Good news for the PlayStation camp, full details of Sony's PlayStation Home have been revealed, and it ain't no slacker. Alongside those avatars and achievements we heard about earlier, the "service" seems to be a new-gen Second Life killer, with public hangouts, personal apartments (to show off those fancy prizes you've been racking up in recent frag fests) and voice chat. The seeming-MMO even includes casual games such as pool, bowling and arcade machines embedded into the world, but at any time you can invite a fellow resident to join in on any PlayStation Network-capable game. As for user-generated content, PS Home allows you to hang your own pictures on your apartment walls and share videos with friends. You can of course dress up your avatar in assorted virtual clothings -- for a price -- all while enjoying "dynamic advertising" of some sort. A large scale beta goes live in April, with the full product to be launched this fall. Make sure to hit up the read link for a gallery of the beautiful scenery and idiotic conversations you too can be enjoying in a few months.
Update: Added a video after the break with more info on the service. PlayStation Home will be a free download, and will eventually include a virtual cinema for watching movie downloads. You can also share videos and music directly out of your media library. Peep the vid for more info.
I'll say well done when I actually see my buddies playing on it.
I can say: "I've just purchased Arizona, seceeded from the Union, and legalized pot. You are all free to come and join me, all houses are communal, no more private ownership." But if I were you, I'd wait to crash out in someone's house and light up until I had some sort of proof that the statement was true.
Now that's awesome. Watch those Nintendo fanboys claim they STILL prefer the GameC..sorry, Wii, while in fact they start wondering why they bought a last-gen console with the rendering skills of a three year old kid.
It's a simple question of gameplay, not bells and whistles. The PS3 does not (yet, at least) have the edge on the Wii with gameplay.
Does that mean I won't buy a PS3? No. In fact, the likelihood of my buying a PS3 is massive considering the fact that I'm a GTA and Final Fantasy fan. But that doesn't mean I'm going to buy a PS3 for a MMORPG-inspired multiplayer lobby. It means I'll buy it for the games, just as I bought the Wii for the games.
I know, I know... it's an astounding concept: Buy the system for its games, not the name and the processor speed. You know I still play my Atari 2600? It's because of gameplay, not because I love the graphics.
Gameplay will beat graphics any day of the week.
If you buy a console for pretty graphics and fast processors you're better off just picking up a high-end gaming PC.
Pfff if thats what you want then go play nintendo. Dont get me wrong i like nintendo, but if you want simple then there you go. I for one love what they are doing with the PS3.
and why exactly is this so cool? i mean its interesting but its not really anything ground breaking its a mmo interesting but not exactly ground breaking.
You're actually complaining because they're going above and beyond the competition? I can't believe people like you. You're never satisfied, if they did they same as M$, you'd say they're copying them. If they didn't, they're inferior and a waste of money. Now we find out they're going beyond what M$ has to offer and you're complaining. Go buy a 360 and play it if you don't like where Sony's going with the PS3. I own both consoles and love xbox live. I'm thrilled to find out that we're getting so much extra from PS3, enough to justify the price.
Yawn. I guess gamers want to hang out and meet other gamers rather than, um, play games? I have no intention of using this, Sony needs to focus on getting some games released as mine is collecting dust. waiting for all the delayed releases.
They had a web based program called Alpha World some years ago. Basicly Playstation Home but with 90's graphics.
Plus side with it in the beginning was that you could build anything you wanted from ready buildingblocks. Otherwise in the start it was more or less an infinite plane of grass and you could teleport with coordinates to your friends home.
Excellent idea it was. Even in the 33.6k modem ages :)
I'm looking forward to this, except for two very rational points that the "sony said something? its wrong and I hate it" responses thus far. 1. Content abuse. You can upload your own pictures, huh? Think MySpace or some of the more edgy areas of Second Life. People will have signs next to their apartment door: You must be this tall to enter" 2. Text and voice chat, global. Great. Think Halo 2 on this one, motherf***in b****-a** n***a.
Well, it's a clever implementation of Live, I guess, but I do wonder how navigation will work. You're going to have (probably) millions of users online at any given time... how will you find friends? If you have a concept of a "location" in the virtual "space", can you make sure that your default "location" is close to that of your friends? Can your "apartment" be in a "building" of your choosing, so that you can see your friends whenever they're online?
I think it's got potential, but I do feel like they're trying to graft the Second Life interface somewhere that it might not be an ideal fit.
I think some of you touched on some of the pieces that will put a damper on this being anything like it could be day one.
1. No one is using voice chat on PS3 because they built it around BT. (I know. I've been online with complete and total silence in groups of 20 or more. :( ) 2. Who cares of there is 60 gigs of hard drive space if there is nothing to store there? 3. Trying to use a wireless keyboard proved hokey at best.
The potential was there, but I returned my PS3 after a week and went back to the xbox because their was a disconnect between the fantasy of what the PS3 could do and the reality of what the users wanted to do. Perhaps in another year we can take another look.
Don't you get it? If it's not exactly what Microsoft is doing, then it is stupid. And if you copy what Microsoft is doing, then you are stupid. Only Microsoft can be right and do good.
Seriously, this is a big step. Nice way to trump Live without simply cloning it.
"Now that's awesome. Watch those Nintendo fanboys claim they STILL prefer the GameC..sorry, Wii, while in fact they start wondering why they bought a last-gen console with the rendering skills of a three year old kid."
Actually it looks pretty cool, and that may well be the system seller for me. Just because I think it's cool though doesn't mean I don't still like / prefer my Wii, no matter how outdated.
This definitely has potential to become a really powerful asset for Sony, as I'm already wondering how I'm going to come up with $600 this fall... This is the first smart move they've made since... hmm... Anyways, it's great to see someone competing with Microsoft in the online-play space. Let's hope to see more things like this to come from them.
First off, you don't have to use it. For those wanting something similar to gamertag, well this is it. Just like someone else mentioned, it's very much like live without exactly cloning it. It's also very much like Mii, without exactly being just like it. There are people who are just always going to complain. Sony said they would do something like this, and they delivered. There were those who talked mess about sony not delivering in this realm, and they are, and yet people still complained. Sony is working on the PS3, and the game library will be there also just like it was with the PS2. It takes a while to build up to be great, give it time.
With that said, I never put in too much effort to Live's Achievement points BS, and I most likely will be the same with my PS3. I'm a casual gamer, and I'm much to busy with real life to be into this as much as I would want to be. But it is good that sony is doing something like this.
I don't understand why Sony is claiming to have this amazing innovation. I mean there are countless online mmocc's like this and many many coming. Also this can be done on any console really. They all have internet and downloadable content.
While this sounds like a great idea, and something to add more value to the system, I think that Sony needs to show us more games than something like this. We buy game systems to play games.
Sony's "Second Life" also seems a bit too much. I don't want to walk over to a friends place to see his acheivements, or his decoration style, I just want to see how much better he is than me. That is why X-Box live is so much better. Its easier to navigate and get what you need. I think the only ones that will enjoy this new toy are the kids that have the time to go and explore, because those adults that enjoy this kind of experience already have their time taken up on the PC.
Here's what would be a cool idea. Incorporating your avatar into games, so if you play Call of Duty 4 on the PS3, its your avatar that every one sees (in a uniform of course).
I hope Sony is able to come back to us and deliver the games because I for one am not going to spend $600 on a system just to go around in a vitual world to talk to people about games we want to play that are not out.
Wait a minute, did that say download clothes and stuff for your room. Why would they make you download it if you don't have to pay for it. Depending on how much they charge I wouldn't consider this free and possible a big cash cow if peopl start buying stuff.
But as far as Playstation Home goes, you can't argue with the price.
They'll do just fine. So many people are already set in their ways with the Xbox, and so many people have been holding out for a PS3... believe it or not... both can co-exist... and both will.
Now, as far as the Wii goes, I still just don't get it. I admit I play the Wii Sports thing with my nephews for a little bit (until i get bored, quickly) when I am over visiting, but i'd never buy that thing.
"believe it or not... both can co-exist... and both will" lies. have you been on these forums? its a bitter battle royale for 1-upping one another in what one system has over another (or simply why one system sucks without offering an attractive alternative,) even if the speaker does not own or does now know from firsthand experience what they are talking about.
Just kidding. No matter how much XBL suxxors because of having to pay and never seeing your avatar, or how much the PS3 blows due to lack of content difficulty of programming and that irrational 'format forcing' crap (seriously, if your precious HD-DVD wins, the PS3 will continue to print Blu-Ray games, so you were never locked into anything), no one is really right except for the last one to hit "add your comments."
This is basically like everything Sony puts out, it's really cool for the first day or so, and then you never use it again. It certainly has the WOW factor, but I can't see anyone actually using it after that has worn off.
An over-reaching attempt by Sony if I ever saw one. Menus work really well for selecting a game to play, messaging a friend, or watching a downloaded movie. See: Xbox 360 dashboard implementation.
The last thing I want to do to watch Casino Royale is navagate an avatar through my 3-d apartment dodging trophies (wtf?) on my way to the theatre room. It's completely pointless.
Sure, this may not win over fans from the Xbox, but to pretend it's not huge is ridiculous. World of Warcraft is huge right now and so is MySpace, this is like throwing the two together. Mii wasn't a selling point on Wii and Xbox Live wasn't a selling point on 360. This is going to be a huge selling point for the PS3. Announcing this just before the Europe launch is a stellar move.
You guys are crazy if you think this thing is going to take over LIVE in any way shape or form. The playstation online model has sucked since day one, the worst online system i have ever played on especially if you wan to play any one of the popular games then forget it. But this is the SIMS reborn is all surprised they wont get sued for using this idea, but hopefully they will have good filtering on this thing cause i can see the headline now " Boy molested by gamer he meet on HOME"
I have a Wii and a 360, and even I'll admit that this is pretty cool. I'll probably get a PS3 several years from now when it costs $100, something to look forward to I guess.
I completely agree with glocks out. This was a great move by Sony to announce this just before the Euro release of the PS3. Why? If you've ever played Second Life, you know that the majority of the people on it are Europeans. Second Life has gotten ridiculous press in the EU, and a suped up version of SL will probably attract a lot of people. Now, that all said, SL does plan to incorporate voice and video chat. You can already do most of that in SL. It just doesn't look as perty. But, who's to say that SL can't look better than that in the near future? No one really, but that's not the point of this article anyway. Nintendo must be wondering how they're going to get past the Wii codes as simple and elegant as Sony has made it for people to hook up and play. I'm guessing Nintendo has a similar trick up their sleeve or none at all, but I suppose we'll see. Congrats Sony fans, you have something to be happy about finally!
This reminds me of Microsoft Bob. Ugh... let me go to the room where I can launch downloadable movies. Crap, I need to walk back to find game buddies... I am not sold on it.
Anyone comparing this to Second Life has never played Second Life, or at least looked at the building options. This is just a place you stand around an buy clothes, whereas Second Life is more like a giant set of Legos that you can write code for or attach to yourself. Seriously, the draw of Second Life is the 3D modeling and scripting tool built right into the interface. "Home" is limited to whatever objects and clothing Sony decides to put into the world. Actually, "Home" looks very much like "There" and appears to have a similar business model.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matt @ Mar 7th 2007 1:40PM
This is actually very cool. I haven't said this in a while, but well done Sony.
andy @ Mar 7th 2007 1:52PM
Well, it's not "done" yet.
I'll say well done when I actually see my buddies playing on it.
I can say:
"I've just purchased Arizona, seceeded from the Union, and legalized pot. You are all free to come and join me, all houses are communal, no more private ownership." But if I were you, I'd wait to crash out in someone's house and light up until I had some sort of proof that the statement was true.
Joshua Z. @ Mar 7th 2007 1:48PM
I created this "game" a while back. It would be better placed on the Wii and would be called MiiSpace playing on the name Myspace.
Eric Pham @ Mar 7th 2007 2:11PM
I like it, i thought it was just going to be something lame but its a pretty next gen idea.
Alex @ Mar 7th 2007 2:17PM
This looks amazing. Sony has a great user experience here, now all they need is a bigger library of games for the PS3.
Jay @ Mar 7th 2007 2:19PM
Now that's awesome. Watch those Nintendo fanboys claim they STILL prefer the GameC..sorry, Wii, while in fact they start wondering why they bought a last-gen console with the rendering skills of a three year old kid.
Geoffrey Sperl @ Mar 7th 2007 2:32PM
Okay: I still prefer the Wii.
It's a simple question of gameplay, not bells and whistles. The PS3 does not (yet, at least) have the edge on the Wii with gameplay.
Does that mean I won't buy a PS3? No. In fact, the likelihood of my buying a PS3 is massive considering the fact that I'm a GTA and Final Fantasy fan. But that doesn't mean I'm going to buy a PS3 for a MMORPG-inspired multiplayer lobby. It means I'll buy it for the games, just as I bought the Wii for the games.
I know, I know... it's an astounding concept: Buy the system for its games, not the name and the processor speed. You know I still play my Atari 2600? It's because of gameplay, not because I love the graphics.
Gameplay will beat graphics any day of the week.
If you buy a console for pretty graphics and fast processors you're better off just picking up a high-end gaming PC.
Jon Graft @ Mar 7th 2007 3:16PM
The sad thing is, your post is the lowest ranked, but 100% true! :-D Made me LOLZ!
Ryan @ Mar 7th 2007 2:22PM
Sony overdoing it again.
All people want is a game system and Sony crams blu ray down everyones throats.
All people want is a simple to use online matchmaking and friends system and sony does this.
They need to get their heads out of their asses.
And BTW I am a loyal Playstation user.
Zach @ Mar 17th 2007 4:04AM
Pfff if thats what you want then go play nintendo. Dont get me wrong i like nintendo, but if you want simple then there you go. I for one love what they are doing with the PS3.
paralipsis @ Mar 7th 2007 2:23PM
Seems like a great concept. It's the first thing that has interested me since the revealed the price tag of the device.
Chris @ Mar 7th 2007 2:27PM
and why exactly is this so cool? i mean its interesting but its not really anything ground breaking its a mmo interesting but not exactly ground breaking.
js @ Mar 7th 2007 2:29PM
Apple iTV, FTW!
Jarret @ Mar 7th 2007 2:35PM
@Ryan
You're actually complaining because they're going above and beyond the competition? I can't believe people like you. You're never satisfied, if they did they same as M$, you'd say they're copying them. If they didn't, they're inferior and a waste of money. Now we find out they're going beyond what M$ has to offer and you're complaining. Go buy a 360 and play it if you don't like where Sony's going with the PS3. I own both consoles and love xbox live. I'm thrilled to find out that we're getting so much extra from PS3, enough to justify the price.
Rick Lyon @ Mar 7th 2007 2:38PM
Yawn. I guess gamers want to hang out and meet other gamers rather than, um, play games? I have no intention of using this, Sony needs to focus on getting some games released as mine is collecting dust. waiting for all the delayed releases.
Sprint General @ Mar 7th 2007 2:39PM
LAME IT WILL BE 99.9% DUDE.!
Other wise neat idea at least they are doing something parents will soon figure out pedophiles are lurking there, just like on the Wii
Kinda cool but SONY insane PR how this is a social lubricant and will change gaming
How about online play for VF5
I was invited to the BETA but I'm turning it down because on the back end Advertisers see all you Data and track you so insanely
Soon you will see 12 guys paid by PEPSI to parade around wearing PEPSI clothing drinking a PEPSI
yeah so what Sony I just violated my NDA eat me.
SPRINT GENERAL @ Mar 7th 2007 3:12PM
Where I come from no time for punctuation or paragraphs only runons
We elevate words like PEPSI and BETA to elite status all caps
Data and Advertisers are important too we capitalize them
Despite grammar problems my spelling is insanely perfect
Galley @ Mar 7th 2007 8:17PM
Wait a minute, I can get paid to drink Pepsi? Where do I sign up?
Manuel @ Mar 7th 2007 2:41PM
OMG ! i almost fall asleep reading this "breakthrough innovation" i swear i saw something similar in a web based form more tan 6 years ago
PreGHz @ Mar 7th 2007 3:16PM
Cybertown.com is what you saw.
BaQu @ May 15th 2007 3:59AM
They had a web based program called Alpha World some years ago. Basicly Playstation Home but with 90's graphics.
Plus side with it in the beginning was that you could build anything you wanted from ready buildingblocks. Otherwise in the start it was more or less an infinite plane of grass and you could teleport with coordinates to your friends home.
Excellent idea it was. Even in the 33.6k modem ages :)
Scabies @ Mar 7th 2007 2:46PM
I'm looking forward to this, except for two very rational points that the "sony said something? its wrong and I hate it" responses thus far.
1. Content abuse. You can upload your own pictures, huh? Think MySpace or some of the more edgy areas of Second Life. People will have signs next to their apartment door: You must be this tall to enter"
2. Text and voice chat, global. Great. Think Halo 2 on this one, motherf***in b****-a** n***a.
James @ Mar 7th 2007 2:51PM
Well, it's a clever implementation of Live, I guess, but I do wonder how navigation will work. You're going to have (probably) millions of users online at any given time... how will you find friends? If you have a concept of a "location" in the virtual "space", can you make sure that your default "location" is close to that of your friends? Can your "apartment" be in a "building" of your choosing, so that you can see your friends whenever they're online?
I think it's got potential, but I do feel like they're trying to graft the Second Life interface somewhere that it might not be an ideal fit.
Joe Coleman @ Mar 7th 2007 2:56PM
I think some of you touched on some of the pieces that will put a damper on this being anything like it could be day one.
1. No one is using voice chat on PS3 because they built it around BT. (I know. I've been online with complete and total silence in groups of 20 or more. :( )
2. Who cares of there is 60 gigs of hard drive space if there is nothing to store there?
3. Trying to use a wireless keyboard proved hokey at best.
The potential was there, but I returned my PS3 after a week and went back to the xbox because their was a disconnect between the fantasy of what the PS3 could do and the reality of what the users wanted to do.
Perhaps in another year we can take another look.
James @ Mar 7th 2007 2:57PM
Don't you get it? If it's not exactly what Microsoft is doing, then it is stupid. And if you copy what Microsoft is doing, then you are stupid. Only Microsoft can be right and do good.
Seriously, this is a big step. Nice way to trump Live without simply cloning it.
mark @ Mar 7th 2007 3:02PM
"Now that's awesome. Watch those Nintendo fanboys claim they STILL prefer the GameC..sorry, Wii, while in fact they start wondering why they bought a last-gen console with the rendering skills of a three year old kid."
Actually it looks pretty cool, and that may well be the system seller for me. Just because I think it's cool though doesn't mean I don't still like / prefer my Wii, no matter how outdated.
This definitely has potential to become a really powerful asset for Sony, as I'm already wondering how I'm going to come up with $600 this fall... This is the first smart move they've made since... hmm... Anyways, it's great to see someone competing with Microsoft in the online-play space. Let's hope to see more things like this to come from them.
kman79 @ Mar 7th 2007 3:12PM
Well I like it.
First off, you don't have to use it. For those wanting something similar to gamertag, well this is it. Just like someone else mentioned, it's very much like live without exactly cloning it. It's also very much like Mii, without exactly being just like it. There are people who are just always going to complain. Sony said they would do something like this, and they delivered. There were those who talked mess about sony not delivering in this realm, and they are, and yet people still complained. Sony is working on the PS3, and the game library will be there also just like it was with the PS2. It takes a while to build up to be great, give it time.
With that said, I never put in too much effort to Live's Achievement points BS, and I most likely will be the same with my PS3. I'm a casual gamer, and I'm much to busy with real life to be into this as much as I would want to be. But it is good that sony is doing something like this.
PreGHz @ Mar 7th 2007 3:21PM
I love how most of the detractors use words like OMG and all-caps LAME.
Maybe you're just not smart enough to use avatars.
Assbestos @ Mar 7th 2007 3:26PM
OOOOh. Maybe this is the 4th dimension Ken mentioned. Wake me up in 3 years when the thing is stable enough to enjoy, and the Ps3 sells at it's value.
NHAnimator @ Mar 7th 2007 3:45PM
Looks good as long as the dancing is optional. I don't have any moves and would probably even have two virtual left feet.
Michal G @ Mar 7th 2007 3:50PM
I don't understand why Sony is claiming to have this amazing innovation. I mean there are countless online mmocc's like this and many many coming. Also this can be done on any console really. They all have internet and downloadable content.
farmok @ Mar 7th 2007 4:18PM
While this sounds like a great idea, and something to add more value to the system, I think that Sony needs to show us more games than something like this. We buy game systems to play games.
Sony's "Second Life" also seems a bit too much. I don't want to walk over to a friends place to see his acheivements, or his decoration style, I just want to see how much better he is than me. That is why X-Box live is so much better. Its easier to navigate and get what you need. I think the only ones that will enjoy this new toy are the kids that have the time to go and explore, because those adults that enjoy this kind of experience already have their time taken up on the PC.
Here's what would be a cool idea. Incorporating your avatar into games, so if you play Call of Duty 4 on the PS3, its your avatar that every one sees (in a uniform of course).
I hope Sony is able to come back to us and deliver the games because I for one am not going to spend $600 on a system just to go around in a vitual world to talk to people about games we want to play that are not out.
jon @ Mar 7th 2007 4:29PM
Wait a minute, did that say download clothes and stuff for your room. Why would they make you download it if you don't have to pay for it. Depending on how much they charge I wouldn't consider this free and possible a big cash cow if peopl start buying stuff.
Jeff @ Mar 7th 2007 4:31PM
"Well, it's a clever implementation of Live, I guess,"
Not to mention a free one, which is an important part of this that a lot of you are leaving out.
Whether or not Sony's just trying to one-up XBL, the fact is they're doing it for gratis. Which makes this really hard to criticize.
What the... @ Mar 7th 2007 4:35PM
I like Xbox Live.
But as far as Playstation Home goes, you can't argue with the price.
They'll do just fine. So many people are already set in their ways with the Xbox, and so many people have been holding out for a PS3... believe it or not... both can co-exist... and both will.
Now, as far as the Wii goes, I still just don't get it. I admit I play the Wii Sports thing with my nephews for a little bit (until i get bored, quickly) when I am over visiting, but i'd never buy that thing.
Scabies @ Mar 7th 2007 4:46PM
"believe it or not... both can co-exist... and both will"
lies. have you been on these forums? its a bitter battle royale for 1-upping one another in what one system has over another (or simply why one system sucks without offering an attractive alternative,) even if the speaker does not own or does now know from firsthand experience what they are talking about.
Just kidding. No matter how much XBL suxxors because of having to pay and never seeing your avatar, or how much the PS3 blows due to lack of content difficulty of programming and that irrational 'format forcing' crap (seriously, if your precious HD-DVD wins, the PS3 will continue to print Blu-Ray games, so you were never locked into anything), no one is really right except for the last one to hit "add your comments."
Loban @ Mar 7th 2007 5:00PM
This is basically like everything Sony puts out, it's really cool for the first day or so, and then you never use it again. It certainly has the WOW factor, but I can't see anyone actually using it after that has worn off.
jm9843 @ Mar 7th 2007 5:34PM
An over-reaching attempt by Sony if I ever saw one. Menus work really well for selecting a game to play, messaging a friend, or watching a downloaded movie. See: Xbox 360 dashboard implementation.
The last thing I want to do to watch Casino Royale is navagate an avatar through my 3-d apartment dodging trophies (wtf?) on my way to the theatre room. It's completely pointless.
farmok @ Mar 7th 2007 6:00PM
So, will I be able to pay rent, electricity, cable, and telephone on Home?
ima g @ Mar 7th 2007 6:38PM
if sony can pull this off, then this is going to be the next big thing
Harry Fiolet @ Mar 7th 2007 6:39PM
That looks amazing. but being 17 and paying £425 for a PS3 is gonna be tough!
glocks out @ Mar 7th 2007 6:44PM
Sure, this may not win over fans from the Xbox, but to pretend it's not huge is ridiculous. World of Warcraft is huge right now and so is MySpace, this is like throwing the two together. Mii wasn't a selling point on Wii and Xbox Live wasn't a selling point on 360. This is going to be a huge selling point for the PS3. Announcing this just before the Europe launch is a stellar move.
sejj29 @ Mar 7th 2007 7:06PM
You guys are crazy if you think this thing is going to take over LIVE in any way shape or form. The playstation online model has sucked since day one, the worst online system i have ever played on especially if you wan to play any one of the popular games then forget it. But this is the SIMS reborn is all surprised they wont get sued for using this idea, but hopefully they will have good filtering on this thing cause i can see the headline now " Boy molested by gamer he meet on HOME"
tiuk @ Mar 7th 2007 7:16PM
I have a Wii and a 360, and even I'll admit that this is pretty cool. I'll probably get a PS3 several years from now when it costs $100, something to look forward to I guess.
Sam @ Mar 7th 2007 7:22PM
Looks really cool, and (flame on!) much better than crappy second life.
rp @ Mar 7th 2007 8:25PM
I completely agree with glocks out. This was a great move by Sony to announce this just before the Euro release of the PS3. Why? If you've ever played Second Life, you know that the majority of the people on it are Europeans. Second Life has gotten ridiculous press in the EU, and a suped up version of SL will probably attract a lot of people. Now, that all said, SL does plan to incorporate voice and video chat. You can already do most of that in SL. It just doesn't look as perty. But, who's to say that SL can't look better than that in the near future? No one really, but that's not the point of this article anyway.
Nintendo must be wondering how they're going to get past the Wii codes as simple and elegant as Sony has made it for people to hook up and play. I'm guessing Nintendo has a similar trick up their sleeve or none at all, but I suppose we'll see. Congrats Sony fans, you have something to be happy about finally!
Martin @ Mar 7th 2007 8:48PM
This reminds me of Microsoft Bob. Ugh... let me go to the room where I can launch downloadable movies. Crap, I need to walk back to find game buddies... I am not sold on it.
garrett @ Mar 7th 2007 8:50PM
Anyone comparing this to Second Life has never played Second Life, or at least looked at the building options. This is just a place you stand around an buy clothes, whereas Second Life is more like a giant set of Legos that you can write code for or attach to yourself. Seriously, the draw of Second Life is the 3D modeling and scripting tool built right into the interface. "Home" is limited to whatever objects and clothing Sony decides to put into the world. Actually, "Home" looks very much like "There" and appears to have a similar business model.
jate lee @ Mar 7th 2007 8:58PM
job well done sony! PS3 is save for now. :)
Kevin Dixon @ Mar 7th 2007 9:47PM
1st ? How much is this going to cost.