Sony opens up on Home

In a note to developers, Sony confirms 15,000-user beta in April, 50,000-user beta in August; company trying to make Home under 500MB.

Home, sweet Home. That was the reaction from PlayStation 3 owners to Sony's keynote address at GDC 2007, where Phil Harrison unveiled the 3D online community for the PS3.

However, the sampling demonstrated that day didn't include all the hard facts that future Home owners wanted to know. In a document floated out by Sony to developers, some of those missing questions were answered.

First and foremost, the Home closed beta is scheduled to kick off in April with 15,000 users. This first stage of the beta will run through August, at which point it will enter the open beta phase and open up to approximately 50,000 users. The free service, which Sony is trying to get under 500MB in size, is scheduled to go live in October.

The Central Lounge, which is a starting point for virtual meet-and-greets, will have a cap of 64 concurrent users. Like online chat rooms, there will be several active Central Lounges on the network to accommodate users.

Though currently PS3-only, Sony is hoping to expand Home to be accessed by the PlayStation Portable and mobile phones, but admits it will be limited access. Sony did not say what features will be accessible or when other devices could connect to Home.

Currently, meeting someone in Home and then playing a multiplayer game with them requires both parties to exit Home and enter the game manually, but Sony says that eventually, everything will be seamless. Likewise, Home will eventually become accessible directly through a game that is being played.

At the present time, Home is not a persistent world. Gamers can not visit their friends' apartments unless their friends are logged in. "We are working on the persistent aspect of Home, and expect to implement it in the long term," says the note.

Among the other tidbits of information: users will be able to make money through online user-to-user auctions, there will be no child avatars, and lobbies will likely be localized and divided by region.

To see the entire document, download the file (.pdf format).

323 Comments

  • zellwwf

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 5:00 am PT

    Rosscero My Friend. u said that (and some hardcore gamers play more than 2 hours) these are not hardcore gamers... i barely consider my self as a gamer at all... though i play it over 4+ consecutive hours . play my "ps3" and yeah. on vacations i play it till the night that more that 12 hours a day! and my playstation 3 never failed me... cuz the ps3 rocks.. not like ur xbox

  • omerg1993

    Posted Jan 21, 2008 9:41 am PT

    looks good but not an x360 killer (btw ps3 vs x360 winner= your choice leave me out)

  • porchmonkey1

    Posted Jan 20, 2008 6:17 pm PT

    The Ps3 Needs to get in game XMB soon

  • fuzzy_hippo

    Posted Jan 19, 2008 7:48 am PT

    I own a ps3 and don't understand why people are saying that this game is going to dominate over the 360. Sure it will help sony with onling games making it easier to find people to play with but as far as 2008 will go i think that home will have a realativally low impact. I do still think that the 360 will not do as a good as the ps3 this year because of big, stunning games like little big planet and killzone 2 ( I am going to buy both). The 360 got lucky last year now the ps3 is going to take the top!

  • whantwhant

    Posted Dec 19, 2007 12:27 pm PT

    is it true there only going to let 50.000 people in the open beta trials

  • aceball69

    Posted Dec 3, 2007 1:13 pm PT

    This sounds like an awesome feature! Just another reason to get a PS3...

  • dmf_pokerman

    Posted Dec 1, 2007 10:47 am PT

    This is sweet. I cannot wait to get a PS3. The games and now the "Home." I can be at home and at Home at the same time. lol

  • jnvwv

    Posted Sep 29, 2007 3:58 pm PT

    Yes, it is free. You can purchase a bigger house, and more furniture, but Sony Home is basically free, unless you want more prestige.

  • jimmyhat999

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 8:22 pm PT

    Probably a stupid question but i havent really read up on it cause i dont have a PS3, is this completely free then cause by the looks of things i seriously doubt it and if it is then the free part is gunna be very limited unless you pay for somthin like a premiium package type thing.

  • Simba_Dude

    Posted Sep 6, 2007 8:39 pm PT

    I will probably use this for some basic use and meeting up with friends for some games. Other then that I don't want to waste countless hours bragging "look at what I added to my pad guys!" more like spend an hour set everything up in the house and start chatting with my friends. It would be nifty to see a couple of the bigger names out there try to get some firmware additions added to home so you can chat via text to people on your MSN, Yahoo, etc

  • Panman_Dan

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 9:33 pm PT

    What was that Xbox? Huh? I can't hear you! Haha, Xbox Live better go hide, Home makes Live look like a pushpop.

  • Weapon_XE

    Posted Aug 17, 2007 12:16 pm PT

    ps3 is the way. everything you buy for the 360 ( xbox live, wireless adapter, hd drive) already pushes you up to or past the price of a COMPLETE ps3 console BUILT-IN with blue ray ,( which is outselling hd and blockbuster has switched to just blu ray) free online community and gaming, and is wireless, bluetooth,ect. If i had to choose... i choose the non-defective system with the variety in games not just FPS games.

  • bihboy69

    Posted Aug 13, 2007 11:03 pm PT

    cant wait

    i wonder what date in august it will start?
    anybody know?

  • Homeless_Hero

    Posted Aug 11, 2007 7:21 am PT

    this is a great idea and i dont get how people think that xbox live is better than this when the truth is it cant even come close to this.

  • teewii

    Posted Aug 5, 2007 4:39 pm PT

    how do i make money so i can get a nice house and furniture? if that costs real money, im not getting this... but it is a great consept.. hope they dont make it just to get some extra money... great consept though. anyway there are so many great games coming for ps3 this year (and next year of course) so xbox is going down!

  • the_crosbie

    Posted Aug 2, 2007 8:50 am PT

    looks and sounds amazing

  • No-Go-Zone

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 12:55 am PT

    im not really aiming this at anyone but ive heard things liek well wheres them awesome system sellers, why hasnt it got really good online n stuff... well actually it dose have good online it will get those games also many sequils from system sellers on ps2... to be honest ive played on halo... and all they did was get a decent story line make a cool character some good vehicles good grafics good guns just all round goodness and the least amount of things wrong they could have and thats what grabbed games and kept them hooked... they didnt say oh this is rubbish it ruins the game im sick of it ill go play viva pinyata.... and because this is sonys real fist time makeing online (not just the odd game here and there on ps2 sony gamers are thinking this is great becauese this is their 1st time even though its not perfect.. 360 gamers will expect the no lag no glitches kinda stuff which theyve got on 360 already (with the 60$ a year) whatever you say about ps3 now wont be said when home is done...

  • No-Go-Zone

    Posted Jul 30, 2007 12:43 am PT

    Home is something that will replace the bodge msging system (nothing liek msn etc) where its like an email, and you can only send pictures with it. So when home comes around ite will be Joy! So you dont have to have people on ur fr list to meet them ( if you met one of the guys from OPM say; you could get an private intervew about the magazine and ask about some up -and- coming stuff ) And no this isnt actually a GAME its a place where you can meet freinds (while , like in britain, its poouring it down wiv rain sleet whatever) and still go beat them at pool, or watch a film or get all your clan together on a game on go Whoop another clans Arse... i cant see it as a reason for buying a ps3 coz u dont buy a pc for (just) msn you buy it for everything else. this will just make me wanna meet up with my m8s more... do up my pad and then sit back and relax while watching the latest game trailers. I want to know more about the connectivity to phones n psp (psp is probs exactly liek the home on the ps3, while the phone is just the talking part... i guess) but i love this idea coz the best i can do on my pc is Habbo hotel...

  • fizzyfunk

    Posted Jul 28, 2007 3:29 am PT

    This looks and sounds like a great idea imo! Still, i'm sure the 360 owners will still swear live is better lol only the real gaming fans can admit to liking something great on another platform... so i'm sure a huge percent of 360 owners will still say it's nowhere near as good as live. I'm glad they've done this as the ps3 online system is rather dull right now but this is going to change it big time!... can't wait for more news on the psp connectivity too

  • dave1590

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 3:42 am PT

    gtafighter - This isn't exactly a "Game" It's more like an interactive chatroom. Can't say this appeals to me too much, as I'm not buying a PS3 until the end of this year anyway, but this isn't influencing my decision. I hated second life,and seeing as this game resembles it quite alot, can't say it looks exciting. And I don't think microsoft will go downhill when this "game" comes out, as microsoft already have an established online community, and this is Sony trying to launch theres. I'll certainly watch with some intrest to see how this developes, as if Sony could beuil a succesful online community around this game, then MP support in future games could be greatly improved.

  • gtafighter0

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 11:55 am PT

    When this game comes out, Microsoft is gonna go downhill. This game looks amazing. Screw all Xbox360 users that say its better then PS3 when this game comes out! HA!

  • BDANick

    Posted Jul 26, 2007 6:54 am PT

    I agree, this is a seriously inspired concept. I think if they get all the facets in place this will be one of the main draws for PS3 owners.

    I got my PS3 very recently and agree with the point about xbox failures, Microsoft is going to feel the pain forom that one.

  • Melchia3113

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 12:02 pm PT

    Rosscero "and some hardcore gamers play more than 2 hours" Don't you think that that should have been accounted for when they initally designed the 360? What's the saying "If you can't stand the heat.....". Personally i'm a FFXI player. And anyone who plays a MMO knows you can count on playing much longer that 2 hours at a time. That being said I do like some of the games on 360, and I did own one at one time. (after sending it in for the 6th time I had enough). And think of this, how many people bought multiple systems to replace their out of warranty RROD 360? Don't you think that would pad XBOX sales a bit? just a few points I thought should be made. Take em for what they are. but if you respond to me please, do it intelligently. Now that I got that off my chest, Home is really innovative, imo. Can't wait to see all you PS3 owners there this fall!

  • Jaxsin25352

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 7:08 am PT

    If xbox fanboys hate the ps3 so much why the hell do yous post in the games i bet have them just basiclly have no life to live and sit at home all day posting stupid comments that ppl really don't care about personally i like both consoles im not a fanboy of either i plan on buying a ps3 and already have an xbox360 because i like exclusive games coming out fort both and for the xbox360 being being a defective console it really depends on your luck ive never had to send mine back but i have a friend whos had to send 3 back in the one year and i really like the sound of this home sounds alot more fun than xbox live

  • dante4live

    Posted Jul 24, 2007 4:59 am PT

    wtf?? i comehere to the news about home and all i see when i enter the page is hate comments from angry xbox fans...grow up and comment on xbox stuff, let ps3 users discuss teir games, without having to be pissed off by ur comments

  • rosscero

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 4:27 pm PT

    ah...xbox 360 it's not a defective system, like melo_211 says...
    Just don't have a cooler...and some hardcore gamers play more than 2 hours, overheating the system

  • rosscero

    Posted Jul 20, 2007 4:25 pm PT

    any prevision to xbox 360 launch?

    ...another unlucky idea from sony -.-
    better for me, MS user

  • BlueyesCyclone

    Posted Jul 12, 2007 3:34 pm PT

    SmArTaLeC1321 you are such an fing stupid full the ps3 does have games and good ones stop hating.

  • dbowlin17

    Posted Jul 1, 2007 7:57 pm PT

    This looks good. I am looking at getting a PS3 mid 08 so I cant wait

  • melo_211

    Posted Jul 1, 2007 8:28 am PT

    I actually work @ a retail...and I actually wouldn't doubt those numbers being true. The PS3 is really starting to pick up (partially with the help of promos and such) while the 360 is really not selling too well because it is a defective system. We get a lot of defective 360s back. And...Microsoft decides to package older systems in the new Summer Package with Forza 2 in it...don't believe me? Look @ the manufactures date on top of the barcode on the back of the system. The new systems (without Forza) are dated somewhere between 2007 February, while the Forza packages are like 2006 June..we even got one from 2005 November!! Thats not good selling man...(Although I do have both systems, just throwing some info out there)

  • SmArTaLeC1321

    Posted Jun 29, 2007 11:43 am PT

    Where did you get those numbers? I bet your information is false, and besides PS3 has no games lol 360 has many great ones. To bad Sony fans .

  • austinite04

    Posted Jun 10, 2007 1:52 pm PT

    I want to get the BETA NOW!!!!!!

    Sony Release Home Now~~ For the love of God!!

  • ssorg

    Posted May 11, 2007 5:53 pm PT

    Has anyone heard of anything on this, because obviously it is May and there still isn't anything out. Does anyone know anything?

  • Devilstator

    Posted May 7, 2007 6:28 pm PT

    Just to let all xbox360 fans the truth, who keep saying how badly the ps3 is selling at launch.

    The sales figures in the USA (xbox's strongest area) at their launch.
    So Month 1= Nov 05 for xbox360 and Nov 06 for pS3

    Months since launch xbox sales PS3 sales
    1 326k 197k
    2 607k 688k
    3 857k 932k
    4 1018k 1059k
    5 1210k 1189k

    As you can see the xbox360 is only just outsold the ps3 at launch in its home country, not to mension it had the whole market to itself.

    i know some people who bought an xbox360 just to keep them occupied until the ps3 launch.

  • kinofist

    Posted May 5, 2007 8:29 pm PT

    Got accepted as a April beta tester! I haven't done anything like this before so this will be an experience.

  • SAMKROW

    Posted Apr 22, 2007 8:24 am PT

    This looks crazy. I can't wait.

  • matthiewcorner

    Posted Apr 21, 2007 11:35 pm PT

    man this is wicked and its free! at least ill save some money from buying the PS3

  • darrenritt25

    Posted Apr 20, 2007 11:18 am PT

    How can anyone say Xboxlive is better? First of all Home is free, 2nd Home has so many more features than Live. Say for instance iwanna show my friend a video,movie, demo, pics or whatever.............he can come to my virtual apt,sit on my virtual couch,and watch it on my virtual T.V.
    Can you do that on Live? No. Also the fact that you can go out buy a PS3 and not get a game but still play mini-games like pool, bowling etc for free.
    I just dont see any comparison period.

  • Wardogg101

    Posted Apr 17, 2007 10:22 am PT

    Maybe i better get a flat m8 hahahaha!!!!!!!!!

  • Wardogg101

    Posted Apr 17, 2007 10:20 am PT

    This is going to be an awsome addition to the ps3. I can't wait PS3 kick 360s ass anyday for me!!! Home will be excellent!!!

  • AssKick-U-Lator

    Posted Apr 15, 2007 8:09 pm PT

    "users will be able to make money through online user-to-user auctions"

    what exactly is that?

  • phageDK

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 5:49 am PT

    Any1 know have to come in the close beta..? I keep checking www.homebetatrial.com but still no updates.. Starting to think that the site is a fake..

  • samdonni

    Posted Apr 8, 2007 11:45 am PT

    cant w8. this should be a good addition to the PS3

  • efrosas93

    Posted Apr 5, 2007 11:16 am PT

    haha wierd how almost never the ps3 is compared to the wii or the 360 compared to the wii. Its sad to watch such a crappy console (wii) trying to get in this battle of titans. Home looks great. Ps3 will win so bad. 360 is good, but ps3 is better.


    STRAIGHT UP SONY FANBOY

  • gtafighter0

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 8:57 pm PT

    wow home would be a major upgrade to the ps3 society! once i saw the prievew i was like... HOLY $H1T! too bad the final versoin's comming out at november but its still nice of sony to fire up the beta servers. PS3 will own Xbox360! they dont even have anything like this or will be (i think). while Wii users get to play around with thier Mii's haha. CANT WAIT!!!

  • FlaminUmpalumpa

    Posted Apr 2, 2007 11:13 am PT

    This is going to be an awsome addition to the ps3. I can't wait.

  • timothyt

    Posted Mar 26, 2007 12:46 am PT

    This, along with the new firmware patch which adds background downloading (yea! finally!) to the PS3, will hopefully help to encourage people to give the PS3 a chance. I bought one several months ago here in the states and was really doubting my purchase until recently. Now I've upgraded the hard drive to 160GB (without voiding the warranty and it only cost me $100), Motorstorm is out (and rocks!) and the future's starting to look bright for ol' Sony. My 360 still runs circles around my PS3 in online games, but this is a great first step for them to compete (and possibly dominate) next-gen online. My hat's off to them...

    Now if MS were to somehow work with Blizzard to put out a voice-integrated version of World of Warcraft for the 360, then the fight would REALLY be on...

  • maxmax1234

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 11:58 am PT

    this is really something that almost forces me to buy a ps3.... so i'm gonna its just released here in europe,, so only a few months waiting

  • pfie-t

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 11:16 am PT

    I ve got both a 360 and a ps3. Best of both worlds

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