On Wednesday, Sony Computer Entertainment announced the beta release of its Home online service for its PlayStation3 game console. The virtual environment will be available for users from this Thursday. An online service for the PS3 was a much expected feature by gamers, as both the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii offer similar services.

Users which have a broadband connection can download the new service through PS3’s online Network section of the menu. The Home online platform offers various other features than the standard online multiplayer gaming. Users can also communicate through text and voice chats, along with several mini-games and videos, making Home a community portal, too.

Home’s content will be specific for each region. North-America users will have multiplayer and virtual environment support for the “Guitar Hero”, “Far Cry 2” and “Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune” games. It is expected that PS3 and game developers will release virtual environments for other games in the near future. Sony will also include special events for this year’s Christmas and New Year.

Sony is confident about its new release, as PS3 CEO, Kaz Hirai, stated that Home will bring “exciting gaming experiences” and consolidate the “new world of interactive entertainment.” Yet, the Home online platform encountered several issues in its development.

Sony’s PS3 Home was originally unveiled in May 2007 and a full release has been planned for late 2007. Yet, Sony held back the global release until early this year and one more time until “fall 2008”. At the time, Sony explained that they had to further “refine” the service.