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[Manmademan]

I don't think 'casual gamers' bought a PS3 to experience something like HOME. In fact, I don't think casual players bought a PS3 or X360 at all. HOME may be something amusing long-term, but I think it actually TAKES AWAY from the core of what the PS3 is supposed to be for (in many gamer's opinions) which is to play NEXT-GEN games!!

you're right, no one has bought a PS3 to experience something like HOME. Sony is hoping to gain the attention of people who DO like those things but don't care about the next Grand Theft Auto or Metal Gear.

The people who like to play NEXT GEN GAMES!!! are still going to buy a Ps3, because the games are still coming. Sony is just looking at ways to expand their audience with a new experience, just as nintendo is doing by focusing on the motion sensing and "immersiveness" of the wii

 

[hukasmokincaterpillar]

In-games friends list access is heavily rumoured for 1.6.

That would make a big difference. Some people are assuming this virtual avatar/chat room/media server stuff automatically precludes your current xmb friendlist functionality, or any further in-game integration of that list. I suppose it's a possibility, but I'd hardly assume that. If Home coincides with your standard friendlist functionality then the Home layer is just icing for the people who want to utilize it.

 

[urk]

Advanced? Try telling that to non-gamer demographics who can barely type an email, yet have played every version of The Sims under the sun. The (still growing) popularity of the Sims and Second Life disagrees.

Totally different demographic. I would think it's doubtful that the people who use their computer for email, TurboTax, and the occasional game of The Sims or Zoo Tychoon are going to know anything about HOME, let alone drop half a grand for the ability to play it. I could be wrong, and hell, I often am, but I think this is more appealing to the WOW social bunch then it is YouTubers or Sims addicts.

 

[btrboyev]

There's no option to 'speak to group of friends at once' is there?

its coming...

 

[kevm3]

What would be real nice is if they added like 'digital interactives' such as being able to buy a piano and put it in your house, but you can also play that piano. Arcade machines, etc. Third party developers could develop different little items for you to buy, such as some arcades for you to put in your house. This has A LOT of potential.

Also, who is to say that this will be stuck in the realistic world? If this continues to grow, it's very possible for there to be other worlds, such as some rpg looking fantasy world to build your house in.

It'd also be nice if they made an outside world for you to walk in, sort of like GTA. You can drive cars around towns and go to different stores... That'd probably be too much bandwidth, but it's just an idea.

 

[reilo]

After thinking about this for the last hr, the more I've warmed up to it. Its an incredibly massive and huge step forward for a console online community. I definately will be the first to be signing up for that beta test.


However as mentioned the media sharing might be an issue...I really don't know where the bandwith for sharing movies among multiple people will come from, nor all the copyright violations that will be broken. Also I'd expect sony to have admins and such constantly in the world itself monitoring things pretty tightly. Will there be admins monitoring personal privite rooms? Whats to stop somebody from psoting tons of porn pictures and movies in their apt, then inviting little kids in these rooms?

I also don't like the style of home..I like what they are shooting for, but I think a nice cartoony cell shaded world would make much more sense. I'm mostly not liking the avatar looks myself...I'll get over it.

I'm sure it will be more like YouTube, except that Sony will have people monitoring and approving videos before they are accessible by others.

 

[Manmademan]

Totally different demographic. I would think it's doubtful that the people who use their computer for email, TurboTax, and the occasional game of The Sims or Zoo Tychoon are going to know anything about HOME, let alone drop half a grand for the ability to play it. I could be wrong, and hell, I often am, but I think this is more appealing to the WOW social bunch then it is YouTubers or Sims addicts.

I'd disagree here. I know more than a few girls who do nothing with their $1000 PC's than send IMs and play the Sims. Also: console prices go down. the Ps3 won't be $599 forever.

as for knowing about HOME- this thing is going to be free with every Ps3 as soon as it launches- expect a massive advertising blitz on Sony's part to get the word out.

Also consider that these casual gamers are the moms and sisters and brothers etc of the hardcore, and may consider it worthwhile to pick up the console and try it out where they otherwise wouldn't.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

As compelling an idea as HOME is or may become in the future, I feel it still misses the target in terms of what PSN actually needs. I see several people expecting this to spur the PSN community, which is a result I do not see happening, especially if you are using MS and XBL as a benchmark for an online console community.

XBL isn't popular because it's a cool place to hang out or shoot the shit, it's popular because it makes tracking and connecting with your friends a breeze. The community is built on the shoulders of a stupid easy xcross messaging and invite system. People spend more time IN GAME with their friends, which is where the community forms. If Sony believes the appeal of XBL is looking at other people's gamerscores, then I think they should reexamine.

HOME doesn't address the lack of xgame buddy lists, invites and messaging, which I feel is the most glaring feature hole in the PSN platform. HOME strikes me as symptomatic of a problem that's plagued the PS3 from the first Blu Ray announcement- it's not a game machine, it's a digital lifestyle accessory. I can only speak for myself, but when I think PlayStation I think play, not blinging up my virtual crib.

I realize this will probably come off as bashing, especially because I am generally pretty critical of Sony. But seeing what MS is doing with Live and trying to implement subscriptions for PC online play, I think it's super important that SOMEONE give them a bloody nose in the online game service space, and from what I can see, HOME is not the app that's going to do it.

Pretty much how I feel about it.

 

[Ranger X]

Who knows where the updates can lead this feature... The potential of HOME is absolutely awesome.
Home is a bit of Mii, Achievements, My Space, and YouTube at the same time. Your console become a little reality on it's own. Now that's community.

Honestly, i'm impressed. I said WOW. (and for real)

And **** the Second Life argument. This shit never happened on console and at such a friendly level.

 

[Graphics Horse]

Sounds closer to Kaneva than Second Life, but my brief experience of Second Life has put me off these things for good. It looks technically impressive, but doesn't appeal to me at all

 

[jakershaker]

Well from the 1up podcast we know that you can invite a group of friends to your apartment or create a multiplayer game with those friends instead, Motorstorm was mentioned. How would this even be possible to do in any sane way without having friends/groups lists?

Also you would port back to the aparment after playing a game to perhaps decide on a new game to play, Halo 2's couch feature was mentioned.

To belive that this will be totally without friendslists is just absurd ^^

What we have is everything from Nintendo and Microsofts online services but with a evolving world with lots of user created content.

Sony just took the crown for onlinecontent on consoles, if they can make this work. All the haters need to take off the glasses and think about what could be done with this instead. The first beta tests will be so exciting.

 

[reilo]

Why are people acting like that developers will stop making games for the PS3 if Sony is investing their time and resources into PS Home? What the hell?

Fan: "Sony is developing a new networking infrastructure that is looking to be awesome!"
Hater: "AHAHAH! Sony stopped making games to focus on an online infrastructure!"

Seriously?

 

[Cdammen]

*faints*

This looks REALLY good

(EDIT) Whahaha! Little Big Planet seems to be really fun

 

[FredFish]

Maybe it's because of my years playing MMO's but all I could think about while watching that HOME trailer was....LAG.

Concept is interesting but as some have pointed out it might have been better going with a more stylized depiction for characters. Maybe they will allow you to purchase "skins" of your favorite PS game characters. I'd shell out for P-Jack if I could go around giving out Dark Greetings

 

[Beer Monkey]

There's no option to 'speak to group of friends at once' is there? I thought not. Good try, though

There was on Xbox 1 years ago, and still is. The loss of non-game group chat has been the biggest complaint we've had about 360 Live. I'm surprised you don't know this, you are on Live, right? Surely anybody who loves comparing the platforms so much has both...

 

[urk]

There's no option to 'speak to group of friends at once' is there? I thought not. Good try, though

Snarky. :lol

Nope, no group chat, but from one menu, I can see all my friends online and ask a good-sized group of them to join a game I'm playing in all of about ten seconds. You were implying it was this cumbersome affair that required back and forth messaging that made the process somewhat difficult. It's not. It's quick and easy.

But yeah, I can't watch a group of them dance in Western hats and all that though.

If what gofreak is stating is true, and XMB gets friend's list like functionality, then it's really a moot point. I was only responding to those that claimed that this was somehow addressing that missing element, which, from what has been shown, is not the case. Of course, more details are sure to emerge in the near future, so...

 

[kevm3]

Why are people acting like that developers will stop making games for the PS3 if Sony is investing their time and resources into PS Home? What the hell?

Fan: "Sony is developing a new networking infrastructure that is looking to be awesome!"
Hater: "AHAHAH! Sony stopped making games to focus on an online infrastructure!"

Seriously?

Exactly and some are acting like you can't play games online anymore or that Sony has altogether ignored some of the online problems.
*Sony announces @Home
"Well, that still doesn't fix the problems of the controllers having rumble"

If you look, it's a lot of the usual suspects coming in the thread to give a negative spin.

 

[Manmademan]

I'm eagerly looking forward to the inevitable penny-arcade comic on this

 

[angelfly]

Home makes me think of the PS2 game My Street. When I eventually get a PS3 I look forward to using it.

 

[Kuroyume]

That is so ****ing cool. There needs to be a GAFonly mansion.

Btw, it would be awesome if they could stream movie/tv content in the movie theatre and allow users to talk to each other while watching a show or movie.

 

[JB1981]

There was on Xbox 1 years ago, and still is. The loss of non-game group chat has been the biggest complaint we've had about 360 Live. I'm surprised you don't know this, you are on Live, right? Surely anybody who loves comparing the platforms so much has both...

What does that matter? We're talking about the 360 here. And right now there's no option for group chat. Why are you bringing up the original Xbox? I will also bet you any ****ing dollar amount that I've put in dozens upon dozens more hours of my time into Xbox Live than you have. Don't even start with the passive-aggressive insults. If I remember correctly, you're the guy who thought you had to hold down L3 to chat in Resistance.

 

[Amir0x]

That is so ****ing cool. There needs to be a GAFonly mansion.

Btw, it would be awesome if they could stream movie/tv content in the movie theatre and allow users to talk to each other while watching a show or movie.

MST3k exploits ftw

 

[TTP]

I'd shell out for P-Jack if I could go around giving out Dark Greetings

For a Solid Snake skin? I'd give my ass to Konami.

 

[reilo]

Some pictures courtesy of IGN:

 

[Ydahs]

Woah, didn't see that coming. Looks pretty cool.

 

[Beer Monkey]

What does that matter? We're talking about the 360 here. And right now there's no option for group chat. Why are you bringing up the original Xbox? I will also bet you any ****ing dollar amount that I've put in dozens upon dozens more hours of my time into Xbox Live than you have.

Take. Your. Blood. Pressure. Medicine. :lol

I was just surprised about your ignorance about the whole group voice chat thing and the history of it on line. Now I realize that it was just feigned ignorance that is part of your whole schtick. :lol

Don't even start with the passive-aggressive insults. If I remember correctly, you're the guy who thought you had to hold down L3 to chat in Resistance.

Uh, you do have to, when you aren't playing a team game (where you still have to go join a squad) or in a party. My first times in Resistance that's how I was playing, so that's what I experienced. Chill. :lol

 

[JB1981]

Wow. That movie theater is HAWT.

 

[gofreak]

If what gofreak is stating is true, and XMB gets friend's list like functionality, then it's really a moot point.

Well, I'm just passing on the rumour. Don't shoot me if it's not in there! But Julian from F5 seemed to suggest it too.

 

[kevm3]

Wow, those screenshots look really nice, especially the theater. I only watched the low res movie. I better check out the HD one now.

 

[Manmademan]

For a Solid Snake skin? I'd give my ass to Konami.

Why stop there? why not an entire metal gear theme AREA?

I wonder how much user-customizability will actually be included in this thing. Obviously we won't want so much of it that we get flying genitalia attacks i.e. second life, but a moderate amount would be a great thing

 

[NomarTyme]

*Watches GT trailer* Impressed.

 

[reilo]

LOL. Best comment that I read from another forum regarding PSH:

So you have a life in Playstation world?

Hmmm thats a bit nerdy for me

Yeah. Okay. Posting on the internet about a feature that was just released and only a handful of hardcore people know about, plus playing videogames is not nerdy. People try too hard. Why are people trying to downplay this so badly?

 

[Kiriku]

I think it has huge potential. Of course, it's still hard to say if they will deliver on everything and make it work properly, but if they do I'll be impressed. Since I'm not getting a PS3 anytime soon it'll be interesting to watch how Home will evolve. And hey, it's free. Home I mean, not the PS3.

And I also ASSUME that you will be able to set up games the regular way, with text messages and whatnot. I mean, they've built a 3D world with furniture and shit, surely they'll bother to make a simple text-based variation?

 

[fivehorizons]

Wow. That movie theater is HAWT.

They said you could watch video off another users HDD. Thats what the theater is for possibly and wouldnt it be illegal and almost impossible to have that stream with any kind of quality? Cool otherwise

 

[Gattsu25]

You can bring up the PSP anytime, right? game invites, friendlists, etc. should be available on that and it should be platform wide

 

[snorggy]

this looks great.

only bad thing is that i can see this being microtransaction hell... hopefully there is a nice balance between stuff you must buy and stuff you can get for free...

maybe instead of acheivement points, you get home dollars?

 

[reilo]

Trophy room:

 

[KrispeKreme]

I'd like to know what mechanisms they will have in place to limit how the asshats will be able to interact with you.

 

[urk]

Well, I'm just passing on the rumour. Don't shoot me if it's not in there! But Julian from F5 seemed to suggest it too.

Well, you have to figure sooner or later Sony will get on the stick. It's pretty basic functionality that should have been built into the bones of the OS. For HOME to work well, you would practically need to have a way to contact established friends and meet up. And if they can add that functionality there, they should add it to the XMB frontend as well.

 

[gofreak]

I think Luke at 1up has it right about the appeal of the 'couch system'. I can easily see it becoming THE way to get together and game online on PS3 - getting together with friends in one home, and going from game to game during the night, with the potential for different entertainment in between even (e.g. videos, music, bowling, whatever).

It might convince skeptics too..if your friends will only game this way, you'll kind of have to get involved

 

[Cdammen]

Pikmin 3 with Little Big Planets graphics/physic will never happen :'(

The music in the LBP trailer is excellent. Does anyone know where it's from? Its Sony so it must be something from their record label... right?

 

[Wollan]

I was kinda confused by the fuss caused by some media reporting on a public beta but that's not happening is it?

 

[Zombie James]

This gets me the most excited. Imagine getting together with a GAF group and watching Lost (or 24, or Heroes) together in this theater atmosphere. Totally awesome.

 

[Semjaza Azazel]

This is a really cool idea and I'm glad to see that Sony is doing something to respond to Nintendo's and MS's moves in this category... at the same time, I have ZERO interest in making a character and having to wander about. As long as I still get normal access to some plain old, quick menu selections and such I'll be happy.

 

[MightyHedgehog]

As compelling an idea as HOME is or may become in the future, I feel it still misses the target in terms of what PSN actually needs. I see several people expecting this to spur the PSN community, which is a result I do not see happening, especially if you are using MS and XBL as a benchmark for an online console community.

XBL isn't popular because it's a cool place to hang out or shoot the shit, it's popular because it makes tracking and connecting with your friends a breeze. The community is built on the shoulders of a stupid easy xcross messaging and invite system. People spend more time IN GAME with their friends, which is where the community forms. If Sony believes the appeal of XBL is looking at other people's gamerscores, then I think they should reexamine.

HOME doesn't address the lack of xgame buddy lists, invites and messaging, which I feel is the most glaring feature hole in the PSN platform. HOME strikes me as symptomatic of a problem that's plagued the PS3 from the first Blu Ray announcement- it's not a game machine, it's a digital lifestyle accessory. I can only speak for myself, but when I think PlayStation I think play, not blinging up my virtual crib.

I realize this will probably come off as bashing, especially because I am generally pretty critical of Sony. But seeing what MS is doing with Live and trying to implement subscriptions for PC online play, I think it's super important that SOMEONE give them a bloody nose in the online game service space, and from what I can see, HOME is not the app that's going to do it.

Good post and it mirrors my thoughts on the subject. Nice to see Sony having something that makes them feel a bit more unique, though.

LPB looks cool and mildly fun, notably for the simple teamwork involved (single-screen World of Illusion-style).

 

[maxmars]

Who knows where the updates can lead this feature... The potential of HOME is absolutely awesome.
Home is a bit of Mii, Achievements, My Space, and YouTube at the same time. Your console become a little reality on it's own. Now that's community.

As much as I am impressed by LittleBigPlanet, I am actually worried about HOME. I don't really want to look cool in a virtual world, I don't have time for that. Having at most an hour in a day to play, I can't waste most of it jonesing around a virtual house.

You cite a couple of sites, which I don't go to, because they are time sinks (there's already GAF for that).. I was hoping they were coming out with something more focused on videogames, like giving you a pass for your guild's building, clan cove, squadron o'club.

Well it's still not even in beta, surely beats the PC Live Gold news.

 

[antoniogaud]

I am so confused right now, I don't even know how to relate to anyone on this thread anymore...

HOME does indeed seem cool, if you are into virtual chats, but it makes some of the needed PSN needs harder to access than just using a simple graphic interface that is available simply by touching a button. Does this really answer my online needs?

QUESTION: Couldn't MS just allow SECOND LIFE as a downloadable Xbox Live title to match this? It would have the additional bonus of interfacing with the PC version of SECOND LIFE and their users.

EDIT: Cant spell...

 

[neojubei]

wow...I'm really impressed. Didn't see that coming.

Same here.

 

[Hy_]

Phil's GDC keynote

http://www.gamespot.com/pages/featu...topslot;title;1&om_act=convert&om_clk=topslot

Sorry if already posted!

 

[radioheadrule83]

Some of the screens remind me of the PSO lobbies...

although with more to do, better graphics and more closely tied to the console itself as a brand / format on which other things will happen.