I understand that many people like the cross-game chat on Xbox -- I enjoy it myself -- but if chat is still available in the games that need it, is it such a big deal? I think the unforgivable sin is the lack of a headphone jack in the Pro controller, not the lack of cross-game chat.

I guess I just don't understand why this is so important to some people. I was similarly nonplussed when several people wrote that the lack of a unified achievement system was a deal breaker for them. When did cross-game chat and achievements become so important -- even vital?

Ever since people just want to complain, and don't realize the added costs of the features they're seeking. (Achievements is a bit more understandable mind you).

Regarding the headset, it may not require a jack,let's not jump to conclusions.

This could go both ways. On one hand I'm sure the core Nintendo market doesn't care that much about this feature. On the other hand, it is moronic to not include it or have plans to patch it in.

The PS3 doesn't have cross game chat because the resources to add it are just not there. It has nothing to do with xbox live costing money. Heck the vita has it and of course the PS4 will have it for free. Sure today it isn't too big of an issue but 5 years down the road it could be critical when every other system has it. The Wii U already has online and miiverse so adding it would only take resources from the system, nothing server side.

Ohh, I didn't even think of a wireless headset. That would certainly solve the problem. I just don't want to be attached to the GamePad while I'm trying to manipulate the Pro Controller.

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Sony have said on many occasions that x game chat isn't on the PS3 because of hardware (RAM) limitations. You can clearly see they would have added it if that wasn't the case, for example with the Vita they did add in x-game chat for everyone, not just PS Plus members.

There is no concievable justifying reason as to why Nintendo didn't add it. Their console is more than capable of it and it is a feature that millions of people use who play multiplayer. I end up using it all the time as well as almost every other person I have ever known on Live. Perhaps it isn't a feature that isn't going to make or break your purchase, but when did the idea of giving customers simple convenience become so obsolete?

The pro controller issue doesn't seem very fixable, but I at least hope that they can add this in at a later point. X game chat would work so well with the types of SP games that nintendo makes that its almost sad that they didn't put it in.

How would cross game chat work well with nintendo's single player games?

it's not about just wanting to complain.  it's a really important feature.  i hate that the ps3 doesn't have it ... it is soo much harder to get my friends together to actually play a game with just the in-system text support thusly relying on outside sources like email and phone numbers get everyone in the same game at the same time.  cross game chat is fundamental to why xbox is a much much better social experience than the ps3.

flat out - if ps4 doesn't have cross-game chat i'm going xbox next gen.

Why not? There are many different types of casual gamers. There's the Call of Duty gamer, and the Just Dance gamer. Completely different.

The Call of Duty gamer will use a headset, the Just Dance gamer won't.