Playstation Gamer UK

Some early details on the supposed PS3 3.0 Firmware have surfaced today. According to VG247.com, an unnamed source has reported that firmware version 3.0 will be a complete redo for the PS3. It is being called a “completely new system” and a “huge overhaul” that can be compared with the NXE (New Xbox Experience), that was released last fall, in some respects. Similar still to the NXE this Firmware 3.0 update is reportedly set to be released late this year, in time for the holiday season, and is set to include a host of new features and updates to existing features. More details after the break.

VG247.com also detailed a few new features, the first of which is a “reputation” system. This reputation system will reportedly allow other players to rate how one plays online. There will also be a grief reporting system that will allow people to take screen shots of offensive players and send them to Sony.

A huge feature that is stepping away from the player to player interaction is the ability to download patches in the background. Meaning you won’t have to sit for five minutes while Socom Confrontation, for example, downloads one of it’s many game fixes.

And the final feature that was detailed is the ability to have simultaneous HDMI and digital optical outputting. Me not being a tech nut I have no idea what that means but yay to those of you who care.

While those were all the details VG247 reported about the Firmware update they did tease that there will be more coming. I’m not sure if there is any legitimacy to these claims, but lets hope so. [Source Article]

But that’s not all, since I really don’t like just copying another website’s content I’ve got some of my own opinions and questions to throw into the ring. The first and most obvious has to be, will the XMB be redone? While I have no problems with the Cross Media Bar (XMB) many people find it over crowded and intimidating, so that could use an overhaul. Also, if Sony doesn’t include cross game invites and voice chat this will be a huge missed opportunity. The community is crying for these features Sony! Don’t let them down, you know how mean PlayStation fanboys can be.

The intriguing thing about this is how the PS3 continues to match the Xbox 360 in it’s progression. Through the first two years of each console’s existence the sales have been almost identical. Last year, the 360’s third year, sales dropped dramatically at the beginning of the year and through the summer with the PS3 outselling it for many weeks. But then in the fall the NXE was launched and along came the famous price cut, that launched the Xbox 360 into it’s hot streak. Now this year, in the PS3’s third year of existance, it’s sales have slowed down due to it’s price point. However, with a strong lineup, a rumored price cut to come this fall and an NXE style firmware update, we could see the PS3 sales make the same leap up as the Xbox 360’s sales did last holiday season. Of course, this is assuming that there is, in fact the rumored price cut and that these Firmware 3.0 details are real.

Update: Unsurprisingly Sony has denied this. A statement from Jennifer Clark, director of SCEA Product publicity said “These rumors are completely untrue, nothing has been announced or confirmed for upcoming PlayStation firmware, and this is just wild speculation.” While I was, and still am, skeptical about the firmware update rumors, I don’t believe what Sony tells us. This seems to be the standard way things go with Sony these days: things leak, Sony denies it, then they announce it.