NewsDude
06-30-2008, 09:00 PM
In a move to compete with Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony is set to release the PlayStation 3 software update 2.40 on Wednesday.
New features aim to beef up the way PS3 users play and interact with one another. Perhaps the biggest in-game experience additions are the XrossMediaBar (XMB) and Trophies. These were two of the most requested new features, according to Sony.
XMB lets PS3 users connect and communicate with other gamers and use other XMB features while playing most games. Trophies lets gamers tout their accomplishments via profiles, which also lets users compare their skills.
"Today's PlayStation 3 experience has evolved significantly from what we debuted at launch, and the 2.40 firmware update will drive the PS3 community experience forward at a time when the platform's momentum is stronger than ever, with the launches of several recent blockbuster titles and other exclusive content on the way," said Peter Dille, Sony's senior vice president of marketing.
Zooming in on XMB
XMB access allows gamers to interact through messaging. Gamers can view others' online status and profiles without interrupting game play. By pushing the PS button on the PS3 controller, the Home menu takes center stage over a game in progress.
Depending on the game, XMB access will either automatically pause the game or continue to run in the background. With these enhanced communications features for the PlayStation Network community -- which has more than 9.8 million registered accounts -- the Friends list capacity has doubled to 100.
With XMB access in a game, users can sign in to the PlayStation Network, manage PlayStation Store downloads, quit a game, and access options within the Settings category. PS3 users can also end their game and navigate directly to other PS3 system features by selecting to view content such as photos or videos stored on the system's hard...
More... (http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=60548)
New features aim to beef up the way PS3 users play and interact with one another. Perhaps the biggest in-game experience additions are the XrossMediaBar (XMB) and Trophies. These were two of the most requested new features, according to Sony.
XMB lets PS3 users connect and communicate with other gamers and use other XMB features while playing most games. Trophies lets gamers tout their accomplishments via profiles, which also lets users compare their skills.
"Today's PlayStation 3 experience has evolved significantly from what we debuted at launch, and the 2.40 firmware update will drive the PS3 community experience forward at a time when the platform's momentum is stronger than ever, with the launches of several recent blockbuster titles and other exclusive content on the way," said Peter Dille, Sony's senior vice president of marketing.
Zooming in on XMB
XMB access allows gamers to interact through messaging. Gamers can view others' online status and profiles without interrupting game play. By pushing the PS button on the PS3 controller, the Home menu takes center stage over a game in progress.
Depending on the game, XMB access will either automatically pause the game or continue to run in the background. With these enhanced communications features for the PlayStation Network community -- which has more than 9.8 million registered accounts -- the Friends list capacity has doubled to 100.
With XMB access in a game, users can sign in to the PlayStation Network, manage PlayStation Store downloads, quit a game, and access options within the Settings category. PS3 users can also end their game and navigate directly to other PS3 system features by selecting to view content such as photos or videos stored on the system's hard...
More... (http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=60548)