Report: Leaked PS3 Trophy Images Hint at Tiered Achievement System, Gamer Card Integration

Images sent to PS3 Fanboy from a pair of anonymous tipsters appear to reveal a first look at the PlayStation 3's Trophy system, an Achievement-like accomplishment tracker set to debut in the upcoming PS3 firmware version 2.40 update.

Sent by a tipster referring to him or herself as "The Patriots," the image showing the PS3's Trophy page (pictured left) indicates that the awards are divvied up into four classes—bronze, silver, gold, and platinum—possibly corresponding to scaling levels of difficulty for a given accomplishment.

Meanwhile, the second image—sent by another tipster who claims to be a software developer—appears to display a corresponding page which details general user profile information, such as a PlayStation Network username and trophy count.

According to the second tipster, each trophy will be worth a different number of points, with lower levels such as bronze trophies requiring a certain number of cleared achievements before moving onto higher levels.

The leaked images were accompanied with new details regarding the in-game integration of the PlayStation 3's XMB interface. Going by the report, the new 2.40 firmware will allow users to "do most things" in-game, including comparing trophies with other users. Some unspecified tasks must still be performed outside of a game.

Should the images prove legitimate, it appears that the PlayStation 3's firmware will finally see the addition of two long-awaited features: thoroughly integrated social network functionality, and a system to rival the Xbox 360's Achievements.

Sony has previously mentioned that more details on the new 2.40 firmware features would be divulged prior to the firmware's release, expected sometime this summer.