http://www.ripten.com/2008/03/31/microso...undtracks/

Quote:One of the most wanted features missing from the Playstation 3 is the ability to use a custom soundtrack during gameplay. Movement has been made in this area with some games beginning to offer support, notably Super Stardust HD and High Velocity Bowling, but it’s yet to be offered for all games.

Though many expect the inclusion to come when Sony supports an in-game version of Playstation 3’s cross media bar, the implementation of this feature might just stay with the developers, since Microsoft owns a patent for this very functionality.

Microsoft implemented the ability to play your own music during gameplay in their first gaming system, the Xbox. The functionality naturally moved over to the Xbox 360, where Microsoft was patiently waiting for a patent to go through.

The custom soundtrack patent was submitted well before the release of the 360, presumably with the intention to lock down the feature for the next generation. It wasn’t issued until mid-2006, luckily just before the US/Japan release of the Playstation 3.

The US patent named “Method and Apparatus for Creating and Playing Soundtracks in a Gaming System” appears to cover any application that allows users to create soundtracks using their own audio tracks, such that they can be played during the execution of the game instead of the game’s default soundtrack.

Comprising of a thorough list of points and diagrams, the patents stand out claim is outlined thus:

    1. A method comprising:

        - receiving a request to launch a game in a gaming system;
        determining whether the game has a user-associated soundtrack;
        - if the game has a user-associated soundtrack:
        launching the game; and
        playing the user-associated soundtrack;

        - if the game does not have a user-associated soundtrack:
        allowing a user of the gaming system to select a soundtrack to play while the game is executed; and
        playing a default soundtrack if the user of the gaming system does not select a soundtrack.

What does this mean for Microsoft’s competitors? Will this patent stop Sony from implementing the console-wide custom soundtrack functionality? This is possible, and could be the reason why it has been missing from the Playstaiton 3 for so long.

Sony may have already found a loophole in the patent to allow them to provide custom soundtracks for particular games, as long as the functionality is not system-wide. In this way they could avoid the patent. Microsoft could charge Sony for the privilege, but it would be a lot of wasted effort to patent this particular feature and then allow competitors to implement it.

Therefore, when Sony’s in-game XMB eventually comes around, custom soundtracks might be left on the cutting room floor. It will all depend on how constricting the patent actually is, and how kind Microsoft are feeling. Reasons for the in-game XMB delay may be found here - Sony are trying their best to get custom soundtracks installed legally.

Man, that's really annoying.  I like having in-game custom soundtracks.  MS is just being a bunch of assholes.  There better be some way for Sony to get around this...

your right, that is bullchocolate...you can't patent custom soundtracks...bollocks!!!

*®$нд∂¥©* Wrote:I have a Fix for this



turn on your radio!

Last time I used a boombox stereo was back in mid 90s. The closest radio i have is my alarm clock, which has really bad sound.  I also want the music integrated with game, and if not, then have the music be surround, so I can be entertained by it.  I always have had music as surround sound ever since I had a dreamcast/PS2.  I would hook up the video part of the AV cable from the game system I was playing on to my TV, and then I'd hook up the audio part of the system I had a music CD playing on, and I'd play the game while listening to my music. Now that I use HD on EVERYTHING except Wii, I can't do that anymore, unless I figure out some weird hookup that requires extra equipment.  My point is that I can't have my great sound and games at the same time.  I listen to my talkshows early in the morning on my alarm clock, since it is just voices, but I NEED my music to sound like it is supposed to.

Therefore, radio won't work for me.  If I absolutely had to use radio, I'd use my PSP's internet radio, but I'd either have to use the ear buds or listen to it through the PSP.  I might could deal with the earbuds, but it really wouldn't feel the same.

*®$нд∂¥©* Wrote:i really don't care for this function and i would never use it..
i like music but when playing cod4 it would just be getting in the way of foot steps and other noises needed to hear.. i didnt even use that function on my psp when i could

I understand that, and in that case I usually have my music low.  Regardless, I still need extra commotion going on in most games that I have played through once or that I am doing the same old stuff in, in order to keep myself entertained.

Games like a Grrl Wrote:Actually, its a great move by Microsoft, one that any one of you would have done in their place.  But, does this cover the theory of doing this, or the specific method of doing so?  I've always been a bit shaky on mah understanding of patent law, but does this mean that, should Sony find a way of doing this completely unrelated to the way the 360 does it, they would still be barred from using it?

well i can think of a few games on the psp that you can use custom track so i don't see why not.... if they develop their own way of doing it by lets say using a proprietry file format then mirosoft shouldnt be able to do much about it....  but im no laywer

Azumi Wrote:

Games like a Grrl Wrote:Actually, its a great move by Microsoft, one that any one of you would have done in their place.  But, does this cover the theory of doing this, or the specific method of doing so?  I've always been a bit shaky on mah understanding of patent law, but does this mean that, should Sony find a way of doing this completely unrelated to the way the 360 does it, they would still be barred from using it?

well i can think of a few games on the psp that you can use custom track so i don't see why not.... if they develop their own way of doing it by lets say using a proprietry file format then mirosoft shouldnt be able to do much about it....  but im no laywer

Exactly right, since that was one of the suggestions in the article, I think it may have merit.  Regardless, I hope they choose the games I would agree need it the most.  GTA IV and Racing Games (any game with a car, really), games that are very aggressive (certain FPS games), and maybe a few sports games.  Anyways, I just want there to be SOME FORM.  I rarely play my PS3 nowadays, and that is one reason. Two other reasons are the ability to talk to friends at any time in any games, and the addition of achievements, which are only a nice addition, but not at ALL the main reason.  They just add a little extra.  Once the PS3 has more exclusives, it'll get a lot more play out of me, but right now I just play Warhawk on it, which would REALLY benefit, IMO, from some custom soundtracks, since it is fast paced and multiplayer.  Of course, some people don't feel it is all THAT necessary, but it would definitely enhance my experience.

But if someone has had a choice to get one system or the other, I doubt that ability will enter his or her mind.  He or she probably didn't even experience it on the 360 on a friend's 360 or didn't notice they enjoyed it, and probably were too busy enjoying the uncommon experience of playing a PS3 that they don't own to notice it as a difference. MS would make the majority of its money from this patent from the decision of a consumer to buy a title that is cross-platform, but choose to get it on 360.  If there was the ability to talk to any friend at any time or in-game soundtracks were implemented on the PS3, I would be a lot more likely to play multi-platform games on my PS3.  Also, there is a smaller user base on PS3, which means I have fewer friends to play with on PS3.  It is a lot of reasons, but in-game custom soundtrack would be VERY welcome for me.