PlayStation Home Delayed Again, Expanding Closed Beta in Summer 08

[blackdelsol94]

PlayStation Home Delayed Again, Expanding Closed Beta in Summer 08
It seems like the expansive and ambitious online service is making progress, though its completion date keeps getting pushed back. The open beta is now planned for Fall 2008.
Posted by David Radd on Tuesday, April 22, 2008


Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it will expand its closed beta testing for PlayStation Home. More PS3 users will be allowed to register for the service in Summer 2008. After this closed beta concludes, there is an open beta planned for PlayStation Home 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 Kaz 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."

Hirai expressed disappointment with the state of PlayStation Home last year soon after the service's launch was delayed until Spring 2008.

[Shiba-Kun]

Another (yet different) article:

Sony again delays start of "Home" virtual world for the PlayStation 3 until 2nd half of year

TOKYO (AP) -- Sony is delaying the start of its "Home" virtual world for its PlayStation 3 video game machine until the latter half of this year -- the second time the Japanese electronics and entertainment company has postponed the online interactive service.

"Home" is a real-time interactive online world much like Linden Lab's "Second Life" and other so-called "metaverse," or a virtual world in computer graphics on a personal computer monitor that allows people to walk around and interact with each other.

The product had been initially promised for last year. But in September, Sony delayed its debut until early this year to spend more time to create a better product.

On Tuesday, Tokyo-based Sony Computer Entertainment said "Home" will again be delayed until the autumn, without giving a specific date. A limited test service is set to start this summer, around midyear, it said in a statement.

"The wait has been prolonged for PS3 users, but we plan satisfying entertainment by spending more time on development to improve the service, " Sony Computer Entertainment Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai said in a statement.

Millions of people now enter "Second Life" on personal computers, moving avatars -- or computer graphics images of themselves -- in a virtual universe.

Major companies are also setting up shop in "Second Life," and analysts see potential for such virtual worlds as a communication tool and real-life business.

Sony officials have shown the demonstration video of "Home" with much fanfare on various occasions, promising new kinds of businesses, such as advertising and electronic shopping, as well as games.

Sony has had previous delay problems with PlayStation3. The machine went on sale in the U.S. and Japan late 2006, but its European launch was postponed for several months due to production problems.

Sony once dominated the gaming industry with PlayStation 2, predecessor for the PS3, but now faces intense competition from Microsoft Corp. with its Xbox 360 machines, as well as from Nintendo Co.'s popular Wii.

PlayStation 3 could get a critical boost in global sales from the recent victory of the Blu-ray disc format over rival HD-DVD, backed by Toshiba Corp. The PS3 also works as a Blu-ray disc player.

Toshiba acknowledged its defeat in February when almost all major Hollywood studios opted for Blu-ray.

(Mainichi Japan) April 22, 2008

[blackdelsol94]

This is terrible. It lets me know I'm not that important to Sony. My money is throw away cash to them.

Insomniac games is on their 3rd big game in just as many years. Their games are both technically and visually superior. It should not take 2 years to make PlayStation Home.

Infinity Ward made CoD4 in 2 years. It runs at 60fps in 720p. It has 18 player online.

This is PLAYSTATION HOME, it's just a VIRTUAL CHAT ROOM.

It's just upsetting to know that Sony is devoting a big team of people to SingStar, or The freaking Agency, but I still have no PlayStation Home...as long as we've been waiting for it. They keep adding in new clothing items, accessories, etc., and that's not what I want. What I want is the game in my hands, on time. Especially when the platform you're developing for is extremely EXTREMELY similar to a PC.

[/vent]

[j.steimer04]

Ya, Im pretty tired of waiting for HOME to be finished. Hopefully GTA4 will keep me busy until it is.

[H23lude92]

i agree with blackdelsol, this is taking freakin forever! and like you said for what, those extra clothing items or somethin else that really means nothing to people. release it and make updates for it which could include all that crap!!

[j.steimer04]

I love your sig dude!

[H23lude92]

Originally Posted by j.steimer04

I love your sig dude!

thanks partna - TripleTags.com - Gamer Cards & Home of TagPaper, PS3 Tag, Wii Tag - Why as a PS3 Owner I don't CARE about ... - you can have one too!

[j.steimer04]

Originally Posted by H23lude92

thanks partna - TripleTags.com - Gamer Cards & Home of TagPaper, PS3 Tag, Wii Tag - Why as a PS3 Owner I don't CARE about ... - you can have one too!

Im on it, thx for the link!

[blackdelsol94]

You fellas crack me up.

[NationsMostWanted]

Xbox sucks....


damn still waiting for HOME.....

[blackdelsol94]

Originally Posted by NationsMostWanted

Xbox sucks....


damn still waiting for HOME.....

You missed it as well.

[Cdiesel]

so fall? ... didnt feel like readin

[blackdelsol94]

Originally Posted by Cdiesel

so fall? ... didnt feel like readin

Wow...

Anyways, the answer to your question is yes. Home is set for Fall 2008.