GDC: Sony announces PS3 Home

By Robert Purchese Published 7 March, 2007

Virtual Changing Rooms.

Sony has announced official details of PS3 Home, a customisable, networked community for PlayStation 3.

Phil Harrison unveiled the service in his GDC 2007 keynote, as a free download from the PlayStation Store.

It will let you create and customise a character from a wide range of body types, skin tones, ages, clothes and accessories. It's similar to Nintendo's Mii avatars, but apparently with much more choice and depth.

This virtual "you" will interact with other PS3 users' characters using text, voice and video chat - as well as being able to create and join online games.

You'll also get a customisable living space, which will display hard drive content like photos as pictures on walls, or play MP3 music through your digital Hi-Fi. In addition to this, you'll be able to store achievements rewarded from games you've played; hording 3D trophies in your Hall of Fame to show to other Home users when they visit your gaff.

Something to take Gamerscore envy to a whole new level, then.

It's still in the early stages at the moment, but Harrison hinted at the possibility of developers and publishers creating spaces for Home users to explore, as well as non-game companies.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like we'll see the service until Autumn, with closed beta testing expected to take place from next month.

You can find all of the news from Phil Harrison's speech on our frontpage, or you can head over to our gallery to see the latest screenshots from PS3 Home.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (119) Latest comment 4 years ago

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  • Dire #1 5 years ago

    hahaha...

  • JediMasterMalik #2 5 years ago

    It's seriously amazing to look at, just watch the vid at GT.

  • Pedrolot #3 5 years ago

    Looks VERY good to be quite honest...



    Come on 360 owners...have your say! haha

  • muftak #4 5 years ago

    looks really cool im getting more excited about what sony are bringing to the PS3 .

    I know achivments have been done before but this is a improvment

  • LOLLERS #5 5 years ago

    pointless.

    Why do you have to type instead of speaking with your voice like on 360?



  • JediMasterMalik #6 5 years ago

    Didn't watch the whole video then? Tool.

  • muftak #7 5 years ago

    "pointless.

    Why do you have to type instead of speaking with your voice like on 360?"

    360 troll

    you dont really think he would watch the whole thing only the part he wants to watch and to moan about it
    Edited by muftak at 07/03/07 @ 19:00

  • LOLLERS #8 5 years ago

    yeah but what do you actually do? Stand around spurting out pre-made phrases and dancing like a twat? Sounds great, honestly.

  • JediMasterMalik #9 5 years ago

    Oh my, in the rest of the video it says you can use a Bluetooth headset for voice coms. >_>

  • manic_mouse #10 5 years ago

    Interesting! Need to see the video but my net is dawg-slow at the moment. This is exactly the sort of thing Sony need to be doing at the moment, innovation rather than copy-cating.

    Does it kinda look a bit like Second Life?

  • muftak #11 5 years ago

    "yeah but what do you actually do? Stand around spurting out pre-made phrases and dancing like a twat? Sounds great, honestly."


    i wont bother to tell you what you do just watch and enjoy or are you cranky cuase its past your bed time.

    Edited by muftak at 07/03/07 @ 19:04

  • LOLLERS #12 5 years ago

    o right, I didn't actually listen to it since i'm at work, working...

    Doesn't really appeal to me tbh, I like achievements but they are there to add to the game, not replace it. I only really need to know what I have and what I need to do to get more, I really don't want to go round someone's house and look at their trophies when I could be ACTUALLY PLAYING A GAME instead.
    Edited by LOLLERS at 07/03/07 @ 19:14

  • numptyboymatt #13 5 years ago

    Like others have said, Im only really interested in the games - all of this peripheral rubbish leaves me cold.

    I SO know I am going to be accused of trolling now on the basis that I dont think that its the greatest thing ever.

  • LOLLERS #14 5 years ago

    welcome to the club numptyboymatt :(

    I'm sure it's great for children and the unemployed, I just don't have the time for this!

  • kissthestick #15 5 years ago

    very nice

  • Scythe #16 5 years ago

    PMSL

    So let be get 360troll logic right.
    When the PS3 doedn't have achievements it's "PS3 suxxors, it has no achievements".
    When PS3 has achievements that make the 360 look like rubbish it's "PS3 suxxorz, achievements are ok but I'd rather be playing the games instead"
    Right, got it.

    Oh and LOLLERS ... so what you're saying is you can't listen to it because you are at work ... but you can watch enough of it to criticise it? Somehow I doubt you even have a job, 12 year old xbot trolls rarely work.


    Whtever happened to "Sony can't do online"? Now all of a sudden it's "Sony's doing too much online" and/or "Sony are going to start charging for online" and/or "I don't care, it's about the games". ROFL, xbots make me laugh. I swear my IQ drops just by reading their comments
    Edited by Scythe at 07/03/07 @ 19:17

  • Dizzy #17 5 years ago

    Are you guys serious? Is this IT? Sounds like an idea from the 80s when people thought that VR was the big thing.

  • numptyboymatt #18 5 years ago

    @LOLLERS

    My sentiments exactly - time is my big issue too, I work full time, and my other half is a truck driver and although he is keen on games, he doesnt get much time to play them either. Developers seem to realise that gamers dont have as much time to play nowadays with the average age of gamers increasing and this is why episodic gaming is hailed as the way forward. Apparently.

    I have no interest in achievements on the 360 either if I am being honest (and no, Im not an "xbot" before anyone says anything as I also have a Wii and a PS2 sat under my tv).

  • Instinct #19 5 years ago

    Can we at least acknowledge that it's a sweet feature and it appeals to many people, even if it may not appeal to you?

    Please, everyone, watch the video before criticising. Comment directed at nobody in particular, just in general.

  • SeesThroughAll #20 5 years ago

    Are you guys serious? Is this IT? Sounds like an idea from the 80s when people thought that VR was the big thing.

    That's a bit too harsh. Sony clearly looked at what's engaging and what people like about Live, WoW and Second Life. And it pretty much looks like a technical improvement over those "cyberspaces" (to use an 80's term).

    It's interesting enough, although not really mindblowing. Nonetheless a very good effort. Now, if during the next few days I see some nice game trailers, and they look good (LBP is simply charming), then I won't care that much about not having 100% BC.

  • The-Bodybuilder #21 5 years ago

    Sounds interesting.
    Makes no difference to me whatsoever. I i don't care about achievements on the 360, which is purely just a spreadsheet. Why would I care about this?

    I do get what sony are trying to do though. They're trying to integrate second-life web-based MMO with myspace and achievements. They are trying to make avaters "cool" like myspace.

    The jury's still out though...

  • ronuds #22 5 years ago

    Can you just do regular email/voice mails and such instead of this "home" thing? The home looks decent, but I just don't see myself having any interest in using it.

    It all seems a bit much. There should just be a page I can go to instead of having to walk around some house or city to see other people's achievements.

    Good effort at least. I'll give'em that. But I don't see how this could truly excite anybody about buying a ps3. It's seems like this will all get old quickly.
    Edited by ronuds at 07/03/07 @ 19:43

  • LOLLERS #23 5 years ago

    I just hope they don't make a massive thing out of it and it just becomes a nice secondary feature. If they use it as a key selling point, somethings gone wrong.

    Anyway, it's only a matter of time before someone puts porn on the walls and a pedophile gets caught using it and it'll all fall apart :)
    Edited by LOLLERS at 07/03/07 @ 19:51

  • faux_carnation #24 5 years ago

    Its "hoarding"

    pff!

  • Lonestar #25 5 years ago

    Image Boutique !?!?!?

  • Vin #26 5 years ago

    "Looks VERY good to be quite honest...



    Come on 360 owners...have your say! haha"

    It looks GASH.

    Fuck, I was doing this kind of shit in Phantasy Star Online.

    SIX years ago.

    On the DREAMCAST.

    Sega wins.

  • Salvia #27 5 years ago

    "On the DREAMCAST.

    Sega wins."

    Oh dear...are you one of those cocks from UK:R?

  • LOLLERS #28 5 years ago

    correct me if i'm wrong, I don't know exactly how the PS3's online works, but if you meet someone in this global chat room, invite them back to your 'private area' you can watch movies and shit with them, but if you put a game in, there's no direct way to invite them, is there? no global friends list?
    Edited by LOLLERS at 07/03/07 @ 20:15

  • jonchoo #29 5 years ago

    Then enjoy the games and ignore Home when it is rolled out.

  • Steroyd #30 5 years ago

    This is the next step up from having an online friends list and those who loves these type of feature's should like this.

    Kind of frustrating because this is what Animal Crossing should be can't believe they held it back so much on the DS. :/

    Plus this is free can't complain with free.

  • bonker #31 5 years ago

    "Something to take Gamerscore envy to a whole new level, then."

    A bit editorial that EG.

  • bonker #32 5 years ago

    "Plus this is free can't complain with free."

    Au contraire, I smell another Sony cash-cow here: "Premium" furniture anyone?

  • LOLLERS #33 5 years ago

    well, I imagine most people will be enjoying the games and ignoring Home after a few months, based on previous experiments like this -

    http://valleywag.com/tech/second-life/a-...

    The final quote says it all really -

    "There's nothing wrong with a service that appeals to tens of thousands of people, but in a billion-person internet, that population is also a rounding error."
    Edited by LOLLERS at 07/03/07 @ 21:11

  • effinwooly #34 5 years ago

    oh dear

  • The-Bodybuilder #35 5 years ago

    I just hope they have a seperate, LIVE-like system.
    Sometimes I just like to quickly check the latest demos. I can't imagine loading up my avatar, running to the "demo room", and looking at the wall for demos.

    But it could work.

  • AOFanboi #36 5 years ago

    Big surprise, XBox 360 owners are envious they don't get a beautiful Second Life-like avatar service with better graphics and without stupid shit like National Front ruining the experience. Enjoy your "blades" interface, made by and for tech-heads.

    EDIT: Just saw this comparison between FFXII running natively and pixelated on PS2 and running emulated and smoothed on PS3: http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?i...
    Edited by AOFanboi at 07/03/07 @ 21:43

  • Skeletor #37 5 years ago

    I'm sure there are lots of people wetting their pants about PS3 Home...while Little Big Planet looks and sounds like a lot of fun I just couldn't care less for Home. Looks like it's geared towards the dumb MTV-Pimp my crib or whatever crowd...I mean thanks, but no thanks. What pisses me off is this whole "It's free" bullshit which is clearly another stupid lie, Sony-style. Seriously, what good is it if the virtual place itself is free but then they charge you money for every little piece of shit. It sounds like a lame corporate version of "Second Life" - too much life style crap and not enough game. Call me crazy but I still prefer XBL and the freedom of PC-onlinegaming...

  • RexRunti #38 5 years ago

    (I posted this under the keynote page but it seems more relevant here)

    This "home" thing does seem like a natural progression and Sony should be applauded for at least doing something first for once (it's not as original as some might think - see the DOA4 and Phantasy Start Online lobbies). It is also pretty unique which is a good thing. However, this does seem like something which could be copied very quickly on the 360 given how the current XBoxLive operates and Sony immediately lose (another) USP (leaving just blu-ray). Also they don't seem to have addressed the issue of whether this can run during games or if you have to chat then dissappear then insert game and meet up with friends (perhaps using different names). This is where the 360's live experience truly shines and Sony should emulate this as soon as possible.

    In summary this a much need positive boost for Sony, but not as big as it first appears.

    Or the icing looks great... where's the cake?

  • muftak #39 5 years ago

    "Au contraire, I smell another Sony cash-cow here: "Premium" furniture anyone? "

    And M$ dont charge you for piss poor content

    Im sorry but M$ has started the ball rolling of the demise of PC gaming with vista and will started the ball with their point system content which devs can start making incomplete games and charge you for the extra lvls they had made but know they can sell and make more money battlestations midway anyone and the stupid price for crap arcade games which you can get for free.

    I really do hate comments like that about the all wonderfull M$ and there we cant make it without buying all the games companys for ourselves crap
    Edited by muftak at 07/03/07 @ 21:53

  • AOFanboi #40 5 years ago

    <em>lame corporate version of "Second Life"</em>

    Well, Second Life is "lame corporate" from the outset - except with shittier graphics than this, and with some nerdy tools for creating content. And Furries having cybersex. And with France's National Front and various protest groups against National Front. And basically a lot of stuff (like corporate presences) I don't want in a social "virtual reality".

    Second Life does not let me invite friends to watch a movie. This does.

  • LOLLERS #41 5 years ago

    "Second Life does not let me invite friends to watch a movie. This does. "

    Do you often talk during movies? Or do you just like to watch other people during the movie?
    Edited by LOLLERS at 07/03/07 @ 21:56

  • Skeletor #42 5 years ago

    @muftak
    I don't have a problem with companies charging money for extra content (Valve, M$ etc.) but PS3 Home is something completely different. In "Home" you're probably shit if you don't have the latest super-unique premium-priced clothes or furniture...to me this has nothing to do with videogames, it's digital life style crap I'm just not intersted in.
    "Crap arcade games"?! That's a funny one. Geometry Wars, Mutant Storm, Assault Heroes, Alien Hominid and the upcoming Ikaruga, Space Giraffe, Castle Crashers, Castlevania - Symphony to name just a few...Not crappy in my book, actually quite ace!

  • Weezer #43 5 years ago

    Just watched the trailer over at GT - the missus walks in and just goes, "Oh for fuck's sake - why don't they just get a life. A real one."

    She sort of has a point.

    And the modern 'dancing' is sheee-iiite.

  • Scythe #44 5 years ago

    To be honest I REALLY don't see the problem some people have with this.
    Does it have an online community? Yes.
    Does it have achievements? Yes
    Does is have "minigames" (e.g pool and bowling)? Seems so.
    Does it have file and picture sharing? Yes.
    Does it have music and video downloads? Yes
    Does it have downloadable content (e.g trailers and demos)? Yes
    Does it have the ability to join in online games? Yes (per the demo)
    Does it have friends lists? Yes (shown when you can allow people into your private area)

    These are most of the things Live users were screaming about the PSN not having. Now all of a sudden they're screaming it's pointless and "they don't have the time". Well here's a wake-up call, neither do a lot of people. I work full time, study a uni course in the evenings (CIMA) and run a household too, will I have time to use this fully? God no. But then again last time I checked there weren't any Sony executives in my living room pointing a gun at me forcing me to use it. So WHAT if you think it's a waste of time. A lot of people won't. Personally I'd rather have a service there, for free, that I can use if I want to than not have a service at all (poor Live silver users, you don't pay, you don't play ... try PSN, it's free). Will they have microtransactions (for skins, furniture etc)? Undoubtably. However, looking around, there still isn't a Sony exec in my living room forcing me to buy anything. Hey, perhaps because *gasp*, you can CHOOSE how far into this thing you want to get. You can CHOOSE to get brand clothing and furniture. It seems that 360 owners would prefer nothing being there at all as opposed to having the choice of using it in depth or not (strange for a console marketed on choice). At least I have a CHOICE and either way i can still play my games for free, on Live you have to pay to play AND then you still get microtransactioned. Who was saying "It's the gamkes that count" again? Oh right, thos PAYING for the privelige of something that should be (and is) free pretty much everywhere else but Live.
    The day a Sony exec shows up in my living room and threatens me unless I get involved in this Home thing and use the microtransactions is the day I start bashing the service. Until that day, hey, I'll be happy that there's something there IF I WANT IT OR NOT as opposed to nothing at all. Who knows, if you got 20 minutes to spare it may be fun linking up to some bloke overseas for a round of pool or bowling.

    Oh and to the people who are saying how "sad" it is tha some people are prepared to pay for virtual stuff when they could be buying real stuff instead. Lets see:
    1 - On live you have to PAY if you want to play online, hows that for a start?
    2 - On live you get the faeces microtransactioned out of you, how is this any different to somebody choosing to spend their money on a skin or a piece of furniture on PSN home if THEY want to?
    3 - [link url=http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/2006/12/01/first-virtual-world-millionaire-in-real-world-dollars/
    ]http://www.marketingvox.com/archives/200...[/link]
    Gee, looks like a lot of people are prepared to spend a lot of money buying virtual things in a virtual world.



    I suppose it's just further proof that xbots are prepared to bash anything related to Sony just because it's related to Sony. It's like penis envy in console form. IMO if they were so confident in their console they wouldn't have to spend so much time bashing the opposition, it's clear they feel threatened otherwise they would just ignore what Sony are doing. So please, carry on with teh hate. it's just showing how afraid of Sony you really are, no amtter what way you try and spin it (in the same way school bullies are usually the one's with the biggest self issues).
    *future watch* - in less than 3 months Live reveals pland to create a 3D online community named LiveLife, xbots fly into a frenzy at how great this idea is and slam Sony for copying MS with their Home idea. Just you wait, currently this idea sucks, as soon as MS announce it (for subscribers only) all of a sudden it'll become "Teh bestest ting evarr n much betterer tahn teh evils soneeee"

  • muftak #45 5 years ago

    ""I don't have a problem with companies charging money for extra content (Valve, M$ etc.) but PS3 Home is something completely different. In "Home" you're probably shit if you don't have the latest super-unique premium-priced clothes or furniture...to me this has nothing to do with videogames, it's digital life style crap I'm just not intersted in.
    "Crap arcade games"?! That's a funny one. Geometry Wars, Mutant Storm, Assault Heroes, Alien Hominid and the upcoming Ikaruga, Space Giraffe, Castle Crashers, Castlevania - Symphony to name just a few...Not crappy in my book, actually quite ace!"

    You dont call charging for a new hat for you Viva Piñata not taking the piss alittle im sorry in the good old days of PC gaming content like that would be free in fact atlot of it still is ie the sims 2 even railroad tycoon gave you a new train and a map for FREE.

    When the hell did vavle start charging for a new gun for your CS game never thats when.

    If the content is worth while like what their planning for guitarhero new songs thats worth it or for the PS3 new songs for sing star that is worth it but not a freaking hat or wig .

    you shouldnt have to spend 30 to 40 quid on a game and have to pay to download the latest gun , skin or dildo . Oh btw has sony mentioned anything like paying for content yet nope dont speculate.

    Heres a tip http://www.emuasylum.com/ go here download mame and you got all the arcade games you want for free . also check it out for the ripp off Wii VC content for Free like something 15 years old should be.

    oh and i ment crap price for arcade games

  • stuarty_2003 #46 5 years ago

    It's a genuinely impressive take on the Gamerscore concept. Community, points, trophies...etc...

    STILL, my one major gripe with PSN is that there is no gamer tag concept.

    1. A user name for PSN
    2. A user name for RFoM
    3. A user name for Ridge Racer......
    19. A user name for....


    It may be free, but it'll still be a pain in the arse.

  • chupachups #47 5 years ago

    This is very nice indeed, and as an extra it's definitely a welcome addition to the gaming world. This is like a less cutesy version of Habbo Hotel or Animal Crossing DS, and those are very popular indeed.

    Sony is to be congratulated for doing something like this.

    BUT...

    As Clinton might have said if he'd been a console salesman, "It's the games and the price, stupid!"

    Home is not a game and it's not a price drop, so it will ultimately make no significant difference to PS3 sales.

    The tragedy of the PS3 is that Sony is putting in a heck of a lot of effort, but they're putting it in all the wrong areas.
    Edited by chupachups at 07/03/07 @ 23:06

  • HyperShadow #48 5 years ago

    This home thing seems fine now, but I can't see it lasting 6 months to a year down the line.

    Once the shine of this uber new thing dies down, who's going to care. The gamerscore thing isn't (contarary to popular belief) a global love. You either become a points whore or you just don't care. Except this time its got an elaborate interface. Wow.

  • Skeletor #49 5 years ago

    @muftak
    Relax, mate. Charging for a virtual hat or wig is stupid, doesn't really matter whether it's M$ or Sony. On the other hand, "PS3 Home" sounds like it's ALL about microtransactions after all, so this whole "it's free, it's free" shouting is nonsense to me. Though I seriously love the Wii I don't like how Nintendo is trying to sell "old roms" with no extras. Btw, I use Mame very often for the good old forgotten stuff that I never had the chance to play in the arcades. Ever played Osman/ Cannon Dancer? That's the true Strider sequel, just love it!
    http://mywebpages.comcast.net/raddspence...

  • muftak #50 5 years ago

    "Relax, mate. Charging for a virtual hat or wig is stupid, doesn't really matter whether it's M$ or Sony. On the other hand, "PS3 Home" sounds like it's ALL about microtransactions after all, so this whole "it's free, it's free" shouting is nonsense to me. Though I seriously love the Wii I don't like how Nintendo is trying to sell "old roms" with no extras. Btw, I use Mame very often for the good old forgotten stuff that I never had the chance to play in the arcades. Ever played Osman/ Cannon Dancer? That's the true Strider sequel, just love it! "

    Sorry man im losing my rag over alot of poeple bad mouthing the PS3 before playing it or seeing what it can do

    Its a great leap forward sure its expensive but you get a games machine , media centre and a blueray player for only £425 or where i live £365.

    Each machine has it plus points and its minus points i myself wont buy a 360 dosnt have what i want no blueray/HD play buit in no proper HDMI and not too fussed over Live.

    The Wii for me has no fun factor i dont see great use for the Wiimote thing and i dont want a casual gamers console.

    Oh i love the look of that game looks cool i will try that out havent had a great mame night in ages still playing Streetfigher alpha on it.


    /Runs off to see if vanguard is back up and running
    Edited by muftak at 07/03/07 @ 23:20

  • theindustrialone #51 5 years ago

    Just watched the video and my immediate reaction was a jaw-breaking yawn.

    On paper this is a great idea, but the shockingly bad implementation (the monstrous dancing, the blander than bland avatars, the insipid clothing) means I would rather eat my own flesh than use this.

    I just hope that there is much more to it than has been shown on the admittedly short video.

  • Duke_Red #52 5 years ago

    You people really need to lighten up.

    "shockingly bad implementation (the monstrous dancing, the blander than bland avatars, the insipid clothing) means I would rather eat my own flesh than use this."

    Its like saying the wii remote is childish or some other hyperbolic crap... it's just a style man.

    Frankly the ideas are very inventive and will be kinda fun to play about with (watching videos on a tv inside your TV, pretty impresive). As for the long term I see it becoming like chat forums where certain kinds of people will meet to talk to each other, etc.

    The only probelm I see is the if you are forced and have no option but to do stuff through this interface, like:

    Viewing your achievements

    Watching movies full screen

    text messaging each other without going through this

    inviting people to games

    basically... like the xbox. This "game" should remain so, a game, a bit of fun.

    Edited by Duke_Red at 08/03/07 @ 00:47

  • The-Bodybuilder #53 5 years ago

    >"Sorry man im losing my rag over alot of poeple bad mouthing the PS3 before playing it or seeing what it can do"

    You're loosing control of your anger, just because someone badmouths a console?

    Wow.

  • CorporalSpank #54 5 years ago

    Well I have my 360 and I think this looks really good! Of course you wont HAVE to use it, it's just there if you want to - and from the looks of things it trumps Live in a few areas, notably being able to talk to more than one of your friends at the same time.

    This is one thing I hope MS sort soon - why can you talk to 15 other people simultaneously in-game, but as soon as you're not in game you cant even chat to 2 of your mates at the same time?! Pants.

    Anyways, good thinking Sony - this will definitely work in your favour.

  • muftak #55 5 years ago

    "
    You're loosing control of your anger, just because someone badmouths a console?

    Wow."


    well im sorry gaming is a hobby of mine and i am passionate about

    some poeple get angry when they bad mouth a football team or their hobby well i get the same.

  • Duke_Red #56 5 years ago

    Thats no excuse ;)

  • Scythe #57 5 years ago

    Wonga
    "Does it have cross game invites, Am I able to send a voice and video message along with cross game invite to other players? Am I able to administer my friends list, send people in-game messages, from the website, without booting my console? These are basic things."
    I don't know if it can do that, do you? I've gleaned as much information as I could from the demo, it didn't mention any of that. So can you say it doesn't and/or never will allow that? So is it fine for xbots to bash it over something they DON'T KNOW whether it will do or not? Perhpas when this starts rolling out we weill see what it's capable of and what options they include. Remember it ended with "This is just the beginning". The amaxing thing about online is you can UPGRADE and add more features ... but I suppose MS doesn't need to do that and Live is perfect, I'm just waiting for an xnot to claime THEY haven't needed to update Live (yeah, cause it's exactly the same as it was in Nov05). It just proves my point, xbots are ready to bash anything Sony without using their brains. Remember "PS3 won't play second hand games"? Or "PS3 burnt down my house"? Or "PS3 20g won't have HDMI"? And the rest of the long long list of xbots jumping on the bandwagon without actually either waiting or thinking.
    Thing is, in pretty much all my experience with XBL, unles you have a developed friends list that you stricly limti yourself to, more often that not you get bombarded by kids who still think swearing is cool and prefix every sentence with suxxorz, roxxorz or (p)owned. Pretty much every time I've tried it at friends places I'v nded up turning off in disgust and, amazingly, this appears to be a common complaint amongst pretty much every gamer out of their teens judging by what I've seen on forums and what I'v found talking to people who use live. Now this has nothing to do with the service but the users instead (granted) but, after hearing all the complaints and experiencing myself the horror of kids who think they're "all grown up" because they can swear and "own" at a game, I wonder, do I REALLY want to communicate during games? Out of them sure, cause then you can just tell them to pi$$ off without ruining your gaming however when playing MP online, what do you do? Turn it off? Sure it's a nice feature ... or at least it could be if they made you take an IQ and a maturity test before using it.

    "It's all good to you, Only because you've already dismissed anything good in XBL as worthless, long before you comitted yourself to buying a PS3, but not everyone is coming from that angle."
    Where have I dismissed anything good about XBL? Please tell me? Where have I bashed everything XBL is? Do I think that AT LEAST the online gaming part should be free (especially considering your fees just go straight into MS's pocket as opposed to upgrading the service)? Yes. Which is why it's crazy that xbots bash PSN for providing FREE gaming. Do I feel you get the faeces microtransactioned out of you on XBL? Yes which is why it's hypocritical for xbots to comment about microtransactions on PSN. Do I feel you get bombarded with advertising on XBL EVEN if you're a gold member? Yes, and you shouldn't get that if you've paid.
    I LOVE the way you somewhat hypocritically assume I've dismissed anything good in XBL even though I have in no way bashed it "overall", just certain aspects I feel are unfair or ironic. Then you don't make a single comment to all the xbots here who are bashing Home to death ... despite the fact that all of them have purchased a 360 and are therefore dismissing anything good in PSN and anything provided by Sony. How about calling out them too? Oh wait, you support the 360 right? So rather make assumtions of the PS3 fan and call them out on those (incorrect) assumtions than call out the xbot who are making clear statements. Right, gotcha.
    Edited by Scythe at 08/03/07 @ 08:49

  • numptyboymatt #58 5 years ago

    @muftak

    I dare say quite a few others here are passionate about gaming too, hence us being here - just take a chill pill and remember ITS ONLY A CONSOLE

  • ekko #59 5 years ago

    I guess it could work, but don't claim that it is anything new or radically different. Just another case of Sony copying someone else idea and executing it more blandly.

    One problem, for an online community you need other people - have Sony addressed this?

  • Nige #60 5 years ago

    While this does little for me - I expect I'm not the target audience.

    My Mrs would love it though.

  • Scythe #61 5 years ago

    How am I vehemently defending it? Is it not apparent to you that I'm more amazed that the xbots seem to be so willing to bash it and I don't understand why? (unless, of course, that comment was directed not to me in which case my mistake)
    Remember, the first post in the chain from which you took that quote was made by me and I started the post by saying:
    "To be honest I REALLY don't see the problem some people have with this."

    I'm not saying it's "teh bestest thing evar" all I'm saying is I'm amazed that xbots are so willing to jump on this as cr@p when, in fact, they know nothing about it really, they just make the assumption Sony=cr@p and write it off. THAT is what I was pointing out hence the way I stated:
    "I suppose it's just further proof that xbots are prepared to bash anything related to Sony just because it's related to Sony."
    On the other hand, I agree that people who are syaing how this is "teh bestest evar" are just as bad because, unsurprisingly, they actually havent had a chance to experience it either. However IMO if xbots weren't so quick to bash anything Sony related there would probably be a lot less PSychos arouns too.


    My comments have all been based around the xbot mindset of "autobash" as opposed to trying to make Home seem "inifinitely superior" to live. At the end of the day all I want to do is to be able to play my games online ... for free. Does PSN allow that? Yes oes Live allow that? No. For me, case closed. Everythign else is just bells and whistles but that's no reason to bash it.
    Edited by Scythe at 08/03/07 @ 08:59

  • Wash #62 5 years ago

    Its a good idea, bit of a folly though - was that really what the psn needed to concentrate on? i mean it has other more prominent pitfalls.

    Good tho, and free = no on can complain.

  • lennon #63 5 years ago

    Ooooo Its just like a modern day Montague vs Capulet

  • mkreku #64 5 years ago

    Wonga: It's a pity though, the "basic services", like those i mentioned in my previous post, do not match XBL, so it's not a case of getting them for free.. really.

    Actually.. the most basic service of them all is allowing me to play my expensive games online whenever I want. The Playstation 3 will let you do that for free. Online play is the one and only use I have from my Gold membership, and being an avid PC gamer at heart, I just don't feel it's worth it. I'm hoping that the Sony model will be successful enough to force Microsoft to reconsider that part of their service.

  • bushwod #65 5 years ago

    It's nice to see sony innovate, even if there are arguable similarities between this and second life.

    The feeling however seems to be, unless you're really into chatting and 'hanging out online' this is going to get old pretty fast. I think it will appeal a lot to young teens and girls, which is good to keep expanding the console market, but where is the benefit to gamers?

    If it integrates with your games in the same way the mii does then that would make it worthwhile, but I worry this is a case of Sony chucking in 'cool ideas' with out any real merit or longevity. Let's hope I'm wrong.
    Edited by bushwod at 08/03/07 @ 09:24

  • muftak #66 5 years ago

    "I dare say quite a few others here are passionate about gaming too, hence us being here - just take a chill pill and remember ITS ONLY A CONSOLE "

    im just doing what all the 360 owners are doing cant blame me for joining in the fun

  • Nova5lag #67 5 years ago

    I think home is actually a good idea however, I am more interested in the games side of things and so far nothing in that area has grabbed my attention. I can imagine the MMO crowd and the Second life crowd going bonkers for home. If sony pull in 1% of WOW players with home then they will sell something like 85k consoles. Which if I was sony I'd be very happy about.

    I personally will stick with my Wii and 360 combo till the PS3 has some great software to back it up. This will undoubtedly come at some point.

  • jonsaan #68 5 years ago

    It looks like the simms. LIVE works because it is functional without being convoluted. This looks like the exact opposite. Typing messages ona control pad is, and always has been, complete arse.

  • SeesThroughAll #69 5 years ago

    Typing messages on a control pad is, and always has been, complete arse.

    That's why the PS3 supports 3rd party, cheap standard USB keyboards.

    And they also showed people using a headset. Again, any USB or bluetooth headset can be used for this.

  • J_C_X #70 5 years ago

    Seems a good idea but looks so stupid. I think it looks overly complicated mix between Miis and Gamerscore. What is the point of this home because I'm struggling to think and I can't imagine me on it with my PS3 at home. I just want to play games not go to some virtual shopping centre.

  • Scythe #71 5 years ago

    Kato -
    Perhaps you missed the part where I wrote: "(unless, of course, that comment was directed not to me in which case my mistake)"

    I did try to make that apparent (I mean it was only the third sentence). Or did you not read my post completely?

  • Steroyd #72 5 years ago

    Does it have cross game invites, Am I able to send a voice and video message along with cross game invite to other players? Am I able to administer my friends list, send people in-game messages, from the website, without booting my console? These are basic things.

    The way i see it sounds like Home will be what XBL currently is represented in a 3D world...

    I'm just imagining stuff like Insomiac creating their own town in this world so people can flock to that area and talk about it like what Forums are doing right now but it's on a completely central basis (instead of being spread around the internet i.e IGN message boards to TeamXbox to Playstation.com etc etc, it's all at Home) this is a great opportunity for devs to get even more in tune with us the gamers.

    I'm positive it would have been a different story if MS did this, with all the features that MS have put into their XBL service it's not much different to Home except Home is more flexible in terms of meeting new people and sharing content.

    I'm really scratching my head in how people who like XBL's features are apprehensive of Home which is undoubtedly the next step in the online community space.
    Edited by Steroyd at 08/03/07 @ 10:11

  • silver-jon #73 5 years ago

    I'm with bushwod on this. And let's get one thing straight from the start - I have a 360. I had an Xbox. I also have a PS2 which has been a faithful companion for 6 years. And I plan to buy a Wii. Balanced enough for everyone ? Good.
    Xbox Live costs £35 year (£3 a month). I spend £5 a month on the NSPCC for which I see ansolutely no tangible benefit. Therefore £3 a month (=1 beer) on a system that allows online gaming that is (imo) exceptionally well implemented and managed is a good thing.
    PS3 I have long thought to be overspecced for its time. Powerful kit, but not significantly different from the 360 I already have. And I'm not the earliest of adopters.
    "PS3 Home" is a very clever idea which is likely to appeal to the younger crowd - people with the time to socialise, and who may be more image conscious. I don't see the point myself, but that's not to say it's not a bad idea. Just to say it does not sell the console to me in any way whatsoever.

    The one thing I would vociferously argue against is the "non-gaming content". that is alluded to. In other words, folks - Advertising. Yes, the marketing boys and girls will have their way and there will be ways and means for big companies to flash their logos at you while you're just trying to chat with friends.
    It's an insipid slippery slope.

  • The-Bodybuilder #74 5 years ago

    >"well im sorry gaming is a hobby of mine and i am passionate about

    some poeple get angry when they bad mouth a football team or their hobby well i get the same. "

    They get mad because they fanatically support thier team.
    So that means you get mad because you fanatically support sony?

    Got fanboyism?

  • peteb #75 5 years ago

    whoa i mean i hate sony and all and won't be buying a ps3 anytime soon, but i had to stop and think what if this was on the 360 and was by ms, then to be fair i have to say im pretty impressed by this.

    still not buying one though. no vga, pah!

  • The-Bodybuilder #76 5 years ago

    >"My comment about vehement Sony fanboys wasn't even aimed at you tbh but you're rather aggravated reply could easily lead one to label you so... "

    IMO, anyone that calls other 360 owners "xbots" or other sony owners (what's the name for sony fanboys?) is clearly a fanboy themselves and I honestly question thier age.

    I mean, I really can't imagine an adult using the term "xbot". Can you imagine a grown man saying such a childish term? What happened to the good old "xbox fanboy"? but "xbot"?

  • Moz #77 5 years ago

    As 360 owner (and maybe even abit of a MS fanboy)

    I will stand up and say that this looks really cool and I will be getting PS3

  • The-Bodybuilder #78 5 years ago

    muftak, how old are you?

    Would you jump over a bridge if others were doing it? (funnily enough, my parents used to say that to me when I was young and immature).

  • Steroyd #79 5 years ago

    Hey people can bitch after watching the video.

    It even answers questions like:

    Yes you can use USB keyboards.
    Yes you can use Headsets.
    And no advertisements aren't intrusive it's just like walking in town so you can't even bitch about the adverts.
    etc etc.

    http://gamevideos.com/video/id/9861

  • The-Bodybuilder #80 5 years ago

    >"The one thing I would vociferously argue against is the "non-gaming content". that is alluded to. In other words, folks - Advertising. Yes, the marketing boys and girls will have their way and there will be ways and means for big companies to flash their logos at you while you're just trying to chat with friends.
    It's an insipid slippery slope. "

    DO people REALLY have tht much of a problem with advertising? Is it that big of a deal?
    And like everyone is saying, nothing is free in the world of business. So the "home" will have to suffer heavy advertisment.

    Personally, I would rather prefer free and advertisment than pay with no advertisment.

  • Scythe #81 5 years ago

    The Bodybuilder
    PMSL, like the closing comment re "Got fanboyism".
    And the fact is I just find "xbot" easier and quicker to type than "xbox360 fans/owners/supporters etc". Age is a non-issue, it's not like I (or most people here) are using l33t speak. However as I use that term for extremest 360 fans I feel it's only appropriate that I use a similar term for extremist PS3 fans therefore I use the term PSychos in the spirit of equality. Age has nothing to do with it, it's a commonly accepted term (at least "xbot" is) in the online community, you may as well say the terms LOL, ROFL, PMSL, BBL etc shold cause you to question the posters age/maturity. If I discuss reasonable 360 fans I will use the term 360 owners/fans/supporters however I use the term xbot to distinguish the reasonable one's from the extremest one's. Yet you feel the use of the term should bring my (i know you didn't direct it specifically at me but I do fall into your generalisation) age and maturity into question because of said use?


    silver jon
    You have a good point there, one big quesion is how is the advertising going to be approached. We get bombarded almost everywhere (I've actually stopped going to certain forums due to incessant pop-ups and advertising). Live has more than it's fair share of ad's. And they already mentioned the use of advertising in the demo. Hopefully it won't be so saturated that it'll actually take away from whatever "enjoyment" this service might provide. It's definitely a bonus (advertising revenue = more money to Sony = more chance of the service remaining free at the base level) from a financial perspective but I become very wary as its easy to take it overboard (refer most Tony hawks games). Going to be interesting to see how ti pans out. Obviously this will also be driven by the users, teh more Home users there are the more companies will want to advertise (as the audience is higher) so what direction will Sony take, will they saturate the srvice with ads or just charge more for the space available? Suppose we can only wait and see.
    Edited by Scythe at 08/03/07 @ 10:36

  • LOLLERS #82 5 years ago

    I don't understand all this 'but it's free!' rubbish. In the real world, NOTHING is free. You may think it is, but it never really is. You want something good, you have to pay for it, you can't just demand things be free 'because they should be'.

    PS2's online was free, and that was absolute rubbish that no-one used.

    PS3 games don't have to support online features, hence the fact that a major launch title like Motorstorm doesn't have any kind of multiplayer. That means no trophy to put in your hall of fame, no high-scores, no integration. The thing that makes Live so good is Integration into everything and it's simplicity.

    PS3 online from what i've seen so far is the opposite.



  • Steroyd #83 5 years ago

    @scythe

    ^^Click on my link please.

  • PlugMonkey #84 5 years ago

    I really don't see what people are complaining about. Sony said they were going to deliver a cool online community experience that's a big leap over what MS are doing, and it looks like they're going to deliver on it.

    I can't see myself using it very much personally, but I'm an anti-social bastard by nature. My main concern will be how they stop it turning into a VR version of the GameFAQs forums.

    *shudders*

    The horror.

    The horror.

  • spongebob #85 5 years ago

    Ahem. Slow news day today? I thought there would be full GDC coverage or something?

  • Scythe #86 5 years ago

    LOLLERS -
    You mean despite all the reports and reviews to the contrary and despite the game just being released in the US you actually have insider info stating that the Motorstorm online is a myth? Here's some news, Motorstorm has online (and apparently it's very good as well), what it doesn't have is split screen. Refer:
    [link url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/original/motorstorm-online-impressions-236355.php
    ]http://kotaku.com/gaming/original/motors...[/link]

    And more shocking, Home is going to have achievements!!! You would know that if you actually watched the video instead of auto-bashing.

    So your point's are? That you're a troll who doesn't know what you're talking about?
    Edited by Scythe at 08/03/07 @ 10:52

  • zuljin #87 5 years ago

    To all the people moaning about the advertising, I get sick and effin tired of car insurance adverts, mainly because I don't own a car. But I always want to see the latest trailers of games, and the main advertising in Home will be targeted towards that, because all users wil be gamers. Dunno bout anyone else, but I'm pretty cool with seeing trailers for God of War 2.

    @LOLLERS
    I agree nothings free, hence advertising and such. Doesn't have to be a bad thing. Imagine Game having their own lobby and offering people discount just for visiting their store.

    "PS3 games don't have to support online features, hence the fact that a major launch title like Motorstorm doesn't have any kind of multiplayer. That means no trophy to put in your hall of fame, no high-scores, no integration. The thing that makes Live so good is Integration into everything and it's simplicity."

    Absolute crap. No multiplayer doesn't mean no trophies. No multiplayer doesn't mean you can't share scores from singleplayer online. Simple patch will do the trick.

  • PlugMonkey #88 5 years ago

    Simple patch will do the trick.

    There is absolutely nothing simple about adding internet connectivity and high score sharing to a game. Seriously.

  • Steroyd #89 5 years ago

    this Home has achievements but it sounds more private than MS's achievements which hangs out there for the whole world to see which is the point.

    After watching the demonstration I'm intrigued completely killing the need for forums and you can invite everyone on your buddy list to summon your clan be interesting to see how this turns out.
    Edited by Steroyd at 08/03/07 @ 10:58

  • Steroyd #90 5 years ago

    There is absolutely nothing simple about adding internet connectivity and high score sharing to a game. Seriously.

    Huh? Evolution studios plan to sell extra tracks and cars after Motostorm is released and the US and EU version will have online play and tell that to Guerilla and Killzone Liberation they're adding online gaming through a patch...on the PSP.

  • kangarootoo #91 5 years ago

    @Wonga

    "Does it have cross game invites, Am I able to send a voice and video message along with cross game invite to other players? Am I able to administer my friends list, send people in-game messages, from the website, without booting my console? These are basic things. "

    I think the answer to that would currently be, we don't know.

  • zuljin #92 5 years ago

    @PlugMonkey
    Well I was only referring to the high score sharing... That is actually easy. Even if it is just an extra button on the main menu, "Upload track times".

  • LOLLERS #93 5 years ago

    er, well done, you completely missed my point.

    PS3 games don't have to support any online functionality, it's completely up to the developer what they do. This was the policy Sony stated when they launched the PS3, online implementation is up the devs to do whatever they want, hence some games no having friends lists, no cross-game invites etc.

    They don't have to support achievements and there's no guidelines to how they should be awarded (yet). It's perfectly possible for an awesome game that scores 10/10 in every review to not offer achievements, which makes the whole hall of fame thing pretty pointless really.
    Edited by LOLLERS at 08/03/07 @ 11:05

  • Scythe #94 5 years ago

    So who cares if it's up to the developer if they want to support online or not? Shouldn't it be up to the developers anyway instead of forcing them to include an online option that could just be a half-a$$sed tacked on choice (as is the case on more than one 360 game)?

    And you seem to be talking about all these things that are "pointless" or "don't exist". No friends lists, no cross-game invites, no achievements guidelines (thus making them pointless), this is all speculation. All we've seen is ONE 7 minute demo. Can yous ay tehre will be none of those fatures on Home? Do you really think there will be no achievements guidelines (if so how will achievements be awarded)? Do you think every developer should be forced into an online option?

    But then you just decide to bash the system which, lets face it, you pretty much know nothing about. And, coincidentally, try and point out how Live is so much better than this system you're completely ignorant of. Hmm. strange that.

  • TurboBailey #95 5 years ago

    I'll add my none biased opinion.

    Certainly seems appealing, I love the MII channel, but it seems a bit FLAT, this looks like a great idea. Lets hope its well executed. It all depends on how well it intergrates into the gaming experience. Live + Mii = Home (hopefully)

    But i still aint gonna get one for a good while, if indeed i get one at all.



  • PlugMonkey #96 5 years ago

    Steroyd - Did I say it can't be done, or did I say there is nothing simple about it? People seem to think that adding an online component is as simple as adding a button prompt to the front end.

    Maybe adding "Online play = true" to the code?

    People like this, in fact.

    Well I was only referring to the high score sharing... That is actually easy. Even if it is just an extra button on the main menu, "Upload track times".

    Oh, yup, that's actually easy. Really really actually easy. You just add the extra button to the menu, and everything else just does itself! All the connecting to server stuff, that's all just automatic! No dev time there! All the packaging and sending data! All the server code! The button prompt you put in codes that for you! And then you don't have to test it, because nothing could possibly go wrong!!

    No, honestly, just sharing high scores? That's a lot of work. Actually playing online? That's a massive amount of work.

    Maybe we're arguing at cross purposes here. Yes, you can add it as a patch. No, it is definitely not 'simple'. I imagine the people responsible for it Evolution and Guerilla could probably talk to you for days about the intricate and abundant lack of simplicity involved.

  • zuljin #97 5 years ago

    @Plugmonkey
    "Oh, yup, that's actually easy. Really really actually easy. You just add the extra button to the menu, and everything else just does itself! All the connecting to server stuff, that's all just automatic! No dev time there! All the packaging and sending data! All the server code! The button prompt you put in codes that for you! And then you don't have to test it, because nothing could possibly go wrong!!"

    Now you're just being pedantic. I'm a programmer, not a network one, but I know how much work is involved in sharing high scores. Not much. Because it's not time critical. You don't need to worry about lag (+ compensation therefore) or anything. I reckon a junior network programmer could code the network side in under a day. Trust me, it's easy.

    I agree on integrating complete online play, thats a job which is not only insanely difficult, it can always be improved upon too, so your jobs never finished...
    Edited by zuljin at 08/03/07 @ 11:45

  • RexRunti #98 5 years ago

    @Scythe
    I agree with a lot of what you've said but your comments have gone from quite good to "autobashing" any one with the slightest question. I suggest counting to 10 before the next post.

    Disclaimer: I make no appologies for the constant comparison with XBox Live in this comment but XBox Live IS the current benchmark to which all new online innovations are compared (for better or worse).

    I think this is a genuinly good idea from Sony, but questions still remain regarding cross game invites etc. and I hope Sony will address these concerns in the near future, but it is a step in the right direction. I think cross games friends lists are very important as this means you can avoid the unpleasent teens when you want to (ala XBox Live). Also I think it is very important that all PS3 games are/become "Home aware". On the 360, this means if I'm playing Hitman (a game with essentially no-online play) and a friend is playing Viva Pinata I invite them to a chat we talk for a bit whilst still playing our games then we decide to play some co-op Marvel Ultimate Alliance we can carry on chatting while we finish up, eject the discs, insert the new ones and set up the game. This is what makes XBox Live so loved.

    As for the whole graphical interface thing, I think it is a good idea and MS should probably implement their own version, afterall you don't have to use it if you don't want to, though I'm wondering if this is more of a "Second Life" clone as opposed to a true online infrastructure. This isn't a problem as long as a decent online infrastrucure is there as well.

    Also, with Sony's attitude of do it yourself to online in games it means developing online support is harder and compatibility with Home is an optional extra. MS's attitude means achievements, gamerscore and "Live Awareness" is a must (even if it's poorly implementd (see KingKong for details)) and online multiplayer can be added relativly easily. OK this often means online play is often just tacked on but I would still prefer a gamw to give me the option of poorly implemented co-op then, say, TrueHD.

    As for the amount of use people will put into Home, I think it will vary. Some will never look, some will dip their toes then essentially forget about faster than you can say "When was the last time i used my Mii?", but others may spend more time using Home then they do playing games. This is fine, as it is optional something should not be dismissed just because only a few people truly love it, if you hate it don't use it.

    In summary, yes this is a good idea so as the owner of a 360 i would like MS to implement their own version, just as I think PS3 owners and future owners would benefit if Sony implemented some of the features discussed above.

    PS I assume somethings not included unless they say it is, so I won't assume MS will bring out an HDMI lead or assume Okami will be on the PS3 bc list, and saying "wait and see" doesn't help.

    Edit: Spacing for readability
    Edited by RexRunti at 08/03/07 @ 12:06

  • Scythe #99 5 years ago

    @Kato + RexRunti

    It just frustrates me when people are purposfully ignorant and stupid. It has nothing to do with the fact that this is about Home, Sony or the PS3, it's just in my nature. When people purposefully turn their brains to "Off" just because something relates to something specific they dislike I get frustrated at the idiocy of humanity.
    And yes, I've been like this about people who just label all 360 related stuff cr@p.
    I've been like this about M Schumacher on F1 forums. And Raikkonen. And Alonso.
    And regarding other topics on other forums
    It's got nothing to do with the actual topic, more with the pathetic mindset some people have. TBH sometimes I really worry about the future, considering the "new" generation, on the whole, seem to have no idea how to use their grey matter.
    So it's more frustration at the people who seem unable to think than at the topic to which this relates, currently ti just happens to be a Home thread, it could just as easiy been any other topic.

    Oh and I'm an accountant dammit, not an english teacher. As such spelling is pretty much as far down on my "Things to worry about" list as you can get. ;-)
    Edited by Scythe at 08/03/07 @ 12:16

  • Steroyd #100 5 years ago

    Also, with Sony's attitude of do it yourself to online in games it means developing online support is harder and compatibility with Home is an optional extra. MS's attitude means achievements, gamerscore and "Live Awareness" is a must (even if it's poorly implementd (see KingKong for details)) and online multiplayer can be added relativly easily.

    [link url=http://gamevideos.com/video/id/9861
    ]http://gamevideos.com/video/id/9861
    [/link]

    Phil harrison stresses that they've kept it simple and will put it into the SDK.

    And forcing them to make games Live aware doesn't necessarily means it'll be any easier than making a Game online compared to what Sony's doing.

  • Hypnopedia #101 5 years ago

    I own a 360 and SHOCK HORROR think PS3 Home looks absolutely fantastic.

    I've no doubt the PS3 is the best featured Console and that it will become the dominant format, but at the moment I have no interest in it as:-

    a) I can't afford it
    b) I don't have an HD TV
    c) None of my friends online are interested in buying one at the moment.

    No bashing, the PS3 is a bargain for what it offers, just it offers stuff I don't need right now.

    Nice one Sony (at last).

  • PlugMonkey #102 5 years ago

    Now you're just being pedantic.

    Well, I can't really argue with that. :)

    I'm not a programmer, but I have worked on this exact kind of feature. Getting it more or less working was easy. Getting it to a point where we could let the public loose on it was a massive, massive ball ache. Stability. Presentation. Bastard testers breaking the bastard thing all over the bastard place. People saying it's simple brings on Vietnam style flashbacks.

    Then you want to put it in a patch? For a console?! The paperwork alone isn't simple. :D

  • RexRunti #103 5 years ago

    @Steroyd

    These are actually to different things as (as far as I can tell) Home is more of a community thing like (but admitedly upgraded from) MS's achievements. However Live is also a gaming network, which Home doesn't appear to be this is where the ease of making games online playable comes in (see Tony Hawk). Hopefully Home will also be a gaming network with, cross-name friends lists included, making online games easier to play and develop, but this does go against ealier statements by Sony.

    PS Just realised some ealier statements by sony included thing as "having two models is stupid", "Europe will get consoles first", "100% backwards compatibility is a must", "you can't make the SIXAXIS rumble" so hopfully Home will be a gaming network.
    Edited by RexRunti at 08/03/07 @ 12:47

  • Scythe #104 5 years ago

    "a) I can't afford it
    b) I don't have an HD TV "
    Yeah, gotta say I'm in the same boat. I've used the PS3 as a catalyst to convince my other half to allow me to buy a HD-TV :-)
    However I want a 1080p and righ now those are over £1k. So I'm planning on waiting for the post x-mas sales this December/January, I'll get the whole package then, I'm not (that) impatient. I mean I could run up the credit card but why not rather wait a while, save a few extra quid, and possibly get more out of the box (Rumble controller? New software? Upgraded online services?). Not to mention the larger game choice. And a much cheaper TV price.


    Oh and to anyone who is adamant that this is just a copy of the Wii, I'de like to point out this little thing I stumbled over:
    [link url=http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&message.id=14848&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
    ]http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstat...[/link]
    Find the post on the 27 May 2005 saying -
    ""SCEA and SOE are developing MMORPG (something similiar to ffxi) style online service for PS3 right now. It will have online pack which it comes with HDD and the online software. You can go online and chat with people like mmorpg style. Your stats will have the list of games you have and scores(or ranks) for each game, and other great things. And if you want to look for someone to play online for certain game, you have to go to this certain area(or town) for that specific game or the game will automatically takes you to that town. Sony thinks "hyper links" technology is a history. They want to create a "virtual world" for PS3 online service where people can actually interact each other like mmorpg style. There are more great details, but this is all I can get for now. I'm not expecting you to believe me ."

    Now May 2005 was LONG before there was any mention of Mii, this has been in development for ages.


    And to the people who say it's just a copy of "Second Life" ... don't Sony own Second Life? I'm sure they do. So basically ... they're copying their own content?


    Fact is if you want to get into the "copying" argument how far back do you go? Motion sensing was out before the Wii yer their controller is "innovative"?. Online gaming was out before the XBox yet what tehy did was "innovative? Could we say MS copied Sony by making a DVD based console? Lets not even mention the design and rumbling of the controller. But rumble was out before the PSX. Did Nintendo copy Atari? And so on and so forth.
    People need to realise thats how PROGRESSION works. You take something that exists and try to improve upon it. Is it copying? Perhaps. But then you can go as far back as you like to trace the "copying" trail. In fact you could say Ferrari are cr@p because they pretty much copied the Model T Ford. As did any other motor vehicle manufacturer. If Sony copied MS then surely the people saying that should concede that MS copied Sony when they even entered the console market (with a similar "designed" machine, meaning it was more like the PS2 than the GC). MS online just copied what was available on PC's for years. Etc etc.
    Who cares, the only person what wins in this "copying race" is the consumers. Sony release Home, that prompts MS to upgrade Live. And so on and so forth. If Live EVER introduce a Home style idea will it be considered copying? For some reason I doubt it.

  • RexRunti #105 5 years ago

    @Scythe
    100% agree with you on the copying point, but has anyone in this forum actually said Home is crap because it copies live?

  • Scythe #106 5 years ago

    Consider it a pre-emptive comment considering the comments I've seen elsewhere on the internet regarding this topic.
    Would rather make the comment now than wait for someone to make a copying comment and reply then just to get the generic "Lollzor, teh pstree fanboys iz in uberdefensif mode" answer.

    At least now I've made my opinion on copying clear and should anyone be struck by the urge to claim "Copy of live/mii/second life" then they should answer my statement first to justify how their comment holds any weight.

  • RexRunti #107 5 years ago

    fair enough

  • SeesThroughAll #108 5 years ago

    Scythe, the impression I got right here is that even XBox fans - note, I am refering to reasonable people who happen to prefer this brand over PS - found this interesting, don't have a problem with the Home environment drawing obvious inspirations, and hope that MS will somewhere along the line mimic this "Third Life" in Live.

    And yes, this is what competition causes: innovation. As much as I hate MS, I am actually thankful that the XBox exists, because without competition, Sony would have never done this impressive effort. And Home is also going to indirectly benefit XBL users, because MS will somehow have to react to this.

    Competition FTW, may the market stay on a level field for many years to come :)
    Edited by SeesThroughAll at 08/03/07 @ 13:36

  • spaceman #109 5 years ago

    @LOLLERS "I really don't want to go round someone's house and look at their trophies when I could be ACTUALLY PLAYING A GAME instead."

    then dont.

  • Scythe #110 5 years ago

    SeesThroughItAll
    Regarding your impression of how 360 fans took this, I've seen conflicting results. IMO on the whole the "true" fans, i.e. the reasonable one's who accept every console has it's plusses and minuses but prefer a specific one, have taken to this well. And I agree, that appears to be the majority on this site, which is nice (in fact there's only been one persistant unreasonable xbot which is surprising).

    Although, whats very strange, is that I find the reactions vary immensly depending on which board you go to but not in the way you expect.
    For example, going on teamxbox, the 360 fans there, on the whole, seem to be somewhat interested in this idea and are relatively impressed.
    BUT, go to PS3forums and it's been overrun with 360 fans claiming how it's rubbish.

    I suppose thats where the difference between being a fan by supporting your console (therefore staying on forums that have similar views and interests) and being a fan by bashing the competition (therefore trolling opopsition forums in an attempt to put negative spin on everything) comes in. I have full respect for the first group of people, the second just need to get a life. I mean seriously, who trolls the competitions forums just to try and find ways to bash it? Do they think they'll suddenly make the other members change their minds? That why I stopped chatting at PS3forums, I found the constant xbot attacks were actually making me intensely dislike the console itself purely because they were such idiots all the time. I found myself thinking "I'm never getting a 360 because there's no way I ever want anything in common with these morons". From other posters reactions it seems as if I wasn't the only one feeling like that. And it's when I realised that the "fans" were in fact turning me against a pretty good console due to their idiocy I decided to respecfully withdraw from said form. And this goes both ways (PS3 fanboys on 360 forums). Thats why the comments section of Joystiq and Gamespot just make me shake my head. You can't have any news about any console without it being overrun with opposition drivel.

  • captainrentboy #111 5 years ago

    Wow there are some massive sad rants going on :) Bravo guys.
    This looks and sounds rather interesting, and seems like the next step up from what 360 and Wii users have at the moment, so in what is a very rare occasion I'm quite impressed by what sony are doing here.
    But, it still looks like the type of thing I'd fanny about with for around a week, then I'd get bored and just want to communicate with my mates whilst playing actual games :/
    It seems like something that would greatly appeal to Sims lovers though.
    And is it just me or does this PS3 Home thing potentially offer a lot of opportunity for companies to get those dreaded bloody adverts dotted around here there and everywhere? Maybe this will be a big way for Sony to get back some moolah from their free online network.
    Edited by captainrentboy at 08/03/07 @ 15:03

  • Steroyd #112 5 years ago

    But, it still looks like the type of thing I'd fanny about with for around a week, then I'd get bored and just want to communicate with my mates whilst playing actual games :/

    You can invite people into your house and play the games from there...

  • captainrentboy #113 5 years ago

    I understand that, but it's an interface that,to me anyway, looks all exciting and new at the moment, but after a while of using it I'd get bored and just to want to get back to the straight forward nature of xbox live, pop a disc in, start the game, invite so and so mate to play game, and way to go Bob.
    I'm not saying it doesn't look cool in any way, but it's not really my cup of tea, it's all a bit too Simsesque for my liking.
    I'd also imagine company advertising will play a big part in it all, although not touched upon too much at moment, it wont be long until McDonalds are offering so many millions to Sony for them to deck out everyone's homes (for a limited time)with wallpaper featuring that terrifying clown.
    Maybe not that extreme, but along those lines.

  • Les #114 5 years ago

    "I understand that, but it's an interface that,to me anyway, looks all exciting and new at the moment, but after a while of using it I'd get bored and just to want to get back to the straight forward nature of xbox live, pop a disc in, start the game, invite so and so mate to play game, and way to go Bob."

    You could always use the xmb in PS3 if I'm not mistaken. It's not that you have to use Home (I hope). Sony delivers you an additional option. Hurray for choice! ;-)

  • captainrentboy #115 5 years ago

    Siiiigh, I know there's choice, I'm not dissing Sony in any shape way or form,what they're doing here looks and sounds rather promising,I'm just saying in the long term it probably wouldn't appeal to me.
    I'm interested in what Microsoft are going to do in retaliation more than anything else (As it's the only next gen console I own and can afford right now),how much longer will they be able to charge for their Live service if the competition's equivilant not only matches their's but then goes on to exceed what they're offerring and all for free.
    Exciting times ahead for us console owners me thinks.

  • JackofALLtrades #116 5 years ago

    This is my 2 bits, it sounds great allbeit to non gamer/casual gamer types.

    A. Which of the them will spend £400/500 on a system.

    B. which of them will even care to go for achievments.


    But there is sony's brand power and name association, I'm guessing alot of people will buy PS3's for themselves and as pressies for others, I'm sure the features will be great for people who want something that's arguably a bit different.

    I do think it's slightly BS though, I don't have much time for games now and just want to play them personally, if 5 Xbox 360's hadn't gone wrong on me, this would be alot easier rofl

  • AOFanboi #117 5 years ago

    Having achievements be an option for the developer is good. Microsoft's insistence on every game having them sometimes lead to achievements that seem "forced" and unnatural just because they need to reach that 1000/200 point limit. Quick, can you think of 200 points worth of "achievements" in an XBLA version of Pong? What? 100 points for losing a game, 100 points for winning one, yay, you have completed Pong! :p

  • Steroyd #118 5 years ago

    I'm interested in what Microsoft are going to do in retaliation more than anything else

    doubt they will Home is exactly what XBL is except it opens the opportunity to meet new people thus eliminating forums to create clans and such.

    how much longer will they be able to charge for their Live service if the competition's equivilant not only matches their's but then goes on to exceed what they're offerring and all for free.
    Exciting times ahead for us console owners me thinks.

    I wouldn't get excited about MS and competition for example MS has the nerve to charge PC gamers the same subscription fee for XBL Gold as console owners when there is a plethora of other choices that are offering the same thing but for free and have been out for years before XBL even existed.

    If that's the perception of MS with competition i wouldn't hold your breath. :/

  • Chris_Pin #119 4 years ago

    any1 know the release date