The Sony PlayStation 3′s Second Life-style online gaming social network (PlayStation Home) has had a number of updates this month, the most recent of which sees free online video become available to users, via a deal with online streaming provider Crackle.

Designed to feature social viewing support for up to 12 (private) or 60 (public) users in a group session, the Crackle service takes place in Home’s virtual cinema.

With a selection of ’ad-supported’ and ‘full-length’ films and TV shows offered to users, with the integration with Home (which itself is a free service to people who own a PS3 console with Internet access) allowing users to transition from the regular service into the video viewer without added hassle, as well as the ability to chat to the other viewers whilst watching.

Although free video viewing is an option for PS3 users via other means, it is thought that the integration will be a key area of interest to many potential users, as well as a database of viewing options accessible from a single location.

Sony’s David Sterling said of the deal: “We are very excited to bring familiar social experiences from the real world into a virtual environment, so people around the globe can connect and communicate with each other while sharing their favorite movie, show, music, or event. This is the next big step in social networking and it will transform the way people consume media.”

In addition to the Crackle deal, PlayStation Home is set to be updated in December with user-generated content providers RadioIO (music) and Ustream (video) providing similar options for listening and viewing, adding to the content on offer in Sony’s virtual world.

For now, though, Sony will be looking to use their new partnership to compete with rival platforms (such as the Xbox 360), so will it manage to encourage an influx of new PlayStation Home users looking for a free online video service? And will it put Crackle on the online video map? An advert highlighting the features of this collective service can be seen below:

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