New details on PS3 gaming service

IGN posted an update yeterday concerning the new online service for the PlayStation 3. Dubbed PlayStation Live "PlayStation Network Platform," they have a bunch of good information regarding what we've all been wondering about. It's supposed to be shipping with the new console and will also do it's thing over the open interweb. Here's hoping malicious hackers don't use that to their advantage, but a stout security will no doubt be in place.

The "basic" service will be free from launch, but that might change. Some of the features we're seeing are nothing revolutionary: friend lists, ranking and leaderboards, messaging, voice and video chat, etc. However, the commerce side of the spectrum could provide a few bells and whistles. For instance, "Entitlement management" sounds pretty important (that's "user access rights," by the way). The service will also allow micro-payments and in-game shopping. Can't wait to see it all in action, hopefully in May we'll be able to.