Sony Playstation Home revealed

[CptStern]

Playstation Home is essentially a living world inside your console. It's probably a flawed analogy but think of it as Second Life meets the PS3.

The free service, which will go into beta this April and hit consoles this fall, will become a new menu item in the cross media bar.

When you select it you will be dropped into a virtual world peopled by life-like avatars. From what we saw during a press screening, customization of these avatars is incredibly flexible, allowing you to create something that looks as much like you as you would want.

Home starts you out in a central lobby. You use a virtual PSP in this world to access features, but can also just walk around. The main lobby we saw included dynamic advertising on billboards, games you could just walk up to and play, like bowling or pool and even a mini arcade that featured some cool little arcade titles.

You can communicate with others in the lobby by talking, typing, using motions or pre-written phrases.

After walking around inside this home lobby for a bit, Harrison jumped his avatar to his private apartment.

The apartment, and there are lots of different types, look very realistic and can be customized with real-world furniture, wallpaper, picture frames that show images from your harddrive, even televisions that stream your own original video content.

The idea, it seems, is that your apartment will become the nexus of your Playstation 3 experience. It is where you can listen to music, look at pictures, watch video, invite your friends over to talk and even go into multiplayer games together to play as a group.

"This could become your clan heaquarters," Harrison said. "From within home you can launch multiplayer games directly. You can then come back into home afterward and talk about it."

wow that does sound cool ...kinda like a MMO for gaming ..I'd pay $49.99 for that (hint hint microsoft and your candy assed PC Live thingy)


http://kotaku.com/gaming/gdc07/gdc07-sony-unveils-home-242332.php

 

[smwScott]

Cool, it's free. It sounds like the type of thing that would be a nice diversion, but I wouldn't pay extra for it. Not big on social networking things, but this may eventually offer a lot more (I'm thinking like a virtual casino, pool hall, etc.).

 

[CptStern]

here's a video on features for Sony Home

http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/9849

 

[VictimOfScience]

Better than MS's idea--you are right Stern--but I am going to have to get more info before I make up my mind totally. I should have plenty of time too since I likely won't be getting a PS3 anytime soon!

 

[CptStern]

MS' idea seems so 1990's game matching services ...Sony's solution sounds so forward thinking ..but seriously I'd pay for a service that seemlessly brings all my gaming together in a package I have no problem understanding: within a game

 

[lePobz]

There's nothing here that can't be replicated on any console... Expect to see it replicated.

 

[CyberPitz]

There's nothing here that can't be replicated on any console... Expect to see it replicated.

But the fact that Sony is taking the initiative gives them a +1 in my book.

But I forsee the sony-bashing bandwagon to hit this soon... ;(

 

[Icarusintel]

There's nothing here that can't be replicated on any console... Expect to see it replicated.

I dunno, it may be replicated, but something tells me Microsoft is still going to make users pay for it. Actually, that would make the PS3 look like a really good alternative, especially since you'd be saving the money you would be paying for Live.

 

[Combine Hybrid]

kudos to sony for the first time. It's free of charge, but again there is always a catch...

 

[Harryz]

Thats really cool and sad at the same time.

 

[smwScott]

Wow ... after seeing the video I've changed my mind. It's definitely more than the 3D chatroom I thought it was.

There's nothing here that can't be replicated on any console... Expect to see it replicated.

The same could be said for the Wiimote, hell Sony could release a Wiimote for the PS2 and market the same type of console at an even cheaper price point (with an already huge user base). That doesn't mean they're going to do it though.

 

[CptStern]

not sure if this is the same video ..saw a few seconds ..but wow that looks cool

http://kotaku.com/gaming/clips/gdc07-clip-the-ps3s-home-242341.php

 

[Reginald]

The same could be said for the Wiimote, hell Sony could release a Wiimote for the PS2 and market the same type of console at an even cheaper price point (with an already huge user base). That doesn't mean they're going to do it though.

Not really. Any game made for the Wii must use the remote. Developers know the player will already have at least one remote.

If something similar is released for another console now, it becomes a gimmick where gamers can only buy some games if they have the remote, and developers won't make the game because not enough people adopted it.

However this, a new piece of software for a console can be replicated anywhere. In fact, it does seem very un-like Sony to create such a friendly thing in my opinion. It does seem very Nintendo to create a living "pad" for you to run things from. Especially for free. And I for one love the idea. This is one of the best things Sony has ever done in my book. Having said that, as Combine Hybrid said, no doubt there will be a cost and I'm sure it'll be for furniture and snazzy stuff to show off to your mates. Kinda like Habbo Hotel.

 

[Harryz]

To be honest, this is what I wanted from a next gen console, something different. I'm really tempted to get a PS3 now, **** sake.

 

[CptStern]

yes for the first time ever I can honestly say I'm actually somewhat interested in the ps3


here are some screens:

http://kotaku.com/gaming/gdc07/gdc07-sony-unveils-home-242332.php

 

[Tamer17]

What's the big fuss? Can they get to the games now please?

 

[AmishSlayer]

Looks pretty cool. Now all they need are some good games, a lower price and I'll eventually buy one.

 

[Icarusintel]

What's the big fuss? Can they get to the games now please?

The games are coming, but it does take a bit of time to make them. Most of the teams that are making the ones that should be good were still making PS2 games until close to the beginning of the PS3's life, so, they can;t just pump out a AAA title in a year and a half time.

 

[Shamrock]

Wait, wait, wait.. I realize this is a very cool idea and all, but do you think this is going to be their selling point till more PS3 titles come out? To me, this seems like they are going to promote this when it comes out in fall as a system seller till some kind of exclusive comes out. I just see this as a gimmick for now.

 

[<RJMC>]

so 3d myspace?

anyway I thought it was going to be some crapy stuff but I see is very 3d and all

however I find it kind of useless
me are old school

I hope to see some funny content like games themed clothes of stuff like that

if I get a ps3 expect someone runing around naked screameing "hoochie mama!"

 

[knut]

Quite cool, but it just sounds like a snazzed up version of Habbo Hotel, Runescape, [insert hundreds of other free online character deely games]

Really can't see why theres so much fuss about it, but it looks quite nice... I guess. Not something I'd be jumping for about, but then, it's the games that hold me back from the PS3, and I see nothing incoming that's appealing.

 

[Ren.182]

I like it.

Something I haven't said about Sony in quite a while. So good one there, Sony.

I like how it's somewhere where I can access all of my games, friends and downloadable content in once place. Plus its free. Free is always good. Though I bet the extra content will come at a small cost.

 

[Asuka]

Man thats just so cool! Cant wait to set up my place on the PS3!

 

[Absinthe]

Quite cool, but it just sounds like a snazzed up version of Habbo Hotel, Runescape, [insert hundreds of other free online character deely games]

Indeed.

Don't get me wrong. I think this is actually pretty neat, and one of the first things in a while that can be considered a good idea from Sony. But it does seem like it's being dressed up as more than it really is.

It's certainly not enough for me to even begin considering a PS3 purchase. But kudos to Sony for not completely ****ing up with their product for once.

 

[kupocake]

Who knows. They may just trump the entire virtual chat genre by making avatars that truely represent the kinds of people who use them. You know. Have a little slider for 'Ugliness'? Or does the 'type' option include a 'sasquatch' setting?

 

[Kyorisu]

Wow, Sony, smart....

 

[Absinthe]

Who knows. They may just trump the entire virtual chat genre by making avatars that truely represent the kinds of people who use them. You know. Have a little slider for 'Ugliness'? Or does the 'type' option include a 'sasquatch' setting?

You know that half of the male users are going to make hot female characters just so they can jack off to them.

 

[smwScott]

You know that half of the male users are going to make hot female characters just so they can jack off to them.

Haha, I doubt it. Everyone that uses this already has a PS3 with internet access. They could just switch over to the browser and watch porn.

 

[Sainku]

A 3d chatroom where I can do retarded dances at my friends in an awesome KILLZONE 3 hoodie before we jump into a game of hot shots golf 5. I would definately spend 600$ on that. I would rather they spend their time on innovative games like little big planet. Not some crappy clone of the already crap second life without the self-replicating bombs.

 

[Krynn72]

This is really cool. If they came out with this at release it might have justified some of the cost. Seems like a lot of content, development, and server space would be needed for this. Perhaps the life of the PS3 is finally looking brighter.

 

[dream431ca]

I told you that you would eat your words

Anyway, That looks quite interesting...sounds great...hopefully it functions like it's supposed to...Yep, I will try this out for sure.

 

[theotherguy]

Cool. Better tahn a mii.

 

[Kyorisu]

A 3d chatroom where I can do retarded dances at my friends in an awesome KILLZONE 3 hoodie before we jump into a game of hot shots golf 5. I would definately spend 600$ on that. I would rather they spend their time on innovative games like little big planet. Not some crappy clone of the already crap second life without the self-replicating bombs.

But people do and that's why it's being made. Besides most good Sony platform games don't come from Sony so I don't see the problem with them developing this, unlike say Nintendo which is for the general part all in house.

 

[Oveja Negra]

Wow, I just watched the hi-def Home and Little Big Planet videos and I have to say that I'm very impressed, this is the old good Sony.

I think it will demonstrate (not right now but in a year +/-) that Gabe comments about Sony were a total disaster in so many levels.

ROFL.

 

[Absinthe]

Wow, I just watched the hi-def Home and Little Big Planet videos and I have to say that I'm very impressed, this is the old good Sony.

I think it will demonstrate (not right now but in a year +/-) that Gabe comments about Sony were a total disaster in so many levels.

ROFL.

I'm not sure how a man's criticism against what is seen by any sane person as a piss-poor arrogant launch can be construed as a disaster in any way, shape, or form.

 

[Oveja Negra]

I'm not sure how a man's criticism against what is seen by any sane person as a piss-poor arrogant launch can be construed as a disaster in any way, shape, or form.

Haha, don't take my post too seriously, I pretty much was joking with Gabe's own words, since I consider them soooo exagerated. I mean, every "sane person" knows that Sony have made some important mistakes since PS3 launch, but to say that PS3 is a total disaster in so many levels was absolutely out of proportion, IMO.

More sooner than later, Sony will correct themselves (as any "sane person" can testify at this GDC) and PS3 will be anything but even a little failure, that's for sure.

Cheers :cheers:

 

[Bad^Hat]

That's actually pretty damn cool.

Also, lol at Kotaku predicting this. No wonder they were so pissed.

 

[weskerQ8]

this is so amazing!!!
can't wait to give it a shot
sony > all

 

[Jintor]

Some sort of unholy mesh between the Mii and the 360 Marketplace...?

 

[Loke]

If they came out with this at release it might have justified some of the cost.

They'll begin beta-testing (not sure if this is only for people working with/at Sony or everyone who owns a PS3) in April, next month, and hopefully they can release it in fall this year.

Oh, at Phil Harrison's keynote he said that in the future you may be able to have pets. LOL. :cheese:

Watch the Home presentation here.