Sony has announced a new firmware update (V1.82) for the PS3 that takes it a step closer to customising game soundtracks.
In a blog posting, Sony's Eric Lempel, director of PlayStation Network Operations, said, “Hopefully this update is moving us closer to the audio playback features many of you commented about in my post the other week.” The comments in question relate to in-game access to the Cross Media Bar (XMB), that would allow gamers to create their own game soundtracks.
Creating custom soundtracks is already possible using the PS3's existing software, but in an interview a PS3 software engineer said†, “It is up to the game developers to use the function. Same goes for pictures and videos.” In-game access to the XMB will hopefully mean that accessing your own music during a game will not be reliant on the title's developers enabling it.
The closed beta of PlayStation Home has also just been updated to allow XMB access. It will enable access to friends lists from anywhere in Home, but no mention has been made of music access as yet.
The PS3 firmware update will also increase the console's video playback functionality. Lempel tells us, “Scheduled for release in the next few days, firmware 1.82 is an update that enables the playback of AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4) files. As most of you know, these are high quality files that you’ll now be able to play on your PS3.”
He also threw out a hint about backwards compatibility, saying, “We’re continuing to evaluate and improve things across the board, including PS2 software compatibility.”
You can read about PS3 firmware update V1.80 here.
†Source: neowin.net
In a blog posting, Sony's Eric Lempel, director of PlayStation Network Operations, said, “Hopefully this update is moving us closer to the audio playback features many of you commented about in my post the other week.” The comments in question relate to in-game access to the Cross Media Bar (XMB), that would allow gamers to create their own game soundtracks.
Creating custom soundtracks is already possible using the PS3's existing software, but in an interview a PS3 software engineer said†, “It is up to the game developers to use the function. Same goes for pictures and videos.” In-game access to the XMB will hopefully mean that accessing your own music during a game will not be reliant on the title's developers enabling it.
The closed beta of PlayStation Home has also just been updated to allow XMB access. It will enable access to friends lists from anywhere in Home, but no mention has been made of music access as yet.
The PS3 firmware update will also increase the console's video playback functionality. Lempel tells us, “Scheduled for release in the next few days, firmware 1.82 is an update that enables the playback of AVC High Profile (H.264/MPEG-4) files. As most of you know, these are high quality files that you’ll now be able to play on your PS3.”
He also threw out a hint about backwards compatibility, saying, “We’re continuing to evaluate and improve things across the board, including PS2 software compatibility.”
You can read about PS3 firmware update V1.80 here.
†Source: neowin.net
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Sony
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Comments
Joji 27 Jun 2007 10:56
1/3
Will this feature have a hit on established in game soundtracks?
Hypnotoad 28 Jun 2007 00:09
2/3
Hmm this is interesting as I've seen a patent that MSFT own that says the in-game soundtrack feature is theirs. it was my understanding that Sony weren't allowed to offer in-game custom tracks as a result, much the way racing games weren't allowed to offer the 4 race views that Virtua Racer did back in the day as Sega had patented them. I can't be bothered looking for the MSFT patent now, but I saw it for myself.
gareth 28 Jun 2007 09:34
3/3
what rubbish is that? microsoft cant copyright custom soundtracks! if that was the case, then y doesn't apple sue them for owning the rights to digitally download and convert music then? y doesn't nintendo sue every1 else for making games consoles seeing as the NES was the first 1 and they copyrighted that too? what utter tosh the post above is!