This has been on the PS3 agenda for quite some time. However, more beta invites are would appear to be flying around as I got one today.
As Sony put it, PlayStation Home is a 3D social gaming community that allows PLAYSTATION3 users to meet, chat, plan, and launch into games together. You can create your own custom avatar, decorate your personal apartment, play mini-games, shop, watch videos, attend special events, and much more.
It’s clear that Second Life, the online virtual world on PC, has been an inspiration. Much of the format is the same, although with SL’s lack of progress over the last couple of years Sony has been able to catch up. Home looks like Second Life 2.0; the graphics take full advantage of the PS3 hardware and the experience feels much more polished, even in the beta.
The first thing you’ll see is the wardrobe, where you can customise your avatar’s appearance. Having recently criticised Microsoft’s limited NXE avatar customisation options, it’s safe to say there’s more scope here. Taking a similar approach to Second Life you can alter bone structure and shapes in a granular way. There’s a shortage of haircuts and textures at the moment, but once Sony adds more it should be possible to create highly accurate in-game representations of yourself.
In the beta there’s a few areas to explore, from your lovely harbour flat, to the square, shopping centre, theatre and bowling alley. There are some ‘living game’ rooms and, most interesting to me, an Uncharted one, though I’ve not seen how to access them during my first exploration.
The products have yet to arrived at the in-game stores. it will be interesting to see what approach to currency Sony take, whether to factor in real money or not – one would assume they would, in a similar way to Linden Labs did with converting cash into Linden Dollars.
A question mark also hangs over content creation and ownership. One of Second Life’s biggest successes was the way player’s could create artefacts and whole environments. Having noticed an estate agent store, it looks like customising your home’s location and contents will be a given, but I’m not sure the limits will extend as far as setting up an in-game business. Sony mention there will be special events, which could turn out be virtual concerts.
Some people will no doubt get very involved with Home. Its looking like a great virtual chatroom with distraction such as the bowling alley (good luck finding a free lane!), pool tables, outdoor chess and games arcade; in which there’s a great little game called Ice Breaker. It’s also great fun walking up to one of the game screens such as Wipout HD and dancing to music, with Running Man and Body Pop the perfect choice for most occasions.
This video is a bit older and isn’t centred around the beta’s offering, but shows you what to expect. After all, the beta is just the start. 
What are your impressions so far?
12 comments ↓
Monkey Rimmer
November 28th, 2008
One question: Where the f@#k is it? Seeing as Home was being harped on about since PS3 lauch, it’s yet still to materialise! I’ve not got access to the Beta, so the only thing I know about Home is the sparse info on display on online sites such as Darkzero. I fear that because of the hype and the ever increasing delay, that by the time it’s released I won’t be able to give a toss about it. Come on Sony, get your finger out!
Lloytron
November 28th, 2008
I like it. There isn’t much in the beta at the moment but the games area works very nicely.
Ben
November 28th, 2008
The beta code was sent to the email address associated with my PSN account. They are incrementally inviting more people, would think most long term users would be getting contacted in the near future.
Seth
November 28th, 2008
Monkey Rimmer, I don’t think that you’re the only one who is confused.
Sony themselves seem, at times, genuinely mystified on what they are trying to publicise Home as.
I can see the potential use of a virtual chatroom/social space, but the way that it is marketed and implemented will make all the difference.
Grilled Seabass
November 28th, 2008
Not got a PS3 myself and have always liked Xbox Live , and like the new update. However, avatars are totally pointless on XBL. This sounds really impressive. I like the idea of the virtual representations of your friends appearing when they are online, and the free (are they?) mini-games such as chess. What happens when your friends sign in? Do you have to invite them to a ‘party’ like XBL? To be honest though, most of the time I chat to my friends while playing retail games either together or individually.
Ben
November 28th, 2008
I am on the beta, and have to say it is brilliant and well worth the 18 month wait! I can’t wait to go home and explore more!
Seth
November 28th, 2008
The main thing I don’t understand about Playstation Home is why anyone would use it when they could be playing PS3 games instead…
BoLo
November 28th, 2008
Well, from what I hear, one of the ways to get money in Home is through the Trophy system. You earn Trophies in a game, you get money in Home. Plus, I heard when the money system does start, Sony will give you money for all the Trophies you already have. Lastly, latest news state the Open Beta for Home will begin either the 15th or 30th of December, but Sony has said similar things in the past and not delivered. I think Home is gangsta, and it’s already pack for a closed Beta, so I know when the open is release shit is going to be even more fun…
Monkey Rimmer
December 1st, 2008
Ok… I’m a little weirded out now. After all my moaning about the lack of Home, I only go and receive an eMail inviting me into the Beta! Do Sony read these forums??? Anyway… I have to say I’m quite impressed… it’s certainly got potential!
Grilled Seabass
December 1st, 2008
Money gained from winning trophies = genius
Monkey Rimmer
December 1st, 2008
I prefer the PS3 Trophies to the XBox Gamerscore…. it feels too clinical just having a number, I like the idea of being awarded a trophy, especially if we end up with a trophy display in our Home environment!
douglas bolton
April 11th, 2009
over rated and a dissapointment