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[TheRipDizz]

He has got a point though (EDIT: Even though he is making it in an immature, fanboyish, pathetic way). It's easy as hell for publishers to make a theme or Gamerpic for XBL, but to create a 3D space for HOME , and with potential extras, requires time and money.

The questions to a publisher are:

- How many people will actually be frequently using HOME?
- How many of those will actually visit your marketing space?
- How many of those will actually decide to buy your game as a result?
- How many of those were going to buy your game anyway, hence why they visited your marketing space?
- What have you actually gained from the whole process?

This is an incredibly cool idea, and if PS3 was a dominant console in PS2-terms, then I think it would take off straight away. But until PS3 has that userbase, and HOME has a good proportion of that userbase, I think third parties will hesitate before spending too much money on a HOME-space.

But Sony are a first party, and of course they need to set an example and show the way. If Uncharted or Warhawk sales see an increase, or at least an increase in brand awareness, then third party publishers will take notice. If not, well...

EDIT: Obviously SCE has been thinking about this since day one... obviously. But I'm just wondering what your thoughts are in terms of how SCE envisages the above questions moving forward.

My first post was more than civil. It was the responses that got me responding in kind.

 

[McBradders]

The thing with Home is that 100% of your audience who sees your advertising is going to be able to play your game. Even with TV, you'd be lucky to hit 10% of your actual audience at any time, maybe 25% of your potential audience (potential future PS3 owners). Though it'd vary depending on other factors

It's a perfectly sound marketing tool, and I'm willing to bet even if devs don't want to put time into making some content - their publishers will.

This is an excellent point, one that I hadn't thought of either :lol

 

[gofreak]

I guess you can't express your point of view around this place without calls for blood. It's cool man. I'll be out of here soon enough becuase of that. I'm just going by what I see. If you don't think that the vast, near 100% of 3rd party developers areas won't be filled with trailers, jpegs of their game and if you're lucky a shirt or hat with their game emblazioned on it and nothing else, well, I hope you're right. I'm almost sure you'll be wrong though.

I think there's a bit of a disconnect between my post and your response here. I expect there will be lame efforts made by some devs, sure. Clearly there'll be good and bad spaces.

My point was simply that IMO the reasons for engaging with Home should be reasonably clear from a publisher/dev viewpoint.

 

[Crusade]

My first post was more than civil. It was the responses that got me responding in kind.

Maybe you should learn to be the bigger man

 

[McBradders]

My first post was more than civil. It was the responses that got me responding in kind.

I should apologise too, I only jumped in during the fallout.

 

[pswii60]

My first post was more than civil. It was the responses that got me responding in kind.

Fair enough.

 

[guggnichso]

I want home beta now.

How can they hype us so much without even telling us some sort of release date?

 

[tjhooker]

Amazing.

Just imagine what the GTA4 Home integration will offer.

The possibilities are endless :drool

 

[SolidSnakex]

How can they hype us so much without even telling us some sort of release date?

Because they gave a time frame last year that it'd be released in and got killed when it wasn't released. So they're just doing the smart thing and saying it'll come out this year without giving any sort of time frame other than that.

 

[gofreak]

This Eurogamer article doesn't really tell us anything new, but I just found this bit kind of amusing:

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=93629

Sony has declined to comment on suggestions it is encouraging first-party developers to add PlayStation Home integration to their games.

 

[Nemo]

This Eurogamer article doesn't really tell us anything new, but I just found this bit kind of amusing:

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=93629

Home of the free!

 

[travisbickle]

How did people not see this coming? They practically showed the capabilities when HOME was first announced!

All the trolls in here knew this day was coming, now they are just burying their heads in the sand acting like they don't understand; but whatSony has provided is an all-in-one promotional tool for every company that makes a game on the PS3.

The possibilities are endless as we'll find out as more and more creative people within games companies show us what's possible.

 

[Pristine_Condition]

GAF seriously needs a rolleyes smiley.

Whatever. When every PS3 game comes out supporting everything that makes Home so special, roll your stupid little eyes then. Until then you're nothing but a fool with some money and lame as fuck. I mean fuck, how long have they been leading your sorry ass along now? Going on a year and a half, isn't it?

Wow, you got really angry over someone talking about a rolleyes smiley...

Why the seething rage?

My first post was more than civil. It was the responses that got me responding in kind.

"Responding in kind?"

Let's see the responses that got you spitting such venom:

They do it because it's cool.

Wow. That's some pretty incendiary stuff right there.

Marketing is an incentive for any company. Companies who ignore prospective marketing tools like this, especially ones with such promise are the ones that fall behind I guarantee the likes of EA will have game spaces. Kojima will have a game space and so on. Marketing competition will spur more competition for ad space. And it's guaranteed revenue too when you can sell objects from within your space. From games purchases to DLC to Home avatar products like shirts

If companies could have their own spot on the 360 blades... You think they would ignore that? Cause that's more or less the same idea

Ooh. Yeah, he's totally dissing you, man.

:lol

Do you seriously think Sony hasn't been thinking this since day 1?

Wow. That'll get your blood boiling.

GAF seriously needs a rolleyes smiley.

A SMILEY? OMG!!! WARPATH!!!

Whatever. You took it way too far. The only post that didn't directly address your post thoughtfully was the "rolleyes" one, and that wasn't too bad. Then you went off and called everyone who disagrees with you "stupid" "fool" and "lame as fuck".

I know what responding in kind is, and that isn't it.

Don't blame your behavior on GAF.

 

[kaching]

My first post was more than civil.

It was also completely dismissive. "I see no incentives for 3rd parties to do this." You set yourself up at the extreme from the start and are surprised that others might be dismissive of your thoughts in turn?

 

[Maloney]

This is the first time I have really been interested in Home, I am looking forward to seeing what the dev's can do in the future.

 

[Bulla564]

I hate Myspace, Facebook, AIM, Messenger (a.k.a internet socializing) but Home is something that I see myself spending at least an hour every day.

There seems to be enough great things to do to keep me logged on.

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

This is good news, I can't wait to see what else they have planed

 

[krypt0nian]

I look forward to Tanod's Neighborhood Watch threads to keep track of new Home updates and spaces.

 

[Metalmurphy]

He has got a point though (EDIT: Even though he is making it in an immature, fanboyish, pathetic way). It's easy as hell for publishers to make a theme or Gamerpic for XBL, but to create a 3D space for HOME , and with potential extras, requires time and money.

They can just convert assets from the game easily into HOME. As far as Throphies go, it's no different then making 3D icons for the saves on the PS2, and Sony should make them mandatory imo, as far as HOME spaces go, it'll be harder, but I don't think it'll be hard, and it's a chance to promote their games, they'll win something from it.

 

[McBradders]

I look forward to Tanod's Neighborhood Watch threads to keep track of new Home updates and spaces.

:lol

It's a beautiful in the neighbourhood... a beautiful day in the neighbourhood... wouldn't you like to be my neighbour too?

 

[pswii60]

Wow. That'll get you're blood boiling.

That poor usage of grammar gets my blood boiling.

 

[Soroc]

I'm still curious to see how this whole system is going to run smoothly when they add in all the streaming video and pictures. Does anyone know if they have patched that into the beta yet?

Otherwise, now seeing some examples of what Home will be able to do fills me with great optimism that publishers are going to jump on this bandwagon.

Without even thinking about presale marketing, I'm also looking at home's gamespace as dvd features. Games that will have a little "home enabled" icon on the back of the gamebox is like extra features that some people just need to get because of "added value". Not saying that home won't be added value but the more bullet points the better for some consumers.

 

[Wollan]

New Home intro is pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZvSIb8UoJc

 

[McBradders]

New Home intro is pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZvSIb8UoJc

:lol

I should really download the latest version, I've not seen it in person in aaages.

 

[Pristine_Condition]

That poor usage of grammar gets my blood boiling.

:lol Fixed. Good catch.

 

[pswii60]

New Home intro is pretty cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZvSIb8UoJc

Hey Wollan, do you know if there will be an option to set your PS3 to automatically boot and log straight in to HOME when you turn it on?

 

[Snah]

I'd love to see GT5's home space involve some unique track design where you can race people with go-carts.

And I hope that any game that involves multiplayer with levels has a home space with a table for battle plans ala WarHawk. I'm looking at you Resistance2/Killzone2.

 

[Lord Error]

Cannot wait for that Uncharted 2D sidescroller. Having just finished the game on Crushing difficulty last night and completed all the rewards (Doughnut Drake looks pretty awesome actually), I want something more to play from Drake & co. now!

 

[Wollan]

Hey Wollan, do you know if there will be an option to set your PS3 to automatically boot and log straight in to HOME when you turn it on?

Sony have expressed that desire many times (for it to be a option) so I wouldn't be surprised if it was there day one. No such option atm though but Home beta is also handled like a 'game' under the games category right now.

 

[glaurung]

*fap fap fap

...

*fap fap fap

 

[BenjaminBirdie]

I look forward to Tanod's Neighborhood Watch threads to keep track of new Home updates and spaces.

Chubs needs to make a super slick street sign for it with like one of those Men's Room figures crossing the street holding a Six-Axis.

Tanod's Neighborhood Watch
Awesome Crossing

 

[Tom Penny]

So is home going to be flooded with ads to keep content free or are they going to do a boatload of nickel and diming action?

 

[AceBandage]

So is home going to be flooded with ads to keep content free or are they going to do a boatload of nickel and diming action?

A little of both.
Ads will be unobtrusive (pictures on walls, playing on screens, stuff like that).
There will also be stuff to buy, like certain furniture and clothes. But it's all optional.

 

[Riskbreaker23]

So is home going to be flooded with ads to keep content free or are they going to do a boatload of nickel and diming action?

probably a little of both. the ads will be on billboards or on tv screens so it will be pretty much the same as walking through a shopping area.

edit: beaten

 

[Tieno]

Sony have expressed that desire many times (for it to be a option) so I wouldn't be surprised if it was there day one. No such option atm though but Home beta is also handled like a 'game' under the games category right now.

Wollan, can you say how long it takes to start up Home currently?

 

[Riskbreaker23]

Wollan, can you say how long it takes to start up Home currently?

it actually depends on your internet connection how fast you go between the areas. for me at least it is releatively quick. the actual startup of the home program though is comparable to a regular game.

 

[krypt0nian]

Chubs needs to make a super slick street sign for it with like one of those Men's Room figures crossing the street holding a Six-Axis.

Tanod's Neighborhood Watch
Awesome Crossing

/y Hear that? GET ON IT!

 

[kaching]

Wollan, can you say how long it takes to start up Home currently?

Haven't timed it specifically but it's not short enough that I'd want to autolaunch with it.

 

[pswii60]

Haven't timed it specifically but it's not short enough that I'd want to autolaunch with it.

This could be the biggest issue. Hopefully they'll cut the app launch time down lots.

 

[kaching]

This could be the biggest issue. Hopefully they'll cut the app launch time down lots.

The title screen comes up quick enough, but I'm assuming that we're talking about autolaunching to your own homespace, which isn't all that quick.

Personally, I'd rather stick to XMB myself. Set up a feed from home that displays on the XMB like the news ticker, with shortcuts to various spaces in Home. That'd be fine for me.

 

[Riskbreaker23]

The title screen comes up quick enough, but I'm assuming that we're talking about autolaunching to your own homespace, which isn't all that quick.

Personally, I'd rather stick to XMB myself. Set up a feed from home that displays on the XMB like the news ticker, with shortcuts to various spaces in Home. That'd be fine for me.

i agree launching into your homespace right now isnt quick enough (compared to how fast the xmb loads up) to be a default action.

as long as they add the home icon, as we saw in the previous presentation, to the xmb i think that will be good enough.

 

[Takuan]

So when will this be ready?

 

[Madman]

So when will this be ready?

For what? Launch or open beta? Launch, no idea, open beta, late March in Japan.

 

[kaching]

as long as they add the home icon, as we saw in the previous presentation, to the xmb i think that will be good enough.

Yeah, and if they update XMB friends list to allow you jump to where a friend is if they're online in Home somewhere, there'd be plenty of ways to get into it.

 

[Son of Godzilla]

A better question is how does some little mini-game or a stylized meeting room sell a fucking game? It really does seem like an overinvestment on making shit to lure someone to your spot in order to cram some ads into them before the wander off somewhere else. The fact that Sony itself is taking the lead on making these cool little places to be means that 3rd parties have to compete on a level of those standards or not bother with more than the minimum.

As a marketing tool Home is pretty high up there, but that's not because of individual game rooms. I'm not sure if this is allowed but I'd actually expect to see a conglomerate room for publishers. It might be not worthwhile to have a room for each and every game, but if EA can create a place to hock all of their titles at once, then hell yea I think they'd put quite a bit of effort into that.

 

[RavenFox]

Finally people are realising the true power of this fully operational battlestation!

 

[tribal24]

A better question is how does some little mini-game or a stylized meeting room sell a fucking game? It really does seem like an overinvestment on making shit to lure someone to your spot in order to cram some ads into them before the wander off somewhere else. The fact that Sony itself is taking the lead on making these cool little places to be means that 3rd parties have to compete on a level of those standards or not bother with more than the minimum.

As a marketing tool Home is pretty high up there, but that's not because of individual game rooms. I'm not sure if this is allowed but I'd actually expect to see a conglomerate room for publishers. It might be not worthwhile to have a room for each and every game, but if EA can create a place to hock all of their titles at once, then hell yea I think they'd put quite a bit of effort into that.

theres a reason why these rooms can sell games and that is word of mouth from people in the rooms with you who already have the game

 

[Soroc]

It might be not worthwhile to have a room for each and every game, but if EA can create a place to hock all of their titles at once, then hell yea I think they'd put quite a bit of effort into that.

LOL

"Welcome to the mall of EA" :lol

 

[gofreak]

A better question is how does some little mini-game or a stylized meeting room sell a fucking game?

By introducing a potential consumer to the 'universe' of the game? E.g. one might go into the Resistance space, listen to some 'lost' audio messages between characters in the game, see the artwork etc. and think "hmm, i like this game's style", or "hmm..i want to find out more" or whatever. I think you could certainly communicate far more about a game using a Home space, in subtle and enjoyable ways, than say you might in a magazine ad.

 

[Riskbreaker23]

A better question is how does some little mini-game or a stylized meeting room sell a fucking game? It really does seem like an overinvestment on making shit to lure someone to your spot in order to cram some ads into them before the wander off somewhere else. The fact that Sony itself is taking the lead on making these cool little places to be means that 3rd parties have to compete on a level of those standards or not bother with more than the minimum.

As a marketing tool Home is pretty high up there, but that's not because of individual game rooms. I'm not sure if this is allowed but I'd actually expect to see a conglomerate room for publishers. It might be not worthwhile to have a room for each and every game, but if EA can create a place to hock all of their titles at once, then hell yea I think they'd put quite a bit of effort into that.

that is exactly what they should do. make a general layout but change the content when a new title released.

in ea's case though it would be better to have a space for sports games and another one for there other titles