Joystiq

Benjamin Rivers' 'Home' arrives June 1, pre-orders start today

Jordan Mallory — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:15:00 EST

Home, the pixel-art horror/adventure game that first caught our frightened little eyes last October will be available for the PC on June 1, in your choice of "Regular" and "Old-School Collector's" editions.

Home's Regular Edition rings up at $2.00 and entitles you to a DRM-free download of the game, whereas the Old-School Collector's Edition has been created specifically for "players who love classic packaging and think physical media is more than just a delivery method." At $20.00 (plus shipping and handling), the Collector's Edition includes a "classic-style" manual, "exclusive game-universe artifacts," a town map plus "mapping tools to help you find your way" and "maybe some other delicious secrets."

Pre-orders go live today, and everyone that pre-orders either version will receive a set of wallpapers as a bonus tchotchke. Take a look at the Collector's Edition and some shiny new screenshots in the gallery below, if you dare.

Gallery: Home (Release Date/Collector's Set reveal)

Continue reading Benjamin Rivers' 'Home' arrives June 1, pre-orders start today

Benjamin Rivers' 'Home' arrives June 1, pre-orders start today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSN maintenance starts this Thursday at 9am EST, through Friday morning

Mike Schramm — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST

Sony has announced on its European forums that maintenance time has been scheduled for the PlayStation Network this Thursday, February 2, from 2PM GMT until 8AM Friday morning. If the maintenance carries over to the US (and it usually does), it'll start at 6AM PST Thursday until midnight PST, or 9AM to 3AM for those of you on the East Coast.

Fortunately, the outage doesn't seem to include gameplay -- Sony says that it will only affect the PS Store, Customer Account Management and Registration services. PlayStation Home, however, will be offline the entire time. So ... that doesn't sound so bad! Just pour yourself a cup of tea, grab something good to read and wrap yourself in a warm blanket, and the outage will be over before you know it.

PSN maintenance starts this Thursday at 9am EST, through Friday morning originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Welcome to your new PlayStation Home

JC Fletcher — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST

In this video, Sony takes us on a tour of the new PlayStation Home. If you're not sure what's different, maybe now would be a good opportunity to go check out Home for the first time -- if only so you have something to compare to the new version.

Video: Welcome to your new PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Home' is a pixel-art horror adventure game from Benjamin Rivers

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST

We've got a bit of a penchant for the macabre here at Joystiq, and as far as we're concerned, horror themes are drastically underrepresented in both adventure games and pixel art. It's a massive oversight in the industry, but one-man indie development studio Benjamin Rivers may fill that esoteric void in our blackened little hearts with Home, a "unique horror adventure."

In Home, players wake to find themselves trapped in a strange and mysterious house, with no recollection of how they got there, or who put them there. Beyond its charming aesthetic, Home's main selling point is its dynamic plot, which is said to unfold in a myriad of different ways, depending how the player completes certain tasks, and in what order. No word yet on platform, price or anticipated release date, though we suspect a PC/Steam release to be most likely. Consider our interest thoroughly piqued.

Gallery: Home (10/23/2011)

'Home' is a pixel-art horror adventure game from Benjamin Rivers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Home gets 1.55 update this Thursday in advance of relaunch

David Hinkle — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 EST

Yes, yes, we know the relaunch is coming, but don't expect it this Thursday. PlayStation Home community manager "Locust_Star" posted on the PlayStation Blog today, announcing the 1.55 update and some patch features arriving prior to the big relaunch. Included in 1.55 are an improved "start-up flow," some wardrobe and furniture browser tweaks and the ability to manually clear the PlayStation Home cache on your HDD.

Outside of technical stuff, Home has also added some new costumes, spaces and Loot, a game that lets players record and download their own custom videos right to their hard drives. There's also YouTube functionality for those must-share Quincying moments.

PlayStation Home gets 1.55 update this Thursday in advance of relaunch originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Welcome Back goodies for European PlayStation Home outlined

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Who cares about free games, downloadable content or PlayStation Plus memberships? We certainly could not care less -- our envious eye has fallen on the European PSN, whose Welcome Back rewards now include a grip of free PlayStation Home swag.

Continue reading Welcome Back goodies for European PlayStation Home outlined

Welcome Back goodies for European PlayStation Home outlined originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2011 spurs half a million PlayStation Home visits

David Hinkle — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:15:00 EST

We like to make fun of PlayStation Home, but it turns out if you put cool stuff there, people will log in. VentureBeat reports over 500,000 people showed up for the festivities, which included interviews and gameplay demonstrations of what was on offer on the E3 show floor, plus a live stream of Sony's press conference and a virtual recreation of its booth area. Sony did a similar thing last year and pulled in 250,000.

If for some reason you weren't able to make it into Home, get caught up on our admittedly less interactive Sony coverage from the show: the keynote, the booth and E3 overall.

E3 2011 spurs half a million PlayStation Home visits originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Home 1.5 debuts April 20

Randy Nelson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:30:00 EST

Announced during GDC, version 1.5 of the PlayStation Home client will go live tomorrow morning, April 20. The update not only introduces engine enhancements designed to aid developers in making full high-performance games for the platform, but a number of interface tweaks as well.

Sony is launching a new Sodium themed private space along with the update, although Lockwood Publishing's futuristic racer utilizing the Home 1.5 framework, Sodium Two, is still in closed beta. You can find a complete list of the UI and functionality updates being introduced at the source link below.

PlayStation Home 1.5 debuts April 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Leaked Home screens show revamped Central Plaza

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:45:00 EST

Are you sitting down? Please, take your time. All set? Great! Earlier this week, leaked shots showing up on FourPlayerCoOp depicted a brand new, kinda futuristic Central Plaza in Home. Relax! Breathe! We're not 100 percent sure whether the shots are conceptual or final, though they look awfully real to us (aside from that woman's impossibly tiny skirt).

Either way, we'll see soon enough as PlayStation's Home update 1.5 will arrive this spring. Or at least those of you who are still using Home will. We won't. Because we aren't.

[Image credit: FourPlayerCoOp]

Rumor: Leaked Home screens show revamped Central Plaza originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch space shuttle Discovery's final launch from PlayStation Home premium yacht

JC Fletcher — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST

Home users! Be sure to step out of your promotional wastelands and secret subscriber enclaves today, for the sake of history. Space shuttle Discovery is taking off for the last time today at 4:50PM ET, and you can watch the whole thing from the confines of the PS3's virtual world.

However, there is a catch. You can't just watch from your own room in Home or the Central Plaza or wherever -- you can only view the launch from the Loot Sunset Yacht, a "premium personal space" available for purchase (previously known as the "Amaterasu Yacht"). Of course, this makes the event sound a bit less "historic" and more like "paying Sony for the privilege of watching your avatar watch the shuttle launch, instead of just watching it yourself on your whole TV screen for free."

Watch space shuttle Discovery's final launch from PlayStation Home premium yacht originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Killzone 3 to include 'total' PlayStation Home integration

JC Fletcher — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:32:00 EST

If you happen to wander into PlayStation Home's Central Plaza after this Thursday, January 27, you may not find it as antiseptic and serene as you remember. As part of a Killzone 3 promotion, Sony is going to transform Home's main meeting area into "the last ISA stronghold," wrecked by a Helghast attack. Players can fight back in three "levels" of Home minigames, earning points that can be used to unlock content in the real game's multiplayer mode.

Sony is also adding the somewhat impractical functionality of a Killzone 3 pre-order from Amazon ... from within Home. For the first time, you'll be able to reserve a game from within Sony's virtual world, securing an exclusive jet-pack "costume" for your avatar (are you really asking -- not a chance it actually works!); in addition to Amazon's standard pre-orders bonuses, including more multiplayer points and the "Retro Map Pack" (two maps from Killzone 2 playable in the new game). So, you're supposed to go to the fake Killzone to buy the real one -- is that right?

Continue reading Killzone 3 to include 'total' PlayStation Home integration

Killzone 3 to include 'total' PlayStation Home integration originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Force Unleashed 2 items hit Avatar Marketplace, PS Home Dec. 9

David Hinkle — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:00:00 EST

In the galaxy you currently reside in, LucasArts plans on hocking more digital Star Wars wares. On Thursday, avatars can tap into whichever side of The Force their inner fashionista prefers on both Xbox Live and PlayStation Home.

Continue reading Force Unleashed 2 items hit Avatar Marketplace, PS Home Dec. 9

Force Unleashed 2 items hit Avatar Marketplace, PS Home Dec. 9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Plus users get an exclusive space away from the crowds of Home

JC Fletcher — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:30:00 EST

Are you looking for the quietest place in the (virtual) world? Yes, even quieter than PlayStation Home. Sony Europe just launched a PlayStation Plus-exclusive lounge inside of Home. Perfect for the person who likes Home, but just wishes it didn't have so many people in it.

Once you get past the doorman in the marble foyer, you'll be able to converse with the other occupant of the PlayStation Plus Private Members Club in peace -- mostly about how awesome it is to have a place to go where you can get away from all the people who meant to launch the PlayStation Store. There's a bar, "alcoves" for conversation, and even an exclusive card game, optimistically designed for two to four players.

PlayStation Plus users get an exclusive space away from the crowds of Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Codename bringing original indie games to PlayStation Home

Randy Nelson — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:10:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Sony has announced a partnership with upstart independent game label Codename that will see a variety of games from indie devs released on PlayStation Home, beginning with four revealed today that are due over "the course of the next several months."

The group includes Dueling Gentlemen from Odd Gentlemen (Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom) which, as its title suggests, will see Home inhabitants squaring off one-on-one in a classic battle of honor. The hook: Duels will take place live on stage in Home's Central Plaza. Addiitonally, Lazy 8 Studios is bringing its unique 3D puzzler Cogs to Home as a Central Plaza spectacle, complete with multiplayer.

Super Awesome Mountain RPG -- a board game/RPG mash-up from Codename itself -- and Minor Battle, Peanut Gallery's Indiecade award-winning, team-based platformer round out what we here at Joystiq HQ are calling "The Most Excited We've Been About Home in Forever Collection." The official announcement is posted after the break.

Continue reading Codename bringing original indie games to PlayStation Home

Codename bringing original indie games to PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Develop: Is PlayStation Home the next great game development platform?

Kyle Orland — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

These days, every developer and their brother seems to be making a beeline for hot new gaming platforms like Facebook and the iPhone, visions of Farmville- and Doodle-Jump-style riches dancing in their heads. But nDreams CEO Patrick O'Luanaigh says all these gold rushers might be ignoring a more welcoming and neglected platform for their gaming projects: PlayStation Home.

Continue reading Develop: Is PlayStation Home the next great game development platform?

Develop: Is PlayStation Home the next great game development platform? originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Home 'Wipeout Museum' preserves futuristic racing history

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Have you taken the time to familiarize yourself with some of the biggest moments in the history of the Wipeout franchise? The original game's ship date? The day Psygnosis was acquired and rebranded SCE Studio Liverpool? How about the time young Billy Caruthers first traveled fast enough in Wipeout 64 to break the sound barrier, causing the speakers of his 17-inch television and his left eardrum to disintegrate?

You can learn all about these momentous occasions by visiting the "Wipeout Museum" space, which recently opened in PlayStation Home. The space celebrates the franchise's 15th birthday with a few scale models of the game's hovercrafts and a couple of interactive minigames -- you know, games like Wipeout Shooter, which recreates all the thrilling shooting gallery action for which the core series is known.

PlayStation Home 'Wipeout Museum' preserves futuristic racing history originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Home is a good, profitable business, says Sony's Buser

David Hinkle — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Ask anybody what they think about PlayStation Home and you'll likely get one of two reactions: "What is that?" and "Meh." For PlayStation Home director Jack Buser, however, it's quite the accomplishment -- a "very good business model for PlayStation, and quite profitable," he told Gamasutra.

"With numbers like we have, it goes without saying that Home has been a huge success for our company, something that we have been very proud of." The numbers he's talking about look pretty decent on paper: there are over 100 games on the service, the average user session is about 70 minutes, there are over 50 unique spaces available and 14 million people have at least stepped foot in Home once. Not bad, but it's all about the context -- do people play those games? Do people explore those unique spaces? How many of those 14 million are actual active users?

"We haven't talked too much about the platform itself, but what we have said is that every mature virtual item we have ever created has been profitable," Buser said. "We've released over 5,000 virtual items on the platform, and we know that once those items reach maturity, they are profitable. So you see us creating a tremendous amount of virtual items, because it is such a high margin business for us to be in." So it's very much a long-tail thing, then?

Look, you could probably present the numbers in any way possible and spin the service as a success, but for us, the real success is its ability to pull in new users, its effectiveness as a marketing tool and its profits from the sale of virtual goods. Log in now and you'll no doubt find a community there, passionate about Home. But is it pulling in new users? Are marketers beating down the (virtual) door to get into Home? And how much does Sony really earn from the service annually? Until we get less vague statistics and hard numbers, we might never know.

PlayStation Home is a good, profitable business, says Sony's Buser originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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European PlayStation Home gets Star Wars, Indiana Jones outfits

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:15:00 EST

More LucasArts outfits will hang shortly on the European PlayStation store's virtual racks for those who are spending hundreds of hours in Home. Many of these items are already available in the States or will be with the update on Thursday. Star Wars items include an Obi-Wan costume (with beard), along with Rex, Anakin and Yoda posters. There's also a clone helmet display, homing spider droid prop and AT-ST statue.

For archaeologist adventurers, Indiana Jones' costume with fedora will likely be a must -- oh yeah, along with framed whip for the wall. There are also Mutt Williams, Dovchenko, Mola Ram ("COVER YOUR HEART!") and Henry Jones Sr. costumes. Props include the Staff of Rah, Ark of the Covenant, fertility idol and, ugh ... the crystal skull. And here we'd just about forgotten that movie existed.

European PlayStation Home gets Star Wars, Indiana Jones outfits originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 May 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LittleBigPlanet crashes into PlayStation Home today

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:15:00 EST

This week's PlayStation Home update promises to be the LittleBig-gest ever. It will add the LittleBigPlanet PlayGround space, which features the King's Snap Happy Photo Challenge, a new Home-exclusive minigame that lets you take pictures to unlock rewards. There's also a Creator minigame that has you building a custom LBP-themed wallpaper for the XMB using a variety of stickers you can place, stick and combine. (Check out the trailer after the break.)

Finally, Qore fans will want to pay attention to this: show hosts Veronica Belmont and Audrey Cleo will be making an appearance in Home to chat with fans of the PSN video magazine. For more details, check out the PlayStation.Blog.

Continue reading LittleBigPlanet crashes into PlayStation Home today

LittleBigPlanet crashes into PlayStation Home today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 May 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Become Iron Man with new flying game on PlayStation Home

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:29:00 EST

This may be the greatest thing to ever happen to PlayStation Home ever. To promote the upcoming Iron Man 2 movie, Paramount Pictures and Audi have partnered up to create a brand new Iron Man-themed mini-game, exclusively for PlayStation Home. Debuting on Thursday, April 29th, the Audi Space will be updated with a game that has your avatar donning an Iron Man suit, flying through an aerial obstacle course.

The best times will be recorded on a leaderboard, and the top 10 scores by the end of June will be awarded with a virtual Iron Man suit to keep, making this one of the rarest virtual items ever offered for Sony's online community.

Unfortunately, this game is exclusive to the European PSN, meaning those of you outside of SCEE's domain won't be able to partake in the fun. To see what you're missing out on, check out the trailer after the break.

Gallery: PlayStation Home: Iron Man 2

Continue reading Become Iron Man with new flying game on PlayStation Home

Become Iron Man with new flying game on PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIII and BioShock 2 costumes available today in Home

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:00:00 EST

Your adventuring in Final Fantasy XIII may be coming to an end. You can show your fandom for the game by buying a five pound tub of hair gel and cosplaying at the next anime convention ... or you can buy a Final Fantasy XIII-themed outfit for PlayStation Home. Good news: you'll be able to take the easier option later with today's PlayStation Home update.

Costumes for Lightning, Vanille, Sazh and Snow will all be available in the Costumes store in Sony's virtual world. In addition, you'll be able to rock costumes from BioShock 2 with purchasable Big Daddy and Big Sister costumes. Expect Home to have an interesting denizen of costumers this week.

Final Fantasy XIII and BioShock 2 costumes available today in Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Home integrates into games, beginning with SOCOM Confrontation

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:45:00 EST

We've seen many games unlock new content in PlayStation Home, like the Batcave from Batman: Arkham Asylum. However, what we haven't seen yet is the ability to unlock content in-game from Sony's online world. That changes this week, with the addition of the SOCOM OPFOR game space. A Home-exclusive minigame will challenge players to assemble an assault rifle in 12 seconds or less. The prize? A golden AK-47 that can be transferred into SOCOM Confrontation.

Likely, this is just the beginning for expanded Home integration. Associate Producer KC Coleman commented on the PlayStation Blog: "It's truly a win-win-win situation. It's a win for Home because we have opened up a huge door that will allow developers to continue to blur the line between PlayStation Home and PS3 games." See a trailer after the break.

Continue reading PlayStation Home integrates into games, beginning with SOCOM Confrontation

PlayStation Home integrates into games, beginning with SOCOM Confrontation originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aliens vs. Predator in PlayStation Home dance-off

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:15:00 EST

It's time for another PlayStation Home dance-off! Unlike the original Hamsters vs. Humans dance-off, this one is a community-driven event, powered by passionate fans of Sony's online service. To participate in the least violent conflict between these two species, you'll want to log on to Home's Central Plaza this Wednesday, April 7 at 9:00 p.m. EDT (6:00 p.m. PDT).

Anyone else suddenly reminded of the tagline to the AVP movie?

[Via @SonyPlayStation]

Aliens vs. Predator in PlayStation Home dance-off originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed Space coming to PlayStation Home

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:13:00 EST

One of the coolest aspects of Joystiq's #2 Game of 2009, Assassin's Creed II, had to be the search for "the truth." The meta game was hidden across the entire experience, and had players solving puzzles in an effort to unlock a video that would explain one of the franchise's biggest mysteries. That mystery and intrigue is coming to Sony's online community this week, in a brand new Space for PlayStation Home.

The Personal Space will include a multiplayer tower defense game that "pits Assassins against Templars," and includes access to developer blogs, concept art, the Animus 2.0 database, and the full "Assassin's Creed: Lineage" live action short film. The Space will cost $4.99, but for hardcore Assassin's Creed fans, the ability to have your Home Avatar walk around the Hideout from ACII may be worth the price of entry.

Assassin's Creed Space coming to PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do you want to become a PlayStation Home community volunteer?

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:15:00 EST

Now that PlayStation Home is twelve million strong, Sony is looking for community volunteers to help newcomers ease their way into the PS3 virtual world. Applicants need to be "friendly and knowledgeable" as they help new users navigate the various community events available online. According to a recent call for applicants, the program "offers a great outlet to the most passionate Home users to help give back to the community."

To submit an application, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the US, and have "dependable access to email and Internet." Also, not only will you need to describe your most embarrassing PlayStation Home experience, you'll also have to answer this very telling question: "Do you have more friends in real life or in Home? Which do you prefer?" Don't worry, you should answer truthfully. We won't judge you.

Do you want to become a PlayStation Home community volunteer? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aliens, Predators and prey available as Home costumes

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:15:00 EST

No matter which species wins, we all lose. PlayStation Home has been invaded by Aliens vs. Predator costumes, in Europe at least. The outfits are available for a limited time and leave the Home universe on March 31. Virtual cosplay prices are:

€2.99 for a complete costume.
€1.99 for a pair of trousers or a top.
€0.99 for a helmet or mask.

We're having a tough time finding the costumes in the US store (maybe they're using Predator camo?), so if you know where they are hiding and pricing, please let us know in the comments. Outfits exist for both genders and are perfect for Quincying.

Gallery: Aliens vs Predator in Home

Aliens, Predators and prey available as Home costumes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monkey Island Home costumes allow for Dread Pirate Quincy

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:20:00 EST

Does your dead-eyed Home avatar lack a bit of that buccaneering spirit? LucasArts has a sure-fire way to fix your lack of nautical flair: During its pirate-themed party at GDC, the company announced that Monkey Island costumes (pictured above) would soon make their way to PlayStation Home.

Now, we rarely get excited over virtual duds for our virtual manifestations -- but Stan's coat could really add a certain savoir-faire to our terrifying craft.

Monkey Island Home costumes allow for Dread Pirate Quincy originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Home v1.35 loses the world map

JC Fletcher — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST

With the latest downloadable update to the "beta" (version 1.35, for the record), Sony has officially fixed every problem with PlayStation Home. Well, maybe not every problem. But there are some big changes. Sony has replaced Home's world map with an XMB-like interface; through which you can connect with your friends, move around through your own spaces and quickly visit "Featured Spaces" (so you can effectively be advertised to!). You'll also be able to make a list of "favorites" to which you can navigate quickly.

Home will be down briefly tomorrow as Sony implements this update. But when it comes back, in addition to the new functionality, there will be Final Fantasy and Indiana Jones stuff to buy, a Sodium update and a sale on Home decorations and items. Yes, we were just thinking we should take the day off, too.

Home v1.35 loses the world map originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Square Enix to fill PlayStation Home with Final Fantasy XIII tchotchkes

JC Fletcher — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:45:00 EST

Want to decorate your virtual home with a knife-wielding monster, or an elusive sentient cactus? Of course you do. And for you, Square Enix is offering a selection of Final Fantasy XIII items for PlayStation Home starting this Thursday.

"Items to collect," the press release reads, "include a sofa, table, chair, shelves, planter set, Cactuar and Tonberry figures, and stuffed animals." You can see some of the goods with which you can festoon your nonexistent digs above. Square Enix didn't price any of them, but it ranges from 100 to 200 yen (around $1-2) each in Japan. It's a small price to pay for your very own Tonberry.

Square Enix to fill PlayStation Home with Final Fantasy XIII tchotchkes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uncharted costumes coming to PlayStation Home

Justin McElroy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:15:00 EST

If you're one of the countless Americans that has been stricken by halftuck, you'll soon be able to bring awareness to this serious, chronic disease by rocking one in PlayStation Home, thanks to some new Uncharted outfits slated to hit the service this week. You don't have to be afraid anymore, halftuckers, you get out there and fly that flag.

Sidenote: The Drake to Chloe switch provides some terrifying new opportunities for the Quincy enthusiasts out there preying on unsuspecting Homers. Consider yourselves warned.

Uncharted costumes coming to PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Advertisers ignoring PlayStation Home, but interested in PSN

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:00:00 EST

PlayStation Home has expanded quite a bit in 2009, with 50 spaces and over 100 games now available within Sony's virtual world. It has been a modest success, but perhaps it's fallen shy of the lofty expectations placed on it when it was initially unveiled at GDC nearly three years ago. Since then, Sony's online service has managed to cut advertising deals with Red Bull, the US Army and Fox -- but has Home been able to maintain interest?

According to a report by Brandweek, advertisers are largely ignoring PlayStation Home, opting to pursue opportunities on Xbox Live instead. Ad agency Publicis Denuo's John Rafferty told the site that "from moment one, it kind of felt clunky. And once you got through that, there wasn't much there." Regardless of the robotic nature of the service, the high cost of entry is proving to be a huge barrier against Home, with "labor-intensive six-figure deals" required to create content for the community.

Jack Buser, director of PlayStation Home, argues that it offers "a chance to cut through the noise and actively engage directly with a large, targeted, and highly desirable consumer base." However, it appears that advertisers that want to work with Sony are interested in pursuing a different relationship -- one with the PlayStation Network itself. "Sony is a little more conservative in embracing their system as an ad platform," the report notes. However, the addition of the What's New screen, and advertising on the PlayStation Store, show that the Sony team is adapting, slowly transforming the PS3 into a system that advertisers can genuinely pursue.

[Thanks, ugotmesij]

Advertisers ignoring PlayStation Home, but interested in PSN originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Star Wars & Indiana Jones items hit Home

David Hinkle — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:29:00 EST

If you click this image, it shall become more embiggened than you could possibly imagine

LucasArts has invaded PlayStation Home today with a bunch of new virtual goods and a space to hang out in. Without all of the crime and sudden de-limbing that goes on in the Mos Eisley Cantina, the LucasArts storefront will offer patrons a safe environment to purchase virtual goods -- sorry, no power converters available.

Here's the list of goodies:

Yoda shirt (for male avatars)
Obi-Wan Kenobi shirt (for male and female avatars)
Jedi Order shirt (for male and female avatars)
Indiana Jones costume - torso, pants, shoes
Indiana Jones costume - hat, hair
Stormtrooper costume (for male and female avatars)
Imperial Officer costume (for male and female avatars)
Blue Lightsaber (for male and female avatars)
Jedi banner (for avatar personal space)
Sith banner (for avatar personal space)
Star Wars The Force Unleashed poster (for avatar personal space)

LucasArts promises more updates to come. In the meanwhile, feel free to peruse select avatar items in our gallery below, but there may be a slight chance these aren't the images you're looking for.

Gallery: LucasArts PlayStation Home Space (and goods)

Star Wars & Indiana Jones items hit Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LocoRoco go to PlayStation Home

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:17:00 EST

PlayStation Home will be getting a near-lethal injection of cuteness tomorrow, thanks to the brand new LocoIsland Estate. Available in Europe for £3.99 (US release TBA), the virtual island features a giant tree house and, even more exciting, a virtual cruise. The Estate also grants access to mini-games, like LocoReverse and a Domingo race.

In addition to the LocoRoco space, PlayStation Home will also be getting a MotorStorm space. The MotorStorm Carrier is a decommissioned aircraft carrier that also features its own mini-games, quests and rewards (just like real-life aircraft carriers!). Check out trailers for both new spaces after the break.

Continue reading LocoRoco go to PlayStation Home

LocoRoco go to PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhawk personal space coming to PlayStation Home

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST

PlayStation Home hasn't forgotten about you, avid Warhawk fan. It may have been years since the multiplayer PSN game released, but its community is still going strong. If you're still obsessed with taking to the skies, you may want to plunk down some cash on the Warhawk Apartment, which features a Sand Table that lets you strategize. Even cooler, it also includes a co-op shooter that lets you take down flying bogeys.

That's not the only thing to grace Home tomorrow. For more details on tomorrow's update, check out the PlayStation.Blog. Check out a trailer after the break.

Continue reading Warhawk personal space coming to PlayStation Home

Warhawk personal space coming to PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New costumes, spaces are Home-ward bound

Mike Schramm — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST

Sony's official Playstation blog has posted a rundown of what's new in Home this coming week, and it looks like you'll have a few different costumes, personal spaces, and even a couple of contests to pick from. First up, the costumes: Not only will the Bioshock suit finally be available, but there's a special edition Ezio costume from Assassin's Creed II as well. There's a brand new personal space named London Pub created by VEEMEE, complete with dart game, beer taps, and working restrooms. And there are new items for the Paris Clock Tower personal space, as well as Fantasy and Victorian clothing bundles to buy.

As for contests, they're currently running MAG contests in Central Plaza (where you can get free t-shirts of the game's factions), and Zombieland contests that ask you to answer trivia questions posted around the environment. Other than those promotions, new stuff ain't cheap: The London Pub is $5.99, and the other items and costumes will cost you, too. But what's the cost of one beer at a swanky authentic pub when you could buy a virtual copy of the whole place?

New costumes, spaces are Home-ward bound originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heavy Rain detective puzzles coming to PlayStation Home

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST

Finally! You can put your CSI knowledge to good use. Starting tomorrow, PlayStation Home will be updated with a brand new Space: The Backstage Pass. At first glance, it may not seem related to Heavy Rain, but keen minds will be able to find a way to unlock a secret adventure, the Heavy Rain "Evidence Analysis" mini-game.

The PlayStation.Blog is scant on details, but promises Home denizens "will receive a rather special reward" when completing the game. "This prize is definitely one you Heavy Rain fans won't want to be without." That certainly sounds like the most enticing reason to visit the PS3 online community in quite some time.

Heavy Rain detective puzzles coming to PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Become a Big Daddy in PlayStation Home via BioShock 2 pre-order

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:15:00 EST

You can become a Big Daddy in PlayStation Home ... if you pre-order BioShock 2 on amazon.com. The online retailer is offering the game, $10 credit and exclusive access to this Home costume for $55. It's the perfect costume to wear if you feel like picking up chemically engineered underage girls in Sony's online community.

If that doesn't entice you, there's always GameStop's pre-order incentive of extra multiplayer characters.

[Via @amazongames]

Become a Big Daddy in PlayStation Home via BioShock 2 pre-order originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Bull expands Home space with 'Flugtag' flying machine challenge

Randy Nelson — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST

PlayStation Home's first branded space, Red Bull Beach, has added two new ... wings, if you will. The energy drink maker launched its Home presence with the Red Bull Air Race mini-game (and the unofficial "wait in line and spam 'X' to play" companion challenge) -- the new Flugtag (German for "flying day") mini-game trades high-performance stunt planes for human-powered contraptions taken from its annual "will it fly?" themed event.

The goal: Grab one of several "flying machines" -- try a banjo with wings, or, say, a completely counter-aerodynamic "flying pig" -- and attempt to glide as far as possible off of the space's launch structure. It's definitely ... interesting. So is the space's other new addition: the Red Bull illume exhibit, a virtual re-creation of a real-world art installation which features adventure sports photos projected onto the faces of translucent cubes. It's art, only ... extreme!

Red Bull expands Home space with 'Flugtag' flying machine challenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PlayStation Home catches a fishing game

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:15:00 EST

Want to experience the excitement of sitting around all day? You're in luck! PlayStation Home is getting a brand new fishing mini-game in an upcoming premium personal space. The Waterfall Terrace, available this Thursday in the Estates store of the Home Mall, boasts a waterfall and an eternal sunset, as envisioned by Phil Harrison. Using various lures, you'll be able to reel in a variety of fish, all of which will appear on the walls of your virtual apartment.

Check out a video after the break.

Continue reading PlayStation Home catches a fishing game

PlayStation Home catches a fishing game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final Fantasy XIII goes Home in Japan

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST

To coincide with the launch of Final Fantasy XIII in Japan, PlayStation Home has been updated with a number of virtual Square Enix goods -- all of them terribly expensive. For 600 yen (about $6.66), Final Fantasy fans will be able to purchase an avatar costume of Snow, Lightning or Sazh. (The Baby Chocobo wig for Sazh will cost an additional 100 yen, though.) While these costumes may be pricey, the alternative (cosplaying in real life) exacts an even greater cost.

FF13-inspired furniture is also available at the Home Marketplace, ranging from 100 to 200 yen each. Perhaps you'll want a Cactaur for your apartment? Or a Final Fantasy XIII sofa? Certainly, there's no better way to relax after a lengthy FF13 grind than to sit down on your virtual couch.

Final Fantasy XIII goes Home in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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