The Live Vision peripheral, a webcam device for the console, is now in-stores stateside, and will be heading to retailers elsewhere soon too. revealed that the cam will set gamers back in the region of 40 USD (25 GBP, approximately), and among other things the device will enable live video chat across the service.

Various games are promising to take advantage of the EyeToy-like add-on, but to enable video chat you will need an Xbox Live Gold membership (so thankfully it's free for European's until the 29th). We're told the standard pack includes a headset, with UNO and Totemball to play. The 80 USD 'Gold' pack includes the same goodies, plus a year's Live Gold membership, 200 MS points to blow in the Marketplace, and the game Robotron 2084.

MS also reveal that from today, titles Bankshot Billiards 2, Hardwood Hearts, Hardwood Spades and Hardwood Backgammon will all support video chat functionality... more on the Vision camera as we get it.

By Luke Guttridge