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,...

115w 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!

128w 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...

152w 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!

153w 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,...