Sony Exec Says In-game XMB Coming to PS3 in 2008

Following the newly updated PlayStation Store, Sony Computer Entertaiment America marketing VP Peter Dille said that in-game functionality of the PlayStation 3's XMB interface will be available sometime this year.

In an update to SCEA's PlayStation Blog, Dille said that the long-awaited integration of the PlayStation 3's XMB user interface with games would arrive this year, allowing for more streamlined communication for users engaged in play. The XMB is the PlayStation 3's front-end navigation system which players use to navigate features such as downloadable games, friends list, music and video.

The company had previously announced that the PlayStation 3's firmware update 2.4, aimed for a summer release, would improve in-game communication. Dille did not specify a particular firmware update or release window for the in-game XMB functionality.

Moreover, Dille hinted at plans in the works for other community-related services coming to the PlayStation Network and PS3 this year. "[The services] will be designed to allow more community development and collaborative gameplay as well as recognize and reward you for your gameplay accomplishments across a broad portfolio of PS3 games," he wrote.

The executive also announced that PlayStation Cards are now shipping to retailers in $20 and $50 denominations. Already available in several overseas territories, the cards allow customers to purchase items from the PlayStation Store without the need of a conventional credit card.