153w ago - With a new PS3 Firmware update arriving soon, JoyStiq (linked above) sat down with Sony's John Koller in an E3 2010 interview where he admits PS3 Cross Game Chat is still a work-in-progress despite recent rumors that it may be coming as part of PlayStation Plus.

During the video interview, John Koller discusses PlayStation Network Plus, PS3 Cross Game Chat and Steamworks along with what fans can expect from Sony's new partnership with Valve.

For those curious, the discussion about PlayStation 3 Cross Game Voice Chat begins at timestamp 7:55. Check out the video below!

154w ago - Update: According to both PSU.com and VG247.com, Sony has confirmed that cross-game voice chat is currently not part of PlayStation Plus.

Today a sleuth from TheGamerAccess.com (linked above) has spotted as part of an E3 2010 press release confirmation by Sony that the rumored PS3 Firmware 3.40 update will arrive on June 22, 2010 and likely will include the long-awaited PS3 cross-game voice chat!

To quote from the Press Release: "PlayStation users can purchase PlayStation Plus membership through PlayStation Store on PS3 only.

Users need to install PS3 system software version 3.40, which will be released on June 22nd, to enjoy PlayStation Plus."

Finally, to further substantiate this news, on Sony's official Portugese Web site it states: "Cross-game Voice Chat: invite your friends to chat online no matter what game you're all playing,...

184w ago - Update: The official PlayStation Site was recently revamped, and now lists in-game chat for online games as a separate feature and states, to quote:

"Talking with friends or other players in the middle of a game is easy. Chat by text or use your headset to voice chat. You can also add new friends or check other player's profiles (including their Trophy collections) to know who you're up against while you're playing."

Although many are a bit disappointed that yesterday's PS3 Firmware 3.10 update announcement didn't include the cross-game voice chat functionality discussed recently by PSN Director Eric Lempel, it is in the works.

The European Blog's James Thorpe has revealed that cross-game voice chat is coming in response to the question "when is there going to be cross-game voice chat?" regarding the firmware update.

To quote his reply: "I wish I could just give...

188w ago - Last month we heard a rumor of cross-game chat finally hitting the PlayStation 3 in the upcoming PS3 Firmware 3.10 update.

Today, it appears the rumor has been inadvertently confirmed on the US PlayStation forums (linked above) by Naughty Dog Dev ReklissAbandon in a response to a question about enemy spectating in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

To quote: "I think they wanted people to have fun and enjoy the show since all dead players can talk to each other no matter what team you are on. But I will suggest it anyway.

Not to mention that the next PS3 firmware update is going to allow cross game chat. So if players use that instead of in game communication then they would also be able to communicate enemies positions."

As expected, the post has since been edited and deleted... but a copy of it is below. It looks like another Sony cover-up is in the works PS3 Slim-style!

195w ago - Today Kotaku (linked above) followed up on yesterday's rumor from N4G insider Super_Secret on why Cross-Game Chat is currently missing in action on the PlayStation 3 console.

To quote: Rather than jump to conclusions, we decided to contact the two parties involved for comment on the situation.

First to respond was Jeff Brown, EA's vice president of corporate communication.

"Not no-how, not no-way did that ever happen. This is a total fabrication - total nonsense. We think voice chat is an extremely cool feature and added it to Madden/ PS3."

Brown then added, "We support cross-game voice on other systems and would be happy to do that on any console."

Soon after Brown responded to our inquiry, Sony's senior director of corporate communications Patrick Seybold also responded, keeping things short and sweet. "This is rumor and frankly not true."

Another corporate cover-up like the PS3 Slim's existance, or is the rumor officially debunked now? Feel free to comment below!