SlashGear Japan
Sony has announced that the PlayStation Home beta will be opening its doors to lucky PlayStation 3 owners today. This PS3 exclusive allows players to interact in a virtual social environment using text or voice chat. It more closely resembles Second Life and like their online gaming, it will remain free.
Sony is the last to jump on the social networking idea for gaming consoles. Nintendo’s Wii was launched with Mii avatar support in many games and services. Microsoft also gave the social community aspect to Xbox 360, but in no way does it compare to actually walking around and interacting in a virtual 3D world with many other players. This social environment has many extra features such as in-world music options, advertiser-supported destinations and stores, mini-games and trophy rooms.
From what we can see, PlayStation Home looks like the most sophisticated social environment on a gaming console today. Microsoft is saying that PlayStation Home appears to be “2005 tech.” If you’re a videogame junky such as I am you will have taken the day off and sat in front of the TV eagerly awaiting this update. Now, we know many of you are just itching to test it out; we want to know how you think Sony did with PlayStation Home. Did they meet or beat your expectations, or did this fall short never to be used again? Remember however this is still in beta.
5 Responses to “PlayStation Home beta gets pushed out to PS3 owners worldwide”
VinTheDean December 11, 2008
I’ll be back tomorrow with answers to these questions.
NeutralFacebook User December 11, 2008
[quote comment="56480"]I’ll be back tomorrow with answers to these questions.[/quote]
For sure. I’ve been steering clear of the PS3 for some time now because the lack on online community and of course games, but this is so intriguing that I just might make the jump. I can’t wait to hear what you think about it!
NeutralDazzer December 11, 2008
Hmm. It all looks very nice but what does it actually do?
Call me a cynic but I’ve got a nasty feeling it’s more a vehicle to peddle licenced advertising than anything else.
From what I’ve seen so far, It looks like it it sits somewhere between a fancy program launching front end and a real VR world.
Sure, on the surface, it might look like a Second Life after a weekend away at a beauty retreat but Second Life is more than looking good. running around in a 3D evironment and chatting to people.
Second Life might look dated and would defintitely be guilty of being clunky but as pretty much everything in it has been built by the users so that’s why those people that are a little creative, those that like exploring and those that can make their own goals are still really engaged within it. Second Life has a soul that I’ve not been able to find anywhere else. The numbers may be small in comparison to some of the game based MMOs but they are dedicated because no other a system give them the flexibility to be who they want / do what they want.
I really can’t see how Home will make any dent on those that get Second Life but I would be the first to admit that most people would rather be more passive with their entertainment or at least rather they were led by some sort of plot or storyline. Whether 3D worlds without User Generated Content can keep people continuously engaged is something I’m not so sure about. Maybe if there’s scope to create themed clubrooms as well as your apartment, there may be some life in it but there really has to be more options to customise things other than selecting a few things off a menu.
To be honest, to me, it looks more like a spruced up Google Lively than a Second Life (and looked what happened to that).
NeutralNanoEntity December 11, 2008
I like XBOX 360 Live, I don’t own one but it has lots of games and I always see people playing on it.
Neutralkaziklu December 11, 2008
I’ve been playing with Playstation Home for a few hours, and I seem to think it’s kinda neat, there is some nice social interactions and the such, and if you can actually launch a game with it, for multiplayer that will be very nifty.
I haven’t figure that part out, nor do I care if I do, I didn’t buy the PS3 because of it’s Online abilities, I bought for it’s capabilities as a well rounded media device, for my Photos, Music, DVDs/Blueray and Games (mostly offline) I think I’m not the only one that bought the PS3, with other uses in mind.
I use my PS3 most likely 10-20 hours a week, and about half that time I’m doing something other then gaming on it. Be it music, or movies.
Playstation Home isn’t going to change that I don’t think, but it does give me an interesting place to load up if I want to meet up with people, should I ever need that. Right now it’s a nifty addition to what the Playstation can do to entertain it’s owners.
Neutral