PSN Director Talks Firmware Roadmap, Cross-Game Voice Chat
One of the very best features of PlayStation family products (PS3 and PSP) is the ability to update the system firmware via downloadable patches. Had this main feature not been included, we’d be stuck with the same feature set that each system launched with, and when compared to the robust feature set we have now, that’s not much.
Over the years many firmware updates have come and gone. Some significant, some not so much. Have you ever wondered how Sony plans the release of any new features included with each firmware update? Eric Lempel explains how…
In a recent interview with PlayStation: The Official Magazine in the Holiday 09 issue (issue number 027), Eric Lempel spills the beans on how Firmware update features are planned and released for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable:
“We go about doing that in a few different ways. We do consumer research in addition to following our roadmap. We’ve had a very had a very long roadmap that we’ve wanted to roll out, and clearly all of them couldn’t be rolled out day one when the PS3 launched. So we’ve been implementing these features as we go along and some of them, and some of them take longer than others.”
Lempel continued:
“Of course time and manpower always factor in because there aren’t limitless resources. And are sometimes key features that must go out in Firmware updates. For example, you saw on September 1, we released a 120GB PS3 and we did a Firmware update, and there were some enhancements in that specifically to bring on the new hardware.”
The director of the PlayStation Network further explained:
“We absolutely read all the feedback that we see on our blog when we do firmware updates. We have people who look across different forums and different sites. And we also do our own testing – some very extensive testing..”
“But in some cases, we can’t do complete testing because you never quite know how things will work until users have it.”
When asked the question that’s on every PS3 owners mind, on the long awaited cross-game voice chat feature Lempel has this to say:
“I think it’s incredibly popular. We know users want it, and like lots of other things that work cross-games, technically, it’s complicated. But it’s definitely something we’re looking at.”
If you want to read the full interview, pick up issue 027 of PlayStation: The Official Magazine at newsstands now.
48 Responses to “PSN Director Talks Firmware Roadmap, Cross-Game Voice Chat”
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November 14th, 2009 at 2:23 AM
extensive testing ay?
i find that extremley hard to believe when every single FW update they release manages to screw something up.
November 14th, 2009 at 2:29 AM
@Name
your forgot to read his statement under that…
November 14th, 2009 at 6:30 AM
This guy’s a moron – he says and I quote “We know users want it, and like lots of other things that work cross-games, technically, it’s complicated”…. Complicated??? Your joking right? Microsoft managed to do it almost 10 years ago and are still doing it today and you can’t seem to get it to work…. You got the wrong people working for you then!!!!
November 14th, 2009 at 8:49 AM
@Sneeches
I wouldn’t call him a moron. The truth is we just don’t know what the hold up is. I don’t doubt for a minute that they’ve been looking into it since people began flooding their forums demanding it. If they’re scouring the internet’s forums looking for ideas…there’s no chance they overlooked it. He acknowledges that in the quote, as he has in various others. There’s something hindering the process. It could be that MS has copywritten the “easy way to do it” and Sony’s alternative method is more impractical to implement (making it work on all the old games as well as the new ones; on a game per game basis rather than solely through firmware ). 3rd parties might be resistant, they’re architecture and firmware setup might be too restrictive (something that dates back to the system’s original design). Who knows? I’d bet Eric Lempel, nor the folks on his team made the decisions that ultimately put them in the position they’re in now.
With all due respect (and I do mean all due respect), its easy to label a guy a moron when you’re outside the situation with little to no idea what’s going on behind the scenes. Eric Lempel could be the lone voice to the suits pleading for cross game chat, just as much as he could be the moron who doesn’t understand why people keep asking him about it. None of us know, which I’ll admit adds fuel to the fire in its own right, but its no reason to go diss a guy like that. He’s just a guy doing his job. I’m right there with you though…I want the feature too.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:50 AM
@ Sneeches
Actually, you are the one thats a moron.
How can you compare sony to Ms on an OS software level. Thats like comparing MS to sony on a hardware level. Either way, Fail.
MS has been making OS’s for close to 20 years now, of course they will know how to make stuff like that work in a breeze. Sony’s XMB OS basically came to life with the PSP and even that was nothing compared to what it had to be on the PS3.
How about we look at it this way, come back and bitch about how hard a time sony are having implementing OS features when MS makes a console as technically developed as the PS3. And by that I mean wi-fi, bluetooth, blu-ray, a unique processor, rechargeable batteries in their controllers and of course… reliability. All in built.
Both companies have their strengths,.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:54 AM
“We do consumer research…”
Really? So where’s the PS2 backwards compatibility? Where’s cross game chat? Using “It’s complicated” as an excuse just shows how retarded Sony really is.
They DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT care for the consumer, they’re just saying all that ‘consumer research’ bullcrap to make themselves look good. MS does it, Apple does it. Every company does it.
Goddamn, Sony has gone down the crapper this gen.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:57 AM
@Lorddeff07 – your whole rant reeks of epic fanboyism and fail!!!!
November 14th, 2009 at 10:29 AM
@ Sam2236
They had PS2 backwards compatibility, it was offered in the original 60GB model, and mine still works flawlessly. But people complained and moaned and groaned that the price was to high so Sony did what they had to do and cut it. Blame the consumers who were complaining about the price.
All companies say stuff about ‘consumer research’ but which company offers its consumers more free stuff? Sony. The whole rant about companies, including M$, not caring about their consumers only goes so far because the bottom line is without consumers none of these companies would exist. They know you are valuable but they also know when and where they can ignore you and not ignore you, its called trends.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:36 AM
sam2236 – they’ve basically already said PS2 backwards compatibility isn’t coming…why would they include it when they still have PS2’s on store shelves trying to sell???
Sneeches – I basically just don’t like any of your comments ever…Lorddeff07 is a fanboy?? He said both companies have their strengths, Microsoft in Operating Systems and Sony in hardware, so which company is he a fanboy of when he doesn’t appear to be bashing either one??? Actually from what I’ve read of most of your comments you are a MS fanboy…it seems like you’re always bashing Sony and only have a PS3 because you didn’t know what else to do with your money or something.
The fact of the matter is, maybe Sony is just hoping all you little whiney babies will get over your need for cross-game chat…I don’t need it, so why do you??? Is there really something that important you need to tell your friends that you need to talk to them while playing different video games?? Quite honestly I would be annoyed if my friends could talk to me whenever they wanted when I was in the middle of a game. I think Sony is putting its priorities in the right order…functionality over stupid little features
November 14th, 2009 at 10:37 AM
GUYS!! Microsoft SET OUT to do it with a INTEGRATED service. They knew it was going to be there from the beginning. The Sony guys are trying to do it with a structure ALREADY BUILT, for a service that was NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE INTEGRATED. That’s why it’s complicated.
The PSN is free because it was NOT SUPPOSED TO BE XBL. But now they have shown the ability to make it LIKE an integrated service, while still keeping it free. Many already feel like it’s enough like XBL to cause them to kill there XBL accounts. Every time Sony adds a feature (think NETFLIX), tons of Xbox dudes ask themselves “Should I keep paying for this?”.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:53 AM
@sam2236
As expresident said, losing backwards compat was a key component in having a lower price. And im pretty sure that was what the consumer wanted more, a lower price.
November 14th, 2009 at 11:11 AM
@name
really? every FW update? surely you jest.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
@giese095: When the PS2 was released, why did it include PS1 BC when the PSOne was still being sold in stores?
@ExPresident: But lots of people have been asking for cross game chat since the beginning. I highly doubt it takes three whole years to put it into the damn console. Just face it, Sony is lazy and doesn’t give a crap their fanbase/the consumer.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Sneeches – don’t be an assclown. Microsoft DO suck at building hardware. Or do you think the RROD is a positive influence that will only drive the industry forward??? LOL………
November 14th, 2009 at 12:31 PM
@Sam2236
thats simple to say when you have no fucking idea what goes on behind closed doors. Its simple to cry and moan about wanting a feature when your not the one making it and its even more simple to make a statement like “Sony is lazy and doesn’t give a crap their fanbase/the consumer” due to your lack of knowledge.
EXpresident already told you why they removed BC… consumers wanted a cheaper system, well they had to reduce the cost.. why is this so hard to understand?
The PS1 is easier to emulate and it was dying out:
PS1 was discontinued on March 23, 2006
PS3 came out on November 11, 2006
why wouldn’t they sell them ? no one was producing games for the PS1 after it became discontinued.. stores normally try to sell there overstock and Everyone that had PS1 disk could play them since it was discontinued and no longer supported. Im sure they will add BC at some point in time when the system is even less to produce..
November 14th, 2009 at 1:21 PM
@shadowjin: “Lack of knowedge”? How can you say that when you know fuckall about Sony? That shows how much of a butthurt Sonyfag you are.
Also, you’re an idiot. The PS2 came out in 2000 as did the PSOne. Why did the PS2 have PS1 BC? It didn’t need it since the PSOne was being sold! This has nothing got to do with the PS1 dying out six years later!
November 14th, 2009 at 1:30 PM
@Odium_Generis
“The Sony guys are trying to do it with a structure ALREADY BUILT”
That where I disagree with you there buddy. At E3 2005, Sony show in-game chat (both voice and Video chat), but fail to implement those features 4 years later. I think that Sony wanted to keep the XMB the same as the PSP because it was familiar and easy to navigate. If I am not mistaken, the same buy, yes one guy, who made the PSP OS, also made the PS3 OS.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:39 PM
@Sam
did i hurt? lmao.. especially for someone who doesnt even know the fucking basics….you are fucking dumb end of story.waaaaaaaaaahhhhhh Sony hates me!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
what do YOU do for a living?
what makes you think you know the internal workings of Sony? exactly dumbass.. its Okay tho. its expected.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:43 PM
This is a VERY interessant discussion, but I think I have to agree giese095.
I actually don’t need cross-game voice chat. And I don’t see any reason why I would need it.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
@ Sneeches: I am a fanboy? Wow, your grasp of that word and reading comprehension amazes me. I can see there is no point saying anything else to you. You simply won’t understand.
@ sam: The bottom line is this, the PS2 was a very complicated system. One that till this day is unbelievably hard to emulate on PCs. Sony couldn’t emulate the GPU of the PS2 and that basically meant they had to put in a PS2 in the PS3. People screamed about the price, and it was cut. Simple as that.
Things to consider, every time the price of the PS3 dropped, average monthly sales for the console has gone up. And the PS3 has always shown that at a similar price point it outsells the 360 worldwide, even in the states. That tells you one thing, BC is not what stops ppl from buying a PS3… its the price. Unless of course you somehow feel that 3 years into the PS3s life and hat a time when barely any PS2 games are released ppl refuse to buy a PS3 because the can’t play their PS2 games on it. And if you believe that? well, then there is no hope for you.
And before you say sony does not care about their fanbase, well, the simple answer to that is that the PSN is free. And just how different is live from the PSN. Is it $50 better? Can live handle games that even support up to 32p online not to mention games that support 256? How many live games can you mention that supports dedicated servers, I am certain that for every one you mention (if any) I could mention 5 on the PSN. Sony put in a battery in their controller so you won’t have to buy batteries every week. Used a standard HDD that can easily be swapped and doesn’t void your warranty (mind you, thats the exact same HDD that MS puts in their proprietary HDd casing and charges a premium for it). I could go on but I don’t know man, I simply think anyone has to be stupid to not see what MS has been doing this gen.
Not saying there is anything wrong with their strategy, it obviously works in the states. But that shit doesn’t fly in the EU and Japan. So don’t praise them.
November 14th, 2009 at 2:04 PM
@shadowjin
I bet you love it when someone calls you out on knowing nothing about sony when you think about who signs your paycheck lmao.
November 14th, 2009 at 2:08 PM
@sam2236
lmao.. the PS1 came out 2000? i could have sworn it was 1995.. you are highly confused..shadow is giving an example of BC for PS1 not PS2. its been said PS1 IS EASIER to emulate on the PS3 and PS2 games need the emotion chip for better emulation , the software based they used on the 80GB was not fully compatible, it was less, around 70-80% and needed constant updates. judging a company and saying they dont care when customers help them grow is an ignorant remark .. i think your the pissed off fanboy upset theres no BC or Voice chat.
its not needed……. get over it.
November 14th, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Plus, how can you say a company doesn’t care about the consumers? If they made the ps3 into a plug-and play pacman system for the same price you can guess how many people would be buying it right? If they just do whatever they want, there are still a hell of a lot of people that don’t mind what they do.
And since when do you logically have any say over what someone else does(that you are free to ignore)? Take a cristopher reeve style dismount from your high horse and get a grip on REALITY. Would you tell the beatles they’re pussies and you want them to rock harder? Fuck no, the only reason you’re even saying these things is because theres nobody there to laugh directly in your face.
November 14th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Complicated or not I definitely want to see cross-game chat functionality in the next firmware update. If MS can do it so can you, Sony.
November 14th, 2009 at 2:51 PM
@shadowjin: The basics? What the hell are you on about?! Also, what does my job have to do with Sony being such a fuck-up? My job won’t get us PS2 BC back. It won’t get us cross game chat, either. I suggest you take your faggotry elsewhere, you fucking idiot.
@SteelFox: I was talking about the PSOne, not the PS1. Google it.
@JohnnyTruant5: Oh yeah, we’ve been asking for cross game chat for three fucking years and all we get is a “b-b-b-but it’s too complicated!1!!!1!” excuse. Yeah, you’re right, Sony really cares about us.
November 14th, 2009 at 3:06 PM
@sam.
you dont fet it do you?
November 14th, 2009 at 3:08 PM
@Sam
Read my whole comment fuckhead.
“And since when do you logically have any say over what someone else does(that you are free to ignore)? Take a cristopher reeve style dismount from your high horse and get a grip on REALITY. Would you tell the beatles they’re pussies and you want them to rock harder? Fuck no, the only reason you’re even saying these things is because theres nobody there to laugh directly in your face.”
Pay for what you want and shut the fuck up.
People that pay for XBL have the right to request functions and anything like that, because they are continually paying for it. You pay for what the PS3 comes as, and any features added while you own it for free are a bonus.
November 14th, 2009 at 3:19 PM
exactly dumbass… your job wont get BC back. who are you to criticise a company when you dont have any fucking clue how they work? your just some pissed off guy upset BC wasnt included along with voice chat. Your job DOES matter… you have no idea how they work OR whats causing the delay. FANBOY material and the WORST kind.
November 14th, 2009 at 3:20 PM
For those that constantly want cross game chat you must think that talking to someone in another game unrelated to each other is a reason to call out Sony because they don’t. You do realise that the X-box 360 is a Mac running Windows CE. M$ can include the cross chat feature because of that fact. It is why XBL is the way it is. And games for the 360 usually are not really exclusive like PS3 games are, they eventually make it to the PC so they can make more ca$h for games.
The BC is now a thing of the past with the newer 360’s if you read some articles.
Some things on the PS3 are harder because they have to go through the proprieteary (Linux based) firmware OS then go to what is mostly a windows/unix world on the internet then go back to the PS3 again. And with game dev’s might be resistant since they have spent $$$$ on ingame chat features to make gameplay in a form of Co-op, at least in FPS’s, so they may be resistant to adding another API wothout some form of funding to pay for dev time. And since it would make the in-game chat feature nearly useless they might be thinking why should they support it. With M$ already having the cross game chat in the Windows based OS in the 360, game dev’s don’t have to spend much time on having ingame chat since they just piggyback on to what is already in the OS…
If the dev’s for games on the PS3 would use the XMB chat feature they might make it happen but that is a thought but might have already been tried.
And it is also a given that like ingame music M$ was a year early and had filed for and recieved many patents relating to the 360 and worded them so that other companies could not “copy” or create features simular without paying M$ royalty fees for using a patented technology they own the rights to. Sony may just be waiting for the Patents to be either voided because they were invalid because of prior use. And since waiting takes a few years (8) I think. So it could be the reason you don’t see it yet in a FW update.
So wait wait wait wait, this is all you can do and then jump for joy when it comes. But it might not since in a recent article it was disclosed that M$ was shutting off cross game chat in upcoming online titles because of the “death Camera/mic” issue, being able to tell your teammates where the enemy are. And in an online game that is a bit like cheating so they have moved to remove it so will it still be a big thing???
November 14th, 2009 at 3:30 PM
@sam2336
lmao stop acting like an assclown!
November 14th, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Jesus, people. everyone just calm down and step away from the monster. There is no need to complain, belittle, or berate. As my favorite singing fish says, “Don’t worry…Be Happy”
November 14th, 2009 at 6:03 PM
@JohnnyTruant5: I did read your comment. As the consumer, we should be ABLE to ask for stuff! We bought their fucking console for Christ’s sake!
@shadowjin: Oh shut the hell up. You’re not making any fucking sense. “FANBOY material and the WORST kind.” How the fuck am I a fanboy when you’re the one sucking Sony’s cock here? Why are you defending a company that shits all over you even after you bought their console?! inb4 MS: they’re just as bad as Sony.
@Killer6: Piss off.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:30 PM
Yeah, you bought JUST the console. The PSN service is something that comes with it FOR FREE. You don’t see everyone looking for new features or parts on their car’s because they bought the car, they deserve all kinds of extra shit right? What kind of retarded logic is that? You don’t get more than what you payed for on the principle you gave them money once they owe you forever. Grow up.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:31 PM
@SAM
lol. your the only BOZO who goes into a playstation site and tells people we should accept that Sony failed, doesnt like its consumer base and everything else you vomited out. your an idiot…. theres a place for people like you.. xboxlifestyle.net.
im aware i got under your skin you stupid clown..get your head out of microsofts crotch you tool.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Also, pretty sure this is just a troll.
sam = stupid ass moron right? Way to be obvious.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:39 PM
@sam
im not the only person that said your wrong .. everything youve said is personal opinion .. accept the fact your selling your ass to Bill Gates. your a pissed off fan girl upset that Sony didnt add cross game chat and BC…….. waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! sony hates me! boooooohoooo… ya bozo
November 14th, 2009 at 8:47 PM
@SAM2336
me no speak spanish
November 14th, 2009 at 8:58 PM
@JohnnyTruant5: If I was a troll, do you really think I’d reply to anyone?
@shadowjin: Ooooh, so I’m an xbot now, yeah? FYI I despise MS just as much as Sony, so I’m no xbot.
You’re all just blinded by fucking fanboyism. I bet you all think Killzone 2 and InFamous are GOTY ALL YEARZ!!!1!!1111!!!
Enjoy your Sony circlejerk, faggots.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:06 PM
If you were a troll would you ignore what we say and pretend we’re all defending sony with everything we have? yes. I was teaching you common sense, fuckwit, apparently you don’t want anything to do with that. They don’t owe you shit. They aren’t your mom giving you milk, they’re a business.
Killzone and infamous were ok, maybe a 4/5.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:09 PM
@sam
lmao….. you crack me up bro…. next time rember to spit, dont swallow .
November 14th, 2009 at 9:27 PM
@Sam
dont go babe….. i love you! your my Rihana and ill be be your Chris brown 4 life.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I hope this feature makes it in our consoles soon…
November 15th, 2009 at 12:12 AM
[...] Source < – Be sure to read the comments section for a good laugh as well! Firmware Update History [...]
November 15th, 2009 at 12:22 AM
[...] Source < – Be sure to read the comments section for a good laugh as well! Firmware Update History [...]
November 16th, 2009 at 11:09 AM
[...] Source. Tags [...]
November 16th, 2009 at 3:15 PM
[...] Source < – Be sure to read the comments section for a good laugh as well! Firmware Update History [...]
November 17th, 2009 at 8:07 AM
[...] Source. [...]
November 17th, 2009 at 4:40 PM
[...] I think it’s incredibly popular. We know users want it, and like lots of other things that work cross-games, technically, it’s complicated. But it’s definitely something we’re looking at. Source. [...]