The PlayStation 3 will get system-wide in-game messaging and video chat, a Sony executive has confirmed.

This icon sparked rumours of a messaging update for the PS3

At a trade event held this week, Sony Computer Entertainment UK boss Ray Maguire told dealers that the additional XMB UI feature, which was first rumoured to be in development last month after a “Friends & Messaging” icon appeared on the company’s US website, will be delivered to gamers through a firmware update.

"Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer [and] firmware update 2.4," Maguire said, according to trade title MCV.

Macguire also revealed that more than 1m UK consumers have bought a PS3.

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