In-game XMB in '08, swears Sony

by Nick Doerr { Jan 9th 2008 at 1:00PM }

Now, we love beating a dead horse as much as the next irate Amish farmer (don't be offended; most Amish don't use the internet so defending them would be kind of silly), but a lot of people don't like hearsay and rumor and tend to wait for official confirmation before busting out some bubbly and causing a catastrophe. We've got it for you, though -- at CES, Sony reps confirmed that in-game XMB is slated to hit your console as an update sometime in '08. It's a pretty rough confirmation, as there are still over 350 days left in 2008. That could mean a lot of waiting.

What we have to point out is that other games technically have this feature -- Singstar has an in-game buddy list so you can check on your friends, messages, and the like. Super Stardust HD allows for custom soundtracks. This begs the question -- do we need in-game XMB across the board, or do developers just have to implement a feature in their titles to allow something similar? Older games can obviously get patched. Still, we suppose getting all the games at once under a universal update could be the best move.

Tags: in-game, in-game-xmb, xmb

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

vlad @ Jan 26th 2008 6:57PM

whatever they can give us (without lagging up games) they should give, if "you" don't need it so what? others might, voice chat across games, custom sondtracks, and web browsing are my top ones.....the clock would be great too, maybe an alarm or reminder (remember you don't have to use it) so you can get to work, school, ect... on time! here's hoping its sooner rather then later :)

vlad @ Jan 26th 2008 7:03PM

by the way you can play music and web browse at the same time too. (same way as the pics w/music) sorry for posting again...forgot :)

AceHill @ Feb 5th 2008 4:56PM

WHY DOSE SONY HATE US??????

Gursimran @ Feb 20th 2008 7:40AM

y they r not telling us the fixed date for updating . if they can do xmb in game , they should release that update now. but they r saying sometime in 2008 , it can be --->31-12-2008, isn;t it? its very frustating. or they just tell us the month. its just like showing the carrot to a rabbit, but not giving it. oh maaaaaaaan

Dan Davis @ Jan 9th 2008 1:06PM

As great as the radio stations in the Grand Theft Auto games are, I would still love to rawk out to my own tunes while I'm mowing down pedestrians...

KillaRizzay @ Jan 9th 2008 1:07PM

Finaaaaaaaaaally, bout friggin time. Only problem now is it could come in any of the 12 remaining months of this year....sigh..

Mortimi @ Jan 9th 2008 1:08PM

Hell yeah! XMB across all games would be welcomed! Along with being able to private chat whilst in games, join you mates who are already playing in a game through the XMB and all the other little things that make LIVE good for online gaming! Nice one Sony, keep the updates coming!

mattclarkie @ Jan 9th 2008 2:17PM

Yes it needs to be across the board! I love the guide button on my 360, checking APs, and friends, my PS3 needs something similar, actually the PSButton needs to be 2 times bigger, and light up, but that is another matter.

When Sony implement it they have to do something that MS didn't though, the fact that when using the guide some games pause FMVs and Loading, and others don't.

Sony, FMVs should freeze/pause always, but Loading should never.

mattclarkie @ Jan 9th 2008 2:20PM

Sorry about the double post, I got the 404 screen and the first post didn't show up, then it did 2 mins later.

I know this is now a triple post.

mgroves @ Jan 9th 2008 1:19PM

XMB means "EXTREME MESSAGE BOARD"

nihillasohen @ Jan 9th 2008 1:37PM

cross media bar

Roger @ Jan 9th 2008 1:10PM

The music side of this update does not tickle me fancy but in game texting is much more important. Whilst playing a game my friends text me to come and play another game and i am unable to awnser them without leaving my current game. This is a feature that all 360 gamers currently have which would be a welcome addition to the PS3 system.

Vincent @ Jan 9th 2008 3:24PM

Same here, I could careless about switching the game music to my own ~.~ In-game messenger would be pretty nice though!

Relativ @ Jan 9th 2008 1:14PM

It's about time they at least make some sort of confirmation that we can at least expect it, one thing i would love would be to have a little box in a corner where you could have a private video chat while playing single player games.

Trev @ Jan 9th 2008 1:26PM

Not things I'm dying to get, but more features is never a bad thing. Bring them on.

Tim Parsons @ Jan 9th 2008 1:26PM

it could come Dec 31,2008 for all i care I still see In-Game XMB and custom music as useless and a waste,. ,. is SONY going to reinburst devs for the money they but out to the people involved who put music in games?

It's annoying enough to get the stupid lil pop-ups sayign someone has signed in or out much less that tom dick and harry messaged you,. my thought is, "can't that fool see im in a game"

Solace @ Jan 9th 2008 1:37PM

Your ignorance never ceases to amaze me.
I seriously question whether you truly own a PS3 as you should know there's an option to turn that off.
Three guesses where it is [HINT: It's in SETTINGS]

SQUIRTFORCE @ Jan 9th 2008 1:30PM

Did that updated Stardust come out on the American store yet?

Myke @ Jan 9th 2008 1:32PM

For me, The most important aspects about in-game XMB is in-game messaging and in-game music. If there is a way that Sony can implement this w/o killing themselves or talk the developers to implement them in games, it would be acceptable. Sony needs to release a survey about PS3 owners want in functionality for future firmware updates.

TinyTim121 @ Jan 9th 2008 5:21PM

I COMPLETELY AGREE!!!

I would also like for the implementation of the music play list into games via the XMB. That way I could create my own GTA radio station! And for each track to appear in a little grey box in the screen corner (Similar to how it dose when a friend comes online)

But yeah, big thing for me is the messaging. There is nothing more annoying than quitting from a game of COD4 to read a message for somebody to ask “Is COD4 any good?” for you to reply yes and for them to reply “Ah cool” Just as you re-load the game.

And they should totally have a survey section for the PS3, although it would probably just get spammed with people demanding all region play station store lol

IanC @ Jan 9th 2008 1:33PM

Wow, so its going be what, over a year? For something that the Xbox 360 had from the start? How pathetic Sony.

It better not be up to the game devs to add support - its already like that on some things anyway (Friends list for example).

Tim Parsons @ Jan 9th 2008 1:40PM

In-Game Custom tracks has been that way for a few months too. Stardust has it,. too an extent.

What people really want is SONY MANDATED IN-GAME XMB with CUSTOM MUSIC TRACK SUPPORT

the ability for both has been there already for quite some time

Myke @ Jan 9th 2008 1:38PM

The most important apsects I want is In-game messaging, invites, and In-game music. If Sony can implements these w/o killing themselves or talk the developers into having these features standard in all games, people should be satisified. Sony should release a survey to see what PS3 owners want in future firmware updates too. I mean, they give surveys for everything else!

drdre74 @ Jan 9th 2008 1:40PM

Sony hates us all and doesn't care about us. They could care less what we want. They are in no hurry to put this in. At least some games are already putting some of this stuff in. I do hate that in a game of COD4 i cant text someone and tell them to invite me in a game without quitting first.

Popfrogs @ Jan 9th 2008 2:40PM

That's COD4's fault. It accesses your XMB buddy list and sees who is playing online and you can do a party invite for them. However this is kinda ass-backwards when you want to play with your friend, he's in a match and you want to join him. It should let you "follow" your buddies like Warhawk. However, the devs that made Warhawk actually spent more than 5 minutes planning the lobby.

emaxximus @ Jan 9th 2008 1:56PM

As an irate amish farmer I take offence to your comment, I dont LOVE beating dead horses, I merely LIKE it a LOT. And I'm allowed to use a computer because I'm mennonite, and my computer is made of straw and buttons. (no zippers)

Tim Parsons @ Jan 9th 2008 1:57PM

How about SONY add some features like 2way Remote PLay so I can play all my PSP games on my PS3 instead of being stuck sitting on my couch in front of a 42in Widescreen 1080P HDTV force to play on a lil bity screen but yet they keep expanding support for PS3 games on PSP,.? somebody tell me how the fuck that makes any logical sense

Brian Spence @ Jan 9th 2008 2:22PM

yeah, that's really one of my main reasons for not owning a PSP by now.

Randy Kayfish @ Jan 9th 2008 2:32PM

It's called a portability. I don't think a 42" tv is very portable. Now, doesn't the PSP 2000 allow this via component to the TV?

Solace @ Jan 9th 2008 2:43PM

get the new PSP. hooks up to your TV.
problem solved.

Tim Parsons @ Jan 9th 2008 2:48PM

@ Randy Kayfish

Indeed it does,. but why should I have to be connected with a friggin' cable and be forced to still use my PSP,. when they could do it wirelessly and let me use my SIXAXIS,. if the PSP can do it for the PS3,. there's no reason why the reverse isn't possible,. plus those cables annoying me,. my TV has all the audio inputs on the left side, and video in the right,. when your dealing with a single cable that splits into 3 that becomes a problem,. mind you it reached,. only barely,. there wasn't even cable after the split,. still a remote Play way to do it with the option to adjust screen size would be nice,. It's not like it would cannibalize PSP sales cause you'd still need the system and game for it to work,

as it is right now I rarely play my DS lite or PSP slim at home, but when I have to do laundry for example i play em the whole time, but once im home it's just to annoying if i could play the same game via remote play thats in my PSP on my PS3 i would ,. Mind you this won't stop me from picking up God of War and Crisis Core for PSP LOL

Tim Parsons @ Jan 9th 2008 2:18PM

come to think of it In-Game XMB could be useful and welcome if it's not just in game messaging,. Let us Veiw Pictures even a video(with limitations of course watching a 700mb DivX movie in mid game is pushing it) ,.Music sure if you have full control of what will play and when,. and even browse the web maybe find a cheat,walkthrough or something without having to run to your PC,. And auto puase when you hit the PS button to do this would be nice, do date i've only played one game that had auto pause when you hit the PS button(that im aware of), every other one kept going you had to think to pause it yourself first,. auto would be nice.

Neptune @ Jan 9th 2008 2:28PM

I want it now *shakefist*

Tony @ Jan 9th 2008 2:29PM

Nothing else is more important than DTS MA HD Audio codec support, Sony please give the PS3 the ability to decode this!!

Nate @ Jan 9th 2008 2:58PM

While I think it's an important addition, I think it's way less important to the PS3 as a whole than in-game XMB. That's one of the major features of Live that the PSN is missing. And this comes from a home theater enthusiast.

Fraser JK @ Jan 9th 2008 2:34PM

350 days IS alot, but this feature will please PS3 Fanboys for years to come, so hurry it up Sony pleeease... for us early adopters!

Fraser JK @ Jan 9th 2008 2:33PM

350 days IS alot, but this feature will please PS3 Fanboys for years to come, so hurry it up Sony pleeease... for us early adopters!

bs6268d @ Jan 9th 2008 2:47PM

So does this mean we can finally private chat and play a game at the same time

Organic_Shadow @ Jan 9th 2008 3:05PM

It needs to be game-patched limited-function. Why? Because if you have to go look at photos while you're in a game, then you might as well just exit the game because you obviously are't interested in playing.

-Needs to be game-patched, and only if developer supports it.
-Music access- preferably that REPLACES the game music, not plays ontop.
-Friends list access- messaging and invites to games only. No video chat.
-Limited amount of display and audio settings, as well as headset/camera adjustment too if need be.

That's pretty much all that's NEEDED. We do NOT need the entire XMB accessible at any given moment.

Nate @ Jan 9th 2008 4:39PM

It needs to *not* require a game patch, because no one's going to do it, at least not for established games, and many people will choose not to do it in existing games. Just look at the spotty integration of the PS3's current features in current games.

I don't care if I can look at pictures while gaming, but being able to browse the web would be very handy. Walkthroughs and other helper sites are all over the place. Games can already initiate the browser themselves (several of games use this to provide help pages), so why not let the user initiate it?

Most of the rest of what you said makes sense.

kentuckyfried @ Jan 9th 2008 3:45PM

XMB is not really to run off and view movies and photos while in game. What's more critical is what Live has now for coordinating group games. Granted, it's not perfect but I think it's a beautiful implementation where either text or voice messages can be left for you friends. Come to think of it, all that texting/voice messaging wouldn't be needed to get the game going, either your friends are online or they aren't...but it's been useful in dealing with all the earlier server problems on COD4, etc and the associated coordination problems.

bbking @ Jan 9th 2008 3:52PM

watch it come out tomrow

anthonyjh @ Jan 9th 2008 3:59PM

I didn't buy my ps3 because I NEEDED one, but because I WANTED one. And I WANT in game xmb. How is that?

Chris Rah Osiris @ Jan 9th 2008 5:12PM

I hope that this feature comes soon. I'm tired of hearing the complaints

fuliano626@psn @ Jan 9th 2008 6:05PM

oh yeah i read about this apparently it comes out on december 31 2008

Anthony @ Jan 9th 2008 7:17PM

Great! IMHO sony should update the xmb so you can have music playing while you are looking through photo's, etc. Its so annoying that the visualizer has to be displayed when playing music.

Rockwallaby @ Jan 9th 2008 8:03PM

You can do this now

Anthony @ Jan 10th 2008 1:10AM

How? Whenever I exit the song stops...

Asher @ Jan 10th 2008 12:20PM

don't press the back button, instead press the PS button and it will take you to the XMB where you can go to a slide show. The same can be done with the slides. View an image or setup a slideshow and press the PS button. Heck even movies can be put in the background, not that you can really do anything other than scroll around the menus.