Sony Home - The official thread*

[Arwin]

Maybe that was the joke Shifty was trying to make?

Anyway, I just visited Home again (my son likes it a lot too, so I often do so on my 'daddy daycare day') and noticed that the Home theatre in Europe now has new cinema spaces that are miniature versions of the large one that's been in the U.S. version forever. This is fairly new I think. Probably in time for the new FFXIII trailer that will be up there sometime soon (though I don't know if Europe is getting it at the same time as the U.S.).

These new theatres work pretty well now, pretty good picture, and next to the full-screen option there's now also an option to follow a link to the movie's website, etc. My son enjoyed the trailers for Up and Mr Fantastic.

I really hope that MW2 spurs a boost in game setup support for online from Home though - I think if they hit a big enough percentage of launch games, it could become pretty successful.

Yeah, shame that Dollhouse got canceled. I've only seen most of the first season so far though (it's not even being aired here in Europe yet), and my wife really liked it too.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Maybe that was the joke Shifty was trying to make?

Actually I didn't know it had been canned until I looked it up after posting. I just remember a scene (they've just started showing it here on Freeview) with the 'dolls' walking aimlessly around their lifestyle habitation, with their lack of emotion and personality because it had all been drained from them, and it looked just like Home.

 

[patsu]

I was told the new character model wears a permanent smile now. They probably did that for the camera tool.

I need to get hold of a copy of MW2 to see what the fuzz is all about.

 

[patsu]

EU finally found a new Home community lead, Thylaudax, after TedTheDog left:
http://community.eu.playstation.com...rd.id=b_EN_PS3_Home&message.id=258544#M258544

So, to help you get to know me a little better, here are ten short facts about me that Drexl hasn’t already mentioned (did he mention any?!). In no particular order:

1. I prefer cats to dogs.
2. I’ve previously worked in the community team for three online PC titles.
3. I’m an Aussie by birth, and a Brit by ancestry.
4. I unwind with board games … current favourites being Settlers of Catan (a classic!) and Dominion.
5. When the Formula 1 season is on, I’ll always be found in front of a telly on race weekends.
6. I prefer UK weather to Aussie weather.
7. The only football team I actively support are the Socceroos.
8. My first gaming system was an Amstrad 6128.
9. I do not have a drivers licence. I did have an Aussie motorcycle licence before moving.
10. Summer beach barbeques are full of win!

I’ve only been here 5 days, however I’m already involved with some exciting projects and beginning to look at how I can improve the Home experience for everyone. I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know you all, dropping in on any Home activities you might be running, and running some of my own once I get myself properly settled in.

 

[patsu]

PSP Digital Comics Reader will have a comics Home Space in 2010:
http://playstationlifestyle.net/2009/12/01/spidey-coming-to-playstation-home/

PSLS asked:

“In the credits of the Comic Book App, Eamon Murtagh is credited for his work with PlayStation Home, does this mean there will be a PlayStation Home Space?”

Stott replied:

“Good spot, yeah Eamon is currently working on the PlayStation Home Space downstairs as we speak, it’ll be launched in 2010 though, so after the service goes live”

Have they promote PSP specific features in Home before ?

Does this mean either digital comics will come to PS3, or Home will go PSP some day ?
^_^

EDIT: Bunch of recent releases and upcoming activities for Home here:
http://www.alphazone4.com/

Too many and too cluttered to list here. They really need to plan the releases around some high level concept instead of throwing a litany of new spaces and activities at us.

 

[patsu]

Home on BBC Newsbeat:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_10000000/newsid_10003200/10003286.stm

Groove Armada are launching their new album Black Light with the first ever gig inside Home, the virtual world for PS3.

Users, who appear as avatars, will be able to watch the video by visiting the Presentation Podium area.

 

[obonicus]

Sorta surprised that AC2's courtesan outfit will be available in Home.

 

[patsu]

Where ? Where ?

 

[Arwin]

I'm sure he refers to this:

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009...st-assassin’s-creed-ii-special-holiday-items/

 

[patsu]

*Ouch* my eyes ! I'll pass.

This one is more interesting:
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/12/04/rtype_home_space/

R-Type Tactics II Operation Bitter Chocolate hits retail on December 10. As previously announced, Irem is promoting the game with a new PlayStation Home space named Senkou Kirameku Uchuu Kuukan. The space went live today.

The Senkou Kirameku Uchuu Kuukan lounge is set up in the image of a star ship. Visitors enter a hangar and wait to board a ship. In addition to trying out a 3D shooting game, you'll be able to purchase clothing, figures and even game software by speaking to the staff at a goods counter.

Irem are the people who brought creative Home Spaces to Japanese PS3 gamers: The (first ever) underwater Home Space and the space jump in Home Square.

 

[patsu]

Audi launching Home space on Dec 17th (Same date as GT5 Academy launch):
http://www.mad.co.uk/Main/News/Arti...Audi-to-launch-PlayStation-download-game.html

In the Audi Space, users can learn more about the Audi brand and “meet up, hang out and experience the world of Audi”. The test drive is available through a six-person multiplayer driving game called “Vertical Run”

As well as test-driving the e-tron, the marque plans to use the space to host Audi TV and other content including virtual lectures, announcements, product launches, VIP events and competitions.

The space is probably for EU.

 

[Arwin]

Playstation Home anniversary

http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2009/12/09/playstation-home-first-anniversary-get-your-tree-house/

 

[Arwin]

Big Update in both Europe and the U.S. today.

Europe: http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2009...te-–-audi-gravity-crash-littlebigplanet-more/

U.S.: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009...p-singstar-xmas-vip-room-uncharted-2-contest/

EDIT: and also, something new announced, which sounds like a small free to play MMO type affair for Home.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-multiplayer-game-launches-in-home

It's out on US Home: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009...m-one-the-next-evolution-of-playstation-home/

 

[patsu]

Yap, the Sodium One mini-MMO. Trailer here:
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2009...m-one-the-next-evolution-of-playstation-home/

I'll definitely give it a try. Now that the avatars are in a game, I hope we can do more with them (like smacking each other down).

 

[patsu]

London Pub coming to PS Home in January:
http://www.ps3attitude.com/new/2009/12/london-pub-playstation-home/

A developer is releasing a personal space in PlayStation Home on the 7th of January that is based around a London pub.

VEEMEE who are behind this unique space explain that it will be releasing in Europe for €4.99 and includes some interesting features.

It comes with a multiplayer darts game, a roaring fire, hand dryers and comedy beer pumps.

 

[obonicus]

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/12/17/ffxiii_home_items/

Japan-only, has a new apartment and some home items and costumes.

 

[patsu]

I am hearing quite a few good feedback about Sodium One.

Gamasutra has an interesting update on Home and Sodium One:
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/...__Sonys_Home_Launches_First_Freemium_Game.php

Two months ago, we spoke to Sony's Jack Buser, director of the PlayStation Home program, who told us it had attracted 8 million users. Two months later, the service is now home to 10 million players, over 50 virtual spaces, and 2000 virtual items.

Sony has stepped up its efforts to hold holiday events in the space -- attracting users back daily. Buser claims that 85% of Home users have used the service before, and session duration averages at 60 minutes.

Buser says that Sodium is "integrated through resource trading and virtual items, and weapon upgrades -- all tied together through this meta-MMO framework, that's tied together with this arcade experience. I think that from a platform level this is important from two different perspectives."

Outso COO Joel Kemp describes the first phase of Sodium from a business perspective -- "We're starting off an embryonic economy there." You can buy clothes, but you can also "put your Sodium credits together for community rewards; we'll be hosting events."

More importantly, there will be a Sodium update "every three to four months, an in-depth arcade gaming experience like this." Says Kemp, ...

Sodium is also built to encourage the roleplaying activity Home users already engage in, says Kemp. "We've noticed, in a lot of the spaces, roleplay going on," which explains the drink-mixing minigame at the hub's bar, and the fact that you can use your credits to buy bartender outfits for your Home avatar.

 

[Arwin]

Haven't tried it, but it's up in Europe as well. Have been wandering around through some bits of the new spaces - I must say there's a small little futuristic pool style game in the Gravity themed presentation podium that's actually a lot of fun.

 

[patsu]

Sodium One is solid. Better than Xi.

This is how I imagined a nextgen social game to be. The gameplay is inherently linked to the website (not just for score keeping, but also for gaming or meta-gaming activities). It is integrated with FaceBook, and also available in PS Home itself. I am of the opinion that it should also be playable from FaceBook (Don't be afraid of letting the users leave Home).

Not sure what theme they are going to focus on. I have just joined the Sodium community. I wish they choose a normal theme. Go after common interests like pets, music, pop-culture, etc. I had hoped that the Home team simply focuses on one large community first (but allow people to indicate their specialization/interests). It looks like SodiumOne is a closed group belong to the Sodium game only.

The interesting thing about integrating the entire game seamlessly with Home is that you can always get help from other Home users. The instructions are pretty poor, perhaps intentionally. So I have to ask folks around me. Not sure if this is a positive or negative yet.

Overall, I am surprised at the concept. I think there is something here. They need to search their soul more, and finetune this mini-MMO concept. I'm digging it so far.

When FreeRealms comes out in March, we should be able to see how Home fare against a more traditional MMO.

 

[patsu]

SCEE launches Home TV:
http://www.alphazone4.com/2009/12/home-tv-launches-why-dont-you-contribute

Home TV will feature the latest news about forthcoming Home releases and events. If you have a community event you think should be featured in Home TV, why now tell Home TV about it at hometv@scee.net?

I prefer the host to be Toro and his friends like Mainichi Isshyo. They have richer facial expressions, and makes fun of the news. They also give out collectibles regularly. Actually, just localize Mainichi Isshyo. ^_^