Ask PS3 Fanboy: Volume 8

by Majed Athab { Sep 6th 2008 at 9:15PM }

We've returned for the fourth week in a row. What can we say, we love answering your questions. Keep them coming guys and gals.

Keep checking back every weekend -- we'll be sure to answer all intelligent, fun, and relevant questions that you may have. If you haven't asked us anything yet ... why haven't you? Send an e-mail to majed @ ps3fanboy.com with the subject "Ask PS3 Fanboy." We'd like to stress, if your e-mail doesn't include that subject heading, your question will not be answered. If you've got PSP-related questions, be sure to ask them on Ask PSP Fanboy.

[Image: T3]

Devin S. asks: When do you expect to see a slimmer version of the PS3?
PS3F answers: The smaller, remodeled PSOne appeared five years after the launch of the PlayStation and at around the time of the PS2 launch. The slimmer PS2 replaced the older, thicker PS2s four years after launch; the following year the PS3 was publicly unveiled. While we could easily say that a slim PS3 could appear four to five years into the PS3's lifecycle, we'd also have to factor in that the remodeled PSOne and PS2 units only appeared slightly before they were replaced by a successor. Considering that the PS3 will only be turning two in a few months, all we'd have to say about a slim PS3 is that you won't see one anytime soon -- if history is to teach us anything.

Ryan H. asks: Supposedly, the reason for all the HDD installs is mainly because of the fact that the Blu-ray read time is just too slow to transfer all the data it needs to. Has there been any word, since drives are now being advanced to higher read/write speeds, of maybe an upgrade or redesign with improved Blu-ray drives so that the quality and efficiency of the systems will improve vastly?
PS3F answers: Yes, that is the reason for the HDD installs. As for the new systems with improved drives, we haven't heard any news regarding improved drives specifically; we also doubt the new 80GB and 160GB units would feature a huge hardware revision like that. A major revision like that would most likely appear together with another huge change. [See previous question!]

John C., Aziz A.H., Olli H. ask: PSN prepaid cards coming to Europe?
PS3F answers: Not at the moment. No.

Cody B. asks: Do you guys have a Trophy guide for PixelJunk Eden?
PS3F answers: Yes! However, it's not ready yet. Jem was working on it awhile back, but, in case you haven't noticed, he's been very busy. After all, he's been jet setting to Leipzig GC and PAX this past month. Watch out though; he said he'll have something soon.

Daniel V. asks: Will Sony ever release a PS2 emulator for us 40GB PS3 owners?
Sony has stated last year that their strategy moving forward will not include PS2 backwards compatibility. That is the reason why it removed the feature from current 40GB units in the first place, and the very same reason you'll find the brand new 80GB and 160GB SKUs missing BC as well. It is highly unlikely that Sony would focus time and resources on going back to this, only after having removed it from all its systems. We doubt an emulator will happen.

Markus H. asks: I have heard that it is possible to have the PS3 connected to a PC monitor instead of a TV. This is supposed to be possible by doing it through a VGA cable. Does this work well and is there a way to get sound through this connection as well?
PS3F answers: You'd probably want to go with a monitor that has an HDMI input. Since VGA is an analog signal and HDMI is digital, it's difficult to get them to play nice -- you can spend money on a converter (which will cost at least three digits) and even then you will only get 720p resolution.

Andres asks: Metal Gear Solid 4 has no Trophies but you do get emblems, is there a possible upcoming patch to convert these emblems/medals into Trophies?
PS3F answers: Emblems have always been a part of Metal Gear Solid games; it's just that you don't "collect" them in the other titles like you do in MGS4. They're not there for Trophies-sake and neither do they make very good Trophies, so a patch to "convert" them is highly unlikely. They don't make good Trophies because they're all equally difficult to attain -- they'd all have to be gold or silver considering the effort needed to attain one (meaning completing the entire game). Long-short of it: Trophies and emblems are fundamentally different and don't translate into one another.

Andre M. asks: Is it true that the only way to get images into LittleBigPlanet is with the PlayStation Eye and not any image on your HDD?
PS3F answers: Yes, this is true. It will be this way, at least for the time being at launch. The game could possibly be patched sometime after. You can read the official statement from Media Molecule in this interview here.

Gerry M. asks: Which retail stores are having LittleBigPlanet pre-order bonuses?
PS3F answers: So far, we have details on all five American pre-order items. Two pre-order items have been announced for Canada, but only one of these has revealed their retailer. As for EU pre-orders, we only know of one at the moment. It looks like physical items such as the sticker book and pouch are only available in the US while the digital downloads look like they'll be available in all territories included in the pre-order campaign. For your convenience, check out the list below:

US pre-order items:

Best Buy - Nariko Sackgirl code (downloadable in-game item)
Circuit City - LBP sticker book
GameStop - Kratos Sackboy code (downloadable in-game item)
GameCrazy - Burlap LBP pouch
Amazon - Digital Brady Games game guide

Canada pre-order items:

EB Games/GameStop - Kratos Sackboy code (downloadable in-game item)
???? - Nariko Sackgirl code (downloadable in-game item)

EU pre-order items:

PLAY - Nariko Sackgirl code (downloadable in-game item)
???? - Kratos Sackboy code (downloadable in-game item)

Alex Z. asks: How do you guys feel about consoles headed the way of the PC? What I mean by that is, games being released too soon or not properly tested and or, "we'll just fix it with a patch" mentality.
Andrew answers: I don't have a problem with patches. Very rare is a game that's actually shipped broken at launch. Yes, there are noteworthy exceptions (like Castle Crashers), but games have been very solid, in spite of the availability of patches.

What I do have a problem with: announcing DLC before a game even comes out. Very few companies do DLC right. DLC should be developed AFTER a game ships, and only because fans demand it. PixelJunk Monsters did a great job of listening to fan feedback: people wanted more, so they made more. Q-Games didn't make any DLC for PixelJunk Racers -- simply because there wasn't any demand. Companies should stop charging me for things that should've been included in the game in the first place.

There's no point to releasing DLC if people don't want it, and I refuse to pay for DLC that comes so soon after a game comes out.
Majed answers: I find the ability to patch games to be an excellent boon, and yeah, I agree that the ability shouldn't be abused. As long as it's not being used as an excuse and only used as a backup fixer-upper, then I'm all for it.
Alan answers: I personally don't care as long as they eventually fix the problems that come up. Correct me if I am wrong, but it appears a lot of the glitches occur during online play, which wasn't even a factor several years ago.

Tags: ask, ask-ps3-fanboy

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

pat1202003 @ Sep 6th 2008 9:23PM

Great LBP pre-order list. I been needing one.

Getsueikirite @ Sep 6th 2008 9:30PM

Any reason why there is such a lack of news today? I was expecting a review of Dead space yesterday..

kevin @ Sep 6th 2008 11:06PM

don't hate...
go to another site for the dead space review

KRIS_C_123 @ Sep 6th 2008 9:47PM

i have a question, why, on m.ps3fanboy (on my psp) when i click on the link for a story does it come up the normal (non-mobile version)?????
try and fix this soon, its really annoying

i have also noticed this for m.engadget.com, but not for m.pspfanboy.com they seem to know where its at.

Kspraydad @ Sep 6th 2008 10:13PM

I created my own version...

Point your PSP here:

http://ps3fanboy.wirenode.mobi/

Make sure to follow the ""See original mobile friendly"" links to stay in mobile format.

KRIS_C_123 @ Sep 8th 2008 3:18AM

thanks for the reply

very good website, cause even when it is on mobile i can still view comments, well done!!!! nice job

Kspraydad @ Sep 6th 2008 10:05PM

Re: PS2 compatibility.

Since you answer is JUST an opinion I'll give you mine. SONY would be ABSOLUTELY INSANE to not find a way to mine the back catalog of PS2 games on the PS3. As such, they will introduce PS2 games in emulated form to the PSN to earn $$$ off the back catalog. Note this isn't emulation for PS2 discs but specific games that are emulated. This may also be timed to launch with the next gen PSP and when PS2 hardware sales drop off. Remember, SONY originally planned to have the PS2 functionality in there by software only in the first place so their engineers obviously believe the hardware can handle it.

Regarding HDD installs.
The major issue is that the developers have to learn a new way of organizing the data on the disc in order to optimize stream from the BD. It isn't the drive speed per se (the data throughput of the BD is near equiv to DVD 9) but a difference in organization of said data.

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/04/01/the-mystery-behind-playstation-3s-sometimes-mandatory-installations-as-far-as-we-know/

j.howlett @ Sep 6th 2008 10:43PM

i think that when they come up with a software solution it will come in a firmware update and work like ps1 compatibility in that if you have a disk you can use it or download load from psn. i see all this talk about people just know sony will wait just to charge people money to get a hold of the great ps2 games but they hardly put out ps1 games. i think they just decided to focus on getting cost down and since it's hardly difficult to find ps2 games for the most part and ps2s are moving steady and strong numbers that got put to the side.

War Machine @ Sep 7th 2008 4:22AM

Right, and hence my question. They took out the hardware that enabled PS2 playback to lower costs, but if they relied on pure software emulation to play PS2 games (in the same way they do with PS1 games), then they could keep the price down and we could have PS2 playback. They already released software that emulates the PS2's GPU (which they used for the 80GB PS3s), so why not invest a little more effort and emulate the whole thing?

But what PS3Fanboy said gives me an answer. Sony already spent a lot of time getting rid of PS2 playback and their focus seems to be on the new things coming up. So an emulator is unlikely (for the moment, at least). I'm gonna hold on to my PS2 for a little while longer.

Thanks for answering my question, PS3Fanboy.

Extinction @ Sep 6th 2008 10:09PM

You incorrectly attribute hard drive installs to Bluray having a slow load speed, when it's actually 1.5 megabytes per second FASTER than 360s DVD on average, due to DVD slowing down the closer the data is to the center, and even moreso on the second layer where Bluray doesn't suffer these penalties.

kevin @ Sep 6th 2008 11:09PM

DVDs that the 360 use = 8 gigs(somewhere around there)
blu rays= 50 gigs

what do you think is easier finding a guy in an 8 acre field or in a 50 acre field.

the 360 has faster loading times dude.

Kspraydad @ Sep 7th 2008 12:28AM

Kevin you are being simplistic.

If the crowd is organized on the 50GB platter in such away as to optimize locating the guy the BD will find him just as fast.

kevin @ Sep 7th 2008 1:26AM

@kspraydad
True but remember all the info that on that DVD is also on that blu ray but the blu ray has all this empty extra space so its harder for the lens to find the info and thats why devs right the same info or even the whole game twice on that blu ray for faster loading times.

my comment was simplistic, i know.

Peter @ Sep 7th 2008 6:39AM

Not just the inconsistenty of that, but there's also the habit of considering the 360 drive always being at 12 speed, it isn't. It takes time to spin up to that speed, DVDs aren't as robust as Blu-ray and the drive will not even attain 12 speed on a slightly marred disk, nor will there be many situations where all the data needed is packed into one place on the disk, after a new seek the drive does not simply continue at 12 speed, it slows down and builds up speed again. On average, you can bet the blu-ray will be transferring data faster, it takes less time to hit full speed, reads more consistently at its fastest speed and will be quieter to boot. Low transfer speeds my arse.

Peter @ Sep 7th 2008 6:50AM

Oh, and before I forget, hard drive seek times and rates are a hell of a lot faster than blu-ray or DVD, I'd much rather have a game installed and running faster than on a disk, I'd much prefer running a game entirely from hard drive, like Siren. On the PC I do a full install, it's just faster. It's like when 360 fans go on about long loading times, well that loading time is once, and then the game loads faster overall. They'll pretend they'd rather have a disk-swap than rare installations to playing times and that the reason disk-swapping isn't liked is the time it takes. I remember before the current generation when the complaint was actually disk-swapping damages the game disks and is fiddley.

Hey and guess what, I think my hard drive is too slow? I can upgrade to a faster, bigger one for very cheap.

Peter @ Sep 7th 2008 6:55AM

This bugs me so much I can even triple post and point out the 360 12x speed is loud and irratating and y'know, you're reading the disk to install and cache for fast access on the PS3 and you're STILL reading the disk on the 360, just as much to play the entire game, it's just spread out to slower loading times over the gameplay.

Ugh.

Lars @ Sep 8th 2008 1:51PM

kevin obviously has no idea how optical drive technology works.

If there's 8GB on a 50GB capacity disc, it does NOT have to seek through all 50GB for the data in question.

James @ Sep 6th 2008 10:51PM

With the monitor another option is a cheap HDMI - DVI connector. Monitors work great if you don't want to $500+ for a TV but want some HD gaming.

I also read that unless your monitor is 16:9 (rare) or it's a really good one that has the option of not stretching you'll probably see the picture slightly stretched on the top (about 15% more). I've also read some won't switch down to certain resolutions. So example if the game is standard only like a PS1 game it might not accept it.

switters @ Sep 7th 2008 1:31AM

I use a Dell 20 inch widescreen moniter for my PS3. I bought a hdmi to dvi connector for 7 dollars on amazon (don't waste 30 bucks at Best Buy). It works great. (no converter needed) But if your decide to do the same make sure the monitor is hdmi ready or the ps3 won't read it.

Also 720p is the highest resolution but still looks great/fast responce time and many games only run max at 720p anyway. A monitor is also a cheaper way to go.

Andres @ Sep 6th 2008 11:08PM

thanks for answering my questions... I guess you're right about MGS4 though I'd really like to have trophies (don't have trophies in my system though I won some in my friend's PS3) and since MGS4 is the best game I have at the moment I'd like to get some from it. (waiting to buy R2 and LBP)
Specially the Big Boss emblem.... or trophy.
whatever, thanks for the answer!

Fane @ Sep 7th 2008 1:30AM

I hope that when they make a slim PS3, they shrink it horizontally, rather than vertically. It would look better that way IMO.

xoonaka @ Sep 7th 2008 2:46AM

As a developer (someone who isn't high on the totem pole, mind you), I think it's great to be able to "plan" DLC... with crazy deadlines all the time, it's nice to be able to push content and features back instead of dropping them altogether.

Not to mention, aside from bug fixes (which doesn't take a whole team), there's a large portion of time between when the game is finished and when it ships... so it's good to be working further on a title in that time frame.

collegekid13 @ Sep 7th 2008 5:36AM

just like to say something 'bout that ps3 to monitor thing. My ps3 is connected via HDMI to my HP w2207h and it goes to full 1080p

drdre74 @ Sep 7th 2008 1:24PM

Markus H. asks: I have heard that it is possible to have the PS3 connected to a PC monitor instead of a TV. This is supposed to be possible by doing it through a VGA cable. Does this work well and is there a way to get sound through this connection as well?
PS3F answers: You'd probably want to go with a monitor that has an HDMI input. Since VGA is an analog signal and HDMI is digital, it's difficult to get them to play nice -- you can spend money on a converter (which will cost at least three digits) and even then you will only get 720p resolution.

I have my PS3 hooked up to a Samsung SyncMaster 906bw and it plays just great and looks great also. the only issue i had at first was there are no speakers built into the monitor. So what i did was i had some old computer speakers that i got a $2 adapter for to hook up to the red and white audio in and out cables that go into the ps3.

Extinction @ Sep 7th 2008 2:57PM

I too have my PS3 connected to my monitor

jimmy @ Sep 7th 2008 3:38PM

actuly about the ps3 monitor question, yes you can and i think its much better, i gotta 20in without hdmi but it has a dvi conn. which is digital and i got an hdmi/dvi cord that was $10 so i can play in full 1080p on a samsung monitor and its got extreamly great spec's, much better then any hdtv under $1000 and i got the monitor for $250 with a 3 year warrenty free. only downside is that there is no sound, unless you find a monitor with speckers which i couldnt find any, but i just use my a/v cables and hook them striaght up to my reciver which hook up to my surround sound and boom, it works! its great and much cheaper and clearly much better. i would definitly perfer that then some cheap hdtv that well probley give you dead pixels much faster and come with a smaller warrent and be more expincive for something the same size, and you can also use them to watch t.v. just buy an hd reciver and hook the dvi/hdmi to the monitor and the hdmi side to the reciver and you can watch t.v in digital format. better eh?

mike @ Sep 8th 2008 12:21PM

i can't believe how people are justifying not needing a hdtv. i have a ps3 connected to a 40 in. sony bravia 1080p in my room and it looks way better than playing the ps3 on my monitor. hdtv tech is growing everyday and with the tv customization options with watching tv in 120 hz, there's no way a monitor can be compared to a hdtv.

Marcos @ Sep 7th 2008 6:45PM

Can someone please tell me, what's the best way to turn off your ps3 ? taking out the disk before turning it off ? quitting the game first ? thank you for your time reading this, and please reply!

Gandhi @ Sep 7th 2008 11:13PM

I usually exit the game from the XMB menu, then eject the disc and then switch off. I believe that is the safest way.

Although I do not believe there is any harm in simply turning off the PS3, as long as you saved in-game first or you lose all your progress.

Markus H. @ Sep 8th 2008 1:00PM

Thanks a lot for the nice comments. Now I am seriously considering buying a widescreen PC monitor to connect to my PS3. The reason I asked was that I bought a cheap TV with HD support, which broke and luckily I got the money back on the broken thing.
Again, thanks a lot PS3Fanboy.

Lars @ Sep 8th 2008 1:54PM

"Since VGA is an analog signal and HDMI is digital, it's difficult to get them to play nice -- you can spend money on a converter (which will cost at least three digits) and even then you will only get 720p resolution."

Uh, the PS3 does have component out too ya know. Component to VGA is analog to analog (no costly digital converter involved), and adapters are cheap. Also you CAN run at 1080p.

If you don't know the answers, best not guess guys.