Today in gaming: Nov 27

Here's a roundup of today's news found elsewhere on the internet:

Microsoft patents viral gaming plans (gamesindustry.biz) - Microsoft has patented a new invite system for Xbox Live which could be used for "viral" gaming similar to Facebook applications, but exclusively on the Xbox 360.

As reported by Siliconera the new patent was registered by director of platform development Gary Hall, previously head of casual developer Carbonated Games.

The concepts are all based around the current party system, with the most basic simply allowing invited friends to invite their own friends, whether they are known to the original party creator or not.

Sony pleased to see PS3 "momentum" (gamesindustry.biz) - The release of the PlayStation 3 Slim has given the platform a good momentum going into the Holiday season, a move which has been received well by third party publishers, and is in fact in their best interests.

That's according to Sony Computer Entertainment president and CEO Andrew House, who told GamesIndustry.biz that he publishers were happy with the price point, and that console was in a strong position.

"Just anecdotally, it's been enormously positive," he revealed of the feedback he'd had since the Slim was released. "People have been telling us we've reached the price point they were hoping for, and as a result we've got the wind in our sales - that the market really is there for the PS3 to command."

Valve: Rivals miss out by boycotting Steamworks games (gamesindustry.biz) - Valve has said that digital distributors who boycott PC games because they ship with Steamworks services are missing out on potentially lucrative sales.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, business development director Jason Holtman was addressing concerns by online sellers such as IGN's Direct2Drive, Impulse and Gamersgate who decided against selling Activision's Modern Warfare 2 because the Steamworks tools also act as a storefront for sales through Steam.

"To our minds, we think that if you're making a good game and it's got the services a customer wants it should get out in as many channels as possible. If you have a good portal and you're good at collecting money from folks, and attracting them, there's no reason why you shouldn't be," said Holtman.

- Gameplanet.co.nz