Think you know PlayStation Home? Well, if you logged in when it launched back in late December and wandered about for five minutes, and haven't returned…you don't.
Another big update is around the corner; it's set to arrive on May 21 – that's next week, people – and this version 1.21 will not only include a variety of upgrades to the new EA Sports Complex, but it will also boast a horde of improvements, repairs and alterations. You can read the entire list over at PlayStation LifeStlye, but just as a summary: the chat log has been updated, "the process of moving between spaces has been streamlined which should make relocating a bit faster," loading times have been reduced, they've changed how furniture is saved in a Clubhouse (this should put a stop to missing furniture), and some of the fixes include dealing with a problem that may cause Home rewards to disappear, and with the issue of a bug "that would cause a crash when the user is signed out of the PSN while logging on to Home." Really, there's a whole lot more than this – just visit the link above – and it seems that with every passing month, PlayStation Home evolves and changes…as it should. The potential is undeniable and although it was a little bare when it first launched last year, things are really starting to take shape.
We can't wait to see more Home spaces and materials, and you can bet that more exclusive games will see distinct connections to this innovative virtual social communication service.
I just miss "talking" to people, I was in Home all the time when everyone was speaking to one another. Now …I haven't really been on there at all except to pick up free limited clothing and check out new spaces for a few mins.
Did they remove chat because of harassment issues?
I know Ben didn't write this but he handles most of the creative stuff so here's an idea for him: Do a state of Home thing like you did for State of PS3. The people who tried it, deleted, and haven't looked back should get more than these updates, they need a comprehensive comparison of major jumps in Home content…just a thought.
Home still doesn't have many of the features with which it should have launched (e.g., universal game launching), but it is much improved.
Xi, for instance, is an example of what it could be.
I foresee a time when you put a disc into your PS3 and a Home icon appears along with the game disc icon (a la SOCOM), which lets you launch directly into the game's Home space, making it as easy as launching the game normally. Then, it will be what it should be.
Also, there NEED to be more options to personalize your avatar and apartment(s) without spending more than the price of a game.
Nothing will be as simple as putting the disc in and the game starting auto with an already in-game party matchmaker.. =
II was on home last night and right now they are giving away a free chamber house from may 14th til the 21st. Yes home has come a long way it has vastly improved.
Well I own the Summer House and the Cabin, both are nice, but the cabin is omg nice! Downloaded the chamber house, and I dunno… was kind of creepy, sorta weird. More like some kinda druid area taken out of Fable if you ask me! lol
Still don't see any place to display trophies in home, unless I'm completely blind.
and for the love of facial hair, add a friggin real gotee! That little square of chin hair reminds me of Fred Durst. >.> Just need to break out and start shouting "my way or the highway!"
Last edited by Zapix on 5/15/2009 11:50:33 PM
Picture frames for SCEA in 1.21?? They better not cost an arm and a leg.
I think the poker is fun in the EA space…but they should change the pictures for the K,Q, and Jack. Maybe it's my TV (just like a 20" normal TV), but I can't really tell which is which. That being said I still kicked this losers ass who was trash talking and calling me gay (possibly the most juvenile insult), it felt really satisfying. I guess I thank him for his childish behavior. Also there should be unlimited tables.
I hadn't been on Home for a very long while and went on a few times this past week. I have to say that it's been rather enjoyable and fun to meet some of these people and play the games. Didn't know about the EA sports thing so will have to go check that out soon.
I think there's a lot of cool things about Home. But…
Home is really missing the boat.
It's like they're tossing in all these various features and content without considering the coherency of the world as a whole.
For example… Would you like to logon to Home and play Poker? I've never managed to. There are only a handful of poker tables in Home which are supposed to service millions of subscribers. And there's no means provided to reasonably wait your turn to play a game either. The only way you can get into any game in Home is to wait a long time while actively watching for your chance to click first and get your slot.
So not only do you have to wait. You have to wait and be alert. That is not enticing or fun.
That sort of issue is a recurring theme in Home.
Did anyone actually think about the user experience?
Home is a great idea. But it suffers from a design by committee sort of problem where the vision has been lost. It really needs strong leadership within Sony to take the reigns and make it into a coherent service.
Guess I'm too old for all of this purchasing of virtual items. I have enough problems paying for my real clothing, food, housing, car, etc.
Home is kinda cool, but I too have a problem with buying virtual items
Wouldn't it be great if you could buy virtual food=)
where's my media streaming and downloading?
untill those are implemented…ZzzzzZzzzz….
I want my plasma tv
Everyone remember to download the Chamber Apartment for free!
It's definitely a unique upgrade to the original one… and it's only for a limited time!
things get better with every update, keep it up sony
Oh I wish the internet in Australia was better, I keep running out of download limit, and I'm on 12 GB per month high speed broadband!!!
If I had better net, then I would spend more time in Home. Haven't been there since February.