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The18thLetter

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http://kotaku.com/gaming/sony/rumor-sony-to-unveil-playstation-home-240746.php

No more "entitlements", it seems.

Basically, you get to make an avatar for your console (like a Mii) and this avatar has a room. As you play games and accomplish certain tasks, you will receive items with which to adorn the room that are specific to the game (achievements). The kicker is that this is going to be a new requirement for every PS3 game...
Click to expand...

This really is a Sony-like move ('stealing' ideas and putting their own twist on it), but this one I like.. very much so.


I'd also like to point out that although this was originally reported as a rumor, Sony basically confirmed it in their attempt to silence Kotaku:
http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/sony-blackballs-kotaku-240860.php

Lots 'o drama!
 
that actually seems really interesting, and 'stealing' ideas is how the world usually works...
 
miskari said:
that actually seems really interesting, and 'stealing' ideas is how the world usually works...
Click to expand...

Indeed. We all know how Firefox/IE/Opera all 'stole' the idea of tabbed browsing, or how Microsoft and Apple both 'stole' the Graphical User interface from Palo Alto, but those aren't necessarily bad things. Evolution just works like that, good features get adopted by all.

The idea kotaku is suggesting is interesting, but what's the point here? I honestly don't see the attraction to these sort of things (anyone?).
 
The reason why it seems so lame is that we know this is how the high-level Sony exec meeting went...

"Why is nobody buying the PS3? What do Xbox 360 and Wii have that we don't?"
"Well, sir, in terms of graphics, we've set the new bar. And nobody can touch our massive processing system. Also, the quality of blu-ray is a thousand times better than HD-DVD. Plus, we're practically giving the system away for free. It has to be the Xbox 360 achievements and those Miis."
 
I'm very interested in this.
http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/895.html

Heres the most interesting piece to me..
An inside source close to Sony made a post on the IGN boards a few weeks ago talking about a new feature that Sony would be implementing.
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Now the funny thing is, nobody believed this guy when he made the claims, but looking back at his quotes, and the information we have today...he was definitely on to something.

Here are some of the quotes from IGN..

Has anyone else heard the rumors of a major Sony Online upgrade? Apparently the update will make the Xbox LIVE interface look antiquated in comparison. Apparently the interface is set up like a Virtual Town where each user has their own virtual apartment. Within your apartment you store your collection of acheivements and virtual trophies to show off to any "visitors" (i.e. people on your Friends list). Your friends could visit you if you are "home" (i.e. online)and once inside they could "walk around" your apartment and view how you've decorated your place. But more importantly, they could listen to any music or watch videos that you've got in your place (i.e. content you've stored on your PS3). Furthermore, your friends could join you for a game of cards or other simple games while listening to your music or even running a movie on your virtual TV (again using data on your PS3 HD). Once outside of your apartment you could visit the virtual Movie Theater to download--what else?--video content, visit the virtual Arcade, and other more exciting areas that I'm not at liberty to discuss yet...

The bottomline is that the interface is going to get a major overhaul and it's supposed to be very slick and user friendly. It will make apparent the advantages of the PS3 hardware and--dare I say--the new Sony Online Network.

If this has already been posted I apologise in advance! Otherwise, you heard it here....FIRST!
Click to expand...

Update: There's good news and some bad news.

Good news: Beta is up and running...looking fantastic!
Bad news: Release has been pushed back to the Fall.

Feel free to chalk this up as another unsubstantiated rumour...
Click to expand...

"Rumour has it" that part of the delay has to do with the extent of the overhaul required to support such a vibrant online experience.

There is one additional benefit to the delay; Sony is aware of this space and you should feel free to post creative ideas in this space with the knowledge that there is still time to implement them into the final version.

One last thing. If you doubt that the industry is watching this space, I offer the following private message I received....

From: bencousins
Date Sent: 2:14pm
Date Read: 6:40pm
Subject: Hi
Body: Who are you?

Yes, this could all be unsubstatiated fantasy, but it may help to know who bencousins is...

Boards Name: bencousins (VIP)
Title: VIP - SCEE
UID: 25544
Profile Added: 08/20/2000 6:44:33 AM
Profile Last Updated: 02/05/2007 6:13:39 AM
Total Number of Posts: 2,514 View Latest Posts
Last Board Login Date: 02/05/2007 6:13:39 AM
Last Board Post Date: 09/04/2005 6:21:00 PM
Watched by Count: 118

It should be noted that Ben is no longer with SCEE after realizing the that the profits from Sony and Lionhead were insufficient. http://www.bencousins.com

Here's to reading some creative ideas of how YOU think these virtual towns and apartments could be improved!

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I don't intend to get too technical but here's a hint...the PS3 reserves 96MB for its OS (operating system). The XB360? A mere 32MB. Why does Sony need THREE TIMES the resources?!? Most programmers were perplexed at this decision, but it will all become clear this Fall. One look at the Virtual Town, complete with your Virtual Apartments, with streaming video and music in your apartment for all friends to share and you too will be a believer.

All in the fullness of time!

Cheers!
Click to expand...

The Beta version of the new online interface will be shown behind closed doors at GDC. Sony is very interested in getting 3rd parties on board to one-up the acheivement system of LIVE.
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Wow, thanks for the link + quotes, man...

This PlayStation Home really sounds like something to look forward to.

Reminds me of Animal Crossing, actually. lol

I'm not really 'sure' of the "listen to people's music/watch their videos" thing, though.. that's a LOT of bandwidth right there, especially considering the sizes of my files. The music, not so much, but I have full movies stored on my PS3... Hmm...

I can't wait til GDC!
 
The18thLetter said:
I'm not really 'sure' of the "listen to people's music/watch their videos" thing, though.. that's a LOT of bandwidth right there, especially considering the sizes of my files. The music, not so much, but I have full movies stored on my PS3... Hmm...

I can't wait til GDC!
Click to expand...

Well it could always be streamed peer to peer. Youtube and myspace music/videos are streamed in, no? :)
 
God, that thread on GAF as something else. lol

At first I was thinking that Kotakus "source" on this matter might've been this IGN posting that they'd only just found now. For all we know the IGN post could've been/be just some right up bullshit that this guys spouting. Yeah, there may be a bencousins on on those forums, but it's pretty easy to replicate an email format and have it say whatever you want.

But, now I'm not really all too sure what to think. Sony could've gotten pissed because they didn't want it revealed early, or because it isn't actually true. Then there's Starti's post on there which made things fall together more.

I was really wondering why no-one actually contested the validity of that IGN post.

I'll just wait until GDC.
 
I didn't click the article (busy day at work starting off)

But the idea seems neet. Hopefully you can visit your friends "home" too
 
DOA4 already has this. Sony's efforts would be put to better use somewhere else.
 
Sounds pretty cool. I think improving the PSN "home" is a really good move. Right now the ps3 interface is pretty simple, but effective, but really has nothing to it. Wouldnt mind something like this. 360s live interface is just owns it right now in comparison.
 
It sounds somewhat cool. Kind of a mix between Xbox Live Achievements, Nintendo's Mii, and Visual Concepts "Crib" feature in their sports games. I'll reserve final judgement, should this even be true, when I see what kind of stuff you get for this Home.

As far as the stealing thing is concerned, I have no problem with companies "borrowing" elements from the competition. Sony NEEDS to copy a lot from Xbox Live, in my opinion. Microsoft didn't suddenly create console gaming, but they certainly set the bar (quite high). I have no problems when a company follows suit, but adds their own little unique elements to it. However, with that said, Sony needs to just shut their mouths, and not talk about the competition, and just tell us what THEY have, and why it's good. Not say stuff like how every time they look behind them Microsoft is following, stealing their ideas... and that they just can't shake them.

Clearly, in many ways, that's just not the case.
 
When sony doesn't have features the xbox360 fan boys bitch and complain when they do add the features they bitch and they complain.
 
Looks like the rumors of Playstation Home are true:

The rumors were swirling, but the New York Times just confirmed that Phil Harrison is expected to announce the new PlayStation Home service at his GDC keynote, which takes place in San Francisco in a couple of hours. The service is supposed to take elements from Xbox Live and Nintendo's Mii avatars, along with tossing in virtual prizes -- a more tangible version of XBL's achievements -- to wag in the face of fellow !!!!!!s. Phil Harrison also wants gamers to take part in YouTube and Flickr-esque content creation, but how that will tie directly to the PlayStation Home service is unclear at this point. What is clear is that Sony is in dire need of an answer to Xbox Live, which just hit the 6 million mark for subscribers, so we hope Phil has more than just avatars and prizes to show off when he gets on stage at 10:30 PST.
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http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/07/sonys-playstation-home-hitting-the-ps3-this-fall/#comments
 
I can't view this at work, I have to wait till I get home to look at this :(

I am excited though...
 
The18thLetter said:
Home revealed:
http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps3/games/features/104768.shtml

Thanks to Gamepro, of course.

It looks amazing! I'm in awe...
I cannot wait until this is released.

EDIT: OMG!!!
http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?id=17558&type=wmv&pl=game

I'm stunned. Home looks amazing!!!
Click to expand...


that does look tight as hell, i cant wait now... maybe if were lucky it will have full PvP and full looting along with robbing mofos apartments.. hehe.. i kid i kid, but it does look like a winner for sony and the ps3!
 
This looks pretty darn good...

and I'm also quite surprised about Little Big Planet. that looks fun as hell
 
Tetrahedron said:
that does look tight as hell, i cant wait now... maybe if were lucky it will have full PvP and full looting along with robbing mofos apartments.. hehe.. i kid i kid, but it does look like a winner for sony and the ps3!
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing.
Run up on people and be like
"Gimme yo downloads, mofo!"

LMAO
jp!
 
I'm an xbox/PC f an -boy but that looks amazing.

To me this sort of thing is the one thing console's have that PC's never will: One awesome 'interface' for online gaming where every game/media is connected in some way. Here's to the future.
 
Tetrahedron said:
that does look tight as hell, i cant wait now... maybe if were lucky it will have full PvP and full looting along with robbing mofos apartments.. hehe.. i kid i kid, but it does look like a winner for sony and the ps3!
Click to expand...

hahah

stealing peoples "achievements" now that's an idea.
 
Playstation Home needs more PSP connectivity. I don't want a virtual PSP - I want to access my home FROM my PSP. If PSH takes off, Sony desperately needs to bring the PSP along for the ride.

Still, it looks like an amazing concept, if they bring it off right. Do PSH and the Mii represent a general move towards virtual avatars? Will Microsoft have to follow-up with something similar?
 
I think it'll be really cool.
The PS3's started off slowly, but it's been getting the most action of all 3 of my systems over the last few weeks. Much of that is due to Tekken 5:DR (best $19 game, EVER), but Motorstorm is due any day, and VF5's amazing if you're a fan.
 
I thought it shipped today and would be on shelves tomorrow...but I guess today is Wednesday isn't it!
If it's out now, sounds like I'll have to head to Best Buy later.
 
When I saw the video on Game Videos.com I thought it was actually pretty cool. Now that I've had a while to digest it, I'm really not all that interested.

It's essentially an MMO without the fun. You can talk, walk around, or join people in games. After playing pool hundreds of times and watching people walk around, I don't see how this won't get boring. There may be some cool furniture to add (which won't be free), but I don't see this really selling systems. If anything, it proves that Sony is trying to compete, which is definitely a good thing.

Personally, I don't want to have to work (walk around a virtual world) and deal with idiots screaming in a headset if I don't have to. It's the same promise that we've had with "3D virtual desktops" and Second Life.

EDIT: The movie theater does intrigue me. There have been reports of Sony providing movies and having a YouTube-like upload feature.
 
B. W. said:
It's essentially an MMO without the fun. You can talk, walk around, or join people in games. After playing pool hundreds of times and watching people walk around, I don't see how this won't get boring.
Click to expand...

It's the people that make it interesting though.
 
Ugh. I have a feeling this will descend into what Sims Online descended into...

...cyber sex all over the place. But instead of seeing it from an overhead view looking down onto sprites, now it'll be fully rendered in 3d. Just what we need.
 
bass_ec said:
Ugh. I have a feeling this will descend into what Sims Online descended into...

...cyber sex all over the place. But instead of seeing it from an overhead view looking down onto sprites, now it'll be fully rendered in 3d. Just what we need.
Click to expand...
Sony doesn't care. They want to sell consoles. That's it. If people having cybersex all over the place does that, they're going to do it.
 
B. W. said:
There may be some cool furniture to add (which won't be free), but I don't see this really selling systems.
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Items in your Virtual Apartment can be bought, or received due to your achievements. So whenever you receive and achievement you get a new item for your apartment.. Thats what I have read.

This is really cool, and gives something cool to do and provides a mini game experience vs what is currently offered when viewing online friends, etc.
 
tirminyl said:
Items in your Virtual Apartment can be bought, or received due to your achievements. So whenever you receive and achievement you get a new item for your apartment.. Thats what I have read.

This is really cool, and gives something cool to do and provides a mini game experience vs what is currently offered when viewing online friends, etc.
Click to expand...

I think this is a really cool idea/move by Sony. It still blows my mind ppl will find ways to hate on that shit though. If this was Nintendo doing it with the Mii's people would be going on and on about how genius Nintendo is and sucking on their nuts.

Im sure there are options to avoid having to mingle IRL, im sure most of it is accessible right from your home w/o having to deal with the social aspects. So the ppl worrying about clunkiness, get over it. This can only be good and only add to the console experience.

I am looking forward to this.
 
I just hope all the 3D avatar based stuff is optional. If I can view achievements in a menu and socialise without navigating through a clunky 3D world, I'm happy. LittleBigPlanet seems interesting, looking forward to it.
 
erwos said:
Playstation Home needs more PSP connectivity. I don't want a virtual PSP - I want to access my home FROM my PSP. If PSH takes off, Sony desperately needs to bring the PSP along for the ride.
Click to expand...

Amen brother, bring the psp into it's own!
 
4saken said:
I think this is a really cool idea/move by Sony. It still blows my mind ppl will find ways to hate on that shit though. If this was Nintendo doing it with the Mii's people would be going on and on about how genius Nintendo is and sucking on their nuts.
Click to expand...

Heh, QFT.
 
4saken said:
I think this is a really cool idea/move by Sony. It still blows my mind ppl will find ways to hate on that shit though. If this was Nintendo doing it with the Mii's people would be going on and on about how genius Nintendo is and sucking on their nuts.

Im sure there are options to avoid having to mingle IRL, im sure most of it is accessible right from your home w/o having to deal with the social aspects. So the ppl worrying about clunkiness, get over it. This can only be good and only add to the console experience.

I am looking forward to this.
Click to expand...
I'm not trying to hate on Sony at all. In fact, I applaud them for actually giving a shit. It has potential, but for now and for the immediate future, Microsoft still has the upper hand. Release Home and give the PS3 a $100 price drop and I'll think about buying it.

Home isn't really a new concept, but if Sony makes some of the features optional and actually delivers, then it might be worth looking at. I'm definitely not going to totally knock a free feature.
 
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