170w ago - Sony has previously confirmed that PS3 cross-game voice chat is coming, however, the question now is whether it will be offered only to paid PSN subscribers as part of their upcoming service in 2010.

Today GamesThirst.com (linked above) believes that is the case, based on an excerpt from the latest issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine (PTOM).

To quote: "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."

Earlier in the same thread speaking about motion controls, the writer said this:

"Sony's current service is one of the PS3's best features, so we'd begrudgingly welcome a revamped PSN with extra subscriber functionality, like cross-game-chat and exclusive PSN downloads."

So what do you make of all this? Would you pay for cross-game chat on Sony's online service?

183w ago - Update: VG247.com has confirmed that Kaz Hirai stated the current PSN service will remain free, and subscriptions are only for "premium content and services."

Sony has revealed during their Media/Investor Conference that the PlayStation Network will be getting a new paid subscription service in 2010 alongside non-game content likely to include applications and videos.

According to their Slide Presentation [PDF] a "new revenue stream from subscription" will be generated.

Although few other details exist at this time, the way it is worded sounds like it could possibly be a subscription similar to XBox live on its way to PSN.

To quote: "It is unclear what the new revenue stream subscription might be. Could it be similar to Qore, an optional service, or something more akin to Xbox Live Gold, which is a premium service required to play games online for the Xbox 360?"

241w ago - As was suspected earlier today, it is now revealed that Microsoft paid Eidos for downloadable content and demo exclusivity.

To quote: The announcement by Eidos to produce extended chapters exclusively for owners of Microsoft's Xbox 360 video-games console has been met with mixed reaction, especially from those planning to steer Lara Croft through her latest adventure on one of the additional five platforms being catered for. We checked in with Eidos who shed some light on the decision.

"Microsoft asked us how we could extend the fantastic Tomb Raider: Underworld gameplay experience, exclusively, for their thriving Xbox Live community and these two new downloadable chapters were the result." says Eidos, who also confirm there are no plans for additional downloadable content for PS3.

Beneath The Ashes, the first extended chapter, will be released late December in time for Christmas. Lara's Shadow, the second installment, will debut in early 2009. The downloadable chapters will only work in conjunction with the retail 360 Tomb Raider Underworld disc.

On the decision to exclusive partner with Microsoft, Eidos says: "Microsoft asked us how we could extend the fantastic Tomb Raider: Underworld...

246w ago - New reports suggest that the Final Fantasy XIII demo may be sold SEPARATELY. However in Japan, the demo is still scheduled to be bundled with the Advant Children Blu-ray release, it's just the rest of the world that might get charged to play the demo!

To quote: Thanks to our ever helpful forum member epsilon, we have yet more of Dengeki's interview with Nomura to show you. Square-Enix announced at DKS3173 that the Final Fantasy XIII demo will be packaged with the Advent Children: Complete blu-ray release in March next year. Unfortunately for everyone outside of Japan, the demo will probably arrive much later than that.

Nomura has told Dengeki though that the Final Fantasy XIII demo may be sold separately some time after Advent Children: Complete's release. Square-Enix know they can make a huge amount of revenue by including the Final Fantasy XIII demo with AC:C but is selling the demo separately possibly taking it too far?

The demo is supposed to be 90 minutes long, so the file size could make it unfeasible to host on the Playstation Network but if they sell it for an extortionate price, would people still buy it? I can pretty much answer my own question and say yes but that doesn't make it right.

Other than this, a few more details about the compilation were discussed...

250w ago - There's apparently a big feature article in the upcoming issue of Japanese gaming mag Famitsu that talks Square Enix, Final Fantasy XIII and all that jazz.

While scans haven't hit the Internet yet, we've heard from several trusted insiders who have seen the yet-unreleased issue. It mentions that FFXIII is going to be out in Japan by next summer and in Europe/USA on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 by the end of 2009 -- which pretty much what we already know.

Here's the juicy bit: According to the Famitsu piece, Microsoft is footing the bill for Square Enix's FFXIII breach of PS3 exclusivity contract. No idea how much money that entails or the exact deal Microsoft worked out with Square Enix, but the fact there is not Xbox 360 version announced for Japan is telling. Square Enix does state how porting the game to the Xbox 360 should be easy.

More interesting tidbits: It's apparently hard to tell which looks better: Star Ocean 4 or Final Fantasy XIII. Also, the company plans to focus more on PSP game development from now on.

File this as rumor until proper scans surface.