Microsoft bringing Twitter and Facebook to Xbox

Here's an interesting development in the gaming world. It has been announced that Microsoft is looking at ways to integrate social services such as Facebook and Twitter into their 360 games console. With Twitter feeds automatically updated on screen, the ability to upload games screenshots, view full screen photos and update status from Facebook it would seem Microsoft is attempting sticking techniques. It is the intention that the addition of these social media tools will keep gamers on their Xbox's and increase user numbers.

Can this move make developers stand up and integrate social media into games?

It is widely expected that Facebook will strike similar deals with Sony and Nintendo so as to roll the service out to as many potential users as possible.

It seems like Microsoft is really serious about the 360 and its broad appeal. With a deal recently struck with BSkyB to offer premium content, the death of the games console could be closer giving rise to the 'media centre'.

More as this develops.