New Video Presents PlayStation Vita Social Features, Cross-Game Chat

A brand new video has appeared that showcases the social features that are built into the upcoming PlayStation Vita handheld console from Sony, including things like cross-game chat or the ability to detect other Vita owners nearby.

The PlayStation Vita was formally presented to the world at last month's E3 2011 conference, after being known only as the Next Generation Portable.

The new handheld device is set to offer a huge amount of hardware power, as well as plenty of features, from the main touchscreen to touch-sensitive back panel, and an array of special services that will make gaming and using it a breeze.

Now, in order to amp up the more social features of the PlayStation Vita, Sony has presented a new video, which depicts some of the most important ways through which Vita owners can get in touch with their friends, other Vita users or set up multiplayer games through dedicated options.

First up, there's the Cross-Play feature, which allows you to start playing a game on the PlayStation 3 home console or on the Vita, upload the save game to the cloud, and then download it to the other device and continue right where you left off.

Such a feature is set to be included in titles that appear both on the Vita and on the PS3, and is also going to appear in upcoming PSP Remastered games, like Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

After that, Vita owners can use the Near service to detect and communicate with other Vita users in the immediate vicinity, which can then be persuaded to socialize online through the Party feature, which allows them to group up and talk, no matter the game or application they're running on the portable console, similar to a cross-game chat system.

Expect plenty of other features to be packed into the PlayStation Vita, with Sony trying to make sure that potential customers have more than enough reasons to pay $250, for the simple Wi-Fi model, or $300, for the PlayStation Vita with 3G functionality, when it officially reaches stores.

As of yet, a potential release hasn't been announced, but you can enjoy a video of the Vita in action below.