The long awaited and highly anticipated PS3 Home online service launched in public beta today, making the service available to all PS3 users around the globe. PS3 systems connected to the net will now prompt users to download an update, enabling the free Home service.
In their press release, Sony describes the Home service as "a ground-breaking 3D social gaming community available on PS3 that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences. By leveraging the power of PS3, PlayStation Home delivers overwhelming visual graphics and rich gaming social experiences only possible on the PS3 platform. Within PlayStation Home, users can create and customize their own unique avatars and explore virtual community in real time where they can communicate freely through text or voice chat. PlayStation Home users will not only be able to enjoy variety of entertainment content such as mini-games, videos and special events along with their friends, but will also be able to create their own community by using the "Club(*2)" feature to create clubs with other PlayStation Home users who share the same interests."
Image by MNgilen
Meanwhile, Aaron Greenberg, the Xbox 360 group product manager at Microsoft, was found bashing the PS3 Home service. He stated "What Home to me feels like is Second Life for hardcore gamers". He also exclaimed that, "it doesn’t feel like it broadens the experience and invites people in. When they unveiled it, it seemed innovative. I think what's happened is now here we are a couple of years later and we feel beyond that. It feels like 2005 tech in 2008. I'm not sure that’s what people want."
Microsoft also stated that there are no plans to lower the price for the Xbox Live online subscription services, which cost approximately $50 per year. Meanwhile, online play for the PS3 is free.
It's no surprise that a Microsoft representative is downplaying the product of their arch rival Sony, but I've got to wonder if Mr. Greenberg has even tested out the Home service?
I do feel that the Home service was delayed way too long, but there is still a good chance that it can make a big impact on the PS3 user base and prospective buyers. I'm also glad to hear that Sony intends to continue development, pledging to add more enhancements to the Home service as time goes on. At the very least, thousands of PS3 users will be downloading the update soon to take the Home service for a test drive.
