PS3 Cross Game Chat Confirmed?

You know, rumors hold a lot more water when they come from an actual source for all the world to see.

Up until now, the idea of cross-game chat arriving for the PlayStation 3 has been entirely rumor-infused, with nothing in the way of official evidence to back it up. However, if you check around the Internet, multiple sources are referring to a recent comment made by Sony's James Thorpe at the official European PlayStation Blog, which is most encouraging. It regards to the question, "When is there going to be cross-game chat? You can't hide it forever," Thorpe replied:

"I wish I could just give you a date, I really do!! Trust me when I say that as soon as I hear from ‘up top’ I will be shouting about it and making myself the most popular person on the blog."

Well, if they weren't prepared to announce anything yet, you may have just made yourself the most unpopular person on the blog in Sony's eyes, but we doubt it's a major transgression. The point is, this allows us to all but confirm that the long-awaited feature is on the way, and hopefully, it'll arrive soon. It's not coming with the next firmware update, though - we've already detailed firmware update 3.10 - so perhaps it won't be ready to go until next year. Either way, it's good to know one of the most-requested online features will make the PSN experience that much more enjoyable.

11/17/2009 10:20:07 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (72 posts)

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sobleck
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:35:10 AM
Reply

It'll be nice to see this implemented, my phone bill has gone up as i've been using it as a replacement for this feature.

1 up, 0 down

Douchebaguette
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 5:45:16 PM

It's called Skype. It's free.

1 up, 1 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:36:44 AM
Reply

The ONLY thing I miss since dumping my 360's..

5 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 12:19:29 PM

plural? how many 360s did u have/replace?

2 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 12:36:09 PM

In one year, I went through 5 of them.

I got rid of them both, and bought PS3's instead.

Sadly, my PS3 just died, and I decided to replace it with a new slim.

2 up, 0 down

convergecrew
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:33:24 PM

wow, do you do a lot of gaming? or do you keep your systems in the oven while you play? ;)

8 up, 0 down

Banky A
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 9:25:03 PM

How'd and why did you buy so many consoles? =]

2 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 10:06:42 AM

convergecrew -

Alot to some folks, and not to others. I have around 1000 trophies for example. No. I keep them in a well ventilated space. My 360 woes began on launch day, and I got tired of replacing them. Eventually MS fixed them for free, but after one of them came back from the repair shop, it broke in 2 uses. End of my 360 story.

Banky A -

My kids and I play certain games together, so we have a few PS3's in our house. Games such as Uncharted 2 have nearly convinced my wife to join us. As far as "how" goes, during the housing boom here in the US, there was alot of money to spend on multiple gaming and theater systems.

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:40:27 AM
Reply

Not needed
Meh feature if you ask me

There's actually this thing called Skype

Where you can actually talk to smart people, not pre-teens shouting the F word from left to right

Ah, but I digress

5 up, 7 down

DIsmael85
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:26:41 AM

Well it's debatable, but I believe it's needed. It'll be a good option to have, to shut the Xbox fanboys up. It'll be nice to be able to to play privately with friends though, so it can go both ways.

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 4:42:22 PM

Who cares about the Xbox fans! They're a bunch of idiots who are paying a yearly fee for Skype and think that they have one up on another console. Cross game chat or even XMB chat would be really nice for those who really enjoy online gaming. It simplifies things tremendously.

1 up, 1 down

Naztycuts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:41:59 AM
Reply

I knew it, the indicator on MW2 was the latest thing I'd seen to suggest it, but now theres this too! I wonder what the xbots will say is inferior about psn now? I guess they can always b*tch about the fact we don't pay $50 a year for our online service.

2 up, 1 down

Gregory Freeman
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 2:42:11 PM

wheres the mw2 indicator located?? i've never seen it...

as for what this guy said, i think ppl are looking for a leak where there may very well be none... he may just merely be speculating that if it does come, he hopes to tell about it, instead of him knowing it's coming, and if he gets the go ahead he'll tell everyone...

0 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:46:20 PM

hit triangle when you invite a friend to your party and it says start new text/voice chat.

0 up, 0 down

Miggy
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:43:16 AM
Reply

pardon my ignorance but I will admit I'm relative new to online gaming and it's terminology. So what exactly is the cross game chat? From the name alone I'm assuming it has something to do with talking to other players while playing a game yourself. Does it have to do with players enjoying a complete different game than you are?

0 up, 0 down

bOnEs
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:57:41 AM

exactamundo!!

0 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:58:41 AM

You can be playing a game and talk to your friend who is also online and they do not have to be in the same game with you. It's like a built in phone for your console

0 up, 0 down

Miggy
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 12:32:20 PM

Thanks

0 up, 0 down

Cavan
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:43:57 AM
Reply

bet late than never i guess...

0 up, 1 down

DGo8
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:48:39 AM
Reply

yerr it will be nice lil addition to tha Ps3 but...why isit needed soooooooo much? i dont understand why..i think its a good thing dont get me wrong but..i dont see why so many gamers are cryin out 4 it

4 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:52:41 AM
Reply

I don't understand the benefit of being able to talk to my friend who's playing a different game. How does this make playing the game better? Not a criticism, just cursious.

Last edited by Jawknee on 11/17/2009 10:54:27 AM

1 up, 1 down

Naztycuts
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:04:07 AM

I dont think it necessarily makes the games any better, I think they did it for two reasons 1) to show that you do not have to pay for online service for it to be excellent 2) It gives XBL one less "advantage" over PSN. Also check this scenario out- You're stuck on Psycho Mantis in MGS4 and your friend has already beat her you could just ask your friend how to beat her if you wanted.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:54:28 AM

I see.

1 up, 0 down

bearbobby
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:29:52 PM

Couldn't you also use the internet to find your answer? Your friend might not be there when you need them, but Google's your 24 hour friend :)

3 up, 0 down

convergecrew
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:34:36 PM

I wont ever use this feature, but if so many other people want it, then obviously its useful, right?

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 9:27:27 PM

Google is available for even more than 24 hours.. =]

0 up, 0 down

bOnEs
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:03:10 AM
Reply

i don't really voice chat much with the friends on my list... we just exchange a couple of text messages most of the time... if i am using a headset to talk to them, i must already be playing a game with them...

i don't know, this sounds like it benefits those social types who like facebook and twitter... and who like to have a bajillion friends on their friends list to talk to and chat with...

i'm more of the quiet guy who prefers messaging unless i am playing a game with said person... so, while i see a huge demand for this feature, it's not something i am eagerly waiting for... i will probably start using it though if i find it worth my time... but right now, i don't envision myself using it...

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 12:22:59 PM

I'm with you bones, a text here and there, headset only in-game, and well I need to concentrate when I'm playing a game anyway. People talking gets me killed or I miss the spoken dialogue.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 11/17/2009 12:23:13 PM

1 up, 0 down

Qubex
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 8:06:06 PM

World, a little off topic; what is your PSN ID so I can add you to my friends list please!

Q!

"i am home"

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 9:49:45 PM

DonovanTheIceman how about yours?

0 up, 0 down

Qubex
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:57:10 PM

World, its "Qubex" :)

Q!

"i am home"

0 up, 0 down

Nick Maim
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:16:33 AM
Reply

I'd take a better, more stable implementation of IN-GAME voice chat over this.. and give us custom soundtracks on every game!

In other words, the basics first please..

3 up, 0 down

King James
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:44:12 AM
Reply

Cool. Now if they can just make the browser better...

2 up, 0 down

furbiesmustdie
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:47:50 AM
Reply

yaaaaaaay now i can rant to my friends no matter what game they're playing.

1 up, 0 down

Nynja
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:51:30 AM
Reply

Next year??.....

0 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 11:54:47 AM
Reply

For everyone asking why this is a much requested feature here is a little scenario that happens a lot with me and my friends.

I live 150 miles away from the people I know in real life now because of a job move. I don't get to talk to them much and sometimes I don't want to use my minutes on my cell phone or take the time to send text messages or send messages to them via the PS3 messaging system because I am a)playing a story driven game that I do not want to take the time out of to construct a message hence taking me fully out of the experience, b) playing a game online where there is no pause and I don't feel like hiding in a corner while I make said message and my friend is in an entirely different game.

Now, I see that they are online but in a game that I don't own or don't feel like playing, but I do want to see if they want to set up a game later on COD:MW2 or maybe some NHL10. So, without pulling my self away from the great story of Dragon Age, I quickly hit the talk button ask "Bob" if he is down for some Killzone 2 or MW2 later because he is playing Uncharted 2 and I don't own it. He says yes we set a time and off we go. I'm back into the Dragon Age story with little distraction, he is back to doing what you do in Uncharted 2 we meet up in something else in an hour and neither of use used our minutes, text messages, or even had to pick up the phone at all.

These things might not be a big deal to everyone but to some people they are and that is why this is such a requested service.

1 up, 0 down

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 12:18:40 PM

Thank you, that explains everything. I no longer have any questions.

Last edited by on 11/17/2009 12:18:58 PM

1 up, 0 down

Kaden101
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 12:47:04 AM

You don't own Uncharted 2? I think I'll cry a little tear for you.

I hope you were being hypothetical.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 12:19:02 PM
Reply

Don't need it, but kudos on the move for the sole purpose of shutting up the live lovers.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 11/17/2009 12:25:43 PM

0 up, 0 down

tlpn99
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 12:31:41 PM
Reply

Dont chat, dont hardly play online anyway but thats slowly changing lol :)
But glad it is coming anyway another thing we have now on the PS3 :)

Last edited by tlpn99 on 11/17/2009 12:32:06 PM

0 up, 0 down

OrdinaryJester
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 1:49:27 PM
Reply

I like for this reason example playing rainbow six vegas 2 team deathmatch ur friend can be on one team u on another and find spawn points and such to when u play said game. also psn needs a universal invite system.

1 up, 7 down

Bagmup
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 2:42:57 PM

Exactly why IW took party chat out of MW2, to stop cheaters like you.

7 up, 0 down

Gregory Freeman
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 2:44:15 PM

from what i saw through MW2, i say something like it is coming eventually... it works pretty well in that game, and wouldn't take much to patch and paste it into new and pre-existing games...

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 4:06:15 PM

@Bagmup

Exactly. That's why cross game chat should be done sparingly and allow developers to choose whether it's enabled in their title or not.

1 up, 0 down

randomname
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:02:23 PM
Reply

Sweet. Now, how about a party system. :)

0 up, 0 down

bearbobby
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:34:21 PM
Reply

I'll take any new features they want to add, whether I'll use them frequently or not.

Though I personally would like more options for customization, specifically concerning the XMB. I understand why they put the extra store icons there, it would just be nice to be able to turn them off if I wanted, or to place them elsewhere on the list in that category.

Oh and if at all possible, enable us to use the web browser while in game. that'd be tit.

3 up, 0 down

Charger7302
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:49:53 PM

I don't think the ps3 could do that. Sony's biggest mistake with the ps3 was that they only put 256 RAM memory, and with only 256 RAM I don't think the ps3 can handle an in-game browser.

It still puzzels me why Sony set out to make such an impressive piece of hardware but only choose to put in 256 RAM.

0 up, 2 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:59:04 PM

@Charger

Oh, I don't know it might have something to do with losing $300-$400 a unit sold at launch and XDR memory being somewhat expensive since the PS3 is the only major system to use it. XDR memory is very fast compared to other kinds of memory, but the production volumes remain relatively low, and so it costs a bit more.

However I might also point out that the PS3 has 256MB of system memory and 256MB of video memory. This is in effect a 512MB memory architecture with a fixed partition between system and video at 256MB. The 360 uses a 512MB unified memory architecture. However in practice a significant portion of that memory on the 360 is devoted to video leading to a situation that is almost identical to the PS3s hard partitioned memory architecture.

Compared to a current PC 256MB seems like very little, but remember it's 256MB of dedicated system memory that has very high performance. Besides, the PS3 isn't a desktop computer it's a game console, so there's no need to pack several gigs of RAM just to run the OS.

3 up, 0 down

johnld
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:07:47 PM

I think you're forgetting that killzone 2 can open the browser to the killzone website. granted that its their own website, it may be possible to open the browser while putting the game on standby or something, not in the middle of online gameplay.

0 up, 0 down

Charger7302
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:41:58 PM
Reply

I just hope Sony does it right, and implement the feature ONTO the PSN. Custom soundtracks is supposedly "available" on the PSN already, yet only like 4 games support it on ps3. Sony better make the feature available on everygame. But if they take the same route they did with custom soundtracks, then I rather Sony not do it all. Do it right or don't do it at all.

Last edited by Charger7302 on 11/17/2009 3:42:45 PM

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 4:04:49 PM

Custom sound tracks are supported by the system's firmware, but it's up to the game developer to decide whether or not to include the function. Why is that a bad situation? By supporting it in the firmware Sony provides the necessary functions in a common manner that all game devs can use. But at the same time doing custom sound tracks that way also leaves artistic control with the developer - they decide whether or not custom sound is allowed.

1 up, 0 down

Diggity Dan
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:54:56 PM
Reply

Didn’t some guy from Naughty Dog also make a post that Cross game chat was in the works (then the comment was quickly removed)? Please, please, please be true. This and NetFlix are the 2 features I’ve really been wanting on PS3. It makes setting up game invites with your friends so much easier.

Fanboy or not, you HAVE to appreciate what Sony has been doing lately. They’re on a tear, really stepping it up with the games, features and price cut.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 3:59:37 PM

Indeed, I thought there was something about that recently too.

0 up, 0 down

Douchebaguette
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 5:44:34 PM
Reply

Actually, just thought about this: Reckon Sony should let Skype available on the PS3 - for CGC as well. They've already enabled Skype on the PSP.

Skype would be much more neater & maybe easier to include than PSN CGC, and it definately sounds much more clearer than XBL's Private / Party Chat.

2 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 6:33:50 PM

Good point. I'd go for that.

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 7:40:18 PM

Sony should put EVERY feature that's on the PSP on the PS3 and, where technically possible, vice versa.

p.s. Every time someone writes CGC I think of Close Quarters Combat. : P

Last edited by Fane1024 on 11/17/2009 7:42:40 PM

2 up, 0 down

kevinater321
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 7:51:15 PM
Reply

What i really want is a message that has voice or something in it? I know they have it for 360 but that is all i really need. And this cross game voice chat would be cool too. I could talk to all my friends playing CoD wile i enjoy Uncharted.

0 up, 0 down

Poor_boy
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 8:49:01 PM
Reply

The feature is useless unless developers take advantage of it. Sony should make it mandatory for devs to include cross-game chat in their games with multiplayer.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 9:44:33 PM

No, they absolutely should not do that. If Sony were to make it mandatory they would be effectively reducing the memory available to PS3 games from that point forward. Every feature that Sony exposes in the firmware for in-game use requires memory. Those features that are optional such as custom soundtracks consume no memory when they ar not used.

By leaving the cross game chat feature as optional, Sony allows developers to decide whether they wish to allow cross game chat, and whether they wish to sacrifice the memory required to allow it.

It makes me laugh, people were so down on Sony for 'forcing' things on consumers and developers in the past, and yet here you (and others) are demanding that Sony force a feature on users and developers again.

0 up, 0 down

Poor_boy
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 10:49:27 PM

I didn't mean all devs should do it, games with multiplayer will need to incorporate it. If it was to be optional then I can guarantee you that no developer with games that supports multiplayer/co-op will take advantage of it especially third-party devs. If Naughty Dog can incorporate twitter, a useless feature, and Machinima then why not cross-game chat. Its easy if devs include cross-game chat in their priorities into bringing a good multiplayer experience, but if its optional then the feature is an afterthought for them.

Last edited by Poor_boy on 11/17/2009 10:50:22 PM

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 1:10:26 AM

but you need to force some things onto them.
50 bucks says 90% of games STILL would not support trophies if it was not mandatory.
what was the point off adding custom soundtracks?
KZ2 is the only game ive played that allows me to play my music while playing my game, providing im online and not in SP.
developers these days are lazy, there only going to do what they have to.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 9:29:31 AM

Adding trophies to games doesn't even remotely compare to the complexity and scale of adding cross game voice chat, so it's not really a fair comparison. But you're right, I don't think we'd have as many games with Trophies had it not been made mandatory.

Custom sound tracks were implemented in firmware ages ago. Burnout Paradise was even patched to include the feature. Why other developers don't use it? I don't know, but It's there, and it's easy enough that it could be patched into a game without affecting the game. Perhaps we ought to be asking developers to include the feature instead of whining about Sony not making it mandatory?

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 9:28:20 PM
Reply

Sweeeet.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 @ 9:31:44 PM
Reply

I would use cross game chat every single day. The Sony headset is the best accessory I ever bought.

2 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 11:13:39 AM

Me too.

0 up, 0 down

jaybiv
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 12:13:58 AM
Reply

I wouldn't necessarily dismiss the feature being in 3.1. At the end of the video, Eric did say that there were additional features in 3.1. I'm not holding my breath for it in 3.1 either though. Just sayin'.

0 up, 0 down

MasLB51
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 12:55:25 AM
Reply

this isnt the only evidence. awhile back on the Uncharted 2 forums, one of the guys who worked for sony and was on the forums quite talking the the users quite abit (ReklissAbandon) said "Not to mention that the next PS3 firmware update is going to allow cross game chat."
Its funny cuz his comment was removed and he wasnt seen on the forums for awhile.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 @ 1:07:30 AM
Reply

o great another useless feature to add to the list.
o n BTW optus rang and they want there line back!

0 up, 1 down

superben1990
Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 12:52:05 AM
Reply

cant wait! PSN ID superben1990

0 up, 0 down

Pavex
Thursday, November 19, 2009 @ 10:49:59 AM
Reply

i don't see how that 'quote' means ANYTHING! it's quite evident from what the fellow said, HE doesn't know when or IF it will ever be.

0 up, 0 down

NetheRealm
Friday, November 20, 2009 @ 12:45:42 AM
Reply

While cooping with friends in Demon's Souls we constantly have to push the PS button to text directions & things like where should we go next in the chat room which is extremely annoying & leaves us open to getting attacked while we are texting.There is no Bluetooth Headset compatibility in Demon's souls or Dragon Age Origins & when playing coop which is a big part of the game, being able to voice communicate with other party members would be a big benifit as well as more enjoyable. For example, you could discuss attack strategies or instantly verbally warn someone what is around the corner whereas using text would take too long.

Last edited by NetheRealm on 11/20/2009 1:03:15 AM

0 up, 0 down

startazz
Saturday, November 21, 2009 @ 8:08:42 AM
Reply

if you go on youtube you can find a few video's on this with people saying it is here already with mw2 and another game but can't rember which one,check it out but it's not 100% cross game chat but still interesting ;-)

0 up, 0 down

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