There's really no need for in-game XMB access on the PS3. Why?

1. Developers have had access to the ability to show the XMB in-game for some time. That's why it is already supported in games like Resistance and Warhawk. If the developer feels they can offer the feature, they have the tools to get it done.

2. Most PS3 games have a perfectly good online multiplayer mode with a lobby that allows you to see whether your friends are online and invite them to a game or to join your clan. Again, this removes the need for in-game XMB access to the Friends, Chat or Message areas.

3. Home will be out in early 2008 and totally re-writes the rules on multiplayer gaming. You can meet up with people in a public space or invite friends back to your private area. From there you can all go straight into any Blu-ray or HDD game in multiplayer mode and play. No hanging around, no messing with chat, IM etc.

4. Custom soundtracks are a little pointless in titles that require a certain type of atmosphere. I don't think Heavenly Sword would benefit from allowing you to play Spy Break in the background. And in any case, you could just turn the music off in your Audio preferences and play some music on your HiFi anyway! For those titles that need it, the developers can make it possible using the current dev kit. High-Velocity Bowling is the first title to offer this, and it is right to given the nature of the game.

So - as far as I'm concerned, just bring on Home. In-game XMB will be pointless and less than 10% of the fun of Home when it launches.

"Pro-G is reporting that Microsoft has stated that it intends to suspend the Xbox Live accounts of anyone found playing Halo before next week’s official release date.

Xbox Live is able to detect what gamers are playing at any given time – and even if they are offline when they play the game, the next time they log on their accounts will automatically be updated with the recent gaming activity."

Tells you everything you need to know about how MS do business... They screw up but you, the gamer, have to pay for their 'supply chain' mistake.

To appease my new friend BuckF1tches, here's a post you won't find on PS3 Attitude... ;-)

Often times I find that I'm drawn to a particular story because I feel that, as a gamer, the balance of the story is wrong. It might be overly aggressive towards Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo and not give a balanced argument.

Of course because I am involved with a PS3 website, I tend to notice the anti-Sony stories first since they show up in my Google Alerts etc.

But I don't leap all over every story. Just the stories that really deserve a proper response.

And then along comes a commenter who says something like "trust a Sony fanboy to say that". They use it in the context of dismissing the entire counterpoint to the story by simply mentioning the word. After all, if you're a 'fanboy' then your opinion must count for nothing, right?

I'd like to think that by providing a proper, balanced viewpoint to a story it gives gamers the opportunity to think about things more broadly. I've said, time and time again, that lately with all the excellent games and announcement that have come around for all of the new platforms it is gamers in general that are winning. I've put my money on the PS3, but others have chosen to go elsewhere. And that is fine by me. Many of you have multiple platforms... I prefer to stick my investment in one place.

So - a call to all. Please stop saying the word 'fanboy' as if to simply dismiss the conversation. Think about what you're saying in response to a post or a story and then provide a balanced alternative viewpoint. Fanboyism is fine by me if that's what you like, but using the word fanboy instead of thinking of a proper response is just lazy and pointless.

And yes, I'm ready to ignore the obvious first comment to this post - I know it's coming.... go on, knock yourself out and say it! ;-)

Motorstorm gets a patch to take it to version 2.0 in readiness for the Coyote Revenge VIP Weekend Pass - find out what's new and what's fixed here