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
4lf13
I really hope this is true. It would make backing up a whole lot easier. I lost my Killzone 2 and Heavy Rain data when I upgraded my hdd.
affa
if you back up and restore correctly, you will keep all saved files, including copy protected ones. and if you use the ‘data transfer’ option, you can even transfer everything to a new ps3 (though the old one will no longer have those files).
i know, because i’ve upgraded hard drives 3 times and had to do a data transfer once. it all works. there is no reason you should have lost your KZ/HR saves unless a drive dies before you can backup, or a ps3 dies before you can data transfer.
deadwelsh
the issue with the data transfer is that the majority of people will only own 1 ps3 at a time.
Once it breaks then your only real option is to buy another, and it would be very costly to pay for the old one to be repaired also just to transfer some files.
Not being a PS+ subscriber this is one of those things promised which may sway my vote to get involved. Cross game chat and i’m there
3shirts
This seems like a very logical step but allowing opt-out seems stupid. They need to set the rules like MS do.
Also, being Plus only is a bit annoying and is exactly what I feared when they introduce that. It’s becoming very much a case of ‘everything you have will keep working but if you want the new stuff, you have to pay’
DrNate86
Wasn’t that the original point of plus? To not only provide free games but a better service, without taking anything away from the free service?
Kaminari
No, PS+ point was to offer dedicated entertainment services like music and movies (which didn’t happen), not to add new system functionalities that should have been part of the OS (like auto-updating and cloud-saving) from Day One.
EwanJL
I find it amusing when people angrily claim that features such as auto-updating and cloud-saving should have been a feature from day one, and yet, to my knowledge, not a single mainstream console has ever shipped with these features. For that matter, do any other consoles properly support these features at all?
Kovacs
Indeed. As a Plusite I’m obviously happy it *may* be coming. As a non-Plusite I could understand the frustration but that is what people are paying for.
PS+ is not supposed to be just a glorified book club. More and more services will be added – just like Cloud saving – making it more attractive to those who currently are not interested.
beeje13
I didn’t buy it realising it was going to have services, i jumped on for the free and exclusive content.
Juelz345
That’s the point in a premium service, though isn’t it.
Rocket_345
I would so love for this to be true.
cam the man
As long as you can save all files. If you cannot save the ones that you cannot copy it’s a bit pointless for me as I always back-up every day or two.
skibadee
it would have to do that to be worth it imo.
Rocket_345
Yeah if you couldn’t it would be pointless.
DrNate86
What’s the point of having uncloudable saves! Great if the developers implement it, but I can see it being like the early trophy support. They should make it mandatory! I wish I could take whoever makes these bizarre choices and give their head a little shake.
Kovacs
As it’s their save files in what could be perceived as an insecure area, developers may get a bit nervous about the prospect. Also, this will likely allow people to download their saves onto other people’s PS3s. They will likely make it mandatory that the save file will be locked to the profile (and hence email address of the original owner) but it’s a whole new hacking minefield that I’m sure developers are asking for assurances about.
ARUMIR Sympozium
Wouldn’t a save on a clould be locked to a PSN account?
Kovacs
Yes – and you can have your PSN account on multiple PS3s. Up to 5 in fact.
Ben
I’m sure they are just trying to keep developers happy. Ultimately of course they can impose such implementations for publishing on the platform should they decide that is the best course of action.
DrNate86
TBH I can’t even see the logic behind copy-protected games either. As you said, saves are linked to your username so people can’t use it to cheat for trophies by moving it to another PS3 etc. But I see how it could be seen as an insecure area for the saves to be stored. I can just envision all the save-protected files being the same files that can’t be uploaded onto the cloud.
E8_BALL_
i dont get it either
also, get the basics right first
bring browser up to date, bring a basic post edit feature here at tsa and so on
Jim H [Teabags]
I’m guessing Save Files will attached to the user’s PlayStation Network ID, in which case, it’s a pretty cool feature, especially if my PlayStation decides to pack in after 3 years and over 120 different games.
Yahavage
Pleeeeeeeeease let this be true! Would be a fantastic feature.
StevenHibs
Hopefully this is just the start of added features to PlayStation Plus, like, dare I say it, Cross Game Chat :)
Jim H [Teabags]
I was listening to a podcast from the Official PlayStation Magazine months ago (I think it was their E3 2010 edition) and they were discussing CGC, saying that Sony have the tools in place to launch it, though they keep holding off for reasons unknown. It’s the most desired feature on the PSN, yet after a few years we are no closer to getting it :(
tonycawley
Well clearly we are closer to getting it!
Ben
It’s quite the mystery why Sony are holding back this feature, perhaps they are unsure whether to make it a PS+ only option or make it available to all PSN users.
SpikeyMikey23
Im still not entirely sure what cross game chat is. am i correct in thinking that I could be playing COD and still talk to you over the mic even though your playing killzone?
G_The_Enemy14
Yeah Mikey, you are correct :) Personally, I’m not that fussed but a lot of people are, so I don’t know why XGC hasn’t been brought in yet. Especially as it’s one of the best features on a 360.
fad3duk2k
IF this turns out to be true, it would be great – plus with the addition of Steamworks when portal 2 comes out, the ps3 is shaping up to become much much better. I recently became a PS+ member & this addition is VERY welcome :D
tonycawley
This is both good and bad news in 1. If they keep rolling out new features for ps+ I will get it. After all, that was the original purpose of ps+. Paying monthly to get a discount on games I already own or am not interested in doesn’t appeal. But its no good implementing these things if you’re making it optional to developers. If I’m paying for it, I want it to apply to every game, not just some.
bunimomike
With you on this one. It needs to be mandatory if brought in. If they do this, I will probably sign up instantly. It’s the very tipping point for me. I’m on my second PS3 (and 3 x YLOD) so I want guarantees and also for them to reassure us that the save will definitely work with a new PS3 if one dies (ie. tied to the account, not the console).
Very exciting times with the potential for wonderful peace of mind.
Kevling
I imagine it will be the backbone of NGP – especially their notion of starting a game in the ps3, and continuing it out and about on the NGP. Cloud saves would be the most straightforward way of syncing your progress between the two devices.
Kevling
Of course if that’s the case, either you will need Plus to use the feature in NGP, or it will become free for all.