Launch of Sony's PS3 Home
11th December, 2008
Sony has finally released their long awaited online virtual community today. PlayStation 3 owners will be provided with a £D social gaming space in which they can interact and communicate with other player, much like the Second Life.
Sony state the ‘Home’ will provide “overwhelming visual graphics and rich gaming social experiences only possible on the PS3 platform”.
Users will be able to create cartoon-like representations of themselves, known as avatars. These Avatars will enable users to wander the virtual world in real time, and users will be able to communicate with other players through the use of text and voice chat.
President of Sony Computer Entertainment Kazuo Hirai, said “PlayStation Home is truly a promising network community service. We are committed to providing PS3 users with exciting gaming experiences with PlayStation Home, and together with our partners will expand the new world of interactive entertainment.”
As well as Home being an easy way for players to join online multiplayer versions of their favourite game, there will also be shops, run by brands like Diesel and furniture designers Ligne Roset, for players to dress their avatars and kit out their virtual apartments.
PlayStation Home’s launch comes just weeks after Microsoft overhauled the online gaming experience on its Xbox 360 consoles, with the new look Xbox-live.
Game makers seem to be making an intensive effort to appeal to a wider range of people and make their products easier to use. The likes of Nintendo with its Wii and DS have been at the forefront of bringing a new generation of players to video games, shown by the sales of its Wii consoles at around 39million, which dwarfs that of the Xbox 360 and PS3.
By Rommon
