New Playstation 3 Firmware Includes Trophies and In-Game XMB

The Playstation 3 will finally get two new features fans have been clamoring ever since launch: Trophies and In-Game XMB. These features will be added in the 2.40 firmware update.

Perhaps the most requested feature for the Playstation 3 has been the In-Game XMB. The XMB (short for XrossMediaBar) is the operating system for the Playstation 3. Previously, you can't access it while playing a game. You must press the Home button on your controller and choose the "Quit Game" option in order to access the In-Game XMB.

This doesn't fit well with fans, considering that the rival Xbox 360 has its own In-Game Operating System long before the Playstation 3 launched. This is especially annoying if your friend send you a message while you are playing a game. You can't reply to it unless you quit your game.

The 2.40 firmware of the Playstation 3 would allow for direct access without having to quit the game. The XMB will come up when you press or hold the Home button when you are playing a game. Don't expect all the XMB features to be available though. Particularly, you can't play videos or other games using the In-Game XMB without having to exit a game first.

Another confirmed feature in the 2.40 firmware is the Trophies system. Similar to the Xbox 360's Achievements, the system is an artificial one that tracks you skill and progress throughout the game. The system will reward you for your accomplishments with 2D trophies.

Originally, the trophies would be in 3D and located inside the Hall of Fame room in Playstation Home. Not that Playstation Home has been delayed to fall, Sony compromised by including 2D trophies in the 2.40 firmware. It is unknown whether the trophies will transformed to 3D once the Playstation Home officially launches.

Despite being a seemingly inconsequential feature, Achievements managed to be hugely successful feature for the Xbox 360. Sony hopes to see a similar success with the Trophies system on the Playstation 3.