PS3 firmware 3.60 released today, adds game saves in the cloud

The PlayStation 3’s last firmware patch, 3.56, was intended to stymie pirates and hackers exploiting George Hotz’s much-publicized ‘jailbreak’ workaround. Unfortunately,  it also ended up causing some unforeseen issues – specifically, an HDD transfer bug that locked out players. And let’s not forget it was also hacked hours after it launched.

Tomorrow, the company releases the next PS3 system update – 3.60. It brings a novel new online storage system, along with other “minor features.”

In a post on the Official PlayStation Blog, Susan Panico, Senior Director of PlayStation Network, outlined the new firmware’s key upgrade: ‘cloud’ game saving.

“The new online storage feature allows gamers to store up to 150MB of game save data and a maximum of 1,000 data files per PSN account,” she wrote. “Most PS3 titles will be compatible with online storage for game saves, and moving forward, all new titles will have the capability to offer the storage option.”

Panico did not relate a list of the previously released titles she claimed would benefit from online game saves. She did clarify that ‘cloud’ game saving would only benefit those who subscribe to Sony’s paid PlayStation Plus program. Subscribers typically gain such perks as early access to demos or even free downloadable titles that remain theirs so long as they pay the requisite $50/year.

‘Cloud’ saving allows gamers to essentially store data on Sony’s servers and access it remotely. This means game saves could be loaded onto other consoles if need be, points out Panico.

The director also vaguely mentioned “other minor features” are part of 3.60, but refused to go into detail. More information will be divulged tomorrow when the update goes live, her post concluded.

MyCE reached out to Sony in an effort to glean just what else the new firmware would include (i.e. more security fixes), but were unable to turn up any solid information.