If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Xbox Live to get Twitter and Facebook "before Christmas"

An autumn release is being targeted for the integration of social networking sites

Xbox 360 users will be able to access Facebook and Twitter via their consoles before the end of the year, according to Microsoft marketing executive James Halton.

Speaking to Eurogamer at a company event today, Halton told the site Microsoft is targeting an "autumn" date for the integration of the social networking sites, although wouldn't narrow it down further.

He did however rule out their integration in the August update, saying they'll be available after that as separate applications that won't take long to download.

"A lot of the background work's been done for a lot of the applications that are coming," he added. "It will be before Christmas."

Microsoft unveiled Facebook and Twitter functionality for the Xbox 360 at this year's E3. The services will enable users to link Xbox Live friends with their Facebook profiles, share photos ad status updates and capture in-game moments to upload instantly to a Facebook application.