Sony Computer Entertainment is moving Home, is online
virtual environment for the Playstation 3, on to open beta stage on Thursday,
according to a Wednesday statement.
The environment lets users create avatars and enter a
real-time virtual world, not unlike Second Life and Nintendo’s Mii avatars for
the Wii. Methods of interaction between users include voice and text chat, as
well as minigames, videos and special events.
The much-anticipated beta test finally opens up after
several delays; Home was unveiled in July 2007 and the initial release date was
set for later that year, but it was pushed back to early this year. A second
delay was caused by Sony wishing to polish the service and the release was
rescheduled for this fall as an open beta.
Home will be available to any Playstation 3 user with a
broadband internet connection, come Thursday. Users can download the software
from the PlayStation Network menu.
Kazuo Hirai, president and CEO of Sony’s gaming unit stated
that the company is committed to bringing innovative gaming experiences to
PlayStation with Home and enlarge the
realm of interactive entertainment along with its own partners and users.
Home content will vary by region. For Instance North America
will see virtual environments launched for Uncharted:
Drake's Fortune, Far Cry 2, Warhawk Resistance and Guitar Hero. There, users can discus
strategy and the titles themselves, as well as get downloadable content and
tips. Sony is working with Activision, Disney, Eidos, Electronic Arts, Lucas
Arts, THQ and Ubisoft in developing these virtual environments for the Playstation
Home.
Of course commercials and product placement will be
featured, with Red Bull, Diesel fashion and Ligne Roset furniture designer will
bring branded content into the environs.
Europe and PAL areas will start with Far Cry 2 environments, soon to be followed by Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Warhawk
Resistance, Motorstorm and SOCOM.
Atari, Electronic Arts, Midway, Sega and Ubisoft will liaison with Sony for European
environs. Hexus TV and Eurogamer will provide video content.
Japan will receive Namco
Museum, Siren and Everybody’s Golf game content, as well
as special Christmas events and a New Year countdown through Home.
