Sony launches PlayStation virtual community
By siliconindia   |   Thursday, 11 December 2008, 19:09 IST
Printer Print Email Email
Tokyo: Sony launched its virtual community for owners of its PlayStation 3 game console today. However according to the company, the much delayed project, is unlikely to attract many newcomers to the machine. The free-of-charge PlayStation Home service is mainly meant to make gaming more fun for people who already own the PS3. Owners download Home software and connect their PS3 to broadband to create three-dimensional digital images that represent themselves called ‘avatars,’ and communicate with the avatars of other PS3 owners, reported Washington Post. The figures wander around virtual lawns, bowling alleys, arcades and homes in the PS3, but the central activity is playing games and becoming friends with other PlayStation 3 game fans, according to Sony. The service, offered in eight languages, will start in Japan, Europe, U.S. and other areas where PlayStation 3 is available. The service will be updated with new games, licensing partners and events including a New Year's countdown ceremony, Sony said. Home was initially promised for 2007, but was delayed twice. Shoda said the delays were needed to get feedback and understand what gamers wanted, as well as check on security and other anti-crime features. Ryoji Akagawa, a senior producer at Sony's game unit, said Home will help ensure PS3 owners will keep coming back to play games. It may also possibly encourage family members to start playing with the PS3 that's in their homes, he said. But both Shoda and Akagawa were cautious about promising significant console sales perks from Home. The PS3 has struggled against rivals Wii from Nintendo and Microsoft's Xbox 360. Sony's plan to cut another 8,000 temporary jobs worldwide in electronics doesn’t apply to the gaming business.

siliconindia