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PS3's in-game comms extended

In-game communications between players on the PS3 is to be extended and improved this summer, according to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe managing director Ray Maguire.

Ata recent trade event, Maguire said: "Our momentum will continue withthe introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmwareupdate 2.4 and the strongest line-up of games through our third partypartners and our own studios."

In-game IM, video, voice-chat

Of course, certain games (such as Warhawk and Socom and the soon-to-be-released Haze) already feature in-game voice chat between players.

TechRadarcan only suppose that Maguire is referring to an extended and improvedin-game comms service. Though whether or not this refers to in-gamecross media bar (XMB) instant messaging and/or voice-chat with otherfriends anywhere on the PlayStation Network is yet to be revealed.

"Onecan only assume that Sony will make use of the PlayStation Eye in someinteresting ways to improve the in-game comms," noted freelancegames journalist, Steve Boxer, when TechRadar asked him how Sony was toimprove the current offering.

Like Xbox Live, but free

TechRadar spoke with Daniel Dawkins, editor of PSM3 Magazine,this morning who told us: "This brings the PS3 up to parity withXbox Live, the key difference being that it's free".

Dawkinsadded: "Sony is working its best to respond to what gamers want.The amount of evolution in terms of the firmware updates over the lastyear has been phenomenal."

TechRadar also spoke with SonyComputer Entertainment reps this morning. They informed us that theywere currently not making any official announcements or issuing anyfurther information on exactly how in-game comms on PS3 are set to beimproved.