Why the PS3 can't do cross-game chat

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 19 August, 2011

It's a RAM issue.

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."

As revealed by Eurogamer yesterday, PS Vita, due out in Europe early next year, actually has more RAM than the PS3.

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 in terms of the ability to have voice chat across different games."

So, voice chat is better on Vita than PS3?

"We totally agree!" Yoshida replied.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (144) Latest comment 9 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • StolenGlory #1 9 months ago

    "So, voice chat is better on Vita and 360 than PS3?

    "We totally agree!" Yoshida replied."

    Fixed.

  • GamesConnoisseur #2 9 months ago

    So this gen consoles, x360 exclusively do cross game chats for virtually all games and finally Sony owned up what many of us knows. Still see loads of messages nearly 5 years in for PS3 owners hoping in next update there ll be cross game chat!!

    I never cared for it as Deaf myself but can see how it enhance many co op games instead of trying to find right times to do text messages in a crisis situations!

  • RustyBullet #3 9 months ago

    Epic Fail

  • repeater #4 9 months ago

    Curbstomped by General RAM. :/

  • SamboMambo #5 9 months ago

    that's complete bollocks, the ps3 hogs even more ram than the 360 does for its front end, there is more than enough spare for some crappy voice coms. just bad design

  • thesonglessbird #6 9 months ago

    I didn't even know the PS3 couldn't do voice chat. That's how much I use it / care.

  • Acrid #7 9 months ago

    Don't care, if I wanted to talk to people playing other games I can phone them or skype them.

  • Shakey_Jake33 #8 9 months ago

    @SamboMambo - They're not saying it's not possible. They're saying it would have adverse affects on existing games if suddenly that RAM was allocated to voice chat and unavailable to the game.

  • Stratix #9 9 months ago

    If anyone is interested, 360 has 512 MB of ram, but unlike the PS3, this is shared between the system and the GPU. This makes it a lot more flexible.

  • Lexx87 #10 9 months ago

    The guys here not caring about general voice comms either haven't used it before so don't know how good it is, or are social retards who don't talk to anyone.

  • NorUraeus #11 9 months ago

    Well they could probably still do it, they just need to reduce the amount of RAM the OS currently use, and instead of giving the freed up memory to game devs (which they done once already), they could use it for this feature. That said, while I wouldn't mind having cross-game chat, the amount of time I would actually use it would probably be very small. Usually if I want to talk to my friends while playing I would be playing the same game, and the fact that I never bothered calling anyone on skype from my laptop when playing a game indicates how crucial cross-game chat would be for me.

  • Dismiss #12 9 months ago

    Erm... voice chat is not the same as cross-game chat. Just saying.

  • Zyklonbzombie #13 9 months ago

    I've never really found myself wishing I had cross-game chat. It seems odd to me that someone would use their PS3 to chat in any other circumstance, rather than simply using a phone/skype/msn/whatever. I guess it's just more convenient for some.

    That said, it seems odd that cross game chat would take up more RAM than normal voice chat in games where that feature exists. Couldn't they just enable it for compatible games (i.e. pretty much anything with multiplayer) and stick an icon on the box indicating it as a feature?

  • rotmm #14 9 months ago

    @Stratix, "If anyone is interested, 360 has 512 MB of ram, but unlike the PS3, this is shared between the system and the GPU. This makes it a lot more flexible."

    True. But that's not why the 360 can do cross-game chat. That is purely down to MS including it from the start and fitting it into the 32MB that is reserved for the OS. Sony didn't do this with the PS3, so no retrofitting it is possible for the reasons stated in the article.

  • Sid-Nice #15 9 months ago

    It would make sense for Sony to put more memory in future versions of the PS3; if they want the console to have a 10 year life cycle?

  • peeps #16 9 months ago

    Makes sense but why not just say this back when people were going on and on about how they wanted this feature... why not just say in the first place that it was impossible lol Also if this is to do with the OS/Games using RAM is that perhaps why with the XMB is still rather laggy when in a game and has never truly been adressed in updates... hmmmm

  • rashes #17 9 months ago

    I never knew this was still the case. Assumed it had been patched years ago. Unreal.

  • BlueHaze_Sean #18 9 months ago

    "or are social retards who don't talk to anyone"

    With that coming from someone who is tagged as a moderator, I am beginning to understand why the standard in the comments sections drops so low
    Edited by BlueHaze_Sean at 19/08/11 @ 13:22

  • BigE0n #19 9 months ago

    How much Of the Ram would Cross Game Voice Chat use then?

    Surley they could implement it seeing as when the PS3 was first released the OS used More system Ram than it does now after the changes made via firmware updates, so that must have freed up some Ram that could have been ear marked for use for this feature rather than giving it to a games Ram resource.

    Obviously now the OS has slimmed down and they have allowed some games to use this extra resource it can not be done, but you would hope the next time the OS is slimmed down they should look into allocating the RAM gained to Cross Game Chat?

  • xuiton #20 9 months ago

    well if they do release a console in 2014 both MS and Sony. We should at least get 4 GB of ram minimum. Because even in 2006 512/256 of ram was pathetic.

  • andijames #21 9 months ago

    How much RAM does the 360 dashboard take up? Is it something stupidly small like 48M or something like that? Considering the PS3's takes up around 100M they could probably enable it if it were possible to optimize the OS code further but i'm guessing they've pretty much exhausted that avenue now!

    Oh well i guess it stands them in good stead for next generation (plus VITA).

  • edhe #22 9 months ago

    Further evidence that MS did more research into the 360 than sony did into the ps3.

  • Centrifugal #23 9 months ago

    One of the reasons I roll 360; the PS3 is a great console with some wonderful exclusives but the ability to be able to chat with friends even when playing a single-player game is vital for me. And I don't want to be faffing about with Skype to do so.

  • torment74 #24 9 months ago

    In other words a handheld can multi task better than a full fat console!

  • vizzini #25 9 months ago

    lexx87: The guys here not caring about general voice comms either haven't used it before so don't know how good it is, or are social retards who don't talk to anyone.

    I personally think it is a pointless feature, just like overlaying xmb music(and am far more socially successful in the real world than virtual world).

    Cross game chat is actually sign of poor manners and etiquette imho. The people you are playing with should be getting your undivided attention, and you should respect the work gone into making a game(just like a film or book) to avoid sullying it with an overlay of music that the designer didn't choose.

  • OldK1ngCole #26 9 months ago

    @Zyklonbzombie I've never really found myself wishing I had cross-game chat. It seems odd to me that someone would use their PS3 to chat in any other circumstance, rather than simply using a phone/skype/msn/whatever. I guess it's just more convenient for some.

    I use cross game chat on my X360 a hell of a lot to talk with my brother and friends while playing single player games. I'm not a big into online multiplayer gaming like they are so it's nice I can play what I want, as can they but we can still chat.

    My PS3 hardly ever gets turned on though (exclusives only) as all my friends are X360 gamers, so this function would be wasted on me. But I more than understand why many gamers on Sony's machine would want to have it.
    Edited by OldK1ngCole at 19/08/11 @ 13:34

  • airjoca #27 9 months ago

    Don't really see the point of cross-game voice chat...

    - "Covering Fire!!!"
    - "How the F**k can Cech save that, it was in the top corner!"
    - "This scrub keeps spamming wake-up Shoryukens!"

  • andijames #28 9 months ago

    And let's not forget when this generation kicked off PS3 didn't even have online games! I mean Virtua Tennis 3 was a 1 player game. Sony didn't build this machine with the 'social hub' in mind whereas microsoft integrated live from the start. It's actually a godsend for online FW updates so we can have the improvements we have had so far.

  • trevd72 #29 9 months ago

    The PS3 frontend is a shambles compared to the360. something as simple as switching profiles in a game needs the console to restart. cross comms is a good thing for the social part of gaming. there are a large group of us who play online regular and we can all get together and chat while playing different games and it allow us to easily organise online matches.

    sony online might be free but you can get live for £30 and it is worth it compared to what the ps3 offers.

  • theonlyix #30 9 months ago

    Cross game voice chat is vital when a group of friends are discussing what to play or just sit and chatter while playing. Its one of the worst misses on the PS3, and they have had quite a few misses with their design to date.

    Please dont encourage Sony to release products like this with your wallets.

  • onyxbox #31 9 months ago

    Ah well, water under the bridge now TBH. Cross game chat is a nice to have but not as important as in game chat.

    Sony should have made allowances to accommodate this type of feature from the beginning but I think back then they just didn't see the need. Now and from now on I think all future Sony hardware will be very connected, the PS Vita is evidence that their thinking and philosophy on the matter has changed.

    Personally I always found cross game chat an annoyance but I recognise it's a feature thats helped 360 maintain a very strong community and promote a great social environment for gamers.

  • neilqpr #32 9 months ago

    The thought of playing on a Friday or Saturday night and not having Marco burst into cross game party chat drunk is just plain weird.

  • Obli #33 9 months ago

    The PS3 and PSN was not designed for cross-game chat. Sony missed that opportunity. If they had thought to implement this from the start, the amount of RAM would have been adequate although it would have meant that games developers would have had slightly less to play with.

    As it is, five years down the line, to add a feature that would consume more memory would cause some serious / fatal issues with the existing catalogue of games. I guess Sony has experimented, realised how much RAM is needed for cross-game chat and have concluded that they cannot free up enough spare RAM by reducing the OS memory footprint, despite their best efforts.
    Edited by Obli at 19/08/11 @ 15:55

  • coolbritannia #34 9 months ago

    Damn you Microsoft, another exclusive on your console, ruining everyone's fun!

  • Financed_Hoe #35 9 months ago

    oh well, skype on the phone it is, then.

  • BartsBlue #36 9 months ago

    @Lexx87
    As a moderator you should set example and refrain from comments that insult other users.

    I have used cross-game chat and am not fond of it. Breaks the immersion for me. So I am totally indifferent as to its lack on PS3 and that does not make me a social retard.

  • muscleblade #37 9 months ago

    I personally like to talk to my friends while playing different single player games than they are. We dont nessesary talk about games at all. Im being social at the same time as im sitting home by myself on a Friday night playing games. It feels better and less lonely imo.

  • Vanmunt #38 9 months ago

    I do miss cross game chat on ps3, it is beyond doubt handy on the 360.. but I would rather have decent exclusives!

  • muscleblade #39 9 months ago

    @Vanmunt

    I rather have Gears 3 and Halo 4 more than anything else but thats me.
    Cross game chat isnt a must but its a welcome addition.
    Edited by muscleblade at 19/08/11 @ 13:48

  • Kaddiska #40 9 months ago

    o.O?? is Lexx87 really a moderator???

  • makeamazing #41 9 months ago

    The guys here not caring about general voice comms either haven't used it before so don't know how good it is, or are social retards who don't talk to anyone.

    Or don't care much for hearing what some wally somewhere else is saying.... just because some people dont like using it, doesnt make it a bad thing.

  • thiagots85 #42 9 months ago

    well, it's a feature missed... but since I don't even like to talk with friends while I'm playing some single player game in my steam, or even some multiplayer that I'm playing alone (without those friends)... I can live without that

    It's a shame ps3 can only not do that

  • mcmonkeyplc #43 9 months ago

    Oh all of a sudden:

    I cant see the point in cross game chat:

    "Hey, do you fancy playing some BF2"?

    "Yeah I've just go to level up in GENERIC SINGLE PLAYER GAME, then I'll come over"

    "Cool let me know when your done"

    "Ok".

    No, no point at all.

  • sonicyoda #44 9 months ago

    I really do not miss voice chat. I just find it more distracting then anything.

    Also, well done Lexx; you're about to become the least popular mod at Eurogamer.
    Edited by sonicyoda at 19/08/11 @ 14:20

  • Feanor #45 9 months ago

    "Further evidence that MS did more research into the 360 than sony did into the ps3."

    All that research obviously didn't go into heat dissipation.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360_te...

  • TopKatt #46 9 months ago

    For a so called moderator to call people with a different opinion "retards" is quite frankly shocking on a professional site such as Eurogamer. Lexx87 can you please ban yourself?

  • funkateer #47 9 months ago

    Is it normal if a popular website's moderator insults its visitors?

  • StolenGlory #48 9 months ago

    "The guys here not caring about general voice comms either haven't used it before so don't know how good it is, or are social retards who don't talk to anyone."

    Yeah right, or they could be y'know, actually DEAF?

    Christ. Sensitive much?
    Edited by StolenGlory at 19/08/11 @ 14:24

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #49 9 months ago

    I know they were working on it at one point then it all went quiet, good to know its just not gonna happen now rather than thinking it might, still it wont stop people asking for it, people still ask for PS2 Games to be put on the PSN store even tho we know its impossible to emulate them.

  • sfp_noodle #50 9 months ago

    @lexx87

    I question the intelligence of the EG staff when they make someone like you who is such a 360 fanboy as moderator. I question it even more when they let you get away with derogatory comments like that. You've been reported for inappropriate behaviour and I hope you lose you moderator benefits as a result. Twat.

  • mcmonkeyplc #51 9 months ago

    It's not an essential feature I know, but the way you sony fanboys constantly asked for it made it sound like you really wanted it.

    Clearly that was just a massive illusion.

    You didn't really want it....now you can't have it.

    So why all the anger?
    Edited by mcmonkeyplc at 19/08/11 @ 14:26

  • laudy #52 9 months ago

    who mods the mods?

  • holloguts #53 9 months ago

    Cross game chat is not the name for it. On the 360 it is called 'Party Chat' . It doesn't matter if your in different games, on the dashboard, listening to music or watching films.

    I use it with family and friends everyday. Weekends we get together on the dashboard and watch F1 while connected in party chat because we are in different parts of the country. It's great, especially with the wireless earpiece. It was especially helpful when one of the family was living in Cyprus.

    We start a party chat as soon as we switch on, then we can go play a game or whatever and anyone who switches on just joins the chat, there is no need to interrupt the game and send invites out. There is no need for them to join the game, and it doesn't interrupt your game because you have to go look at some text message from the person who wants to chat.

    It is a great feature. I was surprised to find the PS3 cannot do this.Good to know the new Sony hand held will have this

    Got to say I'm not impressed with the moderators comments, they are supposed to stop comments like that. Can't even put him on ignore list. Shame.

  • mumblyjoe #54 9 months ago

    Personnally I couldn't give a flying fuck about cross game chat

  • Quixz #55 9 months ago

    Wow genuinely shocked. With a bit more OS trimming they should be able to implement it down the road. maybe hire Microsoft to reprogram the PS3 LOL

  • Architect_z #56 9 months ago

    Maybe i'm wierd or something, but do that many people desperatley need the cross chat thing?

    I mean it would be a cool option, but normally i only talk to my online mates if i'm playing the same game. If I wanna talk to them otherwise, i use my phone, my pc, skype, ps3 chat room....etc. Theres many ways you can communicate without having to use a cross-game chat, and you can use these options while your playing your game anyway.
    Like I say, the cross-game chat thing would be good, but is it really that big of a deal if we don't have it?

  • TechnicPuppet #57 9 months ago

    Party chat is one of the best features of Xbox live. I use it on a daily basis.

  • SteveHolt #58 9 months ago

    To all those who say they don't want cross game chat: If you play a game on X360 and don't want to chat, you can appear offline at the press of a button, and no one will know you're there. There's basically no downside to this feature, that's why the "do not want" comments are misguided IMO. It's not like you're gonna be teleported in a COD chat while playing LA noire, it doesn't work like that.

  • Whizzo #59 9 months ago

    Cross game chat is actually sign of poor manners and etiquette imho.

    Talking with your mouth full and wearing a hat indoors is poor manners and etiquette, the facility of being able to communicate with your friends no matter what they're doing on a console certainly isn't.
    Edited by Whizzo at 19/08/11 @ 15:08

  • Lexx87 #60 9 months ago

    Maybe I should have gone with social aliens instead.

    Stick by my point though. Cross game chat on live has been essential for my social experience on there, so being against it is simply because you've not experienced it I can't see how anyone could actually be against the thing.

  • warlockuk #61 9 months ago

    I forgot how many total mouthbreathers there are in the comments section of this site. People: It's a game site. Shut your whinge-flaps.

  • Ford #62 9 months ago

    Some of the "logic" you guys are using to attempt to justify a missing feature like this is quite lame.

    Just take it for what it is, something you can't do on your console of choice. No need to go spitting venom at people who don't share your opinion.

    Oh, and by the way, some of the pathetic self-righteousness displayed regarding Lexx's comment are absolutely pathetic. Get real, this is a videogame website.

  • kirankara #63 9 months ago

    Lexx87 Moderator
    19/08/11 @ 13:10

    "The guys here not caring about general voice comms either haven't used it before so don't know how good it is, or are social retards who don't talk to anyone. "

    I personally think it's great that someone who is a moderator can use offensive and politically incorrect terminology like "social retards".

    Second of all, cross game chat is clearly different to in game voice chat, and doesn't really offer any significant advantage as a system when playing a game.

    It maybe useful for organising games amongst friends etc.

    I have ps3 and 360, and use in game chat, but have never used cross game chat ever.

    If that classifies me as a "social retard", then great.
    Edited by kirankara at 19/08/11 @ 15:47

  • elephant_stone #64 9 months ago

    At least we have a clear cut answer finally. I can live with that.

  • w00t #65 9 months ago

    Yup, party chat on Xbox is great - catch up with mates while you all play your own games.
    Edited by w00t at 19/08/11 @ 15:05

  • Bailzebub #66 9 months ago

    Would love it for Battlefield on the PS3 when some of your mates get left out of the squads.

  • TopKatt #67 9 months ago

    The point is Lexx that some of us don't particularly enjoy chatting while playing games. I'm quite happy chatting to my mates but I'd rather do that by going out and meeting them and I'd rather not be chatting to anyone whilst playing games. All that means is that party chat is not a feature that I use on my 360 or miss on my PS3. That doesn't reflect on me or my social skills any more than the fact that you use it reflects on you.

  • Lukus #68 9 months ago

    This thread is chock full of social retards.

  • sonicyoda #69 9 months ago

    @Lexx

    I have experienced cross-game chat because I used to own a 360 (3 in fact, but they all red-ringed so I gave up after the last one and got my money back) and my experience of it was pretty irritating. Granted, I could have just appeared offline, but all that ever happened was I'd be playing a game and then someone would ask to chat and then I'd get really distracted trying to chat and play at the same time. I'm much more happy and focussed on the PS3 without the need for a headset thank you very much. Thanks again for making a completely uneducated assumption.
    Edited by sonicyoda at 19/08/11 @ 15:18

  • slickster #70 9 months ago

    who gives a fuck about cross game chat when you can play online for free with ps3.

  • Ford #71 9 months ago

    Hard to believe that the console wars are still waging even now, with both factions still unwilling to give any quarter to reasonable discussion in favour of weightless assertions.

  • Lexx87 #72 9 months ago

    Why so serious?

    It's a comments thread on a game forum, always full of not always so light hearted banter I agree but. It's not like you are being personally abused by something I or someone says. It's a throwaway comment, cause, it's a comment thread about one news story.

  • nickthegun #73 9 months ago

    As a social retard myself, i am utterly appalled and request lexx has his moderator tag stripped and all the benefits that go with it rescinded.

  • yupyup #74 9 months ago

    Early during it's R&D phase, Sony identified excess saliva as the main cause of the problem with the SixAxis/DualShock3 when average PlayStation 3 users attempted talking whilst playing.

  • bratmandu #75 9 months ago

    Surprised the ps3 doesn't have this, I use the 360's party chat all the time to talk to friends n family. Why should I have to be playing the same game as someone to chat? That's bizarre - I guess ps3 people aren't very social. No wonder the online functions are free, they suck balls!

  • maximusfarticus #76 9 months ago

    I can see why xbox owners would need cross game chat, if they stopped yakking for five minutes their brains might start to work.

  • nickthegun #77 9 months ago

    Yeah, stupid xbox owners! Of which lexx is clearly one... the idiot!!

  • sonicyoda #78 9 months ago

    @Lexx

    Why so serious? Because internet bullying is a serious thing that effects many people and you're supposed to be there to stop that. This makes the whole experience of commenting here with fellow gamers a more pleasurable one. Instead, you called us all social retards. Well done.

  • des #79 9 months ago

    but but but the power of Cell!!!
    Nice to see that Sony is admitting their failures.
    Iif Sony really wanted PS3 cross game chat they would do it but that would require tons of money...over-bloated PS3 OS is the first target

    In short,please buy PS4!

    sdf in melting mode,years of crying over cross game chat and now they have to face the reality...nothing comes for free

  • kirankara #80 9 months ago

    Lexx87 Moderator
    19/08/11 @ 15:26

    "Why so serious?

    It's a comments thread on a game forum, always full of not always so light hearted banter I agree but. It's not like you are being personally abused by something I or someone says. It's a throwaway comment, cause, it's a comment thread about one news story."

    It seems slightly hypocritical that i was almost castigated by a few individual as some sort of leper , as I used abbreviated terms like ppl and u in posts, as it was "against forum policy", and yet moderators can infer members of it's forums are social retards, as they don't want/care about, cross game chat.

    I just think if the boundaries are set in some ways to uphold a certain calibre of forum members, then the Moderators should also show some level of decorum in their posts.

    I personally am ok with you calling people social retards, and throwing in some expletives along side it, but there needs to be clear boundaries set , and hosts should uphold them. I'm pretty certain a poster could complain about a term being used against them in a post like "social retard", and would possibly get a warning for doing so, so shouldn't a moderator avoid making such comments too?

  • kirankara #81 9 months ago

    des
    19/08/11 @ 15:48

    "but but but the power of Cell!!!
    Nice to see that Sony is admitting their failures.
    Iif Sony really wanted PS3 cross game chat they would do it but that would require tons of money...over-bloated PS3 OS is the first target

    In short,please buy PS4!

    sdf in melting mode,years of crying over cross game chat and now they have to face the reality...nothing comes for free"

    surely the cost of psn(or lack of it) is completely irrelevant? fanboy

  • maximusfarticus #82 9 months ago

    So did they change the name from cross game chat because they aren't bringing any games out this year? You xbox owners are such retards.


    It's okay to say that now right?

  • des #83 9 months ago

    PS+ is getting more and more exclusive features,don't be surprised if Sony somehow finds enough RAM for PS+ subscribers.

    This RAM excuse is pretty weak.
    Edited by des at 19/08/11 @ 16:22

  • charliemouse #84 9 months ago

    I'm here to play, not here to chat. That's what pubs are for.

    I only use chat if I'm playing the same game with people but I can see how others would want it.

  • Lexx87 #85 9 months ago

    nipsen, a nice thoughtful logical response and a good point well made.

    When Amazon chucks out a nice PS3 deal considering the new price cuts I look forward to getting one myself. If only to finally get to play bloody WipeOut HD!

  • MattyB2007 #86 9 months ago

    Essentially Lexx is right though, even if he didn't word it very well. Your either an anti-social gamer (plenty about and not a bad thing) who wouldn't like it or you simply haven't tried it and are making excuses. Cross game/Party chat is a great feature and I find it quite sad so many people are trying to make excuses for it it not being on PS3. if the PS3 had it, i'd sure be using it a lot more than I do!!

  • Retroid #87 9 months ago

    To those people saying "I don't see the point"; do you play your games in silence when you have mates over? Never wanted to talk casually when playing a game to catch up with someone? Try to work out how to fix an issue a friend is having when trying to join your lobby?

    It's an incredibly handy feature for a number of reasons.

  • Kami #88 9 months ago

    "The guys here not caring about general voice comms either haven't used it before so don't know how good it is, or are social retards who don't talk to anyone."

    Sweeping generalisations are sweeping.

    I admit, I don't use voice comms much. But then, I stammer. Some days not so much, some days very badly, my g's and k's are the worst, and I stumble over n's a bit. I used to be fine when people had patience and understanding - these days, that is no longer the case for 99.99% of the general population. They want to hurry me up - usually making it worse, or they finish my sentences - do you have any idea of how bloody ANNOYING that is?! It's like, hello, I have an opinion and I'd appreciate you NOT imposing your opinions on what I'm trying to say thanks! I can't count the amount of times I've snarled at people for it, and even slapped people over the back of the head for it.

    Your comment isn't lighthearted or throwaway in the slightest Lexx87 - for those who are deaf, dumb or like me, stammer a lot, it's actually rather condescending and patronising. How DARE we be different to you! How dare we have our own little problems. How dare we complicate your tiny little world of simple communication by, you know, having problems with communication.

    It's why I write and type, and do so very quickly. Because for me, this is my PRIMARY means of communicating. Typing. Blogging. E-mail. Text. Words not from my mouth, but my hands. Just as talking is natural to so many people, typing and writing is the same for me - because it's a more efficient and speedier alternative to skipping over words and letters and just pissing everyone off to the point they shout at me.

    I don't think you meant to really dig this hole for yourself, but please stop digging yourself deeper. It really gets you nowhere in a hurry.

    Anyway, to the news story itself - and, well, it's certainly not hurt the PS3 that much. I'm sure voice comms cross-game are something people want and enjoy, but it's not an essential thing to have. I was under the impression we had something that allowed voice communication already... what was it... umm... oh right, a telephone!

    As for talking to strangers, that depends entirely on who is in that group I suppose. I've met a few people tolerant of my stammer... and I've met more who it just winds them up the wrong way. Also depends on your opinions and how you word them I suppose... can't win all of the time, true, but it only takes one spark to create a raging fire of hate.

    That's the internet for you. Impatient and condescending as it has been for years. Once upon a time, differences were accepted and applauded as we tried to reach out through this vast weave of networks and reach people. Now, it's me me me and now now now, and anything that shortcuts it is welcomed.

    Even if it's only to tell someone "F*** you!".

    The Penny Arcade Greater Internet F***wad Theory should be renamed. It's no longer a theory. I'd say there's ample evidence for it to be considered fact.

    And if the future is hearing more people swearing in my eardrum at regular intervals... ugh. Count me out. I'll go down the pub with my neighbours and have an awkward social interaction listening to people swear like troopers with Tourettes. I don't need it in my own home.

    It's where I prefer to get AWAY from that.
    Edited by Kami at 19/08/11 @ 16:26

  • TopKatt #89 9 months ago

    @Retroid

    It's not a case of not seeing the point, more that it doesn't interest me and therefore I don't miss it. I won't insult anyone who uses and enjoys the feature and I expect the same courtesy in return.

  • Ryze #90 9 months ago

    @Shakey_Jake33

    NO, they're saying that existing games wouldn't run if the OS used MORE RAM by adding an OS level chat system. New games would be even more starved of RAM.

    Now, what @SamboMambo is saying, is that the PS3 OS is larger by default than it should be, and I agree.

    It was even bigger at launch, so a lot of launch era games actually use much less than 256MB, I'd have to Google to find out how much they used to have. 180MB or something ridiculous, but I'm sure someone will correct me on the launch PS3 OS memory footprint.

    It's since shrunk, but still seems to be excessive considering the FUNCTIONALITY offered by the 360's much smaller OS footprint. There are obviously going to be other services running that we can't appreciate, but we believe that these may not be as essential, or efficient with RAM as they could be.

    Oh well! I very seldom use the PS3 for online gaming as a result of this anyway. Just the odd occasional game, as I find their system to be generally broken in terms of getting into friends' games, and obviously communicating with people to decide on a game in the first place.

    I have workmates on PSN (just a couple) who I've not messaged on there for ages, as we simply play different games. It'd be nice to have a casual chat, and arrange for a game of WipEout HD or something else that everyone has.

    Too much hassle (edit: unless they're also on Xbox live, as I've used XBL Party chat to arrange PS3 games in the past).
    Edited by Ryze at 19/08/11 @ 19:36

  • funkateer #91 9 months ago

    "If that classifies me as a "social retard", then great. "
    Nononono, you're a social *alien* now. Which of course is lot cooler somehow.

    "nipsen, a nice thoughtful logical response and a good point well made. "
    I dunno, I just read a lot of irrelevant blabbering there, but I'm glad you 2 seem to understand eachother.

  • Retroid #92 9 months ago

    @TopKatt

    I'm not calling anyone names for disagreeing, just saying it's a feature which has a multitude of uses. It's very handy to have & it should be a standard thing with voice chat. That's it.

  • TONYgr #93 9 months ago

    Well i used party chat on my 360 to play co-op demon's souls on my ps3 with a friend,a nice thing to have.

  • thefrag #94 9 months ago

    @lexx87

    So I'm a social retard cause I dont want to talk to someone else whilst playing a different game or single player campaign? Just because you use facebook to keep in touch with ppl doesnt make you a real social butterfly, behind your monitor and all. What kind of garbage do they let moderators spout out? Is it a raw deal that ps3 can't do cross game chat? Yeah. Not everyone chooses to be talking to ppl 24/7. Your prolly one of those ppl that go everywhere with a bluetooth in your ear. I talk as lil as possible even online, I want my peace and dont feel I should have to be pressured to talk to ppl when I'm on my chill time.

  • thefrag #95 9 months ago

    anyone with a pc can do that without the need for live fees. there are a shit ton of applications to do chat on the pc and are free free free.

  • chibber23 #96 9 months ago

    Step 1 - Make the memory footprint of the OS smaller.
    Step 2 - Use the newly freed memory to run new features.

    It's well documented the PS3 OS is bloated - so higher some programmers to reduce it... you could start by removing all the extra icons that don't work from the 'in game' cross media bar.
    Edited by chibber23 at 19/08/11 @ 16:52

  • Mister-Wario #97 9 months ago

    I've used cross-game chat on the 360 and it's pretty handy if, say, you're playing a game and a friend you know comes on and you fancy having a chat with them. I don't really know any gamers now on 360 or PS3, so the chat feature is pretty redundant for me right now. That said, I hope Sony make allowances for it on their next console.

  • warlockuk #98 9 months ago

    You're social retards for arguing about the phrase social retards. A mod isn't a representative of the site, he's just some volunteer who helps keep the spammers at bay. You all need to just shut the fuck up about it. There are far worse things in the world than poorly chosen wording.

  • coolbritannia #99 9 months ago

    Now the mods know how I feel...

  • Quak #100 9 months ago

    So for 5 years they've said the feature is coming, then when they have a portable on the horizon that can actually do cross-game chat they finally come clean and admit there's no chance in hell of it coming out for PS3.

  • Lucodeath #101 9 months ago

    Anyone who says cross game chat is good gets negged. Its not mandatory to use unlike installs on ps3. Green eyed monsters or what. I dont use it much but it works. As for that comment by the mod, so what its not a direct attack on anyone. And yes I do have a ps3.
    Edited by Lucodeath at 19/08/11 @ 17:21

  • DoucheVader #102 9 months ago

    Wow it has taken the journalistic public to finally say what I have been saying in comments every time someone mentions Cross Game Chat on PS3.

  • Invisible_Cow #103 9 months ago

    Party Chat is massively useful, but people seem to have forgotten that it wasn't built into Xbox Live from day 1 - they patched it in. That's why it seems so poor to me that Sony are unable to do.

  • M_of_the_sys #104 9 months ago

    Just because you don't care about cross game chat doesn't mean there aren't people out there who do. I've always wondered what the fuss was about with cross game chat as it never really appealed to me but that doesn't mean I don't think it would be a nice feature to have.

  • vizzini #105 9 months ago

    Retroid: I'm not calling anyone names for disagreeing, just saying it's a feature which has a multitude of uses. It's very handy to have & it should be a standard thing with voice chat. That's it

    I disagree, I think it is a feature that has resulted in gamer's basic manners declining in the real social world that I'm not a "retard" in.

    When arranging to go to the pub with friends it is customary good behaviour to say in advance if you are bringing people, others might not expect to be there; and while there, it is expected by all that using phones (for phonecalls and texting) is kept to the absolute minimum; just like if spending time with family, as a matter of respect of the social event.

    Occasionally in our local gaming sessions someone will receive a call/text from someone important and have to put down their pad or pause the multiplayer and that is acceptable, as needs must.

    But should people start using their phones liberally calling others then collectively as a group we reign that person in. They can use their own time to stay at home to do that, but wasting friend's time isn't very friendly.

    iirc party cross game chat tends to mimic the bad mannered friend model more often than not. So I really do have no use for it, and don't welcome it for PS4 or PS Vita for that matter, I can use a laptop or smartphone if I ever find a need to use that feature.

    But the main reason it probably can''t be retro fitted for PS3 is because of PlayTV's background recording which uses the 7th SPU even while playing games(online/offline) or media playback. Otherwise the 7th SPU would have more than enough RAM (256KB) to fit a cross game 64Kbit/sec (composite uncompressed) voice channel into.
    Edited by vizzini at 19/08/11 @ 23:21

  • Scurrminator #106 9 months ago

    This is harsh. Mods have feelings too!

  • Xardan #107 9 months ago

    Well we all know PS3 people dont have any friends anyway, so its no surprise they arent that bothered ;)

    Seriously though if there was cross game chat and other more social features on the PS3 they would have a more vibrant lively integrated community. Like the one XBox Live currently enjoys.

  • Collymilad #108 9 months ago

    LAWL.

    Cross game chat is one of the most useful features ever integrated into a console.

    Only people with no mates would see not use for it.
    Edited by Collymilad at 19/08/11 @ 17:40

  • Lucodeath #109 9 months ago

    @vizzini
    What are you on about?

  • Kami #110 9 months ago

    @Collymilad; If that helps you get through the day, believe it.

    Reality is, we're all different. As I said, I stammer - I enjoy social events and interaction as well, it's just... communication requires understanding. And few understand. So the friends I do have, I am close to, because they don't rush me or finish me or try to explain in my stead.

    Some people will use Voice Comms - some won't. I agree having the CHOICE is fine and dandy...

    But there's nothing wrong with choosing to say no. The problem is in the mentality of "With us or against us". And "Now now now hurry up I don't have all day!". There are valid physical and mental reasons why some people struggle to communicate and will choose to not use voice comms.

    What is annoying is that the people who choose to not use it are painted as retards and alien and antisocial. The truth is often not so - but we're subjugated by people with no previous experience or understanding of the issue. This further drives the wedge into the problem, and rather than work with those of us who have an issue, the loudest people tend to make the most noise. And want more amplification to boot.

    THAT is worth discussing and debating. We're not all perfect - some of us can't talk properly. And some of us... well... can't think properly.

    Or at least, choose not to, eh?
    Edited by Kami at 19/08/11 @ 18:17

  • coldfoot #111 9 months ago

    Simple solution: release a Kinect-knockoff next generation PS-eye 3D camera that has the required memory and processing power, include it in every new PS3.

  • Machiavellian #112 9 months ago

    I do not use cross game chat that often but I have used it and when I have it proved to be a nice feature. Usually it happens when I send a party request, and my friends could be doing other things. Some will jump into the chat and talk, say what they are doing or state they cannot play etc. It's a nice feature and becomes more important the more friends you have that have the 360. Most of my co-workers have 360 because it was given as a gift so we always connect that way.

  • Architect_z #113 9 months ago

    Everyone needs to chill out and grow up.

    The comments made by the admins arent that offensive, and if you take offence then you need to grow a pair and realise that people use demeaning comments to enhance the humour of the situation. Hell if you take offence, you are a retard.

    There will always be fanboyism on gaming sites especially with 360 and PS3 owners constantly battleing over what features come with which consoles. 360 owners are happy with party chat, I perosnally am I happy I have a Blu-ray player.

    What does it matter? PS3 doesnt have voice chat, theres no reason for everyone to get moody.

    Peace ^_^

  • shaolinsword #114 9 months ago

    X Game Chat was a handy feature when I had my 360 but I'm used to using other programs or text chat when I wanna talk to people

    Should I get used to Mods being biased and insulting users on this site?

  • Phredreeke #115 9 months ago

    I remember an invention that let you speak to people far away without using a console... I think it was called a phone.

  • SeesThroughAll #116 9 months ago

    It's happened numerous times. Achievements/trophies was the big one, with all the Sony fanboy idiots saying they were pointless, then a few months after the PS3 got trophies you'd see the same mongs saying "I won't buy a game unless it's got a platinum".

    I know exactly what you mean... I remember what XBox fanboys used to say about Miis, before the avatars, that is.

  • Murton #117 9 months ago

    "The guys here not caring about general voice comms either haven't used it before so don't know how good it is, or are social retards who don't talk to anyone."

    I think I can speak for everyone when I say you sir, are a colossal penis. No wonder the comments section is as bad as it is if this is the attitude of the moderation team.

  • Retroid #118 9 months ago

    Ah, one of the things I've not missed about moderating EG while I've been busy; people voting comments down not because of their content, but because of imagined / inferred bias.

    /Sigh

    Edit: nowt to do with Murton's post (or any others, actually) - just amusing to see the same names cropping up - still - in votes.
    Edited by Retroid at 19/08/11 @ 21:00

  • ONI5 #119 9 months ago

    Sure it's not from a MS patent?

  • Murton #120 9 months ago

    @retroid: it's not my intention to imply any bias, I find the tone insulting and unbefitting of a moderator who should frankly be setting an example. If you took that to mean that I think he is biased in any way toward one of the consoles then that's a mistake.

    His is the only post I have voted down here and it's quite disappointing that despite him sitting on over -80 his post doesn't get buried due to his moderator status.

  • MDL199 #121 9 months ago

    I own both consoles and i've only used cross game chat once on my 360 and that was just to try it out. Why the hell would you want to be chatting to someone playing a totally different game to you when you should be concentrating on the game you're playing and chatting to your team mates?

    I have used party chat occasionly but you can get that on PS3 too if the game supports it but there's a big downside to that too. On 360 you often have people with headsets on but they're all in a party meaning actual in game chat is zero and this often happens in games where teamwork is very important.

    I think in team based multiplayer games cross game chat and party chat should be disabled so people actually have to talk to everyone in game.

    In short, PS3 owners shouldn't give a flying f**k about cross game chat and the only reason Xbox users go on about it so much is because it's one of the few features they have that the PS3 doesn't and they have to come up with something to justify their £40 a year gold subscription. Also, have to say the voice quality in cross game chat is not as good as in game chat in my limited experience. Maybe, that's down to memory I don't know.
    Edited by MDL199 at 19/08/11 @ 21:37

  • Retroid #122 9 months ago

    @Murton

    I already said my post wasn't in reference to your post! When I wrote that your comment wasn't even there.

  • sourc0r #123 9 months ago

    did they even THINK while designing the PS3? just think of what has been removed, added and won't be possible. you could write a fuckin book about that shit.
    it's hilarious actually. sad, yeah, but mostly hilarious

  • vizzini #124 9 months ago

    MDL199: Also, have to say the voice quality in cross game chat is not as good as in game chat in my limited experience. Maybe, that's down to memory I don't know.

    It will be packet priority and data packet size, and routing(hop counts) of the cross chat peers that's most likely affecting the quality; well that's on the assumption that the system is well designed and sets priority of data packets and network settings to compliment the peers who are actually in your game, above and beyond those who you are merely talking to in cross chat.

    Voice communication and multiplayer inputs is deterministic data requiring an isochronous bi-directional data stream, which is essentially premium routed traffic; so offering full quality cross game chat requires more expensive telecoms routing, instead of smaller or less frequent packets transmissions.

  • Slipstream #125 9 months ago

    Cross game chat is absolutely essential for me as I chat to my friends whilst playing different games often. It is the only feature my PS3 is missing. Chatting about Demon Souls as I play along side my friend would've been alot less irritating with it.

  • Murton #126 9 months ago

    @retroid - I know, I was just clarifying my position in case people made the inference anyway.

    I've cancelled your neg by the way, not sure who negged you or why but I share the same beef with the karma system as you do, it's supposed to be used for getting rid of unwanted posts based on content but is invariably used as some sort of fanboy "weapon" down-voting people who don't like the same console as you and up-voting the people who do. Kinda pointless having it at all really.

  • Machiavellian #127 9 months ago

    I own both consoles and i've only used cross game chat once on my 360 and that was just to try it out. Why the hell would you want to be chatting to someone playing a totally different game to you when you should be concentrating on the game you're playing and chatting to your team mates?

    You seem to have this assumption that all games played on a console are multiplayer and that everyone is playing multiplayer games. Not only is this not the case but people can be doing a wealth of different things on their console besides playing a game period. The best part about party Chat is that it doesn't matter what game, movie, dashboard you name it the person is at, you can communicate with that person. I believe this narrow minded focus that people are in multiplayer games is why most do not understand why others view Party Chat as such a big deal.

    In other words, if you are spending a good amount of time on your console, being able to communicate with your friends no matter what they are doing is a great advantage. It's something Sony felt was necessary with the Vita.

  • Retroid #128 9 months ago

    @Murton

    Good good, just making sure. Hate people getting the wrong end of the stick and it seems to happen far too often in the comments :/

  • MistMeUK #129 9 months ago

    The amount of RAM is not the limited factor, but rather poor planning and execution is the reason for the omission of cross game voice chat.

  • Kami #130 9 months ago

    @Retroid; Personally, no offence taken from Lexx87 really. But it's worth clarifying that his comment was, sadly, a bit of a "brainfart". And it could be implied as insulting to a broad spectrum of people. It's easier to be as broad as possible in encompassing the problem and trying not to point out someone just had their little intellectual backside windypops, but I digress. I think we know Lexx87's post wasn't meant to offend. But it, of course, is worded in such a way that is inevitable.

    People voting down because of fanboy bias or just simply that they disagree is, sadly, a reality of any and all karma systems. You give people the power to neg those they disagree with, even if the opinion is valid, then you end up putting power in their hands. And I dunno about you, but there aren't many people I would trust with power... myself included in that.

    I like karma systems. But with freedom comes power, and with power comes responsibility yadda yadda yadda. Problem is, people can be anonymous on this site (I mean, really, I've seen P. Diddy on this site. I'm sure the rich and talented/less R&B come rapper enjoyed his little stay here.). Penny Arcade GIFT. As I said before, should be revised to fact. I think we have enough evidence on the internet to upgrade the theory to fact.

    When people don't think there are consequences, they can act pretty badly. The riots in the UK being a great recent practical demonstration of that.

    And we come full circle. I love freedom and choice. Just as long as we all know that with that... comes the likelihood that people have the free will to disagree.

    And for gods sake I suddenly sound like Obi Wan. Kill me. Kill me now. ;)
    Edited by Kami at 20/08/11 @ 01:59

  • RedSparrows #131 9 months ago

    Cross game chat is a great feature. The denial of this reminds me of GC owners saying it was good the console lacked DVD, as it would focus on.games.

    It is a great feature, usable at will, for many different things. Sadly the PS3 doesn't have it.

  • redcrayon #132 9 months ago

    I've got no interest in cross-game chat on any system, and didn't even know my PS3 couldn't do it. One of the worst parts of online gaming is dealing with people who are barely interested, distracted by events offline, rude or drunk in the game you are playing together, nevermind the ones you are playing seperately.

    Yeah, it's handy if they are having connection issues. If only there were a dozen or so other ways of contacting someone to sort out a once-in-a-blue-moon problem.

  • BartonFink #133 9 months ago

    RAM Fail!!! lol

  • evilashchris #134 9 months ago

    As a retard myself, I think Lexx is a fucking cunt.

  • RedSparrows #135 9 months ago

    I find it absolutely astonishing that people do not see the potential of cross-game chat.

    It's like people saying social media is 'only people telling nobody in particular that they had beans for dinner'.

    Some of it is, some of it is not much chat at all.

    But most of it is fun, useful, inclusive (in terms of playing with the people you actually like), free of people you simply DON'T want to talk to and quite simply you're being pointlessly obtuse to deny that it's anything but a good feature.

    I am friends with many people who I don't have the number for, or the skype. Why the hell would I go to those when the chat thing is right next to the 'play game' button?

  • GrizzleBoy #136 9 months ago

    I play games to immerse myself into a different world.

    Game developers put SERIOUS time into creating aural soundscapes since half of your enjoyment comes from what you hear.

    Maybe it's just me, but I dont want to hear anyone talk about anything unrelated to the current game I'm playing. Especially when its usually just short bursts of possibly, vaguley interesting "banter" periodically disrupting me while gaming.

    If its a game like Battlefield and you need to be communicating to play effectively and therefore enhance your experience in that game, okay. Talking to people in a co-operative manner I'm cool with.

    However, adding some random element to my gaming experience that actually messes with the immersion.

    No thanks.

    It pisses me off enough to have people in the same room babble at me while I'm doing something, let alone have it directly fed into a headset.

    Go tell someone else/your girlfriend about the shit you did today. I'm trying to fucking game here.
    Edited by GrizzleBoy at 20/08/11 @ 17:56

  • SteveHolt #137 9 months ago

    @grizzleboy: that's why there's an "appear offline" option on X360. Your aural soundscapes would be preserved, even with cross-game chat.

  • GrizzleBoy #138 9 months ago

    I know that @ SteveHolt

    I regularly ignore people trying to invite me into random partys etc while I'm playing my games.

    The point I was making is that not everyone actually gives a flying sock about cross game chat.

    I would argue that there are more that actually couldn't give a toss about this subject that keeps being brought up than people who do.

    Even if half of the 360 install base love cross game chat, thats still another half that honestly dont care.

    Add almost the entire PS3 install base who have got by without it for five years with no problems, the PC gamers who have ten times the capability to do cross game chat in several different ways (yet dont give a crap on the whole) and the idea that cross game chat is some huge defining thing comes crashing down.

  • Murton #139 9 months ago

    @nipsen

    A well written post and a lot of good points that kinda makes me sad. You're right in that Sony sees these opportunities to create something different and then seem to back down post release to follow another path. The part that makes me sad is that closing paragraph, Sony support all of these projects that no other publish would see the value in, games that simply wouldn't exist otherwise and that's somehow seen to be a bad thing even though no other big name publisher will even go that far let alone the other platform holders.

  • mukki #140 9 months ago

    Ouch!

    Finally they explain why audio chat on the ps3 is do horrible!

  • mukki #141 9 months ago

    Err meant so not do... Sorry can't edit post on iPhone app... Hence this second post... Not that anyone cares.

    One other note I do love the article comments on eurogamer!!

  • richyroo #142 9 months ago

    Before the 360 had XGame Chat, I used to chat to the people in my teams, notify them of threats, or rally an offensive together. I used to add friends to my friends list too, decent people that I continue to play with today.

    Since XGame chat, I no longer hear anyone tanking in games, no team strategies, no organisation, just random people going off doing their own thing.
    I personally hope the feature never comes to the PS3. It is a bad thing in my opionion for multiplayer gaming

  • TRUTH #143 9 months ago

    Fifa, Fight Night, Endwar, Sacred: Fallen Angel, COD, NBA:Homecourt (A really excellent underrated arcade game) - all adds to the fun with voice chat from bantering, warnings, strategy, to hints!

  • callum9999 #144 9 months ago

    Lexx87 - There is a VERY big difference to having a social life in real life, and one on the internet...

    When I want to socialise, I tend to actually do something with someone as opposed to sit on my own in a dark room moving fictional characters on a screen in the same area. While you (or anyone else) placing a big emphasis on that sort of socialising doesn't mean you don't have a "real life" social life, the fact that the "real life" aspect didn't occur to you does imply that's the case for you... What do you think the majority of people on the planet who don't have xboxs do?