According to Ray Maguire, the head of Sony Computer Entertainment’s UK operation, a feature labeled as in-game communication is due out this summer for the PlayStation 3, along with firmware update 2.4.

Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmware update 2.4 and the strongest line-up of games through our third party partners and our own studios. I’d personally like to thank our trade and business partners for helping us on the start of the PS3 journey.

No further details were provided. However, we presume that this means PS3 owners will soon be able to chat with people on their PSN friends list while playing a game. A feature many of us have been waiting for.

Sony hails retail as PS3 hits 1m [MCV]

Read more: Rumor: PS3 Firmware 2.40 Features In-Game XMB, PS3 Firmware 2.70 Now Available, Confirmed: PS3 Firmware 2.4 To Feature In-Game XMB, Trophies, Sony Teases With In-Shirt XMB Wear, Rumor Bite: Big PS3 Update Coming