Xfire a Subject in PS3's Dark Kingdom

Today, 1UP caused a bit of an Internet dust-up with speculation about Sony using Xfire -- an established gaming networking client -- as its own PlayStation Network Platform (PNP). This speculation was prompted by Viacom's Q2 earning's report conference call in which Tom Freston, then still President and CEO of Viacom, commented on how Xfire was developing under Viacom's ownership. "Importantly," Freston said, "Xfire just signed a deal with Sony to create a version of their platform for the new PS3, which will now enable Xfire to extend its reach further into the huge console gaming market."

According to Xfire CEO Mike Cassidy, however, the 1UP article contained some inaccuracies. "We do have future announcements," Cassidy told IGN. "For now I can only tell you Xfire is not part of PS3's PNP."

A representative from Sony explained to IGN that Xfire was contacted and that "some of their [Xfire's] tech will be included in the PS3 launch title Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom."

IGN's own Jeremy Dunham recently offered a tour of the debug version 0.85 of the PNP and a glimpse at Dark Kingdom, which is a fantasy RPG developed by Sony.

Both Sony and Xfire assured us that there would be more details about the PNP and Xfire's role in Dark Kingdom revealed closer to the Tokyo Game Show, which begins September 22.

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