. Fun!)

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Tags: firmware-2.5, rumor, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

OMGOMG @ Aug 26th 2008 4:04PM

Man, I want a debug kit.

danny. @ Aug 26th 2008 4:06PM

I heard that lock and home deal before, but I thought it was a gag to make people reset their phones. Now to find a use for the feature...

heypaul @ Aug 26th 2008 4:51PM

You can actually take a shot of your Internet Explorer window if you hit Ctrl+W.

Nomi @ Aug 26th 2008 5:39PM

haha...ctrl+w, nice try.

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 26th 2008 6:06PM

i thought it was ctrl+shift+w to take a screenshot in your browser?

dreadnought1 @ Aug 26th 2008 4:07PM

That's the Joystiq I know...taking shots at the PS3 with cute little crossouts. You guys were gone for awhile, but now your back with even longer cross outs.

OMGOMG @ Aug 26th 2008 4:10PM

Yes, because they only do the cross out thing to the PS3.

E.J. @ Aug 26th 2008 5:49PM

Sarcastic cat is obvious.

...

wait a sec...

MiniYou @ Aug 26th 2008 4:13PM

"The purpose of this feature is presumably for folks to take pictures of error messages for customer service"

Wow, the writers here really are 'tards, everyone knows the PS3 is actually the most reliable console of the current gen...

deaftly @ Aug 26th 2008 4:15PM

WHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSHHHHH!!!

required @ Aug 26th 2008 4:23PM

I agree. They even think their iFone is phactually phun.

Lionbacker @ Aug 26th 2008 4:28PM

While it may be the most reliable system, there are still times that pictures like that may be useful. Mine usually would have network errors, and that would have been useful back then. Luckily the problem fixed itself.

WhoMe @ Aug 26th 2008 4:39PM

Yeah I found this stab at the PS3 funny too considering it's pretty much rock solid. Never had any problems with it really. I've owned a lot of consoles and they pretty much all had their problems. I'd say the PS3 is, so far, the most robust one.

And then Joystiq finishes off the post with completely unrelated iPhone fluff. As if the average surfer isn't exposed to it enough already.

Good going, Joystiq.

NecronomiconUK @ Aug 26th 2008 4:28PM

Really nice feature, i assume it'll probably use a keyboard (usb, bluetooth or that new doohickie) because the screengrab needs to be very quick to perform.

Would be great for capturing multiplayer game scoreboards in clan matches or whatever

SoulBlade @ Aug 26th 2008 4:28PM

Bout time this feature came out

Desi_D @ Aug 26th 2008 4:31PM

Don't recall ever seeing any error message on my PS3, you're confusing it with another console.

Titanium_Orchid @ Aug 26th 2008 5:06PM

I also have yet to see an error message on my PS3.

But to be fair, I've never seen an error message on the 360. It only freezes or restarts itself.

CubeGuy @ Aug 26th 2008 5:50PM

I once had a bizarre error message while playing Tools of Destruction. Game froze, went to black, flashed some garbage, and went to an error screen. I thought it was probably common, so I didn't take a picture. =U

Metal_Gear @ Aug 26th 2008 4:31PM

So in summary... a very unreliable source has said that the PS3 is getting screen captures?

Also, it is SOE that has terrible customer service, not SCE.

Mr Khan @ Aug 26th 2008 4:34PM

One feature that should be universal across consoles.

Curmeo @ Aug 26th 2008 4:34PM

nice. PS3's OS keeps getting better and better. cant wait for Home.

Eh @ Aug 26th 2008 4:36PM

heres a better idea: let us play music in every game instead of teasing us with a feature no developer is going to support.

Hyams @ Aug 26th 2008 4:38PM

I hope this is true. I love the in-game camera in MGS4. My current wallpaper on my PS3 is a picture of Old Snake with the MK.II's PS3 controller in hand.

Dejanews @ Aug 26th 2008 4:50PM

The fact the editors are retarded enough to actuallt buy an iPhone, tells us ALOT...

required @ Aug 26th 2008 4:49PM

They probably think it makes them hip.

j.howlett @ Aug 26th 2008 4:52PM

hope they make it easy to use

LordChimp @ Aug 26th 2008 4:52PM

I think this is a pretty sweet feature. Now my friend won't argue with me when I do difficult things in games and he doesn't believe me.

CubeGuy @ Aug 26th 2008 5:51PM

Your avatar...

I love you.

LordChimp @ Aug 26th 2008 8:10PM

You wanna watch me comb my hair???

Edge @ Aug 26th 2008 5:02PM

It would be nice to have the screenshot-er run on a timer. Every 10 seconds take a shot. It would be an interesting way to chronicle your gaming.

Nomi @ Aug 26th 2008 5:40PM

On a side note, its ctrl+shift+w for firefox.

Jacksons @ Aug 26th 2008 5:54PM

I want this on everything, and on the portables too!

LAZoftheTamarinds @ Aug 26th 2008 7:51PM

LAZoftheTamarinds WANTS.

DKDogz54 @ Aug 26th 2008 7:55PM

Hopefully I'll finally be able to play games or watch movies on my PS3. I was one of the unfortunate people who got their Blu-Ray drive messed up due to the 2.42 update. Want proof that this exist?

http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3updates&thread.id=6967&view=by_date_ascending&page=56

Because Sony won't acknowledge the problem and also the fact that i'm long gone from warranty, I have to rely on this firmware to undo whatever 2.42 did.