Home Game Spaces to Be Shown Off Next Month

Daniel Hill of Sony Computer Entertainment said at Sony's Gamers Day in Europe that Home Game Spaces are going to be shown off at the end of this month. They will be shown to the closed beta members with game launching extending beyond Motorstorm and Warhawk.

He also reconfirmed the Open Beta in..... Autumn and said it will include all the necessary features such as trophies and game launching. He also mentioned trophies will be available in the XMB as well. They have to be," he said. We will take an order of "in-game XMB" along with that as well, please.

[Home 'game spaces' being shown off later this month]

David Reeves: Home Open Beta Definately Coming Out... In Autumn

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's David Reeves said today that Home will definitely be coming out in autumn. Sad part is, even then, he said it will only be an Open Beta.

"It is definitely coming out in autumn," assured Reeves. "Whether that's October or November, I don't precisely know, but it is an open beta."

"We've realised that maybe we were too ambitious with the non-gaming applications within Home, getting sponsors and stuff like that," he went on to confess.

"In that sense we were deserting gamers. So, we're concentrating on the gaming by launching games in Home, and attracting people who are into gaming in first - instead of the Nike people, or Adidas people who are into fashion and not necessarily into gaming."

Reeves touched on loss of exclusives from third-parties by saying "We did Buzz, we're doing LittleBigPlanet, Killzone, and there are obviously others that we're developing. We're becoming less dependent on third parties."

Reeves, you silly dog you. That isn't funny, third-parties practically make the system.

[Reeves: Home was too ambitious] [Image]

Peter Moore Disappointed by PlayStation Home Delay

Peter Moore, former Xbox boss, now EA Sports President, said less than 24 hours after Kaz Hirai apologized for the Home delay that he was disappointed about it.

Moore said: "Yeah; I just wish it would ship. I [previously] questioned it a little bit, whether I'd want to wander around there. Phil Harrison showed me a demo - it's very cool, but let's go already. And so I'm disappointed that it's been pushed back a little bit again.

"But I really hope it gets going and becomes that portal to the PlayStation Network and we can utilize it. But boy, I just wish we'd get going."

We have to agree, just hurry up and release it Sony.

[Moore "disappointed" by Home delay]

PlayStation Home Not Launching till Fall 2008

Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed today that PlayStation Home will not arrive until Fall 2008, delaying it from it's already delayed Spring release.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that it will expand the Closed Beta testing for PLAYSTATION®Home in Summer 2008, inviting a further number of registrants from the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) users. Following completion of the Expanded Closed Beta test, the PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service will commence in Fall 2008.

“We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home. Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation® tradition.”

The PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service that will become available in Fall 2008 will be built around providing new and fun community gaming experiences, such as connecting PlayStation games with Home and providing places and items from the games.

Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the opening of the service will be announced as they become available.

We understand you need more time and all, but can't you throw us those Home features for use in the XMB so we can actually do something on the PlayStation Network while we are waiting?

Home Not Coming in Firmware Update 2.30

In a new PlayStation.Blog comment by Noel Silvia, she states that, putting all rumors to a debunked status, PlayStation Home is not coming along with update 2.30 for the PlayStation 3.

"Despite what some rumour mongers would like for you to believe, no, Home is NOT a part of this update."

However, that doesn't rule out any other surprises coming. We shall hope.

[PlayStation.Blog Comment #184]

PlayStation Network to Get More Features This Year

We are nearly a week and a half away from the new PlayStation Store. Sony Computer Entertainment's Scott Steinberg has spoken to GameDaily in an interview about the network. He says:

"On the network side, we've stated that we're in a closed beta now for Home, we'll be rolling out functionality later this year, both for the Network and
making Home public to others.

So 2008 is going to be the year where both
on the service side as well as on a Blu-Ray side, you're going to see everything
that we've got."

Yeah, give us the 2D features. For sure.

[PSN Getting More Than Just A Facelift?]

Home Being Accessed by Non-Beta Members?

Some new footage has appeared on YouTube of PlayStation Home being accessed from the PlayStation Network icon rather than the normal beta accessed through the Game icon. The user who made the video claims he is not in the beta. The video looks legit, but it's odd at the same time.

Susan Panico: Home to be Public Very Soon

The newest issue of PlayStation: The Official Magazine features an article from Susan Panico, the Senior Director of the PlayStation Network. At the end of the article, she s tates that, regarding Home, "Plus, the application is free to download, so the consumer has everything to gain in a robust, 3D community. We'll be opening up the Home Beta to the public very soon and hope to see you there". There you have it, it's coming soon. Possibly with the new store redesign?

[Playstation offical magazine....talks about home (UPDATED PICS)]

PlayStation Home Being Advertised With Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Recently released in Europe is Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (coming to the US on April 19, 2008). The Blu-Ray disc version of the game comes with an advertisement for the upcoming PlayStation Network social community, Home. The advertisement displays the features of Home along with some of the requirements. Great to see they are getting it out.

[Home is being advertised on flyer In side GT5 prologues disc case!]

Hot Shots Golf 5 Online Lobby Is a Mini-Home

The online game lobby for Sony Computer Entertainment's recently released Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is pretty awesome. When you look at it, it is sort of like a mini PlayStation Home. You create a mini-avatar and chat with other players in the game lobby, while being able to access the XMB friends list. You can also entert and create custom tournaments with you and your friends.

[Hot Shots Golf Online Lobby is Awesome!]

Home Beta Survey Shows Signs of Home Square Revamp

An onAXIS reader who choses to remain anonymous has tipped us about a new survey those in the Home beta are receiving by e-mail. Along with things such as "How important is innovation in Home?" and "How important is different shopping areas ins Home?", the main focus is on the Home Central Plaza.

One of the questions asked if you could choose what you wanted the Square to look like, what would it be, from the choices in the image to the left (A-J). If it were me, I'd definitely choose selection D.

Something else to note is that when taking the survey it asks if you are in the Home Beta, Home Development Team, or an SCEA Employee. It looks like they are branching out to see what everyone thinks.

[Thanks Anonymous!]

PlayStation Home: OGC 2008 Presentation Shots

The Online Game Conference in Japan brought along a PlayStation Home presentation with it. Let me say, the Japanese version is looking much different than the US/EU version. Anyway, for now, lets enjoy the Japanese presentation shots that likely nobody here will understand. Enjoy! [Thanks Ruliweb!]

PSM 3's April 2008 "The Insider" Rumors

The latest issue of PSM3's rumor section has some interesting rumors from 'the man who knows too much'.

- In-game XMB will be coming, but not for a few more months.
- He says to except a big announcement involveing Home, including information the the trophies/accomplishments that everyone has been wanting.
- A sequel to a popular Xbox 360 title will be received soon, making it's first appearance on PlayStation 3 (before Xbox 360), and states it's not Lost Planet. Perhaps Dead Rising 2?
- He suggests that the big announcements of 2008 will for the most part not come in the form of games but in the form of PlayStation Store surprises, firmware, and PlayStation Network functionality.
- Ubisoft are to make some big announcements during their Ubi Days even this May in Paris. His tips include Alive, Assassins Creed 2, and Prince of Persia.

All these rumors sound great. Knowing Capcom though, I do not think that PlayStation 3 sequel to the Xbox 360 game will be Dead Rising 2. Any other suggestions?

[Rumour: Some interesting rumour’s from UK magazine, PSM3’s ‘The Insider’]

Home User-generated Content Is the "Holy Grail" says Home Team

PlayStation Home Creative Director, Ron Festejo says that user-generated content will be the "Holy Grail" for Home. They will include tools to assist us making our own content, and they hope to provide more involving tools as time goes on.

As for moderation for these creations, Festejo spoke. "We've got some moderation tools in there where you can report people, but I think we've got to do this in baby steps - see how people react to the clothing that we give them, and we're working with partners to provide a huge variety, to appeal to different types of people," Festejo said.

[User-generated content the "Holy Grail," says Home team]

PlayStation Home Beta Ending in May?

According to one member's PlayStation Beta page, the Closed Beta for Home will be ending on May 15, 2008. The date isn't much, but it could be when we should expect the actual Home release, or an Open Beta.

Update: I've received an e-mail from a close friend of mine who is in the beta that this is in fact correct, the date at least.

[PlayStation Home Beta Ends In May?]

PlayStation Home to Be at OGC 2008 on March 14, 2008

On March 14, 2008, Sony Computer Entertainment will hold a presentation for their online community, PlayStation Home. They will be doing this at the upcoming Online Game & Community Service Conference 2008. They will explain the title within details and such. We will be sure to update you next week.

[The Home presented next March 14]

PlayStation Home: Marketplace Walkthrough

Here is a video walkthrough of the new Home Marketplace in the PlayStation Home closed beta. Right now, the marketplace is pretty empty, and one of the stores seems to be closed off. Perhaps let us walk inside stores?

Warhawk & It's Home Features

Yes, here is the last one. Resistance & Uncharted are getting great Home features, and so is Warhawk.

According to the sources, the Home lobby for Warhawk will serve as a "war room" where up to eight players can meet up, then discuss strategy for their upcoming match. Whats so special about this? You'll be able to use a table with a map where players are able to place little army men around the map and plan their strategies.

My thoughts, although Warhawk's features for Home sound great, I usually just fly around killing a bunch of guys anyway.

[How Warhawk Makes Home Really, Really Cool]

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune & It's Home Features

Resistance isn't the only released first party title getting special Home features. Naughty Dog's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is getting on the train too. Like Resistance, Uncharted will also allow you to walk it's stages without the threat of being shot.

According to some sources, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune will bring a side-scrolling 2D arcade game to Home, described as a reminiscent of both Contra and Out Of This World.

I expect we will soon see a "How Warhawk Makes Home Really, Really Cool".

[How Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Makes Home Really, Really Cool]

Resistance: Fall of Man & It's Home Features

Insomniac's Resistance: Fall of Man is expected to have a huge presence in Home. The game will provide Home visitors with an interesting room to explore, letting game owners visit unseen areas of the game and view bonus content in the form of intrecepted radio transmissions between the European and United States forces.

These transmissions will show us more of the Resistance series' story. It's said that Home avatars will be able to roam unpopulated levels.

We got to admit, those are some sick plans. We know Home integration is coming for nearly every first party title, but Sony really needs to encourage third-parties.

[How Resistance: Fall of Man Makes Home Really, Really Cool]