Sony's PlayStation Home gets seriously previewed

We've been intrigued by Sony's PlayStation Home concept for, like, ever now, but considering just how long the thing has been delayed, we're trying to avoid any contact with pre-launch fodder in order to keep our hopes low. That being the case, we realize not all of you care to safeguard your hearts in the way we have ours, so we felt it prudent -- nay, necessary -- to pass along PS3 Fanboy's in-depth walkthrough of the service. SCEA's Jack Buser recently took the time to sit down and open up for a marvelous preview of the Plaza, Game Space and lots of other nooks and crannies we're sure you're interested in venturing into. To the read link, we send you. Try not to get lost, okay?

[Flashpoint @ Sep 18th 2008 6:37AM]

Its like GTA4 without the guns.

[Rantrev @ Sep 18th 2008 6:51AM]

Or Second Life without the...Uh... Everything.

[Rob Bourne @ Sep 18th 2008 6:52AM]

Or the hookers, although I'm sure there will eventually be some weirdos who open in-game brothels for some hot cyber-action.

*shudder*

[mrblank @ Sep 19th 2008 9:35AM]

Yes, this is a big concern as a parent. What will SONY do to keep crime down in my @home neighborhood? I don't want any virtual hookers or virtual drug and smut dealers in my neighborhood. If the Sony police presence is increased will that affect my @home tax aka subscription fee?

Though I can see a need for them and wouldn't mind partaking. But, I don't want them in my neighborhood. Maybe put up some coding laws.

[rippinhonda @ Sep 18th 2008 10:40AM]

you guys are forgetting one important thing.... ITS FREE!

that means if you even have one speck of fun it will be worth it. The one thing i really like about playstation is that i dont have to get out my checkbook like i have to do with my xbox.

I'm totally excited for this.

[Podaman @ Sep 18th 2008 11:23AM]

I signed up for Second Life about a year ago. Back then, my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. Absolutely everything was the same...except I could fly.

[Muhammed @ Sep 18th 2008 5:32PM]

it's like the Facebook's Yoville but with, uh, the graphics.

[jared @ Sep 18th 2008 6:38AM]

I've only recently been involved in the beta, but it's actually a pretty cool experience. I was expecting a total let-down.

[Rob Bourne @ Sep 18th 2008 6:48AM]

It's hard not to feel cynical about this. It's only a matter of time before the novelty wears off and people go back to using the XMB and, more importantly, the games. I know I'd rather play a good multiplayer game than arse about in a virtual world with absolutely no real immersion or reward.

[Saad Rabia @ Sep 18th 2008 6:59AM]

Why so cynical? (Had to say it)

And I totally agree with you; this whole thing is eye candy that will eventually wear out. Every feature Sony brought out with the PS3 was a momentarily hype type of thing.

[Ixon @ Sep 18th 2008 7:03AM]

Yeah Likely, but if it's user-modifiable by users, then I guarantee you in no time there will be strip joints, and nude character hacks and flying hacks in no time.. MORE then enough troublesome ideas to keep Sony busy blocking and removing them. I'm so looking forward to going into dance room/bars with my character and mashing my controls so my character moves around as if he/she was dancing.. My life will then be complete.

[Static @ Sep 18th 2008 7:14AM]

I take you are not in the beta? Trust me. Even if you claim to be all about games home has something for you. Its a new way to meet people and also a way to Start a game lobby and instead of waiting in a room or for people to find you, you can play a game....... or several games just to pass time.

[Rob Bourne @ Sep 18th 2008 7:33AM]

@ Saad - +10 points :D

@ Ixon - Mods would be good, hopefully Sony will either allow such a thing (if only to select users, like MS' XNA ) or keep making new stuff to expand the world. I know they already promise this, but let's take that with a pinch of salt, eh? I'm still waiting for GT4 on the PSP!

@ Static - Nah I'm not in the beta, wouldn't really be worthy of them to allow me either as I don't get too much play-time what with my baby boy demanding so much attention :)
Am I reading you right when you say I could be in the lobby for a particular game and do stuff to kill time? Or is it more of a lobby to group people together, then you all boot up the game from scratch?

[Das Boot @ Sep 18th 2008 1:46PM]

@rob, ignore the baby and don't neglect the ps3. After all, your wife had the kid, not you. its her job to rear the kid.

[Static @ Sep 18th 2008 10:41AM]

It looks like my last response didn't go through.


As I tried to post earlier you as a person/avatar are the lobby. An icon above your head signifies to people if you had started a lobby. people can then select the avatar to see what game and decide if they want to join or not. Meanwhile this doesn't hamper your ability to play other games in home (even MP ones).

[Rob Bourne @ Sep 19th 2008 4:59AM]

Heh, I got lowranked? For what? I didn't whine, troll or spam.

Ah well.

[Byron Jacob @ Sep 18th 2008 7:05AM]

Being a fan of playstation since its dawning in december '94. I agree with Rob's comment - yes, the whole hype of Playstation home sounds really interesting and should be remarkable when it comes out. The image above does show a interesting realisation of people talking to each other via a playstation instead of a desktop computer where if you randomly search online i bet there would be thousand of chat rooms for you to talk your merry heart out about rubbish. It'll be at first like any new game the most interesting and cool thing to try but I really can't be interested in that. I like the whole concept of Playstation home and its new features which i see being a really good thing for the future but in the end, the main thing people want a playstation for is Blueray and PS3 Games.

[Static @ Sep 18th 2008 7:32AM]

It's odd to see all these comments about home having nothing to do with gaming when that is what is the main allure of it.

[y3k.nik @ Sep 18th 2008 8:57AM]

How is gaming the mail allure of home?

[Byron Jacob @ Sep 18th 2008 9:02AM]

well from the article its describing and the way its shown above. Its kinda difficult to get that idea that, thats what its there for.
i mean i read the article a few times and read and article in Playstations official magazine but it doesn't really stress you on that idea. they kinda explain it as a massive chat room.

[BowserUSC @ Sep 18th 2008 9:02AM]

sorry buddy. most people just don't want to run around some pointless virtual world and meet people, especially when you can just press a button and be flung into a game with people of your skill level already. It's pointless as a tool for matchmaking multiplayer games and it's just downright stupid if you expect people to develop a social life on it.

[Kneel B4 Zurg! @ Sep 18th 2008 10:14AM]

@ Static

LOL gaming? Ahh you funny guy you!

Home and game do not fit in the same sentence in the English language.
Maybe in japan it does. "Home game fun play! Dont resist all hopes!" (??)
Yeah that makes more sense.

As for it being a good way to meet people?? Its not WoW, or even the Sims...or anyother MMO thats worth being "social"...

GJ, on this revealed way too early, failed ad campaign. I mean its not even worth updating its where abouts, Xbox mentioned the avatar crap, what you can use them for n thats it....Engadget spare me...

Oh! cant wait for LBP!! 100's of 1000's of half assed, half done platform lvls with kewl graphics from the creative Gamerz out there...

[John @ Sep 18th 2008 7:45AM]

If Sony can make the Second Life concept cool, that would be an accomplishment in itself. At this point, Second Life is more-or-less the most uncool thing on the internet.

[Byron Jacob @ Sep 18th 2008 9:05AM]

whats that got to do with this?

[Byron Jacob @ Sep 18th 2008 9:06AM]

I agree - all i really want to do with my PS3 is jam out on guitar hero or kill people on Warhawk or C.O.D

[Byron Jacob @ Sep 18th 2008 9:06AM]

I agree - all i really want to do with my PS3 is jam out on guitar hero or kill people on Warhawk or C.O.D

[Ron @ Sep 18th 2008 9:26AM]

i'm not going to bash it until I try it out. I'll admit though it's typically not my thing, but hey who knows? I just might find something in it that I like.

[sinjinn @ Sep 18th 2008 9:31AM]

its free

[Woody @ Sep 18th 2008 10:30AM]

Ouuu! I can't wait!

[firstchoiceauto finder.com @ Sep 18th 2008 10:44AM]

Worth a try.

[Joel @ Sep 18th 2008 1:02PM]

This shit is just stupid....Home is just a waste of resources just like the new xbox live experience. I just want fucking games. If I want to hang out, I will go out to a bar with my buddies, simple as that.

[y3k.nik @ Sep 18th 2008 1:25PM]

What if you are all alone and have no buddies except your faithful little shiny ps3?

[JerkfacedFed @ Sep 18th 2008 1:49PM]

home is a useless waste of development time that is making sony look like incapable fools. oh wait, they are incapable of writing software!

if you are looking for the social its here www.zune.net

and here www.xbox.com

[lg @ Sep 18th 2008 3:35PM]

you've got to be kidding LOL zune? are you one of those 2 zune users?

[daaper @ Sep 18th 2008 3:38PM]

absolutely nothing...it's just spam

[Bunson @ Sep 18th 2008 7:49PM]

Looks good

[J @ Sep 25th 2008 4:06PM]

I think Home should be a nice addition. After playing with some MMORPGs (EQ, Mapple Story,etc..) and IMVU, found out that the thing that I did the most was chatting, and that's considering that I really don't like to chat so much. 3D worlds are becoming the norm nowadays. Maybe some developers will use Home as their game environment/engine in the future.

[Ian @ Oct 3rd 2008 3:52PM]

Just think: There could be ARGs in Home soon!