Playstation Home

Playstation 3 Home GDC 2007

E3 - Xbox 360 "Avatars" (spoof) (Comparing the Xbox 360 avatars to PS3 and what separates PS3 from the other systems)


Being a new owner of a PS3 I was quick to test out the capabilities and take advantage of all the features this system provided. I recently discovered a program on my Playstation 3 called Home. To give you a brief idea, it’s a virtual version of the real world but with out responsibilities like work and house cleaning . Its a very strong mix between the Sims and MSN, which both appeal to me but I’ll let the video explain more.

Home is a free community-based service developed by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network. Home was in development since early 2005 and was recently released in beta to the public in December 2008. Home allows users to create realistic avitars that are fully costomizeable form the avitars facial features to its cloths. When the user logs in they automatically go to their “home.” All avitars have their own waterfront appartment which they can fully customize to their liking by adding accessories and furniture which they can buy at the mall. The basics; wonder around in the Playstation world and interact with the environment and people.

The program is very fun and reolutionary in terms of its communicational aspects. The whole idea of creating an avitar and and living a separte life is nothing new but when you make it a free roaming online experience where you are conversing and experiencing people from all over the world in real time the experience becomes exhillerating and more than enjoyable. Being able to converse, play games, and share content with any one on the server makes socializing and networking alot faster and takes gaming to another level. Unfortuneatly the program is only accessable to those who have a PS3 with a working internet connection. But! To those with a network connected PS3 the program is very easy use its also very visually appealing and truely reflects what next gen systems have to offer. Its inviting visuals and apealing interface is what sets it appart from the other virtual online worlds offerd by the other next gen systems. Its asthetics and easy to use interface allows any one to pick up the controller and play, there are preset avitars for people who want to get right in game, and features which enables you, to make an avitar that looks exactly like you! The avitars have preset phrases actions and sounds, but again you have the option to say what you want. The simplisity of the interface and over all controlls mixed with the vast capabilities and options available make Home it not only appealing to more experianced gamers but also to people new to gaming in general, and would deffinatley apply to Okham’s Razor. In terms of Performance and Preference it works well and doesn’t lag, but that also depends on your internet service. It’s free, and it is rediculously detailed. I think Home has set a new bar for this genre of gaming, and provides all the features that gamers of this genre have been wishing for ever since the first Sims game was released. The only downfall is of course is the only way to access home is to own a PS3, and its not exactly a cheap system, but with that said for the money you pay you getting a product that is more than worth it.