Playstation Home gets a pre-launch makeover

by Scott Jon Siegel { Feb 1st 2008 at 8:00AM }

Sony's Playstation Home virtual world has undergone a few cosmetic changes since we last took a look at it. At the IMAGINA 08 event in Monaco, a session led by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe introduced the changes, which were largely the result of user feedback culled from the beta version.

Rather than entering the world via an enclosed lobby, the Playstation Home experience will now begin in a large outdoor space. Entrances to areas like the Theatre and Bowling Alley have been redesigned to be more easily spotted, and the Theatre's screening rooms have been moved closer together, as testers were complaining about the long walks (lazy gamers).

The talk also revealed the inclusion of balconies in players' in-game apartments, and a choice of around eight different apartment styles at launch. Swanky premium apartments will also be made available, though of course not without a cost. Playstation Home is scheduled to launch on the PS3 in Spring 2008.

Gallery: PlayStation Home

Tags: imagina, playstation-home, playstationhome, ps-home, scee, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

FOXHOUND @ Feb 1st 2008 8:04AM

I swear, every time I see footage of this, I'm wondering why there isn't a "mag" following the character running around. Nostalgia, I guess.

Anyway, I'm eagerly awaiting the release(or further beta testing).

bAssackwards @ Feb 1st 2008 4:16PM

Oh snap, that would be awesome! Hahah.

Aaron @ Feb 1st 2008 8:17AM

Wouldn't you need more than chess and a home theater for this to be exciting? I was thinking a bunch of casual online games... music stores... clubs... amusement park... etc...

ThornedVenom @ Feb 1st 2008 8:20AM

Heh, I dunno how cool it's going to be or not, but I can't complain with free.

McWeen @ Feb 1st 2008 8:23AM

I am guessing this will be one of those things where the users make or break it. If a decent community grows around Home it will be worthwhile.

Roto13 @ Feb 1st 2008 8:46AM

Because online gamers are known for building such nice communities, not at all filled with swearing children and racism. :P

E.J. @ Feb 1st 2008 8:41AM

I look at this and think "This could be mildly cool and amusing, but 11 year-old boys will find a way to ruin it".

Doom3killer @ Feb 1st 2008 8:47AM

sounds cool,
by the way: is called spelled wrong (culled)

roach @ Feb 1st 2008 9:30AM

nope.

cull (v): to gather or collect

Co @ Feb 1st 2008 8:56AM

"Playstation Home is scheduled to launch on the PS3 in Spring 2008."

LOL Are they joking?

Noshino @ Feb 1st 2008 9:28AM

well, GDC is in Feb 18-22, so who knows...

baby sea tuna @ Feb 1st 2008 9:05AM

This'll be fun to try out, I guess, but I still can't seem to get excited about it. Maybe I will when I see how the trophy system works though, being the Achievement whore that I am...

samfish @ Feb 1st 2008 9:11AM

I always can't help but notice KillMeImHere in that photo.
Says it all, really...

Joe @ Feb 1st 2008 9:44AM

Biggest. Bloatware. Ever.

FidliousWong @ Feb 1st 2008 9:48AM

Then don't install it. Period. This is an option and bonus, nothing less or more.

ARGHHH! LOGIC HURT TROLL BRAIN! BACK UNDER YOUR BRIDGE TO CHEW A GOAT!

Joe @ Feb 1st 2008 9:50AM

You must be one of those "realplayer" people.

...buffering...

Nate @ Feb 1st 2008 10:07AM

It looks like it'll be interesting. Hopefully there's enough content for it to be fun for more than showing off to your friends.

Trophies will be great... finally the #1 reason why most people buy multi-plats on 360 will be balanced out. Plus, it'll be nice for those of us who don't have 360s but still want to show off some :) Hopefully they'll have a web tie-in so you can still have this stuff visible outside Home.

B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Feb 1st 2008 10:35AM

im going to co-sign on that one with you. the trophies should be the main point of this whole thing and should certainly help to balance out that Achievements/No Achievements debate that is so rampant now. ive never experienced Achievements so im eager to see what all the fuss is about. it should at least add another level of replay value to my games which can only be a good thing. id love to suck every bit of value out of my $60 investments.

B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Feb 1st 2008 10:46AM

Vidikron (FU) @ Feb 1st 2008 11:29AM

@B1gC72

Even though I don't consider myself a "gamerscore whore", achievements are oddly addicting. There's an undeniable satisifaction when you see the "Achievement Unlocked" notification pop-up. I don't try to get all the GS points in games, but I'll browse a game's achievement list and if any of them look like they might be fun to get I'll go for them.

And as Nate points out, the achievements are one of the major reasons why I generally buy multiplatform games for my 360 instead of my PS3. Once they get trophies added in to PS3 games then it will be a tougher decision. If they implement it correctly then I'm sure I'll feel the urge to fill my trophy room.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 1st 2008 10:28AM

These changes were needed and sound for the better. I haven't logged in for a while, but think it might be worth checking in on again.

B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Feb 1st 2008 10:29AM

i dont know how fun this will actually be but i will certainly give it a shot since you cant beat free. i mean social networking is fun and all and i can waste hours on Myspace, Facebook, or YouTbue but im still skeptical. i think the best part of it will be the Trophy system. i just dont know how excited i can get about walking across the map to look at my videos in a fake theater when i can use my same PS3 to look at videos instantly in my real home theater. well that is unless they are going to use said fake theater to unveil a video download service or something which would make sense.

ShabazKilla @ Feb 1st 2008 11:08AM

As long as I can create my Night Elf Mohawk it's cool.

Franssu @ Feb 1st 2008 11:09AM

It would be great if there was the possibility to choose several age-related parallel universes. For example a general for everyone, a 16+ for those who want to avoid the raging 11-year-olds, and a 18+ for the virtual dating fans.

Shimrra @ Feb 1st 2008 12:18PM

How is this suppose to make me want a PS3? I mean yeah on paper it sounds alright but this is just really annoying when you sit down and "play" with it. To me this is just myspace/facebook or any other social network but I mean how many young hot girls are going to be opening there wallets to buy a PS3 just to mess around with this? Worst case scenario is that a bunch of guys are going to make themselves as girls and just go and flirt with other guys....shivers. I bet you if anything you are just going to have a bunch of annoying people go around just bugging you to play a game over and over again then go to someone else and repeat. You know whats funny is that all this can be done now and you dont even need a PS3 just turn on your comp and DL Second Life for free and go socialize there.