PS3 Home began on PS2

By Tom Bramwell Published 13 March, 2007

Until Sony realised what it had.

With everyone talking about PlayStation 3 Home this week, it's interesting to learn that the Second-Life-style online universe began life on Sony's previous console.

"It actually started life as PlayStation 2 and was going to be a way of creating a very simple 3D lobby system that could connect a bunch of games together," Sony Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison told MTV.

"And then when we started to explore it and realised the power of it, we thought actually this should be a platform initiative and this is something we should bring to all PlayStation 3 games and all PlayStation 3 users."

An impulse that seems to have been rewarded, with a lot of positive reaction since its unveiling at GDC last week.

Harrison was called upon to defend one idea though - that of watching videos on televisions screens within the Home world, which seemed to many to be a bit of a pointless abstraction. On the contrary, he says; it's an important convergence of community and content elements.

"We've actually experimented with this and it's quite compelling to be stood with your character in front of a video wall talking about what you're watching," Harrison argued.

"That combination of community and content merged together into the same experience is actually really quite fascinating. And we're not entirely sure where it's going to go yet, but it's a very positive start."

PS3 Home is expected to launch this October, with beta testing set to take place starting in April. Sony hopes the initial free download will be less than 500MB.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000. Follow him on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (51) Latest comment 5 years ago

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  • Goodfella #1 5 years ago

    First :D

    Home does indeed look fascinating, roll on October!
    Edited by Goodfella at 13/03/07 @ 08:13

  • Psi #2 5 years ago

    so release it on ps2 then and give your current userbase some content!

  • Goodfella #3 5 years ago

    ^^Erm, not possible.

  • mazzl #4 5 years ago

    so you can sit next to eachother in a virtual home and watch the same vertual video. and at the same time watch the real video at the same time as you're friend while you're both at home, behind youre real tv. weird. go see your friend in real life. mutch healthier.

  • numptyboymatt #5 5 years ago

    I know I'm going to be shot down for saying this, but, if it has been in development for that long, why does it seem like it was tagged on at the very last minute and wont be ready for about 11 months after the US/Jap launch?

    Not flaming, merely wondering, thats all.

  • steoc4 #6 5 years ago

    "so you can sit next to eachother in a virtual home and watch the same vertual video. and at the same time watch the real video at the same time as you're friend while you're both at home, behind youre real tv. weird. go see your friend in real life. mutch healthier. "

    Why talk about games on an internet comments thread when you can talk to people about them on your couch in real life? Much healthier.

    It's just another option, it's not like its going to magically replace all human interaction but it might be a way to kill time now and then, just like everything you use a games console for.

  • Moogrose #7 5 years ago

    am i one of the few that just doesn't get it. i mean if i want to play a game - then i'll go play a game, if i want ot watch a video, i'll do that - why should i want to walk around in some virtual world to do so.

    i've not seen anything that it actually adds to any experience, it merely distracts - and it's a great advertising oppurtunity for the publishers...

    it just strikes me as silly is all.

  • thedaveeyres #8 5 years ago

    No, Mongoose has a valid point. I'm sure as the virtual world becomes more feature-rich, people will get more and more out of it and new ways of utilising the technology will evolve over time. However, anyone who thinks it's going to be much more than a load of virtual billboards taggged onto a lobby system for its first six months is deluding themselves, imho of course.

  • Steroyd #9 5 years ago

    why does it seem like it was tagged on at the very last minute and wont be ready for about 11 months after the US/Jap launch?

    You're right you will be shot down.

    When Sony announced Home they were already in closed Beta stages, and with the detailed Q&A it covered so many bases and concerns it seems so thought out it wasn't even funny.

    The trophy room could have been an afterthought though then again they did have a whole year to implement it.

  • Moogrose #10 5 years ago

    @disc

    no its not the same thing though is it. look, firstly i do apreciate that sony is stepping up and doing something online... i'm just not sure the direction is right. if you still have to jump out of games to go chat with a buddy or do an invite then whats the point really? - i'm holding back still to see what exactly they come up with, but as it stands it looks like a very spiffy marketing gimmic.

    this is how sony is selling it to publishers, take a read of the pdf on sonys site for 3rd party relations: Third Party Relations.pdf

  • Moogrose #11 5 years ago

    Who's mongoose?

    You wouldn't believe how many times i get called mongoose on live :)

  • Steroyd #12 5 years ago

    this is how sony is selling it to publishers

    Which is exactly why they unveiled it at the GDC, and why they were talking about that aspect of Home at it's first unveiling.

    We may see more of what we the consumer end, get out of it in more detail at E3.

  • Moogrose #13 5 years ago


    Which is exactly why they unveiled it at the GDC, and why they were talking about that aspect of Home at it's first unveiling.

    We may see more of what we the consumer end, get out of it in more detail at E3.


    Point taken... but sony are milking the good press to the consumer, for me that good press is still without foundation.

  • Beano #14 5 years ago

    Moogrose:
    "...why should i want to walk around in some virtual world to do so. "

    True - but the point here is that you are not forced to do this. You can still play online games the "old way".

    Home has a far more mainstream appeal than Live for example. Live works great and is very focused on playing online. Home is more focused on community and social aspects in a very visual way that non-hardcore gamers "get" :)
    Edited by Beano at 13/03/07 @ 09:27

  • ArcMonkey #15 5 years ago

    "I get it now! I don't get it!"
    -Stan Marsh

  • BadBoyBonner #16 5 years ago

    Expect software sales to plummet as most PS3 users spend their time downloading firmware updates and effectively walking around the dash board! Lol

  • SeesThroughAll #17 5 years ago

    I'm still surprised that Sony actually went the hard way and decided to differentiate their online service, rather than just copy Live.

  • Nova5lag #18 5 years ago

    If it was a PS2 idea... then why has it taken so long to get it sorted for the PS3? :S

  • Moogrose #19 5 years ago

    @disc and beano

    fair points both, and i agree. on beanos point... i just don't think its the most effective way to get people playing games, which is why i find it still slightly dubious.

    ulitmately i hope sony implement a xbox live like system on top of, or next to, home - for me the the whole idea of home is just a turn off.

    which is probably what it comes down to - personal preference. and yes, i agree - its fantastic they have it for the casual gamers out there, i just hope we have the choice for that - or a more integrated, live like system to work with.

  • kangarootoo #20 5 years ago

    @mazzl

    "Go see your friend in real life. Much healthier."

    I'm not sure you quite understand how online communities work ;)

  • kangarootoo #21 5 years ago

    @steoc4

    Expanding on my point made to mazzl, I wonder how many WoW players live anywhere near the people in their guilds in the real world?

    I have friends all over the country. In fact no one on my XBLive friends list lives less than 1 hour drive from my house, and most of them much further than that.

  • Steroyd #22 5 years ago

    If it was a PS2 idea... then why has it taken so long to get it sorted for the PS3? :S

    Not finalizing the standard hard drive until quite late, pre-planning the network setup and how they're going to stream content from Sony servers, Home doesn't look like something where you could look at what Nintendo is doing with Nintendo Mii's and then just cobble it together in a short amount of time.

    Still pissed Nintendo didn't take this approach with Animal Crossing... Damn Friend codes. >_

  • Moz #23 5 years ago

    I'm just hoping they include a "Fast travel" option cos having to walk from place to place could get annoiing and take up time that would be better using playing a game.

  • Moz #24 5 years ago

    @Steroyd : I agree with what your saying about ninty friend codes, but I can also see why they've done it, as it does help alot in protecting kids online. Just a shame they didn't think to make this an optional parental control.

  • brooza #25 5 years ago

    The reason I post on online forums discussing games etc, is because I can't really go round to my mate's house while I'm at work. However, a sly post on forums now and then is entirely possible

  • SBfistfun #26 5 years ago

    Phil "effluent" Harrison at it again

  • Steroyd #27 5 years ago

    I'm just hoping they include a "Fast travel" option cos having to walk from place to place could get annoiing and take up time that would be better using playing a game.

    <a href=http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/9861>Goddamnit man!!</a>

    You don't HAVE to walk around everywhere.

  • Mordum #28 5 years ago

    Seems like the sort of thing that people may enjoy for the first month or so, then they'll just go back to the basic private chat functions, whilst actually playing games... which seems more fun than staring at a virtual home.

  • The-Bodybuilder #29 5 years ago

    >"Home has a far more mainstream appeal than Live for example. Live works great and is very focused on playing online. Home is more focused on community and social aspects in a very visual way that non-hardcore gamers "get"

    This is probably been the best explanation yet.
    Up until this post, I still didn't "get" home. But I see LIVE is more geared towards online play, whilst home is aiming to be just a social, more mainstream things.....which makes sense. Example is there is no way to have a multiple chat with friends on LIVE, and the only way to meet other people (to see if the yare suitable for gaming) is through random multiplayer. No such thing as a forum universal lobby or something.

    Still doesn't apply to me though. I like my social interaction in real-life (I only mainly comment on this site, and another that is to do with my career) and gaming for gaming.
    Infact, my only aim for online gaming is to play with real-life friends.

  • Steroyd #30 5 years ago

    So Mordum you're only going to be in the comments section for a month then?

    Before you look blankly at the computer.
    Edited by Steroyd at 13/03/07 @ 10:42

  • playgen #31 5 years ago

    This looks a lot like The Sims with MSN attactched to it - i hate The Sims!

    It does look all flashy and wonderful, but really it's a bit of a gimmicky front end that would get on my nerves. Still the number of people who love playing The Sims and "games" like that, designing rooms and other such exciting tasks, Sony will probably sell a lot of consoles from this alone.

  • dadrester #32 5 years ago

    second life is hugely popular... (god knows why?! it's just brothels and casinos... a bit like vegas... i suppose i've answered my own question) so i can see this doing even better. it's likely to be much more focused and it clearly is already much more slick. i guess part of the appeal for me might be a rewards system like 360 has but with actual, tangible rewards... a full size MGS4 G.E.C.K.O. in your front room anyone?

    [edit] and remember this won't be replacing the XMB or the PSN in games, it's just value added. anyway let's hope to god sony don't stuff this one up, sicne this is about the first thing that they've announced in the last year and a half that hasn't totally pissed everyone off... heh... i wonder if you'll be able to play previously non-online multiplayer ps1 and ps2 games on your virtual telly with your (software emulated) virtual ps1 and ps2 with mates across the internet. now that would be a major selling point... online wipeout 2097 anyone?!
    Edited by dadrester at 13/03/07 @ 10:52

  • bdc #33 5 years ago

    For something that begin on the PS2, it sure seemed like a desperate last-minute move for the PS3.

  • Moz #34 5 years ago

    I'm just hoping it doesn't all take up too much time.

    I have a friend who use second life, and he now talk about it like it's real! Which in some would be ok. But he now doesn't do alot of things he like cos he's on second life. We don't even see him as much any more again because of second life.

  • JediMasterMalik #35 5 years ago

    @bdc - what seems desperate about it? The presentation showed a system which was already rather fleshed out, but which would evolve over time. Desperate would be Sony showing this last years when it was completely bare-ones. This isn't desp[erate at all.

  • dirigiblebill #36 5 years ago

    All the avatars on display look like refugees from the gap generation. Yuk.

    I demand the right to represent myself as a fat housewife in stilletos with a smoking habit and five o clock shadow. Make it so, Sony. Make it so.

  • Moz #37 5 years ago

    @dirigiblebill , if they're hopeing to mussel in on the Second life crowd they'll need to give you a lot of customisation, including making yourself look alien or animal.

  • dirigiblebill #38 5 years ago

    'a lot of customisation, including making yourself look alien or animal.'

    Alright, a fat housewife in stilletos with a smoking habit and five o clock shadow AND tentacles, then. Kinky ;p

  • Carrybagma #39 5 years ago

    ^^Erm, not possible.

    @Goodfella: Why not? Could they not do PS2 lobbies for PS2 games etc? Are there technical reasons for it not being possible?

    Or maybe not enough PS2's have Internet connections to make it worthwhile.

  • playgen #40 5 years ago

    It would be cool if you could do naughty things, like go into peoples lovingly designed "apartments" and knock everything over, or fight other peoples characters, or create an evil army of monkeys to terrorise the whole place.

    But I bet you wont be allowed to do anything fun like that!
    Edited by playgen at 13/03/07 @ 11:36

  • dirigiblebill #41 5 years ago

    @carrybagma

    PS2 online gaming is huge, bigger than the 360 even.

    I'd imagine Ps2 can't support Home because it has no hard drive (unless you forked out for the add-on, and most people didn't).

  • septimus #42 5 years ago

    Unless you can make the video full screen, what's the point?

    1080P content textured onto a crap Bravia model. Please.

    Getting a PS3, just because, can't actually think of a good reason, but this just seems rubbish and continues the knee jerk must make it prettier reactionary nonsense Sony has started since the PS3 was announced.

  • moggsy #43 5 years ago

    PS2 online gaming is huge, bigger than the 360 even.

    Now that I don't believe. And don't start quoting me figures about number of people who have connected to the PS2 network once. I want figures about regular users before I'd believe that statement.
    Edited by moggsy at 13/03/07 @ 11:53

  • dirigiblebill #44 5 years ago

    @moggsy

    Er, having trawled a few sites the best I can come up with is three million registered (regular users?) with ps2 online as of November 2006, apparently 'the most of any console'. I'd imagine Gears et al. have bumped the 360 up a couple of mil though over Christmas though. So yeah, I could be wrong.

  • -TKF- #45 5 years ago

    only 50% of the posts so far is negative towards Sony, looks like the GDC conference helped a little..

  • sanctusmortis #46 5 years ago

    Live has over 6 million users now.

    I'm not sold on Home. At all. But I can see how people will be.

    It IS an optional download, remember. You don't HAVE to use it.

  • mkreku #47 5 years ago

    Why didn't Microsoft give out numbers on how many of those Live accounts were Silver and how many were Gold? The numbers don't say a lot about online gaming until you know how many of them are Gold..

    Still, it would be weird for a console like the Xbox 360, that is focusing on online play, to not best the Playstation 2 already, a console that's going out of fashion as we speak and without any real online functionality.. uh.. at least my old PS2 didn't have any until I bought a network add-on for it.

  • bonker #48 5 years ago

    hmm

  • dirigiblebill #49 5 years ago

    How many of those 6 million players are using a 360? Can the old and new xboxes play together?

  • Scythe #50 5 years ago

    sanctusmortis -
    Does that mean 6 million people PLAYING on live ... or does that also include the poor people who can't play online because for whatever reason they aren't paying?
    MS's 6 million, as will all theri figures, are very vague. They don't specify whether those are gold or silver members (and yes, the part about playing as opposed to browsing makes a HUGE difference). This is the same as their "10 million sold" figure which was actuall shipped but they tried to pass it off as sold to consumers (not suppliers).
    Not that MS are the only company that do that (refer Sony's "sold" figures too)

  • Scythe #51 5 years ago

    Wow, sofalover adds some sterling input. Shame, the hate and jealousy just eating you up is it? Poor sofalover too poor to afford one?