SCEE announces EyeToy: Chat

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has confirmed that it will show the previously unannounced EyeToy: Chat for the first time at next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. Developed by SCEE's London Studios, the title will effectively allow PlayStation 2 owners armed with an EyeToy camera and a network adapter to turn their console into a videophone.

EyeToy: Chat will allow users to communicate with each other in four different ways, namely text, voice, video mail, and one-to-one video chat. Text chat rooms will allow up to 256 users to participate simultaneously, while the voice chat rooms will have room for 16 people. The video mail feature will allow users to send 30-second video messages to anyone on their buddy list. While engaging in a one-on-one video chat, users will have the option to play games against each other, including chess, checkers, and naval war.

SCEE is eager to point out that that it has been working very closely with several children's charities in order to ensure that EyeToy: Chat is safe for even the youngest PS2 fans to enjoy. New Chat users will be required to register and verify their details at PlayStation Net. There will be a number of strict safety measures and chat room moderators in place when the service launches this summer.

We'll bring you more information on EyeToy: Chat as soon as it becomes available.