Does anyone know the real reason the PS3 doesn't have custom soundtracks.

[GonzoGamer]

I've heard a few reasons.
One is that EA threatened to boycott the console if they implemented it across all games because it would've forced them to do a lot of patching to their older titles.
Another is that MS has some sort of patent on the feature.

Both sound like pretty flimsy excuses.
I doubt EA would boycott one of the main consoles like that. If MS really has a patent on the feature, I'm sure Sony could negotiate the use of that patent. They probably wouldn't even have to pay anything, just let MS use something of theirs in return.

And even if EA threatened doom and MS wont negotiate, they could still make devs include the feature in every game like they do with those useless trophies.

It's just one of those things that's still bugging me.

 

[Zac Smith]

I never use custom soundtracks anyway, if I want to listen to music while I play, just play it on my computer, and pause when cut scenes come up

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Wait, I'm sorry, but what? I have no idea what you are talking about. The console or games? Games have their own OSTs.
EDIT: As in listening to your own music during games?

 

[jpoon]

I wish they would fix this crap, I like to be able to listen to my own stuff when gaming. Nothing quite like some good metal to race or shoot to.

 

[Scizophrenic Llama]

If you mean listening to your own music, I think the answer is that Microsoft does indeed have it patented. Supposedly it is the same for cross-game chat as well.

 

[Kpt._Rob]

Do people actually use that feature? It has always seemed ridiculous to me, why would I want to waste space on my xbox hard drive (and time from my life) putting music on it just so I could access it in game, when the experience could be easily simulated by opening an options menu and setting the game's music volume to 0. Then just listening to my music from my radio, which it actually sounds good coming out of.

 

[Skops]

All my sports games from 2010 have custom soundtracks, as does Gran Turismo 5 (though it can get sketchy and freezes from time to time). So to say it has 'none' is a fib.

Besides, what other genres need to have custom soundtracks anyway? You wanna listen to Kratos' grunts while also hearing the latest mumbles from fitty cent? Well then turn down the music on the game and turn on your stereo, same difference.

 

[GonzoGamer]

If you mean listening to your own music, I think the answer is that Microsoft does indeed have it patented. Supposedly it is the same for cross-game chat as well.

So considering that these are two of the most requested features (outside of backwards compatibility... still) for the ps3, why have we never heard anything about negotiations to allow sony to use these patents?
I'm sure there's something that could've been exchanged or negotiated. Did anyone at Sony ever even try?

And to anyone who says "just turn down the music volume on the game and put on your stereo."
Think McFly, think. That sure was a lot of fun when I was playing Phantasy Star 1 on my SMS 25 years ago but I have a pretty nice sound system now and the ps3 is sophisticated enough that it could integrate everything on its own.

 

[The_Decoy]

Do people actually use that feature? It has always seemed ridiculous to me, why would I want to waste space on my xbox hard drive (and time from my life) putting music on it just so I could access it in game, when the experience could be easily simulated by opening an options menu and setting the game's music volume to 0. Then just listening to my music from my radio, which it actually sounds good coming out of.

I've wanted to in the past for my PS3 - it's in the living room, but connects through the router to my PC, which is in my bedroom. Hence if this feature was an option, I could listen decent music instead of the horrendous Fifa commentary :/

 

[johnbacon]

Do people actually use that feature? It has always seemed ridiculous to me, why would I want to waste space on my xbox hard drive (and time from my life) putting music on it just so I could access it in game, when the experience could be easily simulated by opening an options menu and setting the game's music volume to 0. Then just listening to my music from my radio, which it actually sounds good coming out of.

I tried not to reply to this sarcastically. I tried, but I failed.

Why would anyone want to stream their entire music library to their home entertainment system when simply entering the options, turning the music down to 0, and breaking out a radio/boombox/turntable is clearly simpler?

 

[Scizophrenic Llama]

If you mean listening to your own music, I think the answer is that Microsoft does indeed have it patented. Supposedly it is the same for cross-game chat as well.

So considering that these are two of the most requested features (outside of backwards compatibility... still) for the ps3, why have we never heard anything about negotiations to allow sony to use these patents?
I'm sure there's something that could've been exchanged or negotiated. Did anyone at Sony ever even try?

And to anyone who says "just turn down the music volume on the game and put on your stereo."
Think McFly, think. That sure was a lot of fun when I was playing Phantasy Star 1 on my SMS 25 years ago but I have a pretty nice sound system now and the ps3 is sophisticated enough that it could integrate everything on its own.

No clue, the question would be now, what would they give? I highly doubt they'd be willing to give up exclusive rights to any games or anything for this.

 

[GonzoGamer]

If you mean listening to your own music, I think the answer is that Microsoft does indeed have it patented. Supposedly it is the same for cross-game chat as well.

So considering that these are two of the most requested features (outside of backwards compatibility... still) for the ps3, why have we never heard anything about negotiations to allow sony to use these patents?
I'm sure there's something that could've been exchanged or negotiated. Did anyone at Sony ever even try?

And to anyone who says "just turn down the music volume on the game and put on your stereo."
Think McFly, think. That sure was a lot of fun when I was playing Phantasy Star 1 on my SMS 25 years ago but I have a pretty nice sound system now and the ps3 is sophisticated enough that it could integrate everything on its own.

No clue, the question would be now, what would they give? I highly doubt they'd be willing to give up exclusive rights to any games or anything for this.

That's actually a great idea.
Why not?
How much is exclusivity worth anyway. It's not like it really effects console sales or even attach rates. MS obviously puts value on it though so they should use "exclusives" as a bargaining chip.
If they don't want to, I'm sure there's a ton of other things that could be put on the table.
It's not like everything that is in/on the ps3 was patented by Sony; they must have people who know how to do this.

 

[mireko]

Doesn't Wipeout HD have a custom soundtrack function?

 

[Kpt._Rob]

Do people actually use that feature? It has always seemed ridiculous to me, why would I want to waste space on my xbox hard drive (and time from my life) putting music on it just so I could access it in game, when the experience could be easily simulated by opening an options menu and setting the game's music volume to 0. Then just listening to my music from my radio, which it actually sounds good coming out of.

I tried not to reply to this sarcastically. I tried, but I failed.

Why would anyone want to stream their entire music library to their home entertainment system when simply entering the options, turning the music down to 0, and breaking out a radio/boombox/turntable is clearly simpler?

I'm just saying that I can hook my ipod up to my radio with the simple insertion of an audio jack, and get better sound quality without having to go through the tedious process of downloading music onto my hard drive to take up space that I'd rather use for other things is all. I've tried putting music on my xbox before, and ultimately found it unsatisfying. I don't want to have to put my music onto multiple devices every time I find a new band to listen to, but if I put it on my xbox then I have to.

 

[sneakypenguin]

Do people actually use that feature? It has always seemed ridiculous to me, why would I want to waste space on my xbox hard drive (and time from my life) putting music on it just so I could access it in game, when the experience could be easily simulated by opening an options menu and setting the game's music volume to 0. Then just listening to my music from my radio, which it actually sounds good coming out of.

I tried not to reply to this sarcastically. I tried, but I failed.

Why would anyone want to stream their entire music library to their home entertainment system when simply entering the options, turning the music down to 0, and breaking out a radio/boombox/turntable is clearly simpler?

I'm just saying that I can hook my ipod up to my radio with the simple insertion of an audio jack, and get better sound quality without having to go through the tedious process of downloading music onto my hard drive to take up space that I'd rather use for other things is all. I've tried putting music on my xbox before, and ultimately found it unsatisfying. I don't want to have to put my music onto multiple devices every time I find a new band to listen to, but if I put it on my xbox then I have to.

You can just plug your ipod into the 360 and it will pick it up, same with any other USB device, no need to transfer anything.