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- Posted Dec 10, 2008 7:22 pm PT
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We just met up with Jack Buser the director of PlayStation Home for Sony Computer Entertainment to get a sneak preview of what's going to be available in the Home open beta. Just to be clear, the "open beta" is the official launch of PlayStation Home. Tomorrow, PlayStation 3 owners all over the world will be able to download and try out the service from the PlayStation Network menu in the XMB. Sony is calling tomorrow's launch an open beta because they view Home as an evolving world that's going to get constant content updates moving forward, similar to how an MMO expansion may launch but have new content patched in later.
Players that have been testing the closed beta will find several changes in Home when they log into the service. Sony developers have redesigned the entire Central Plaza area with new graphics and a new interactive "Saucer Pop" game where up to 4 players fly individual flying saucers and compete against each other in a competition to gather stars and fuel while avoiding bombs. The entire game takes place over a pond in the Central Plaza, so you'll see everyone walking around in the background as your UFO whizzes by. The Central Plaza also has an updated Listen@Home jukebox in the dance area that lets players vote on the next song to be played.The Mall will soon get a couple of new stores based on real life designers. Players will be able to get virual items from clothing company Diesel and furniture from Ligne Roset.
Home will have a number of themed areas outside of the Central Plaza, Mall, Games, and Apartment areas. Game developers and advertisers can develop their own environments on the Home platform. Sony recently released video and screenshots of a new Redbull Air Race area where players can fly airplanes around to collect rings. We didn't get to see the Redbull Air Race or MotorStorm areas, but Jack did bring us back to Sully's Bar, a Uncharted: Drake's Fortune themed area, and Reuben's Office from Far Cry 2. Each of these areas are full of secrets, games, and other interactive elements that will hopefully bring together fans of the game into an area where they can socialize.
Jack explained that players will want to try out all of the various games and activities in Home because some of them can unlock rewards such as new clothing, items or even new housing. Jack hinted that the Ice Breakers arcade game would be a good target for reward-seekers.
Current players in the closed beta will also have an additional reward for being early testers--they'll get to keep all of the "free" items they bought from the mall during the test period. New players will have to open their PlayStation Wallets to purchase those items starting tomorrow.
Keep an eye on GameSpot tomorrow for more PlayStation Home open beta information!
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