The PlayStation Home Formula: What Gamezine Readers Think

A feature written by yours truly on the potential dangers of Sony's imminent release of PlayStation Home caused a little bit of a stir among gamers. Our comments bulged with passionate and well reasoned musings that I'd like to share and discuss with you today.

What some people appeared to miss was the fact that I wasn't criticising PlayStation Home itself, but highlighting the importance of Sony properly advertising the feature to make it a PlayStation 3 success. Gamezine reader Nick agrees;

"It's obvious that they need to start pimping their product a lot better. More public demo's, a lot more advertising, and possibly more included in the hardware bundles. They do those three things, I guarantee they'll end up almost neck and neck with their competition despite the price difference.

"There's just way too much out there for everyone to be pulled into using Home as well as the console itself. They gotta add a voice to that quiet powerhouse."

The potential is certainly there, featuring an experience not found on other consoles. But it's important that the service is marketed as a popular and useful "facebook" extension of PlayStation 3 gaming, rather than an avatar strolling sim that adds no value. Lia from the States hits the point head-on;

"Home can be successful if Sony advertises it properly as an extension with the PS3. I'm in the Beta and I see the potential. It's a socializing network. Facebook and MYSpace didn't become successful overnight. It took people to make it as successful as it is today."

And just like MYSpace and Facebook, the service is free, simple to use and could bring gamers together. Gamezine reader Mog instils a hopeful attitude;

"I can see why people who haven't experienced Home yet would seem a little naive about it, but I have been on the BETA now for quite some time and you can generally see limitless possibility.

"I am especially looking forward to open BETA and full release as the current closed BETA is a tiny pin point on the virtual Home world [...] I for one am looking forward to the full release and especially seeing where Home will lead over the next few years."

Brendan from Belfast also expresses his hopes for PlayStation Home;

"I am also in the Beta and the signs are promising. I was very impressed with what is available so far. The potential is massive! And it can only get better. Lets see what happens perhaps Sony's sleeves are not as empty as most people think."

And yes, PlayStation Home could be a card up Sony's sleeve if they play the hand right. Many Gamezine readers pointed out that Home's Beta is only a small portion of what will eventually be available. If Sony correctly expands the service it could become something even more special. Gamezine reader Bob muses over an exciting proposition;

"[W]hat would be cool is if they did the Mii type thing, where the character you create can play different games. Can you imagine creating your lifelike...character, then having a game come along that lets you use that character in a first person shooter, a sports game and so on, I think it would be neat, if they can pull it off."

Get this ready for the US and UK release of Afrika and you could take your Home avatar on a Safari trip, take some snaps and decorate your apartment with them. If Sony doesn't expand the service, the service could fall flat, as expressed by Paul Megara;

"I am also in the Home beta and I was impressed the first day I played it. I had a blast creating my character then walking around my empty 'space' and finally I loved walking around the central plaza with other PS3 owners.

"But over the next day or two the hype, the fun, the excitement died and I mean it just fell flat. I know its in Beta form and GOD HELP Sony's PS3 if Home releases anything like the Beta form. Its Boring, there are not enough items to use, the stores to buy these items are like your local Grocery store the day before the blizzard of the century arrives its empty.

Sony needs to release Home soon, they only have a few more days left in December to do so and when they do Home must be fully open meaning all the clothing, all the items and all the features that we're promised. If not then mark my words Home will die a slow and painful death from user abandonment and boredom."

And what about that nickle and diming I mentioned? Not everything is going to be free, such as furniture, clothes and new apartments. Spoririggers compares Sony's model to its competitors;

"What people don't realize that have knocked the delays of Home is that Sony has the potential to leapfrog what Live has done in 6 years. We're talking 2 years. NXE is great, but it's not even close to the complexity of Home. It's really not even close. NXE brags about a party system, but it's capped at 7 other friends? How about Home with 32 friends per party? How about rooms for games with 3D interactive maps for planning?

"You talk nickel and diming? How about NXE that costs $50 a year, STILL has sh*tloads of advertising, and STILL is charging for themes, costumes, and so on. Considering Sony is doing everything for free, I think it's fine for them to have the SAME level of charging for extras JUST like NXE."

Sony must make money on the service, since keeping it free is crucial to its success. David Macphail from Scotland points out that advertising and third-party support could be critical to keeping PlayStation Home free;

"Home's success all depends on third party support, IMO. I know a lot of people may disagree with me but in-game advertising in Home is CRUCIAL to it's success. Sony NEED the money generated from having advertisements splattered all over the place in order to keep this a free service. As long as it's free, it'll be successful."

Gamezine readers have concocted a magical formula for PlayStation Home; advertising, expansion, and free. If Sony gets it right, Home could be the success they always hoped it'd be. Agree or disagree? Express yourself below.

Patrick Steen

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