Sony has announced it plans to offer PlayStation 3 users extra functionality this summer in the form of in-game communication.

UK boss of the Japanese giant Ray Maguire said the new feature will form part of the console's forthcoming firmware update.

The PS3 chief, who also said he was pleased that the console has now topped one million sales in the UK, said of the new functionality: "Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmware update 2.4 and the strongest lineup of games through our third party partners and our own studios.”