Yet more rumors of PlayStation Network premium services have risen from the foamy ocean today, lending extra weight to the theory that cross-game chat will be part of a paid service, instead of the standard addition that it most assuredly should be.
The rumor comes from perpetual blabbermouth Official PlayStation Magazine. The mag states that "Aside from the 3D goodness, cross-game party chat is the obvious 'next big feature,' even though it might be restricted to paid [PSN] subscribers."
The last time cross-game chat and subscriptions were mentioned, it was in a Sony consumer survey. That survey already indicates that Sony is thinking of charging for the feature, so this new rumor adds fresh fuel to an already sizzling fire. I'm fairly convinced that cross-game chat will now be something we need to pay for, and ask that you forgive me if I just stick with Skype.
Cross Game Chat A "Premium" Service [TheSixthAxis]
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Contest:
8:00 AM on 02.17.2010 | 
They've been doing it with everything else. I always that was half the incentive. Sony was doing what MSoft was doing for free.
Anyhow cross game chat isn't that important.
Sexualchocolate - I really couldn't care less about multiplayer, sure it will be nice as I'm blatantly going to be getting the premium service, but it's not as big a deal as Xbox fanboys seem to make out it is. Anyone would think it's a 100% essential part of an online service, when really that's just the whole online gaming thing.
And lowercaseluke, you're not just paying for chat when it comes for the xbox 360. You're paying for a whole package of stuff. I'm sure there will be more to the ps3 premium service, but something as basic as this seems a little much to charge for.
But I'm sure fanboys will think of ways to defend it, no matter how ludicrous it will sound.
it's absolutely impossible to compare xboxlive and premium psn yet...
Talking to the people you are playing with is essential, chatting to your buddies is what your phone is for?!
As I've said before also, PS3 is a living room console, those using it in the living room don't tend to use their headset unless required as it's RUDE to the people there with you in real life.
Xbox is a bedroom console, where kiddies can sit on their own for hours talking shit over headsets.
Free online play is far more important as it allows the development of online only games, in the full knowledge that everyone with the console will be able to play it. ehem MAG ehem.
I wonder if he signed up for "The Tester"?
If you just want to chat to friends, get Skype. Anyone who thinks this feature is essential doesn't know how to prioritize things.
Gaming features >>> Social Features
I mean, we all have cellphones now for a reason, right? And then there's always Skype for those who want to talk to multiple people at the same time. For free.
Now, if you just want Xgamechat just because no sane person would pass up something free, well that's wholly different. Free is good. But there does come a point where I don't blame a company for stopping the free-ride and expecting something back. SONY provides a helluva great free service. To actually expect even more would make me feel like a pathetic miser. Now, if they gave me more without expectations of it being free, Hurruh! But otherwise, I'll just have to shut up or open my wallet.
I suppose my pro-Sony anti-MS opinions could be described as "fanboyness" but it doesn't change the fact that they're my opinions and are based on LOGIC.
Something that someone who trys to tell me "Being able to chat to friends who aren't playing the same game is essential in an online gaming service" seem to lack.
"As I've said before also, PS3 is a living room console, those using it in the living room don't tend to use their headset unless required as it's RUDE to the people there with you in real life.
Xbox is a bedroom console, where kiddies can sit on their own for hours talking shit over headsets. "
I'm wandering where your logic comes from.
Yeah but he's so lovable.
The playstation magazine is making a big deal out of it.
Apparently it's the next big thing even tho I've been doing it on my xbox for years.
You really won't know what you are missing until you use it. I often get big chats going with friends across the nation while we are playing whatever games. Often times this is how I keep in touch with all of them, because it's easier then trying to do a conference call, and not all of them have computers with Skype on them.
Again, easy to say you wouldn't use it NOW, but get it for a few months and you won't want to switch back.
That being said, this isn't a surprising development. If Microsoft can get away with charging for Gold memberships, of course Sony's going to leap on that bandwagon. Free money is free money.
Oh, and Sexualchocolate is lies. Everyone knows you keep your Xbox 360 in the icebox.
PS3's are living room consoles, the average user is 18-24 the age range that usually has their own living room to keep their PS3 in.
Average 360 user is 12-16 - the kinda people who play games in their bedrooms.
That's my logic Leon, taken from last years Neilsens research figures.
Now that doesn't mean ALL 360 users are in that range or that ALL PS3 users are in that range, it's a general statistic. It also says there is a higher percentage of female users on PS3, doesn't mean we're all female.
If the tables were turned you would be trollin saying that the xbox is retarded for not having this upon release.
Get your head straight and grow up.
Clearly cross-game chat isn't ESSENTIAL to online gaming. However, it's a nice feature. I should know, I've been using for a while now. It's a luxury that I pay for.
lets see the proof?
72.66655747476% of PS3 gamers are sub-human, exam-failing, illiterate, shit-eaters with cat-aids..
99.9999999999% of Xbox gamers are superhuman, nobel-prize winning, literary genius', caviar quaffers with handsome features.
Source: www.***************.com
(removed by moderators in the interest of maintaining the butthurt)
Before this goes on, why do you care so much? Really, if you don't care about this shit then don't argue with people saying it's stupid and what-not. Others are welcoming this feature and I am sure will use it in any way they want. Really, I see no logically reason for you to be commenting as heavy as you are besides just to drum up hate. Wait, that's trolling as others have already said. This is important to others for many reason, you may not see them but it is there. Now, get off that soap box 'cause I need a bar of soap. This is getting stupid.
@White Zombie "Now that doesn't mean ALL 360 users are in that range or that ALL PS3 users are in that range, it's a general statistic. It also says there is a higher percentage of female users on PS3, doesn't mean we're all female."
(Won't dignify your retardation with a new response)
I actually threw the 360 a compliment in this one, it is the best console for generic FPS games, if that's your bag, buy a 360! Doesn't mean it's the only console with shooters on it nor that it doesn't have other games, just that it's the best for FPS games.
Chill the fuck out.
Where you been, bro?
@fatherchez - thing is charging for ESSENTIAL things like spoons and online gaming isn't sony's game that microshaft's territory.
I'm sat on the crapper squeezing out a turd right now, loling at fuckwits that don't understand general and average. Pc's in the kitchen honestly.
This logic interferes and applies in real life so my girl yells at me a lot but I CANT HEAR HER, lol.
Cross-game chat is a superfluous feature and I question the reasoning of one who would claim it essential. Furthermore, it makes perfect sense for Sony to charge for it; the more people purchase a subscription account, the more utility this feature will provide for those it entices.
"He said PS3 is better?!?!? What a fucking FANBOY FANBOY FANBOY Rabbble rabble rabble ecksbawks ecksbawks!!!!" ...bullshit we've become used to.
Simply put. No it's not. It's good, but not essential.