Reported this morning over at Kotaku, speculation is rife that PlayStation Plus users are about to exclusively get one of the most requested PSN features – cloud based game data saving.
The concept of cloud-saving is simple. You still save your progress on your PS3, but at a scheduled time, save data is uploaded and synchronised into Sony’s cloud. You lose your save file? You can easily download it from the online repository.
Allegedly called “Online Saving,” the feature will only be available to PlayStation Plus subscribers and is set for release as part of Firmware 3.60. There is no further speculation as to when the updated Firmware will be available.
There is a snag. Though this obviously sounds like a fantastic idea of safe-guarding save data that users are currently unable to back-up due to certain save files’ copy protection, paradoxically, as the cloud supports these save files entering the cloud, developers will have the choice of “opting out” and preventing such files from being “cloud-able.” Which really defeats the purpose of the whole thing if you ask us.
We’ve contacted Sony, and though we expect the standard reply of “How’s your Dad doing these days? Oh, and no comment on the secret stuff,” we will update this article if we hear anything more.
Source: Kotaku
daveydaver34
Allowing developers to opt out completly defeats the point. Sony could just add a copy multiple function to accomplish the same means. Better still they could allow you to choose what gets backed up when using the back up utility rather than backing up the entire hard drive, which in my case is close to 300GB, since copy protected saves would also get backed up.
If this turns out to be true Sony really need to start taking risks. During the first year of the PS3 Sony really had to work to win over developers. Now that the PS3 is in a much stronger position Sony can surely ease off of the sucking up a bit and do what’s best for the consumer.
Spotter5
If this comes out I will definitely resubscribe to PS+ that very day. Great peace of mind.
Dar-Kaus
Good nEWS
toto93
Would have been handy if this was out already, seeing as my ps3 died yesterday and I cant wake it up long enough to get savegames off.
xT-BAGG3Rx
Great. think i will renew my plus subscription if this comes out. i think its a great idea, lost too many saves in the past. never again with my saves in the clouds.