Gamers get social media as Facebook comes to PS3
Sony is to incorporate Facebook with its PlayStation 3 games console joining rival Microsoft, which has added Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm to the Xbox 360.
In a blog post Sony said that the latest software update to the PlayStation will allow gamers to link their Facebook accounts to their PS3’s and share updates on their newsfeed including trophy wins on games such as controversial smash hit ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2′.
Sony is promising more integration with Facebook to come, but in the meantime PlayStation owners will be able to check updates and those of their friends on Facebook and Twitter as well as other social media sites through the PS3’s built-in browser.
The arrival of Facebook on the PS3 follows that of Microsoft announcing that it has added Facebook, Twitter, Zune and Last.fm to the Xbox 360.
With the latest update Facebook and Twitter can now be found in a newly added community channel with Last.fm in the music channel.
Most importantly with Facebook on the Xbox gamers will be able to find out which of their Facebook friends are also on Xbox Live. Other features include the ability to browse photos and update their status.
As for microblogging on the Xbox, gamers will have access to all the basic services available on Twitter including status updates, searches and trending topics.
Neil Thompson, senior director of entertainment division UK & Ireland and head of Xbox, said: “It’s the community that drives us forward, and it’s the community that allows us to pioneer new ways of connecting people through the entertainment they love.”
Last.fm brings playlists and personalised radio stations to the Xbox 360 experience with built in “Gamer Stations” with specially selected music for the Xbox Live community.
With Zune gamers get high quality video that they can share with up to seven friends through voice chat and avatar integration on the TV screen. Zune joins Sky Player, which has already been added to the Xbox.
One of the first movie treats for Xbox owners using Zune will be the chance to watch exclusive footage from James Cameron’s hotly anticipated science fiction movie ‘Avatar’, which is available from today.
