Sony confirms PS3 getting in-game XMB and trophies

Rumoured as coming soon for an age now, Sony has finally confirmed that the PlayStation 3 will see in-game XMB access.

Due to be delivered via a forthcoming firmware update - v2.40 - the same software refresh will also see PlayStation "trophies".

Sony made the revelation via its official blog, with Eric Lempel the director of PlayStation Network operations stating:

"We’re happy to officially report that the 2.40 system software update for PS3 will include 'XMB' access in-game."

"The update will also include 'trophies,' an exciting new feature that we’ll be providing more details on soon, as well as some other new enhancements."

The in-game XMB (Cross Media Bar) will mean that gamers do not have to exit gameplay in order to access the PS3's menu for the likes of instant messenging.

Not a lot is know about the "trophies" system, other than it's likely to be like Xbox 360 Achievements.

No dates have been confirmed for the 2.40 firmware release - and PS3 owners will be seeing v2.36 first, that just improves system stability when playing select PlayStation format software titles.