Sony outlines firmware update plans for 2008

by Nick Doerr { Dec 7th 2007 at 4:00PM }

Faster and fewer -- that's apparently Sony's plan for 2008 regarding firmware updates. In an interview with MTV Multiplayer, SCEA's Eric Lempel talked a bit about the old firmware strategy and outlined what we can expect in 2008. He said that "We're trying to certainly cut down on the amount of times we do it ... We definitely understand that it does happen frequently and that can be somewhat annoying to some users." We haven't been particularly bothered by it, but a few times it has hindered our ability to satisfy an urge to play a game online.

For those who got the PS3 around launch in November of 2006, you will have experienced the original PlayStation servers -- those things that were really slow and irritating? Things have sped up since then and things are planned to continue to speed up, says Lempel. In addition to little things like no longer having to connect the controller via USB during updates, "we'll continue to work on other ways of making it easier and faster and we'll probably roll those out some time next year." We look forward to hearing what's in store for us. In-game messaging and a possible soundtrack customization option is really all we need. Nobody can honestly care about watching a streaming video while their game is paused, right? Or viewing a slideshow of pictures? Let's be reasonable.

Tags: eric-lempel, firmware-update, scea

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

RazielDune @ Dec 7th 2007 4:09PM

hey you know at least they acknowleged that they are listening and say they are working on it. maybe that will make 50% of the people who complain every 5 seconds on the blog about ingame XMB to shut up forawhile.

Trym @ Dec 7th 2007 4:21PM

I am NOT about to complain about the in-game XMB, but more like an idea. What about the PS-Store INTEGRATED into XMB? I mean, the XMB is genious on its own,but think of how cool it would be with instant access to the Store!

What i also hope will be better is the use of memory, not that it matters to me, but i know the PS3 OS use more that it should of the already tiny amount of RAM.

XDragon @ Dec 7th 2007 4:28PM

I want the Blu-Ray upgrade to Profile 1.1 or better stil BD+ (BD Live) so I can use the new features that will be included in some of the new releases in January.
I'd love a timer too so that i can leave the PS3 on with the controllers charging and then it turns off automatically like the 360's 6 hour timer.

moo083 @ Dec 7th 2007 4:47PM

Just thought I would mention that Sony IS coming out with Profile 1.1 this month some time. Already announced.

JayD-1K @ Dec 8th 2007 3:39AM

you can charch your controller when the PS3 is off! i think your remote start has to be enabled. but i've been using it foe a lil while now.

hope that helps

Organic_Shadow @ Dec 7th 2007 4:30PM

Why do people keep saying "who needs to watch a video and look at photos while in a game?" in reference to in-game XMB requests.

THATS NOT WHY PEOPLE WANT IT. Chill just a tad. We want it for exactly what you said: in-game messaging and soundtrack features. Ultimately this technically requires the XMB to be somewhere accessible while in a game, but at the same time, XMB is just the name of the graphical interface, NOT THE OS.

So it's partially the mistake of people thinking it's the name of the OS, and partially people not understanding that it can technically be accessible without giving the user complete freedom to do any normal XMB task.

But seriously, can we stop with the crap about anyone that wants in-game XMB = playing videos/photos while in a game?

Luigi Soprano @ Dec 7th 2007 4:35PM

I think you meant to say the "launch in November of 2006", not 2007. Somewhat of an irony there tho.

The Aggie CEO @ Dec 7th 2007 8:27PM

You sure the PS3 didnt JUST launch last month???

lol

ndoerr @ Dec 7th 2007 8:31PM

Heh. Quite right. The date is fixed. I have a pretty poor perception of time. I mean, last week feels like last year... which was what, 2003? Oh. Nevermind. Where am I again?

AL7AIR @ Dec 7th 2007 4:37PM

Update even more frequently? Wow, we've got a lot more system updates then the Xbox360 already, and they still want to improve on that number? I really like the fact that Sony is releasing them when they are done, and aren't waiting for one big "Service Pack" update like Microsoft.

Frank @ Dec 7th 2007 6:16PM

Learn to read?

He said that "We're trying to certainly CUT DOWN on the amount of times we do it ... We definitely understand that it does happen frequently and that can be somewhat annoying to some users."

AL7AIR @ Dec 7th 2007 6:57PM

I read that part as "cut down the time" as in time between the updates, sorry my bad. But still (less :)) frequent small updates are better than one big update.

Jason @ Dec 7th 2007 4:56PM

It would be nice if you PS3 could remain connected while powered off so when an update hits it can automatically start downloading it, lessening the frustration of getting home and having to update for half an hour before you can play.

Myke @ Dec 7th 2007 5:21PM

I agree wit you! I wished the PS3 was connected to the internet so you could get updates automatically, and continue to download demos and movies when the power is off. Also, i think if they had an update that made demos install automatically after download would be a great addition too. I just hope in-game music and in-game messaging releases soon. Thats the main reason why I didnt buy MotorStorm....cause it didnt have custom-soundtracks. They could of at least made a patch for it or something by now.

Popfrogs @ Dec 7th 2007 7:17PM

@Myke: I guess you missed the mention today that the PSN HV -Bowling game supports XMB music. Sony has said all along it's up to the devs to use it or not.

Parker @ Dec 7th 2007 5:10PM

I can't believe people are complaining that the updates are too frequent. It is a good thing they are so frequent. They should be happy that Sony is keeping the PS3 so update and not waiting for months and months in order to update our systems. When they have a new feature or a fix I want it immediately. Having an up to date system is a good thing people.

Phileoca @ Dec 7th 2007 5:17PM

why turn off the PS3? use it Fold.
I leave mine on for days at a time folding.

Besides, you can plug your controllers into your PC to charge if you don't want to Fold. But someday, you might have cancer and wish that you folded to help contribute to the cause.

chris @ Dec 7th 2007 7:36PM

Some of us have electricity bills to pay. Unless you live in Iran.

mint400 @ Dec 8th 2007 4:54AM

or someday Al Gore's prophecy becomes true because people leave their home electronics on all the time!

of course I'm talking about manbearpig!

kentuckyfried @ Dec 9th 2007 7:50AM

It's a nice idea, but it costs money...

According to the numbers, in CA that would cost you roughly $15/month to leave it 24-7.

Multiply that by $12 and you get $180...that's not chump change.

Afsheen @ Dec 7th 2007 5:18PM

It is frustrating to be told to update when you're ready to get your game on. Rather than forcing us to update on their command, perhaps the system could be set up to let us game on while downloading the update in the background, to be installed the next time the system is powered on.

Secura @ Dec 7th 2007 5:18PM

How about making it so I don't have to push the PS button every time I start a PS2 game. It's not that big of a deal, but it does get annoying after a while.

Wayne @ Dec 7th 2007 6:22PM

Isn't that because it restarts the PS3 in emulation mode?

ZildjianKX @ Dec 7th 2007 6:45PM

DivX support? :)

I agree, frequent firmware updates are better... unless it's for the PSP, with most of the updates being lame and to stop piracy.

chris @ Dec 7th 2007 7:40PM

PSP updates won't stop piracy anymore. Not with Pandora. It's futile.

Popfrogs @ Dec 7th 2007 7:19PM

When are my freakin' controllers going to turn themselves off after I leave the PS3 doing nothing all day? They were supposed to do auto-off in an old firmware but it never happened.

B1gC72 @ Dec 7th 2007 7:36PM

wow. how could i forget how annoying that is too. i come home to my Folding PS3 and my controller is dead cause i forgot to turn it off. then i have to play my games plugged into a USB port. really annoying.

Mr. Tangent @ Dec 7th 2007 7:24PM

Just as long as they keep making firmware updates available improving things I'll be happy.

B1gC72 @ Dec 7th 2007 7:30PM

i think Sony is doing fine with the updates. and as far as future updates, i think people have hit on most of the things i would like to see such as a shut down timer, auto download of updates, continue of downloads when console is off, auto demo installs, custom soundtracks, in-game xmb access. but the main thing i want in a PS3 update is a video playlist. you wouldnt believe how disappointed i was with the last update since it gave playlist for everything except videos. i would really like to play all my recorded shows (and by recorded i mean illegally downloaded lol) on my PS3 rather than my computer. the PSP's scene search thing would be great too and the already confirmed DivX support. huh, guess thats is alot of stuff lol.

chris @ Dec 7th 2007 7:47PM

Why is everyone crying out for XMB inside the game??? It's only about 3 seconds (max) away anyway. Chances are it'd be like the PSP where as soon as you click something else, your song stops playing (only with ingame, obviously your game stops playing and so you should have saved it anyway...).

As for DivX, people should go and read about TVersity, which is fantastic! Nero does it too I hear.

What *I* think would be great, was if you could wirelessly stream your PSP video to your TV (even with a fat PSP) via PS3 (i.e. reversed remote play), or use the USB cable but control it with a sixaxis. Thoughts?

Jay @ Dec 7th 2007 9:14PM

I want a decent browser and a good music player/interface.

And before anyone says "it's a games console!!":

1) It is designed and intended to be so much more than just a games console; and
2) If it's there, it should be good and work properly.

bozack @ Dec 8th 2007 1:57AM

PAL Support would be the best firmware update of all.

Popfrogs @ Dec 7th 2007 10:07PM

PAL support for whom? People in PAL territories should have this already.

bozack @ Dec 8th 2007 1:59AM

Obviously for those who don't have it. I figured for the PS3 crowd that would have been implied.

Pulse-Wave @ Dec 8th 2007 2:32AM

Firmware updates? Irritating? Irritating who, in particular? I think a steady diet of updates is healthy for my PS3.

John Mayock @ Dec 9th 2007 12:24PM

Has there been any news on when divx will be out on the ps3? I heard that they were under going certification with Divx. Did the 360 have to do the same? I want the ps3 divx as my 360 is too loud to watch movies on.

wayhey @ Dec 10th 2007 6:44AM

I think more of us would like more frequent updates than far fewer. Sony saying that this maybe annoying people is their excuse for not wanting to give us to many features in a shorter space of time. Unless they plan to give us updates every quarter and they are major updates with allot of features. But I do feel they want to stretch those features out over a longer period of time.
However Sony can't ignore that there will always be the need for monir fixes for games, servers and such.