Twitter
YouTube
What went wrong with PS3 Firmware v3.0
Sony Computer Entertainment announced PlayStation 3 firmware update version 3.0 at GamesCom 2009, even going as far to tout it as a “major update”, that being the last major update of the year. However, with the update’s release last night, there seems to be more “minor update” features added and a little too much of “why would they do this?” in the mind.
A series of new features has been added to PlayStation 3 with the 3.0 update; small features. These include a new start-up look that shows the PS3 slim logo rather than seeing ‘Sony Computer Entertainment’, the ability to copy and paste, the ability to capture a screenshot of the web browser, support for ‘Premium Avatars’ which you can purchase off the PlayStation Store, a “What’s New” section replacing the information board with the latest in PlayStation, a new Status Indicator displaying your icon, messages and amount of friends online, a redesign to the friends list, shortcuts for the PlayStation Store, support for new dynaimic themes, and a bit more speed to loading trophies.
They all sound like welcome additions; welcome but small. Not enough to make this a “major update”. However, even some of these additions have gone wrong.
The newly redesigned friends list is hardly a redesign at all. If anything, it complicates the friends list even more by adding a gray but shiny box around each friend, which seems highly unneccesary, and really gives a cluttered feeling to the list. If anything, it shouldn’t even be touted as a new feature, as it’s just an image thrown in the background of a friend. On top of that, there’s no option to customize the color, and with the added space, no trophy information is displayed for each friend without going to their profiles.
The new PlayStation Store shortcuts are the next problem. It’s basically a big, in your face, advertising sign from Sony that says “BUY OUR GOODS”. To put it simply, it’s too much. Being added to both the ‘Video’ and ‘Game’ sections of the XMB make it very unnecessary.
Dynamic themes are a welcome addition, but to start us off with no dynamic themes whatsoever is just ridiculous. How will PlayStation 3 owners even know of this feature or try it out if we don’t at least have a start-off theme? Even when Microsoft launched the ‘New Xbox Experience’, they gave two premium themes free alongside the update so people can get a whiff of what exactly they are. This update came with nothing to start us up on dynamic themes.
Adding on, the new fonts are just too big. We’re not blind, Sony. To add on even more, the blur when you click any option hurts my damn eyes. I’d imagine those who wear glasses have suffered more, though.
To put the icing on the cake, none of these features had any consumer demand. Most of these new updates came straight out of the blue and had no demand backing them up, thus resulting in my poor feedback of the update. Sony does say they listen to consumers and in some cases that is true, like in in-game XMB situation, but this is not listening. This is releasing an update that was pulled out the ass with features nobody expected, or wanted for that matter.
Although, the whole update isn’t to complain about. I love the new status bar at the top right of the screen. Before I could leave my console and have no idea if I had gotten any messages or not, but with the new status bar, it’s easy to see instead of have to check your inbox everytime. The “What’s New” section under the XMB is also a nice addition, showing the latest on the PlayStation Store and the latest in PlayStation. Also, descriptions have been added to each option under settings so you know what you’re getting into before you click whatever option you’re clicking. It makes it easier for newer users to understand what they’re doing, so it’s a good addition in my book.
Even those good additions doesn’t make this a “major update”, though. Other than that… well refer to the above.
09.3.09 (
4:47 am |
@Erio
Yeh maybe your right, but i think its a neat feature and don’t they have it on the xbox ?
09.2.09 (
6:46 pm |
@Norvek
But that was also never said to be coming in this update or any for that matter.
On a side note, I think people make too big a deal over cross game chat… Its overrated and not really needed. If you want to talk to someone else who isnt in the game your playing, call them…
09.2.09 (
6:37 am |
Greetings to you all,
I pretty much agree with all sal said, but my main gripe is the lack of cross game voice chat.
This has got to be whats on most peoples wish list for ps3 and im sure sony Know this.
09.1.09 (
4:39 pm |
The update was major garbage….Sony fails once again…sad thing is they said no more updates this year…and the font is really shitty….notin in this update was needed…the themes are nice but not even a free 1 to try….
09.1.09 (
4:38 pm |
heh, this is funny. I was just going to post saying that I too have had the issue with the small box, and when I logged in, it was back to normal! LOL!
09.1.09 (
3:25 pm |
It’s a fairly substantial update. The only thing I agree with are the user boxes. They are ugly and don’t really add anything positive to the interface.
And yes, like others mentioned, you complained that there aren’t any animated themes but they did make available a Little Big Planet theme that looks great.
09.1.09 (
4:39 pm |
That U have to pay 4
09.1.09 (
2:18 pm |
The friends list is terrible along with the larger font now used.
@ incredibilistic
I dont want to see more info in the friends list. All its going to so is clutter it even further. Less is more. The simple nature of the list was fine before and kept it streamlined. Now it just looked like a cluster of hell.
09.1.09 (
1:25 pm |
Good read. The only problem I have with it is the title “What went wrong with PS3 Firmware v3.0″ If this is a question then you need a ? at the end of it. If it isn’t then you need to modify it to be “What is wrong with PS3 Firmware v3.0″.
Later.
09.1.09 (
11:05 am |
SCRAWL: I noticed the tiny box issue too but since I use Mac nearly every comment window I come has a toggle to resize the window. It just readjusts everything else around it. Can you fix this Sal?
PS3 UPDATE: The gray boxes was an unwelcome surprise but I can only hope that this box means that we’ll see more user information posted there in the future. Having said that, if something like is coming why not just wait until it’s ready? And if they never put anything in there then I agree, it’s a total waste of time and just clutters up the otherwise clean interface.
While the What’s New section and PSN Store highlights weren’t anything users asked for it is a welcome change to the interface even if it is a little on the big side but there’s no ignoring it either. I think it’s clear that Sony is trying to appeal to the masses with this update and trying to push the PS3 as an all-in-one “entertainment” device and the new marketing ads support that theory.
I was actually hoping for more under-the-hood changes like the pop-up controls when you’re watching a video clip/movie or listening to music. I still don’t like how the controls just show up floating on the left/middle side of the screen. Just looks tacky to me. I’d prefer something a bit more refined and I’d prefer that they appear from the bottom/middle of the screen. But that’s just my own personal gripe. I just think it’s lazy that they’re using the same layout that the PS2 uses.
Overall the update is pretty good but you’re right, it’s far from being major. It essentially boils down to URL links that take you to a web-quality video stream or a link to a place in the PSN Store. Hardly revolutionary. Let’s hope that the next “major update” is more substantial than this.
09.1.09 (
10:36 am |
I know there are some typos but it is kinda hard to write when you can only see the top half of the letters.
09.1.09 (
10:35 am |
Ok, first of all there is one new animated theme available for the PS3 and that is the Big Planet theme, Second of all the whats new is really welcome cause I dont then have to open and see what is new in PSN store the new themes will be awesome and a welcome change for the old, THe only thing u r right is the friends list gary boxes but other than that this feedback has been pulled from ass.,