Exclusive: Massive EyeToy-driven PlayStation Communications Network Revealed

We can reveal today that Sony Computer Entertainment is currently making what has been described to us as “the most significant shift in the focus of the PlayStation strategy ever”, with the revelation that a massive personal communications network is being planned.

Carrying the tentative name EyeToy: Comms, the network will be Sony’s slanted assault on the massive online lead enjoyed by the Xbox.

Features planned at this moment point towards a community-focused online strategy, which will be marketed as a place to meet with friends and exchange information, not simply a hardcore gaming portal.

To be accessed via the EyeToy camera, email video messaging will be a big selling point, as will full online real-time video chat. Sony is also planning to enable the transfer of music, photo and video files between users, all accessed via the PlayStation 2 at launch, with the system being one of the biggest USP’s to be enjoyed by the PlayStation 3.

Speaking anonymously and exclusively to us, one insider stated, “This idea is going to be as important as games when launching the PlayStation 3. It is clear that games players are growing up, getting older. They expect more than just gaming from the box in their living room.”

From what we can gather, EyeToy: Comms will launch towards the end of this year and will debut in the US, with Japanese and European roll-outs to follow.

We will bring you everything on this amazing project in the coming weeks and months.