PS3 Game Patches Can Now Be Downloaded in the Background but Only by Fiddling with PS+

One of the most-requested feature PS3 owners have been clamoring for aside from cross-game chat is the ability for game patches to be downloadable in the "background;" thus allowing players to download the patch and use their PS3s to watch movies, listen to music and of course, to play games.

It seems this feature is in the pipeline and is even doable now, but only if you're a PS+ member. Now, before you think it's a cash-grab by Sony to make people sign up for PlayStation Plus, it's not. The paid service's Automatic Update is needed and it even needs manipulating to do it properly.

For PS+ members, here's a step-by-step guide in doing this new "feature" (via CVG):

First, load the game in question and press OK when prompted with the latest update, then hit Circle to cancel the download.

From the XMB go into [System Settings] > [Automatic Update] > [On], set the update period to the current time, ensure Download Game Patches is ticked then select OK and turn off the PS3. It should turn back on immediately to run the auto-update, at this point wait a minute or so then press Circle to exit the auto-update and check your [Network] > [Download Management] list.

The patch data should appear in your list of background downloads here with a generic controller icon, and you can now play or watch any content that allows background downloads while the patch is pulled down.

Users can even play the game they're patching while waiting for the download to finish, but they will be restricted to offline mode like normally would if you decline a game's latest update.

Now, here's an interesting development, in the info screenshot below, it's heavily suggested that the background downloading of game patches might be in store for a future firmware update seeing as it has its own "info" screen.

I've yet to try this out but it does seem like a viable option now. If so, now PS3 users won't have to wait for a patch to finish downloading before playing the game or any other game to bide the time.

Here's to hoping that Sony doesn't make this a PlayStation Plus-exclusive feature if and when they do implement it in a much more efficient way.

Anyone annoyed whenever a patch comes along that weights in at a hefty size and you're not even allowed to play anything while downloading it? Will this make you consider getting PS+ as a viable (for now) solution?