Rumoured Firmware 3.0 Details

Firmware 2.80 arrived this week as an optional update officially consisting of improvements to the “playback quality of some PS3 software”. Other reports have said it contained some developer-only features of features that are not yet enabled. Two things it seems to have done are block the use of the Open Remote Play PC application and lock the microphone level at 3 from those with the official Sony headset.

Many complained that there was not much in it even though it took nothing away and was not a compulsory update.

Now VG247 are reporting, presumably via various threads by a certain poster on various forums going by the name of “Super_Secret”, that they know some of the features that will arrive with Firmware 3.0 which they say is set for a “pre-Christmas” release. They claim to have been told it represents a “huge overhaul” and has drawn comparison with last year’s 360 NXE update “in some respects”.

Features noted so far are:

The introduction of a PSN user reputation system.
A grief reporting system allowing users to send annotated screenshots of offensive players to Sony.
Game patches will be able to download in the background.
HDMI audio and digital optical output will be usable at the same time.

They also tease that they have been told more but that we will just have to wait. Nothing too Earth-shattering in that list, and nothing really unexpected – we’ve known about the grief reporting for some time but the user rating system might be a nice tweak, a la Xbox Live. We will see what else we can find out from this Super_Secret dude, and let you know.

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127 Comments

Newer Comments

colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
Member since: Apr 2009
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:15

Yes, patches in background download, thank God! Now, to convince Sony to merge the PSN into one global PSN instead of PSN SCEA, PSN SCEE, etc.
- Tuffcub (Staff)
  Member since: Dec 2008
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:18
  
  Never going to happen.
  - colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
    Member since: Apr 2009
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:24
    
    I can dream, can’t I?
Tuffcub (Staff)
Member since: Dec 2008
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:17

That doesnt sound anything like of what is to be expected in a full upgrade from 2x to 3.0 – a few little tweaks and and a grief system? Hardly groundbreaking.
- Snebjnr (1484 TSA Points)
  Member since: Feb 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:21
  
  You dont sound too impressed Tuffcub??
- Pixl1983 (400 TSA Points)
  Member since: Forever
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:31
  
  I think the meat is yet to come. This is probably more of an announcement. It’s definitely going to have more features. I’d expect most features the public are requesting (bar the impossible ones and those bound legally eg. xgame chat etc.) to be included and then some.
  
  Of course I don’t know this for sure but it makes sense. Get the imitation out of the way then concentrate on the innovation.
  - BRITEside (150 TSA Points)
    Member since: Jun 2009
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 17:54
    
    I agree, get everything out in the open that is like the 360 to show the comparative competition with rumors, to get everyone exited. then save the concretes innovation for a unveiling to make everyone feel as though they are not only equal with 360 owners but superior in every way
Snebjnr (1484 TSA Points)
Member since: Feb 2009
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:18

It sounds like a great update. But we would need a form of party chat in order to compare it to NXE.

Dont get ne wrong, this will be an awesome update
A rep system and a grief reporting system…ace!
We can maybe get rid of those pesky game-sharers!! >:(

Keep on rocking Sony
- Firewarrior706 (310 TSA Points)
  Member since: Aug 2008
  Posted on: 27/06/2009 at 00:08
  
  You do know game sharing is practically encouraged by Sony?
  - Snebjnr (1484 TSA Points)
    Member since: Feb 2009
    Posted on: 27/06/2009 at 00:13
    
    Is it?
    I was meaning the ones in the PSN Name & Shame forum thread
    ?? =S
w3r3w0lf (276 TSA Points)
Member since: Jan 2009
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:20

The site does say that there is more to this update than mentioned above. Will be good to see just how much more.
- Watchful (Staff)
  Member since: Oct 2008
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:25
  
  As does the above:
  “They also tease that they have been told more but that we will just have to wait.”
  - w3r3w0lf (276 TSA Points)
    Member since: Jan 2009
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:52
    
    sorry, yeah I see that now
Soild_Nat (637 TSA Points)
Member since: Apr 2009
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:24

Didn’t realise you couldn’t use the HDMI and Optical out at the same time. I am planning to get a Logitech surround sound speaker system for the PS3 which uses the optical in, so would this mean i couldn’t watch a bluray through surround sound using this system?

Not a biggy as i probably wont be getting until early next year by which time this patch will be out or another speaker system will be!
- shields_t (793 TSA Points)
  Member since: Oct 2008
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:33
  
  Um, I currently use HDMI and optical at the same time as my TV handles HDMI but my amp doesn’t.
  
  It’s worked fine evcer since I’ve had a PS3.
  - ghost5 (472 TSA Points)
    Member since: Oct 2008
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:41
    
    It means to have sound output for both the HDMI port and the optical port at the same time
  - marvzilla (136 TSA Points)
    Member since: Aug 2008
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:43
    
    Um, I also use HDMI for my tv and Optical for my 5.1 at the same time
  - Watchful (Staff)
    Member since: Oct 2008
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:26
    
    Added clarification to the article. It is audio via HDMI and Optical at the same time.
- AllTheApesEscaped (202 TSA Points)
  Member since: Nov 2008
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:01
  
  “HDMI and digital optical output will be usable at the same time.” – this can already be done, I have done it since I bought my PS3. Unless it means output on both at the same time (don’t know why you’d need to). My old setup used to be HDMI to Monitor and Optical out to Logitech Z5500 speakers.
Gastos84 (Staff)
Member since: Apr 2009
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:25

Even if it’s just downloading patches in background, that would be worth it.

Love the Overlord 2 thing too. Very cool
- Snebjnr (1484 TSA Points)
  Member since: Feb 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:30
  
  Just noticed the Overlord thing
  Does it say “Nofi” in the 1st sentence??
  If so thats evil lol
  - colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
    Member since: Apr 2009
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:31
    
    No. Nofi is in the second sentence.
TheRook21 (468 TSA Points)
Member since: Sep 2008
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:39

Out of that list I’d like them all in but only fussed about background downloading of patches… it would be nice to trigger a game update check without having to put the disk in…
- colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
  Member since: Apr 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:10
  
  definitely
- Downey92 (620 TSA Points)
  Member since: Jun 2009
  Posted on: 27/06/2009 at 14:53
  
  It would more likely be that you would put the disc in, it would prompt you for an update but now you can do something else whilst waiting for it to download.
ghost5 (472 TSA Points)
Member since: Oct 2008
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:40

“HDMI and digital optical output will be usable at the same time”

This is what I have wanted for ages, as I split my HDMI signal for the TV upstairs, but use optical for sound downstairs and HDMI for upstairs.

Shame there is no mention of the battery indicator being moved – lol
- w3r3w0lf (276 TSA Points)
  Member since: Jan 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:53
  
  One of the mods said in the EU forums that the battery indicator is being looked into and sorted out for the Autumn, as is the filtering in the text chat rooms (no eta on that atm though).
  - spooner_22 (896 TSA Points)
    Member since: May 2009
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:54
    
    I still don’t understand the problem with the battery indicator??
    Seems fine to me.
Garcha94 (36 TSA Points)
Member since: Jun 2009
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:40

Why cant we just get cross game chat and/or a party feature like on xbox 360. We dont want a grief system, just give us what we want. Are any of us going to use the grief system apart from losers who cant take abuse from a game. Just simply give us cross game chat and we will be happy
- Kevling (1533 TSA Points)
  Member since: Dec 2008
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:47
  
  I don’t want cross game chat.
  - colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
    Member since: Apr 2009
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:51
    
    Sometimes I play a game and one player will crow on about his goal in Fifa, or his takedown in Burnout and won’t stop. Now you want him to put this in other games? And give you a running commentary of his game of Fifa while you play Metal Gear? No thanks!
- w3r3w0lf (276 TSA Points)
  Member since: Jan 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:51
  
  Thing is, I can see them implementing CGC, and then the people that requested it so much would still not be happy and find something wrong with it.
  - spooner_22 (896 TSA Points)
    Member since: May 2009
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 15:53
    
    Exactly…I wish people would stop going on about cross game chat…it’s not that big a deal, causes too many problems and is probably not happening any time soon.
    I like the idea of patches in background coz thats annoying at the moment, and also the reputation system sounds good.
hannes_truce (2712 TSA Points)
Member since: Sep 2008
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:06

The rep system sounds good, but how will they stop knobs from giving you a bad rating if you don’t gameshare with them? i guess thats where grief reporting comes into play…
- w3r3w0lf (276 TSA Points)
  Member since: Jan 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:08
  
  Or you’ll get bad rep from players (read: sore losers) that you’ve killed numerous times in online games (ie COD and KZ2)??
- colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
  Member since: Apr 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:11
  
  What’s gamesharing on the PS3?
  - TheRook21 (468 TSA Points)
    Member since: Sep 2008
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:14
    
    Its where you share you account details (really not smart) and allow someone else to download your PSN games/addons etc.
    
    Not a smart thing to do…
  - colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
    Member since: Apr 2009
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:23
    
    What mag is encouraging it? Surely they are opening themselves up to being sued by Sony?
LivedeviL (255 TSA Points)
Member since: Dec 2008
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:08

HDMI and optical sound? Thank god (if it happens whic I’m not holding my breath for)!

If this does come about I can finally have some late night activities without having to get up to switch off surround sound! lol
LiquescentShadow (1331 TSA Points)
Member since: Dec 2008
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:24

The rep system and grief reporting system will be abused, should they be brought in.

If that’s what v3.0 looks like, they can shove it.
- colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
  Member since: Apr 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 18:34
  
  If they could have it so it had stats, like the percentage of times you finished online games, etc. It would be ok.
CaptainMurdo (Staff)
Member since: Sep 2008
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:32

A simplified XMB for in-game use would be great. Then you would know exactly what you can do and do it much quicker.
- colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
  Member since: Apr 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:36
  
  Check trophies and downloads, correct?
  - CaptainMurdo (Staff)
    Member since: Sep 2008
    Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 18:47
    
    Yeah and maybe a quicker friends list.
- w3r3w0lf (276 TSA Points)
  Member since: Jan 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:36
  
  Exactly, simply “shrink” the current one down whilst in-game so the only ones you can access are “friends”, “Network”, “Game” & “Music”. Also, a bigger “profile” page would be appreciated.
colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
Member since: Apr 2009
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 16:35

A player rating system would be good for all the times someone quits before a game is finished when they are losing. High Velocity Bowling has this in game, I believe.
iBirch (204 TSA Points)
Member since: May 2009
Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 17:01

I’ll be expecting alot more than that. Hopefully we’ll get some ace updates.
- colmshan1990 (815 TSA Points)
  Member since: Apr 2009
  Posted on: 26/06/2009 at 17:02
  
  We will. I can feel it in my bones.

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