PS3 will get the much awaited Firmware 2.40 tomorrow. This latest update is different Firmware 2.36 (released last week) which improves "system stability when playing select PlayStation format software titles," but not mentioning which games.
With Firmware 2.40, SONY finally adds in-game XMB, custom soundtrack options and their own version of Xbox's Achievement system, known as Trophies.
The in-game XMB is a full scaled XMB, with new options to quit game, go online, access Playstation Store, change headset settings and even checking on which of your friends are online, all done without ever leaving the game. Note that the XMB will only work for PS3 games, so accessing the XMB by pressing the PS button on the controller while in a PSOne or PS2 game wont work.
Custom music option for games are also added to the XMB to play your own music, and SONY have added a control panel within the Music category with buttons to play, pause, skip and even to control the volume if its affects the game's audio effects. This feature needs to be added to the game, so it wont work on existing releases but it could be easily patched if the developer chooses to.
The biggest addition to Firmware 2.40 and to the PS3 itself is the Trophies system. Similar to Xbox360's Achievement system, PS3's Trophy system goes a few step further. Instead of points, different type of Bronze, Silver and Gold Trophies will be awarded for completing different tasks. Each game will also have one single Platinum Trophy is available for completing all Trophies in the game. You can then compare your Trophy collection with your friends, and the collection will also be added to you profile for all to see.
To make things more enticing, Sony have added a Level system to the Trophies. Gaining Trophies will level up your profile in PSN, giving gamers more incentive to collect as many Trophies they can find. This will definitely improve PS3's online community draw, as there are much more reason to getting Trophies as opposed to simply having Points to show.
All this and more will be available to PS3 users come tomorrow, so be ready to fully embrace SONY's new online community direction.
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