Let's go Home this Fall

Wow. I've seen a lot of different opinions online about the up and coming Playstation Home.
The video sends my imagination into a new level. Sony really may have a huge hit here with a free virtual environment with customizable avatars, games, shopping and media sharing.
Playstation Home coming this Fall.

Comparisons between Nintendos Miis and the Playstation avatars are obviously being drawn but it's like comparing a Yaris to a Ferrari.



This isn't just a little space to run around and act dumb (surely, there will be lots of that), but a space to truly experience virtual luxury living from your sofa with friends across the globe.

Sure, the Sims and SecondLife do customizable avatars and mini-games right now. Playstation Home looks to take the good things in both without restricting them to simplistic gameplay and push the social aspects further with more options: on-screen keyboard, usb keyboard or bluetooth headset. But are these really the only options? The biggest asset to the social dynamic could be that simple thing called a 'sofa'.

Being able to relax on the 'old couch' adds a level of comfort to your experience. Jumping into Home to play a mini-game with your friends in London could really take a load off and reduce the dependence on the computer and it's draconian surroundings.

What many people forget is that the Sims, MySpace and SecondLife require the USE of a computer. With PS3 you're not restricted to a small monitor, small space and limited media devices. Sharing a favorite song or video with a friend in your avatar's room could be a truly sensory experience unlike any other when playing in surround sound stereo or with a HDTV. No more tiny speakers or tiny low-res display.

Sony is once again giving a clear direction for luxury gaming. Sure $600 is a lot for a game system, but how much is a virtual community worth? How much do users on SecondLife spend in a year?

Playstation Home is a free virtual environment which ties into the Playstation world. If you and a friend have the same PS3 game, you could launch it from Home and when you're done, go back 'Home' and share some photos.

Nothing else does this. This will be cool. Playstation Home will be awesome.

Cheers, Sony!