PlayStation's Virtual Home Is Less Than Hospitable

Washington Post writes:

"Dude, this place is quiet," says one avatar, a rather generic-looking 20-something guy as we lurk on one side of the Home central plaza, watching virtual people go by on what appears, on my television screen, to be a sunny day in a modern town center. "This could get boring fast," texts another in agreement, a speech balloon popping up over his head.

[DavidMacDougall]

I've not used Home in awhile i don't really see the upside of it.

Take the phone a friend option and add it to the XMB so you can call friends while there in-game ,also take the instant messenger style talking and add that to the XMB so its not like sending emails back and forth that wouldn't take years and it would improve the ps3 ten fold unlike this crap

[Sonyslave3]

u sound like u wanted xbl

[KidMakeshift]

I can't even log in anymore

I keep getting a -604

Home's pretty boring though

I'm the fugly, obese black chick wearing a black and red sweater usually laying on the ground babbling non sense. Don't be afraid to say hi

[jaysquared]

A much as I like my 360 and XBL i would've love to seen Home succeed. If Home Beta would've suceeded it would've put a lot of pressure on M$ in improving XBL or maybe just making it free! Yes I know its only the beta but after 3 years of developement that included three delays the OPEN BETA should've been a lot better! No excuses Sony! Yes its free and Sony is offering it for free but PS3 gamers should expect more or else Sony is just wasting their time! This is one reason I dont mind paying for live because everytime I pay M$ has to improve their service or else there will be alot of repecussions for not delivering the goods!

If Sony would've delivered with their free service in PSN I would expect M$ to drop the fee for live or make it even better. But right now everybody knows that XBL is just so much better than PSN. I don't expect PSN to stay free for long. With Sony financially struggling, the money that was put into the developement of home and the lack of income PSN generates I wouldn't be suprised if they do start charging. Another reason I think Sony will start charging is because they don't advertise that PSN is free! Seriously other than Blu Ray free PSN is the only other reason to buy a PS3 and its crazy how they don't advertise the hell out of that! That's another reason why I think Sony will start charging for PSN.

[agentace]

why does no one understand that home is not a game?

[daflint]

Hmm, wonder if he realized that Home is in beta at the moment (and maby for a couple of years more). But hes right, it is not the funniest place to spend in front of your television. But who cares?

Its free and you dont have to use it(it´s not the default XMB)

[Kyur4ThePain]

For people without social skills, I guess Home could be a little intimidating.
It seems a lot of people either have homophobic issues about talking to guys, or can't help but rudely hit on girls.
It's amazing how quickly you can meet and socialize with others if you act half decent.

[LittleBigKillzone]

The pool and bowling alone are worth it.. For the longest time ive wanted a good pool and chess game to come on the PSN but now they stepped it up a notch and included a very good pool and chess games within Home and I love it. You guys that say Home are pointless might as well say posting on this site is pointless..

Home is for social networking, if you go on forums and post your little comments like you do on here, then Home is pretty much the same thing only in 3d, its meant to be a 3d social networking app meant for meeting and chatting with other gamers when you dont feel like playing a game at the moment.

I like Home, for the nights that im bored and i really dont feel like playing any games but i also dont feel like turning off my PS3 either, thats where Home comes in, i hop into home play some pool, bowling.. Icebreaker etc and meet cool gamers.

I have a 360 and better than anything Xbox live offers at the moment.
The only reason its being hated is because its Sony and no matter, what people will have these impossible standards that no console company can live up to..

Dont you guys find it odd that the 360's avatars where praised and it was a blatant rip off of Miis but yet they say Home is pointless?! I mean atleast the avatars have some purpose on Home, you use them to represent you and you can actually walk around, communicate, shop, play games etc.. What are the point of 360 avatars?! can someone answer that?! You cant move them, you cant walk around you can just dress them

[CoolTrainer]

This has inspired me to finally go and log into Home.

[Counter_ACT]

Exactly. You can't do anything with the NXE Mii rip offs, yet it was apparently a revolution that was compared to the invention of the colour TV. It's pathetic really. Home is awesome if you've got friends you already know.

If Home was just Home Square with nothing else it would still offer more than the 360 avatars.

[daflint]

Your right, but still i find it a bit boring. But hey, thats my opinion, and i totaly respect yours man.
Remember, still a BETA.

MS not being criticized in media for steeling mii is like what european journalist did in 1939 - 1943 all over again... (if you know what i mean)

[Close_Second]

...is crap and plays as well as one I had on my mobile phone 5 years ago. They should have integrated the bowling engine from High Velocity Bowling - then you'd have a real reason to go into HOME.

[Venomish]

Home would have been fun if it had some Sims and/or MMO and/or Tamagotchi elements
imagine if you can find a job in Home(mini game) and get money and use it to buy furniture and clothes. or if you can level up and open new commands for your avatar like "punch" "jump" "kick" "cry".

[jmiscavish]

Then you'd actually have something to do in home.

Why on earth would you want that?

[Close_Second]

...but make sure there is something to to when they get there. I said it months before the beta and I say it again now, HOME offers nothing at this stage to enhance the gaming experience.

So far we have generic versions of chess and checkers and one of the lamest ten pin bowling games in years.

Also, I would rather check out trailers for games from PSN rather than loading up Home, connecting then going to the virtual theater. HOME needs to become a game of sorts with a purpose otherwise it will remain nothing but a 3D GUI for navigation.

[GameOn]

Sounds like they need to put elevator music in there.

[BillGatesMom]

Screw your opinion
We are all a little fed up with the negative opinions towards the Ps3. The ps3 has been out for 2 years now.. There has been NOTHING BUT NEGATIVE press and its still sold 20 million... So do yourself a favor shut your mouth and stop turning gamers away from games because at this point thats all we are doing...

No one seems to point out

1) Microsoft Console rate which they denied FACT
2) Microsoft stating HDMI was not needed FACT
3) Microsoft saying 1080p was not needed FACT

Why not go have an opinion on that?

So take your garbage article and shove it along with all the rest... I love to see the Ps3 is making it and there is NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone agreed the longer this console war went on the more likely the Ps3 would have the upper hand... We all told you about multiple discs, we told you the cell was powerful when coded probably, and we told you hard drives were needed. No one wanted to listen..

3 years later what has the 360 actually done? Blown through exclusives all that have major glitches FACT. A console that will break regardless what version you have FACT. An online service that honestly is not worth 59.99 OPINION.

So keep on writing these stupid articles from horrible writers and ill keep spamming the heck out of everything and anything until people listen...

What will M$ say once Killzone 2 looks better than Gears 2? What will XBox user say?

Xbox = a horrible horrible machine..

My advice: Buy a good PC and play the games with a 360 controller, not only does it look better but its also free....

Oh and dont even TRY to downplay God of War... It honestly makes you all look pathetic. God of War is one of the best games this generation FACT...

Bye Bye until your next negative article... be gone.

[Shadow Man]

Cry Droid Cry!! hahahahha

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

http://www.kleenex.com

[caffman]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHH

[DJ]

If you lack social skills of any kind, stay away from Home. =P

But if you Do know how to start conversations, it's super fun. I'm always playing chess in the Mall. Though note to Sony, add more pool tables and chess areas. They're way too crowded right now.

[Bladestar]

haha!

I think it's the other way around... anyone who actually have any social skill will probably go to parties, clubs, malls, bowling and socialize in real life and spend too much time trying to socialize virtually...

Why would anyone need social skills to be in a virtual world? Why do you think games like 2nd life and the Sims? Why do you think some people spend so much time in them? Is it because they have so much social skills that they rather to spend it in a virtual world.. where people cant tell what they look like?

Keep telling that to yourself DJ... eventually all you are going to need is Home and your will be all set in life.

[Sarick]

Being able to communicate without say "yo Madda $!@#^er was up @#y!"

DJ is More less excluding the players who have bad social skills. It's a nice way of saying good communication skills are a good without pointing out what bad communication skills are.

[DJ]

It's about doing the things you would normally do in real life, but with the goal of being able to then play online with strangers/friends instantaneously in whichever title you choose.

By the way, there's no need to overcompensate and act like you're the life of the party. Sometimes you just try a little hard for your own good.

"I have the perfect job."
"I have the perfect life."
"I have the perfect relationship."

I recommend cutting down on those sorts of statements. Also, I'm curious to know why you hate all things Playstation. It's a cool system, just like Wii and 360.

[Prototype]

Bladestar for someone who is married you sure spend a lot time on here commenting on other peoples statements...

As far as home goes I like it; I'm able to communicate with people who at least share the same type of common interests I do without having to leave my apartment; and before anyone gets ideas no its not about being too lazy or cheap to leave, I just to prefer to "talk" to gamers.

I know countless people throw the argument "well go to the local arcade/gaming store to meet other gamers" well a lot of us like the options of either going out or playing around in home, and its a much better alternative outside yahoo messenger/msn. There's also the argument "well X game is multiplayer go play with them people" well what about people who play Fallout 3 or Uncharted were online isn't an option?

This guy sounds like he copied an article from another source; yes there is people who like/dislike home however come up with better journalism.

[importfighter]

HOME doesnt Suck, its nice to go on once in awhile with ur friends..PLUS ITS FREE!

Something u Xbots dont know much about

[Sonyslave3]

have fun buy clothes for you're home avatar o wait xne avatar clothes are free lol at sonyslaves i know spend 50 in home but complain about 50$ a year for xbl

[DNAgent]

I'd rather have them be OPTIONAL fees rather than ones you have to pay like XBL where you have to pay to play games online and you are forced to get a worse look on your 360 (the NXE) than the older look. Then you get those avatars forced on you as well. Home is optional with optional fees. It doesn't prevent you from doing anything (unlike Micro$oft).

[antt3]

What a pessimistic article. It's funny how you can always spot an article that just wants to dwell on the negatives from a mile away. Even at the end of the article, when he tries to show some optimism, he still takes a shot at the service by once again mentioning mandatory updates.

Hey, you know, I'm not saying he was totally off base on anything in particular. And I'm not saying that I completely disagree that Home can get a bit boring. But what's the point of a biased article like this? All it does is make fun of a free service that's stil in beta, and really not all that bad.

I don't know. Maybe if the attempts at humor actually made me laugh, I'd be able to forgive the ineptness of the "journalism."

[T-Baggins]

All they need to do it add a big lake to fish in (like Zelda) and a collection game of some sort like cards or bugs so you can fight people around home (like SNK Vs Capcom - Card Fighters Clash or the bug collecting game in Rouge Galaxy) that would make home the coolest thing ever, and they should have character interactions like fighting (punch, kick) and jumping (and maybe more like shaking hands etc..)

what do you guys think

[antt3]

Yeah, I like those ideas. Except for the fighting integration. if ppl were able to do that in Home, everyone would be running around smacking others in the head. :-)

Hey, even like a paintball room or something might be cool. It doesn't have to have all the intuitiveness of a FPS, but just a simple point and shoot paintball game.

I bet they could implement all types of games like that with relative ease. It would certainly help Home along.

[Chubear]

Nintendo gives 2D N64 era looking Miis that are useless and can hardly do any meaningful customization - they go "yay, miis are great" MS gives an upgrade to miis in 2D and the only interaction you get to do is change 2D clothing and it's "WOW AWESOME! lets make sigs of them"

Sony brings out the most comprehensive customizable avatars ever seen and a whole virtual space to roam in and meet other gamers and it's a "fail"?

I don't know when these guys were on HOME but it's always packed. You can't hardly get into bowling, pool arcade or chess games but they make seem as if it as a baren land. This FUD against the PS3 will never work. MS can try all their dirty tactics they used for other industries but it won't work in this industry and I look forward to the day I see the backs of them in regards to hardware manufacturing in this industry.

FU MS and your retarded fanbase.

[jmiscavish]

I think one of the problems is that it's always packed. I've never, ever gotten to play bowling, chess, or checkers. Outside of that, i'm not sure what there is to do except walk around.

BTW, the sony avatars are FAR from customizable. There are about 6 shirts and 6 pants to choose from. After that, you can't even change the color of your clothes. There are always about a dozen other guys dressed the exact same as me walking around.

M$ and Nintendo avatars are both integrated into their games...Not so much with the home avatars.

[importfighter]

I dont pay crap for Home...its an Option! Something X bots dont GOT!

U would think if so many consoles would Break, XBOX LIVE WOULD BE FREE

but i guess u xbots are to stupid to realize that

[OSIRUSSS]

Expect more FUD to ooze from the bowels of biased haters since Sony is actually making money from Home.

[DJ]

"Home will go nowhere. How is Sony supposed to even make a profit? What a waste of money."

But now..."Why is Sony making a profit? They're ripping us off! I don't care if it's on optional content, it's still a ripoff!"

[OSIRUSSS]

Man I know that the fact that Sony makes money off of Home must be a kick to the Nuts of every person that wanted it to Fail.

[InMyOpinion]

I said it'd flop in less than 6 months, it only took about three weeks.

[InMyOpinion]

Did I hit a nerve? I'm getting quality titles that people actually buy + superior multiplat games. You are getting overhyped exclusives that don't live up to their expectations.

2009 will be the same.

[Lex Luthor]

Yeah, pretty much what i expected. Home was dead to me after the first 30 mins of using it.

[jmiscavish]

Yeah, that's what i figure, too.

The trailer last year was nails, so I've been anxiously awaiting it.

Now I get this, and it's nothing at all like the trailer I saw (and still have on the HDD).

Once they took away headset support and starting issuing bans willy-nilly, I figured there's not much of a reason for me to use home anymore.

[DARK WITNESS]

lol... it only took me 15 min.

[Magic_The_Celt]

Dude, home is boring as hell iv been on just a few times

i see no reason why i would want to go on again.

[ade909]

for most of you hear who dont understand, playstation home is not a game, i will say again its not a game, for u xbox diks we do no not have to pay for add ons its upto the user its not forced upon us like u 360 noobs we all know bill gates is a con master and dik master lol

[Pika-pie]

I havent used Home much.. But I just like knowing its there on my xmb if I ever feel like going.

Theres a lot of potential, the foundations have been laid now. Im hoping that in 12 months time we will all agree that Home has come along way and is awesome.