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Interact with other PS3 owners in a virtual space  (Source: SCEI)
PlayStation Home pushed back once again

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. issued a press release informing that would continue its PlayStation Home testing period as a closed beta for the rest of the summer, disappointing those hoping for an open beta within the next few months.

“We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today,” said Kazuo Hirai, president and group CEO of SCEI.

The closed beta program will be extended to allow a few more registrants, though Sony has yet to provide further details. As for the rest of the gaming public, Sony is now penciling in the open beta of PlayStation Home for sometime during the fall months.

“Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on Playstation Home. Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation tradition,” added Hirai.

Delays are nothing new when it comes to PlayStation Home. The program, which proposed a virtual interactive world not unlike Second Life, was announced at the Game Developers Conference in March 2007. PlayStation Home was originally supposed to launch in October 2007, but was delayed just a month before launch to spring 2008.

The latest date puts PlayStation Home a year behind schedule.

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If it aint ready don't release it...
By Hiawa23 on 4/22/2008 9:00:48 AM , Rating: 5
I love LIVE, & also have a PS3, & Sony, if you learn one thing from MS, please if it aint ready, don't rush it to market because of pressure from gamers, & other pressures..




RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By bgm063 on 4/22/2008 9:16:47 AM , Rating: 2
Now I'm with you on that. MS did play it smart. After all, it was a work in progress since the days of Xbox.

I really can't wait to see HOME, but hey... if it isn't ready, it isn't ready. Would've been nice to see this go live by the 2008 holidays.


By daftrok on 4/22/2008 12:44:44 PM , Rating: 2
I'm looking forward to the games right now. I always felt Home a holiday release anyways (the beta not the complete one). Actually I think its a smart move because it gives more focus on Metal Gear Solid 4, Grand Theft Auto 4 and I guess God of War III and Final Fantasy 13 (yes its a 2008 release, so they say).

And MS did play it smart for the most part. Their online is great but I just can't get over the fact that you have to pay to play. I mean you are already paying for the internet in the first place, shouldn't that be enough?


RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By tirminyl on 4/22/2008 9:34:05 AM , Rating: 2
It's a beta for a reason. I think Sony can expect users to not take it for a full release if Beta is slapped all over it. With the constant delays I am no longer hyped about it. Kudos for them for taking more time to sort whatever it is out.


RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By theapparition on 4/22/2008 11:16:11 AM , Rating: 2
Everything at Google is pretty much still beta...yet we can all enjoy and comment on those products.


By afkrotch on 4/22/2008 11:47:39 AM , Rating: 2
How much of those beta products is a massively multiple user online 3D interface that is connected to a downloadable content store, achievement system, personal 3D space, and who knows what else.

I'm pretty sure every beta product that Google has doesn't even compare.


RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By ZimZum on 4/22/2008 9:48:33 AM , Rating: 3
I think if your looking for Sony's Home to be a PS3 version of LIVE you may be in for a let down. Sony wants an online presence. But from the beginning they have said they aren't looking to create another LIVE. Theres a reason Sony and Nintendo don't seem to be in any hurry to create competitor for LIVE. Microsoft spent 3 years and over 2 Billion on the LIVE infrastructure alone.


RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By sweetsauce on 4/22/2008 10:27:34 AM , Rating: 2
Links or it didn't happen.


RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By Staples on 4/22/2008 12:05:09 PM , Rating: 2
It happened, or so Microsoft says it happened. I have a feeling that a lot of that 2B was not just for R&D but that most of it was for material costs and salaries. I don't think it would be that hard for Sony to clone a Live system. The main hurdle is that the PS3 OS was not built specifically for on online server like the Xbox 360 was. You can make a comparison between the Xbox and the PS3 in how the system was made to deal with an online service.

And on a related note, Second Life has a hellava lot of problems which Live does not have so I think MS did something right.


By AlphaVirus on 4/22/2008 1:38:30 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
The main hurdle is that the PS3 OS was not built specifically for on online server like the Xbox 360 was.

Huh? Please explain.


RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By FITCamaro on 4/22/2008 12:09:42 PM , Rating: 2
That $2B included marketing I think. But yes Microsoft invested a ton of money in Live for both the original Xbox and for when they upgraded it to handle the 360.


RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By MADAOO7 on 4/22/2008 5:35:18 PM , Rating: 2
I highly doubt LIVE cost Microsoft that much. Instead of just throwing around figures and speculating, does anyone have a reliable source?


By therealnickdanger on 4/23/2008 9:13:22 AM , Rating: 2
Here's a link from 2002. Plans to spend $2 Billion over 5 years on the Xbox brand as a whole:
http://www.news.com/2100-1040-918460.html

Of course, this was before the $1 Billion needed to fix RRODs last summer:
http://www.news.com/Microsoft-to-extend-Xbox-360-w...

I recall seeing a news story back in the day about the cost of Live specifically, but I can't find it now. It is a sizeable investment though. To put it in perspective, though, Microsoft was recently fined $2 Billion by the EU...


RE: If it aint ready don't release it...
By afkrotch on 4/22/2008 1:49:58 PM , Rating: 2
Considering a company like Valve (who's revenue is only $50 mil annually) can create Steam, then what makes you think that either Nintendo or Sony couldn't do the same?

All Live is, is a network of servers for distribution of content, game servers, servers that point users to game servers, servers to store game IDs/profiles, etc.

Sony is hardly new to the distribution of content over the internet (Sony Connect) or online game servers (EQ). They've done it before and can easily do it again. Without a doubt, Sony spent over 2 bil on Sony Connect, EQ, EQ2, SWG, Planetside, and Vanguard. It didn't seem to hard to create the Playstation Network (course the client side portion was crap, til the update). Just Sony wants to create something different. While not unique, it is unique to use it as an interface for a console system.


By MADAOO7 on 4/22/2008 8:26:36 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Without a doubt, Sony spent over 2 bil on Sony Connect, EQ, EQ2, SWG, Planetside, and Vanguard


Seriously, quit speculating with these ridiculously high numbers. Sony, the entire company, is worth $43 Billion, there is no way they spent that kind of money. You guys need to get a better grasp of economics.


By raphd on 4/23/2008 1:50:23 PM , Rating: 2
I agree. Wish EA would do this.


Darn
By FITCamaro on 4/22/2008 9:55:47 AM , Rating: 3
The digital Myspace isn't ready. Teenagers will have to emote themselves to death using just text for a while longer.

Seriously. How many of you PS3 owners plan to just sit on your console and chat with friends in a digital environment so you can run around in circles like an idiot or buy pointless pieces of digital clothing to make your avatar look "ultra cool"?




RE: Darn
By mmntech on 4/22/2008 10:01:05 AM , Rating: 2
Have you never heard of Second Life? There's a huge amount of demand for social networking. You'd have to be living under a rock not to know that. I personally wouldn't use Home for that but I know a lot of people that would.


RE: Darn
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 4/22/2008 10:18:45 AM , Rating: 4
Second Life is quite laughable. But you are correct, people will do exactly that.


RE: Darn
By DingieM on 4/22/2008 10:25:56 AM , Rating: 2
I completely agree, Second Life is a total failure.
Was a hype in the beginning though.

Best thing to do is having a social life in the real world.

Virtual reality in my opinion is only nice paired with games like Conan: Hyborian adventures or Lotro and so on...


RE: Darn
By afkrotch on 4/22/2008 12:02:16 PM , Rating: 2
Doesn't even need to be a imitation of real life for ppl to do that. Ever play WoW? EQ? Lineage? How many ppl have you seen just standing around chatting with friends for hours on end, without actually going out and doing a raid, xping, or whatever else you can do in the game.


RE: Darn
By FITCamaro on 4/22/08, Rating: 0
RE: Darn
By afkrotch on 4/22/2008 1:57:23 PM , Rating: 2
I do it in RF Online, but I don't pay a monthly subscription fee. Also when you're near the max lvl, there just isn't much to do cept pvp and that can get boring after a while.


RE: Darn
By SavagePotato on 4/22/2008 6:55:17 PM , Rating: 2
What I find sad is people who are down on other people using the same service they are, and doing so in a way they simply don't deem up to their standards of what one must do to remain "cool" while playing an online game that the rest of the world is out there looking down their nose at even that person for.

It's ok to play an mmo as long as you don't do stupid stuff like waste time talking to other people, gotta get out there and achieve so you can lord over the other geeks in your phat lewt. Maybe feel just a little bit closer to the ever coveted societal approval of everything you do right?

Stop being a sheep.


RE: Darn
By hadifa on 4/22/2008 7:42:22 PM , Rating: 1
You said it for me.

That’s a 6+ comment.

“We don’t call every one a LOSSER, because we would fall in the same category and that’s obviously not true!”


RE: Darn
By hadifa on 4/22/2008 7:42:30 PM , Rating: 1
You said it for me.

That’s a 6+ comment.

“We don’t call every one a LOSSER, because we would fall in the same category and that’s obviously not true!”


RE: Darn
By hadifa on 4/22/2008 7:44:42 PM , Rating: 2
Sorry for the double post.

(Only a loser would double post ;-) )


RE: Darn
By jconan on 4/22/2008 11:34:29 PM , Rating: 2
I think MMO and the like are an evolution of IM with interactivity rather than just texting; If VOIP was added for person to person that'll definitely tax the network servers.


sony fans will wait.........
By destrorexe on 4/22/2008 9:27:46 AM , Rating: 1
wait for sony they will impress you in the end like they always do. they need to take more time on the best thing to hit the ps3 then so be it....




RE: sony fans will wait.........
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 4/22/2008 10:19:54 AM , Rating: 4
If HOME is the best thing to hit the PS3 then I'm not impressed. I would imagine some good game titles would be under the "Best Thing to grace the PS3" not a 3D version of Myspace.


RE: sony fans will wait.........
By Chaser on 4/22/2008 10:53:57 AM , Rating: 2
As we all have seen already Sony looks ahead to the future with the implementation of features for the PS3.

And as far as your PS3/BD predictions since release Kenobi, sorry but the force hasn't been with you.


RE: sony fans will wait.........
By Ramshambo on 4/22/2008 11:37:21 AM , Rating: 1
Rumble functionality was so last gen.


RE: sony fans will wait.........
By Alexvrb on 4/22/2008 8:53:10 PM , Rating: 2
Full steam reverse! All hands, prepare to backpedal!


RE: sony fans will wait.........
By afkrotch on 4/22/2008 11:56:56 AM , Rating: 2
Not like Sony has control over all the games created for their console. As far as features, ya, Home probably will be the best thing to grace the PS3.


RE: sony fans will wait.........
By FITCamaro on 4/22/2008 12:06:49 PM , Rating: 2
Playstation Home.
Pedaphiles welcome.

I forsee a South Park episode when its launched.


RE: sony fans will wait.........
By 306maxi on 4/22/08, Rating: 0
why not?
By dome1234 on 4/22/2008 1:37:33 PM , Rating: 2
why not slap it an 'open beta' now. I mean, gmail's been beta for years. furthermore you don't have to pay extra on top of your games and console for it, why not?




RE: why not?
By AlphaVirus on 4/22/2008 1:46:03 PM , Rating: 2
closed beta and open beta are exactly the same except closed means "more controlled environment". Having an open beta turns the beta into a zoo. I have been in some closed and open betas and no matter what the product is, open betas are horribly disastrous.

For example, you will have people just trying the product out so they can tell their friends and interweb buddies and not really trying to test and help the company. Closed beta turns into a more serious situation, everyone tries to help out in certain ways that benefit the company.

quote:
furthermore you don't have to pay extra on top of your games and console for it, why not?

Sony does not charge for use of internet either, perhaps they see it fit to let gamers have certain things free.


RE: why not?
By afkrotch on 4/22/2008 2:28:54 PM , Rating: 2
The only reason for an open beta for something like Home, is to make sure that the servers can handle the load of all the users. All other development can be handled in a closed beta.

I don't mind waiting. It's not like they promised me this feature when I bought my console a couple months after it's release.

I do wish that some of the extra features I get, like Edy or Mainich Issho, were useable.


By crazyblackman on 4/22/2008 1:42:51 PM , Rating: 2
Here is my open message to Sony-

I don't own Both consoles. I WORK HARD FOR MY MONEY. I knew exactly what I was spending my hard earned money on when I purchased my system on launch day. I have been a happy console owner SINCE launch day. I have never EVER called customer support for I have not had ANY problems with my "launch console". I have used my console daily and have left it on for hrs at a time and it has worked FLAWLESSLY. All of my discs are easily RESELLABLE because they have never, ever been subject to surface scratching. My console is also still in "like new", polished condition with a considerate amount of resale value. It has been CONSISTENTLY upgraded and has constantly improved in value for FREE. FREE. It is still "getting better all the time". I truly feel COMFORTABLE buying future products/services from the company that made my well thought out futureproof, solid state system. They have made many promises and they are delivering on those promises and then some. My $600 has been well spent on this generation of constantly upgradeable technology.

just like the extra time it took Rockstar to make what promises to be the greatest game of this generation, I think that Playstation Home will also be great when it finally rolls out. The best thing about it is that once again, it will be FREE.

Take your time SONY. Get it right.




hrmm
By Pezman37 on 4/22/2008 3:18:37 PM , Rating: 2
Can I attack the crab for massive damage?




I wonder
By afkrotch on 4/22/2008 3:42:23 PM , Rating: 2
I wonder if Sony will allow user created content for Home. Maybe your own couch, mini-game, or just a unique set of clothes. No one is going to want to have an avatar that looks the same as 30% of the other avatars out there.




Sony Sux
By Raven01 on 4/23/2008 4:38:53 PM , Rating: 2
The PS3 was a year late for the Next Gen wars. When it came out It had exactly 1 good game to compete against a well positioned Xbox 360, so out of desperation the sold the idea of Home. This interactivity app is been delayed time and again for more than a year now, and it seems impossible that they just didn't know how complex it was to develop it and how far they really were from achieving it.

So all along they have been competing with promises and fake release dates, instead of facts, just to keep the hype over the PS3 knowing full well that Home is nowhere near completion.
I can't wait when fall comes and this bunch of liers have to face the music once again.

I own both platforms and Im only dissapointed in one of them.




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