92w ago - After being included on countless PlayStation 3 fans wishlists and even news that PS Vita will include it, today Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida admitted cross-game chat is not possible on the PS3 due to memory restrictions.

To quote from Eurogamer.net (linked above): "Cross-game voice chat is not possible on the PlayStation 3 because of memory restrictions, Sony has revealed.

The PS3's RAM is gobbled up by the games it runs, which prevents the much-desired feature from being implemented, Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida told Eurogamer.

"Once a game gets RAM we never give it back," he said. "It's not possible to retrofit something like that after the fact."

Vita has 512MB of RAM and 128MB of V-RAM, compared to the PS3's 256MB of system RAM and 256MB of video RAM. This enables features such as cross-game voice chat to run in the background while games are being played.

On the PS3, however, things are different. "The game has to use its own memory to do [in-game voice chat].

There's always voice chat in the game. But it's a part of a game feature. It's not a part of an OS feature. That's the reason...

112w ago - Sony Online Entertainment Lead Designer Stephen Bokkes has made available a video announcing that Free Realms hits PSN today and includes Voice Chat and PS3 Trophies.

To quote: Today, as a PS3 gamer, you should ask yourself only one question: where can I race a demolition derby car against my friends, build a fun house for my friends to come play in, battle monsters as a stealthy ninja, own a parrot and talk like a pirate, raise a dragon pet that poops hot coals, and ride a rainbow unicorn off into the sunset?

Starting today, the answer is Free Realms! That's right, Sony Online Entertainment's popular online virtual world makes its way to the PlayStation Network today and you can all play it for FREE.

Free Realms is the first casual, free-to-play MMO ever to be offered on the PlayStation Network and definitely has something for everyone to play, adventure and experience.





Players can take on endless amounts of roles including ninjas, warriors, or wizards, while participating in a variety of activities such as adventuring for treasure, playing a soccer game, decorating their player house,...

116w ago - Today Game Designer Petteri Putkonen at Housemarque has announced that Dead Nation on PS3 is officially introducing Voice Chat Integration, Checkpoint Saves and more detailed below!

To quote: Housemarque is excited to report that our upcoming patch is only days away (coming Monday, March 7th) and will provide players with not only online co-op Voice Chat, but also Checkpoint saves, the ability to copy saves, and some even further surprises for all the Dead Nation players out there!

And finally, for those interested in seeing behind-the-scenes of the game's development, we made a small development diary last year that shows just how the whole zombie pandemic really got started...





We want to thank all the Dead Nation players out there and let them know that they're appreciated! Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you, the apocalypse has only begun!

129w ago - Today Sony Producer Daimion Pinnock has confirmed that Dead Nation on PSN will be receiving online voice chat soon!

To quote: We know some Dead Nation online co-op players have requested voice chat functionality.

I'm here to tell you that we've listened to the fans and are taking steps to add voice chat for online co-op in the near future. To reiterate this point, here's a note from the team at Housemarque:

We know some of you are frustrated by the lack of voice chat support in Dead Nation's online co-op mode. We realize many players have been very eager to join up and start taking care of the zombie nation and we greatly appreciate the continued support.

Therefore, the team is currently working on the addition of voice chat capability and hope to introduce it as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, we're keen to get as much feedback on the game as possible so we can further improve what we think is a great zombie game. We'll be sure to keep everyone posted via the PlayStation.Blog and our Dead Nation Facebook page on when they can expect the voice chat update.

We at Housemarque put our hearts and souls into the development of our games with...

130w ago - PlayStation Network Product Manager James Thorpe has announced today that users can now make watching TV a social experience through a new PlayTV Live Chat upgrade from the PlayStation Store.

To quote: Hi guys, just wanted to let you know that there is a great new upgrade available for PlayTV out now.

If you already own PlayTV then you now have the chance to get your hands on some really exciting new features, exclusive to PlayTV on the PS3.

These fantastic features include:

• Series Link*: Never miss your favourite series with the addition of series link to PlayTV in the UK. (*Not available in Australia or New Zealand)

• Live Chat with friends while watching TV: Enjoy your favourite shows together with this unique new feature. Set up your own chat room or join an existing one and text chat to your friends or anyone on PSN without interrupting your TV Viewing. Up to 64 people can be in a chat room at a time and you can choose if you want your chat room to be open to your PSN friends, everyone on PSN or just the people you invite.

• Recommendations: recommend programmes to Facebook and PSN friends. Share your favourite shows, films and soaps with your friends and get them involved. Send a recommendation to your Facebook wall with your own comments...