John-ShepardUpdate: It has been clarified that cross-game chat will NOT be a Plus-exclusive feature. In fact, we're still not sure if it's coming; stay tuned for any official details.
Original Story:
Sony made some big announcements during their E3 press conference, but perhaps the advent of a long-awaited feature for the PlayStation 3 escaped detection during the unveiling of gigantic news.
Cross-game chat is something PS3 owners have been pining for and although we've heard plenty of rumors and pseudo-confirmations over the past few months, this is the best information we have to date. We don't yet have an exact date for the enabling of cross-game chat but it might be available when Sony releases firmware update 3.40 and their new PlayStation Plus subscription plan. Examiner.com noticed the feature in question pop up in a European explanation of Plus:
"Cross-game Voice Chat: invite your friends to chat online no matter what game you're all playing, even if they aren't members of PlayStation Plus."
Now, the downside is that it appears to be attached to Plus, so you'll have to either drop the $50 for the annual subscription or the $18 for a three-month subscription if you wish to take advantage. Of course, there are plenty of other reasons to subscribe to Plus, as Sony outlined plenty of appealing details; early demos, exclusive DLC, and in general, preferential Network treatment. And there ain't nothin' wrong with being a PSN VIP.
thumbs up for you sir…
lol seriously i think theres a lot of truth to this. "It's called a cell phone or AIM people… hold a controller and phone or sit by the computer and type. is it so hard? gawd!"
Cross game chat is a brilliant invention. If Sony is adding it to the PS3 then those who know it's uses will be very happy.
I'm starting to think that the people on here bashing X Chat either don't have friends to talk to online, don't game online, are a social recluse, or seem to be against it because it's an Xbox feature.
So, if you can't counter the argument call people friendless? Gee, that's constructive.
@Pmartin,
As I've said before and will say again. None of that makes the feature anything close to being a deal breaker and yet that is how it is discussed.
Last edited by TheHighlander on 6/16/2010 3:25:35 PM
Mysterio, who ever bashed it? I've seen people who just didn't find it necessary, but are there actually people who have that much of a problem with it?
Last edited by B-RadGfromOV on 6/16/2010 3:23:02 PM
Highlander
Unless I missed something, Cross Chat is not a "deal breaker". I know that, even though I want Cross Chat, wether it was going to be PSN Plus exclusive or not, it isn't what's going to make me pay for the subscription.
I did counter the argument of Cross Chat being a "useless feature" with my previous posts. I stated why it's not a "useless feature" for some. I also said Cross Chat is NOT NEEDED but it's a nice plus for alot of people that want it.
If I disrespected you Highlander I apologize as non was intended. I'm well aware that you're a regular poster on this site as I usually look for your comments as they're usually knowledgable.
B-RadGfromOV
Yes, there have been comments made in the past about Cross Chat being "stupid", "worthless", "useless". Not just here but other sites as well. There are people who will find ANY feature somehow "worthless" but to broadcast it like it's worthless for EVERYBODY is ignorant.
Some people even come off as Cross Chat being so bad it's like if it comes then the entire PSN will be a subscription.
Last edited by Mysterio Spyder on 6/16/2010 3:57:09 PM
@Mysterio,
Hey, no worries, I have no arguments against anyone here, it's just a big, sometimes direct, discussion. Which is fine by me.
The comment you made that I was replying specifically to was this one "I'm starting to think that the people on here bashing X Chat either don't have friends to talk to online, don't game online, are a social recluse, or seem to be against it because it's an Xbox feature. "
You weren't calling anyone friendless by name, but two of the four points you made in the comment kinda, sorta indicated that you feel that people who are 'bashing X game chat' are friendless. I know that we frequently use exaggerated terms and phrases in comments here and elsewhere, so I take no offense. I just wanted to be clear what I was replying to.
As for X game chat. I'm not so much bashing it as I am questioning it's importance. Many posters here and eleswhere do talk of the feature in terms that make it sound like a deal breaker to them. I simply do not understand that. It's a nice to have, but it's hardly a feature that my purchasing decision depends on, you know?
Mysterio-
The way you feel like people who say they dont need it, like myself. Is how I feel about people who say they need it.
For instance I'm sitting here explaining the very reasons why I think its not something to get worked up over. Because literally people are still complaining that the PS3 doesnt have the said feature. I only bring up reason, because those complaints exist.
Now the people who do want it get defensive, and act like myself and others who dont dwell over the day it arrives, are bashing it. If people want it that badly thats great. If it comes to the PS3 fine by me. It would be an added bonus, and would be a welcomed one. But people still act like Sony has done nothing in the way of adding features because there still is no cross game chat. I mean Sony is releasing firmware to make PS3 3d ready(great I may have started another argument). But people are still complaining about cross game chat.
So I feel like people are getting worked up over, not really a big deal, as Highlander pointed out there are many many ways to communicate, besides using cross chat. And you feel like people are bashing it, and the people who want it so badly! When really all that is being said is, if the feature comes, great. If not, it shouldnt be a deal breaker for people.
EDIT: btw 50% of my gaming is done online, and I still see no must have for cross game chat. As I said If im in a game of MAG I dont need to be talking to another friend outside that game about the game he is playing, or dinner tomorrow, or whatever. I see no relevance in that at all.
Last edited by bigrailer19 on 6/16/2010 7:04:57 PM
@ Highlander & Bigrailer
I apologize for being defensive on the Cross Chat deal as I was unaware that there are people out there who fuss about it or call it a "deal breaker". I mainly see the majority of people complaining about how "useless" Cross Chat is. I admit, I'm one of many that I know that wants Cross Chat, but myself and everybody I know would hardly call it a deal breaker. I've had conversations with them and we all agreed that if Cross Chat came, and it was ONLY part of the subscription based PSN, but nothing else really offered to us to warrant the price then forget it, we wouldn't pay for it.
My main reason for being defensive on the deal is not because of people who say "if it comes great, but it's not a feature I care about". That's fine, that's your opinion and I respect that. It's comments like "Cross Chat is such a useless feature" To some yes, but not to everybody. There's also the popular "why would I wanna have chat invites sent to me while im in the middle of a good game?" Are you saying that you NEVER get game invites from buddies in a diff game than your in? An invite is an invite, be it chat or game. What makes a Cross Chat invite worse than a game invite?
I don't normally post comments on here as I like reading the articles and other's comments (mainly the regular posters as their comments are usually decent) but the whole negetivity I always read about Cross Chat, a feature that doesn't hurt anybody got to me today and I had to say something. I respect other's opinions, I don't respect ignorent comments.
Again I apologize as I was unaware of people crying over Cross Chat. I want it yes, but I don't NEED it.
this is good indeed and at least there keeping the online free for thos who dont want all the extra goodies and just want to play 🙂 thx sony.
I don't like paying for individual stuff for online play but for a subscription I'm willing to pay. Playstation Plus sounds like fun and more revenue for Sony to start making a profit sounds good to me.
Deal breaker? No
An add on that alot of users would enjoy and would like the ease of use? Yes
If you wouldn't like the option then don't use it. Although, my guess is if the PS3 gets cross game chat, the majority of online gamers would use it.
Sony has a long ways to go to make PSN a good service. aside from using playstation Home to jerk off to a bunch of 13 year old female avatars there is no benefit whatsoever.
Xbox live Gold is still hands down the best gaming service available. Beats the hell out of anything on PC also!
i bought my ps3 and was going to sell my xbox 360 but after using PSN i realized there is no way in hell im selling my 360! I don't even bother chatting to anyone on PSN because I have to type everything out! Can't do cross game chat (Currently), can't have parties with 8 people like xbox live gold, the avatars are awesome, you can send invites to entire parties. You can just select someones name in your friends list and join their game instantly! You can select recent players and invite them to new games without them having to be on your friends list or writing down their PSN id!
I'm not flaming PSn I just really think they have a long ways to go before they start charging people for the service if they want to compete with a machine designed solely for gamers! I love ps3 and 360!