PS3 General Discussion

[Digital-Nitrate]

Can you have more than one PSN account logged in at once?

I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. Can you give an example? Like having split screens, and each player playing online using their own accounts? If that is the example you are thinking of, I don’t even think that is technically possible.

Or is there anyway to have more than one person use the same one on one PS3, with the extra people as guests?

Yes. Not only can you set up sub accounts, but unlike the 360, you can set-up multiple master accounts on the same PS3... and unlike the 360, they won’t each cost you $50 a year to let each person play online for each of those accounts. 👍

This also means instead of just having a "guest" you your account on XBL, on PSN, each guest can have his very own account and all the benefits that come with giving a dedicated online account. 👍

Besides for family, friends, and guests, I myself use multiple accounts not only to access downloadable content from other regions, but also to expand and organize my friend's list. Works exceptionally well, and takes all of two seconds to switch accounts and log on. 👍

 

[icelt]

Not a big surprise as most of us were expecting that the newer PS3's would be getting the 65nm cell, but it should still be some nice verification for those considering making a 40GB model purchase.

Report: 40GB PS3 more energy-efficient

in part

The report claims that the 40GB will sport the 65nm version of the Cell processor, which will cut the console's wattage use from 200 to around 135. In turn, the report claims the new console will output less heat and noise.

And for micro circuits, reducing the amount of heat generated is never a bad thing. 👍

 

[Vonie]

I'm not sure I understand what you are asking. Can you give an example? Like having split screens, and each player playing online using their own accounts? If that is the example you are thinking of, I don’t even think that is technically possible.

Exactly what I'm talking about, doing split screen online. XBox Live lets you do it. I play Halo 3 online with my friends all the time at their house; with 4 of us on one TV, two of us with our own accounts and two of us as guests for one of them. It really makes it a lot more fun.

Yes. Not only can you set up sub accounts, but unlike the 360, you can set-up multiple master accounts on the same PS3... and unlike the 360, they won’t each cost you $50 a year to let each person play online for each of those accounts. 👍

This also means instead of just having a "guest" you your account on XBL, on PSN, each guest can have his very own account and all the benefits that come with giving a dedicated online account. 👍

Besides for family, friends, and guests, I myself use multiple accounts not only to access downloadable content from other regions, but also to expand and organize my friend's list. Works exceptionally well, and takes all of two seconds to switch accounts and log on. 👍

Yeah, I knew that.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Exactly what I'm talking about, doing split screen online. XBox Live lets you do it. I play Halo 3 online with my friends all the time at their house; with 4 of us on one TV, two of us with our own accounts and two of us as guests for one of them. It really makes it a lot more fun.

Interesting, so it clearly is possible then, so I can't see why you wouldn't be able to do the same with a PS3. I have never played online with split screen, but maybe someone who has can chime in... although it sounds like a feature that would be up to each developer to add support for it.

 

[Solid Fro]

Warhawk allows 4 player split screen online and network. I don't know if it allows each player to log in, I don't have another account to test it out. I don't see why it could not, there is no technical limitation. The game logs the 3 players in for the game and once it's over it logs them out.

 

[land sea air]

in order to play spit screen warhawk the other player has to hit start once the match has started, I don't see any way you could use 2 seperate accounts.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

in order to play spit screen warhawk the other player has to hit start once the match has started, I don't see any way you could use 2 seperate accounts.

When selecting 2-4 multiplayer split screen, doesn't it ask for player info for each player before "hitting start"?

Also, if players 2,3, and 4 are not using their accounts, what names does Warhawk give them, and are their stats blank then?

I never did pick up Warhawk so I can't test this out. For someone with Warhawk, multiple controllers, and multiple accounts, try starting a game with 2-4 player split screen and against other online opponents and see what options are available to you. 👍


Again, all of this sounds very much like a feature that is up to each game developer to support and not limited by either the 360 or PS3.

I'm curious though about how the 360 handles running multiple user accounts at once, as someone in the Xbox forums recently posted how he was only able to have one user account on his 360 at any given time.

In Halo 3, does it ask each player to enter their XBL gamer tag and password? And why only two user accounts and two guest accounts instead of four user accounts?

 

[Vonie]

I'm curious though about how the 360 handles running multiple user accounts at once, as someone in the Xbox forums recently posted how he was only able to have one user account on his 360 at any given time.

In Halo 3, does it ask each player to enter their XBL gamer tag and password? And why only two user accounts and two guest accounts instead of four user accounts?

• Player one signs in and starts Halo.
• Other controllers are turned on.
• Player one enters online matchmaking w/ all controllers on this XBox listed on the right. Player one is the only one with a name at this point.
• XBox says press 'A' to login for the rest of the players.
• Screen pops up allowing all controllers to log in to any XBox live account on the XBox or as a guest for player 1.
• Guests are given Player1Gamertag (1), Player1Gamertag (2) etc. names.
• Start matchmaking.

We use guests because we aren't motivated to create new accounts for the rest of us, and it costs money. You can't play in ranked matches with guests though.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

• Player one signs in and starts Halo.
• Other controllers are turned on.
• Player one enters online matchmaking w/ all controllers on this XBox listed on the right. Player one is the only one with a name at this point.
• XBox says press 'A' to login for the rest of the players.
• Screen pops up allowing all controllers to log in to any XBox live account on the XBox or as a guest for player 1.
• Guests are given Player1Gamertag (1), Player1Gamertag (2) etc. names.
• Start matchmaking.

We use guests because we aren't motivated to create new accounts for the rest of us, and it costs money. You can't play in ranked matches with guests though.

I see, so if they had XBL accounts, then they could then still use them in the set-up process before a game begins instead of being assigned anonymous guest accounts with no stats?

Makes sense if true. Before hand it sounded like it would only allow you to assign gamer tags to two of the four players.

From that description, it definitely sounds like a software/game related feature, so as long a developer adds it to their game options, then there's no reason not to expect that same option with a PS3 game. 👍

Thanks for the info as well. I'm not much of a fan of MPO FPS games, which seem to be the ones that are more likely going to use this feature, at least the ones with co-op gameplay like Halo 3, COD4, and Haze, among others.

 

[Solid Fro]

Supposedly, there is a PS3 driving robot Jeep Cherokee in this picture, but I don't see it.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/playstation-3/ps3-driving-robot-car-in-robot-car-race-317027.php

 

[VT]

Jeep? Sorry, I just see two girls apparently named Axion and Racing looking at me and wearing a small set of clothing.

 

[godzilla_GTR]

lol and your problem is...???

 

[GT Pro]

I am to recieve a PS3 in late March. However, upon the arrival of the cheap, non-backward-compatible 40gb unit that has replaced the 60gb on PAL shores, I am unsure when a backward-compatible friendly, higher gb system, is to arrive. An 80gb model is expected soon is it not?

 

[Robin]

I am to recieve a PS3 in late March. However, upon the arrival of the cheap, non-backward-compatible 40gb unit that has replaced the 60gb on PAL shores, I am unsure when a backward-compatible friendly, higher gb system, is to arrive. An 80gb model is expected soon is it not?

Yes an 80GB is coming soon but it will use emulation software to be backwards compatible, all new 60GB's and 40GB will not be backwards compatible in any way (the 60GB might).

Early units of 60GB and 20GB had the PS2 effectively built into the PS3... those have been discontinued...

Robin

 

[Scaff]

From that description, it definitely sounds like a software/game related feature, so as long a developer adds it to their game options, then there's no reason not to expect that same option with a PS3 game. 👍

Warhawk has just such a feature...

http://www.psu.com/Warhawk-brings-online-4-player-splitscreen--a000706-p0.php

...in un-ranked servers the main player logs in and then any additional players use the controllers to log-in (select or start - can't remember which), it uses a variant of the main players log-in.


Regards

Scaff

 

[Appie]

Got a question. They say that you can use up to 7 controllers at once, but why do i only see 4 USB ports in my PS3?

 

[V1P3R]

I was under the impression it was 8, (4 wireless and 4 USB) that or limited by the game?

 

[Appie]

I dont know dude, thats why im asking.

 

[FoolKiller]

Warhawk has just such a feature...

http://www.psu.com/Warhawk-brings-online-4-player-splitscreen--a000706-p0.php

...in un-ranked servers the main player logs in and then any additional players use the controllers to log-in (select or start - can't remember which), it uses a variant of the main players log-in.

It looks like (1)ScaffUK and (2)ScaffUK. Or maybe the main player doesn't get a number. I can't remember exactly but it puts a number in front of the extra players to identify them as such.

Got a question. They say that you can use up to 7 controllers at once, but why do i only see 4 USB ports in my PS3?

Because it can handle up to seven bluetooth connections. If you have the remote control it is automatically set for controller port 7.

Honestly though, I can't see a purpose to more than 4 traditional controllers.

 

[V1P3R]

They don't have bluetooth controllers though?

 

[FoolKiller]

They don't have bluetooth controllers though?

Huh?

Are you referring to my "traditional controllers?" I was referring to the Sixaxis, as opposed to the BD remote control and any other upcoming peripherals that will use the bluetooth ports (or whatever you call them).

 

[V1P3R]

I thought appie17 was referring to controllers as in game controllers.

 

[FoolKiller]

I thought appie17 was referring to controllers as in game controllers.

Sorry, my page rolled over and I didn't see your earlier posts.

I was always under the impression that the USB ports were just for syncing and charging of the Sixaxis. As all first-party PS3 controllers are bluetooth there is no need for a USB port for everyone. The only controller I have that requires it be plugged in is my DFP.

I don't know how long the charge will last on an unused controller but I knwo I could play with one and have time to charge six more on one USB port before my charge ran out.

Notice you only get one USB cable and extra controllers (at least mine) don't come with a new one. They were never intended to regularly be played while plugged in.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I thought appie17 was referring to controllers as in game controllers.

Yes... and all PS3 SIXAXIS controllers use Bluetooth wireless chips... of which currently the PS3 has support for up to eight controllers (the eighth being dedicated for the PS3 remote control), with additional Bluetooth support for devices, like headsets and keyboards.

Also, if you look at the front of each controller you'll see the numbers 1-4 with a little red LED light under each number. Like the binary system, add up all the numbers that have the light on to know which of the 7 designated controller Bluetooth registries is assigned to that controller.

So if the 1 and the 4 are on, then that controller is assigned to the 5th BT registry.

It should also be possible to add support for additional controllers, but I seriously can't imagine too many situations, or games that would support more than 4, let alone 8+ players on a single PS3.

 

[V1P3R]

huh... interesting. I didn't realize they were bluetooth, I always thought they were just wireless like the 360. Good to know.

I thought the 1-4 was the batt level but soon after realized it wasn't.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

huh... interesting. I didn't realize they were bluetooth, I always thought they were just wireless like the 360. Good to know.

This is also why you can be as far away as 40 feet from the PS3 and still have an uninterrupted high-speed connection to the PS3.

By also not having to be in line of sight and having a solid high-speed connection to the PS3 even from several feet away, this allows you to put the PS3 in a different room, and still be able to play normally. So for instance, for those that like to keep their equipment in a closet (for reasons like noise levels, heat control, space, wife approval factor, etc), they can put the PS3 in a closet and run the video cable to the TV, and won't have any problems using the controllers for the PS3. 👍

• Bluetooth > RF > IR (At least in typical home applications and environments.)

While it is true you can use IR repeaters, and RF boosters to achieve a similar result, but Bluetooth just does it better and more trouble free. 👍

 

[V1P3R]

No doubt. 👍

 

[FoolKiller]

It should also be possible to add support for additional controllers, but I seriously can't imagine too many situations, or games that would support more than 4, let alone 8+ players on a single PS3.

Can't the PS3 output to video signals? Or was that something that was dropped before production. I remember them talking about playing online while video chatting, using the eye camera, with your friend on another 1080p screen. 4 players on each screen maybe?

The only use for that many controllers that I can see is a large family where they have to set a rule that each kid is responsible for their own controller. Since this isn't the Wii and I haven't seen any reports of Sixaxis injuries/damage I highly doubt even this scenario is often needed.

Although, on every system I have the one controller that is mine and no one else gets to use it. That's why I am quietly hoping for a see-through blue Dual Shock 3.

I thought the 1-4 was the batt level but soon after realized it wasn't.

The Wii remotes have the 1-4 LEDs too, but I believe it will only support up to 4 controllers. I could be mistaken as I only own three and haven't seen anything with support for more than 4.

 

[Robin]

Arg, just downloaded and played the Juiced 2 Demo which was rubbish (I can't believe this stuff passes as next gen, looks like the first NFSU) and when I went to exit back to the XMB the game crashed my PS3!!

Stupid thing froze and I had to hard reset the PS3, I hate it when it makes those repeating high pitched beeps, it took ages to shut down... but now all it well...

When a game says it can exit out back to XMB don't believe it! Do it through the PS button!

Robin

 

[VT]

Yeah I was a little upset at myself for downloading that demo. Needless to say I had not planned on getting it and I know I will not be getting it now. The cars drive like **** on a stick.

I never quit a game through anything other than the PS button. So I never had that problem.