PlayStation Home beta comes to Europe

Closed beta for Sony's virtual world has started in Europe.

The first phase of the European beta for PlayStation Home kicked off yesterday evening, starting with "a small group of both internal staff and known beta testers."

Sometime during "summer," the online community will be made available to a wider group of testers. Those who are interested in signing up can register their interest on the company's Web site.

Sony Worldwide Studios president Phil Harrison first announced Home--billed as a community-based, three-dimensional sim for the PlayStation Network on the PlayStation 3 console--at this year's Game Developers Conference.

In the US, Sony confirmed that the beta would also run in two phases, with 15,000 users beta testing in April and 50,000 in August, although numbers have not been given for the European beta. Home is set for release in the US and Europe "around October or November time," according to SCEE's senior PR manager Jonathan Fargher.

178 Comments

  • KingX

    Posted May 19, 2007 1:52 pm PT

    give it out earlier Sony! your current online stuff is stinky!

  • theKSMM

    Posted May 12, 2007 5:12 pm PT

    I can't say that I'm excited about seeing PlayStation Home, but I am curious about it. I might not mind being a beta tester. Still, the best potential feature for Home would be having a unified way of getting into online games. Right now that's the biggest advantage of XBOX Live!

  • TrumpyTheDog

    Posted May 4, 2007 2:02 am PT

    This is nothing more than something else to hide the lack of quality titles available, I didn't pick up a PS3 to fart around on SecondLifeLite... I want something to play.

  • zsc4

    Posted May 4, 2007 12:48 am PT

    Nice, good on Europe..

  • GrimBee

    Posted May 3, 2007 9:49 am PT

    It's still amazing how alot of my friends (who have ps3's) don't really use the online functions of the ps3.

    Its strange, my friends who have 360's now (previous xbox owners) immediately wanted the console online. I guess it was second nature especially after the first xbox.

    But ps2 users aren't really accustomed to using a playstation for online stuff, not many games were link-friendly, and more pc-nerds had xbox's than ps2's. So I guess the multiplayer and online stuff is more natural to an xbox fan, than a playstation fan.

    So, it still amazes me how some friends only use online for updates, not bothering with trailers, online games or especially the "home". Alot of them hardly even know what "playstation home" is!!

    Somehow, I reckon that "home" is a bit too much of a departure from what Playstation users are used to. It seems more at "home" on the wii, or the pc.
    I like playstation, with my 360 (that I used to have) I liked playing online. It was one of those "to do" things on the console.
    I played the wii, and any game without motion controls is just a waste of money (imo).
    And I use my friends ps3 to play those playstation favourite games that I am used to - in no way am I compelled to use the "home" thing. I think its a bit too different for the style of the console.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted May 3, 2007 7:13 am PT

    home = all hype

  • Elite_Jounin

    Posted May 3, 2007 6:15 am PT

    Hi haters.....GOOD WORK SONY!

  • TTDog

    Posted May 3, 2007 1:48 am PT

    "hovan316: HOME will take over the online gaming world...just wait and see..."

    That seems to be the Sony fanboy anthem "Just wait and see..." or "Just wait until september..." or "Just give it six months...."

    Why wait when you can get everything you're waiting for NOW on PC or other consoles?

  • kavadias1981

    Posted May 2, 2007 11:11 pm PT

    Yay

  • dark_drex

    Posted May 2, 2007 10:51 pm PT

    only for 15K & there is more than 3M ps3 user!!!

  • Serious

    Posted May 2, 2007 9:46 pm PT

    I think Home is a great idea. However, I somehow doubt that it will be the social engine that Sony is hoping for. Let's face it. Most of the console buyers are guys. I doubt there will be very many girls on the system. Maybe a bunch of posers or internet predators seeking out the young and naive. Will Sony have a system to address this danger to kids. yeah I know not too many kids parents could afford it but you never know. I for one look forward to the interaction with other players.

  • jakeboudville

    Posted May 2, 2007 9:27 pm PT

    Good to hear but i'm still not convinced by the concept of it

  • UrbanMessiah

    Posted May 2, 2007 9:23 pm PT

    I must admit, Home does look like it could be a fun little time waster...Something to goof off on in-between game releases. Hurry up and drop the PS3 price, Sony, so I can join in the fun! -=x

  • PSPZero

    Posted May 2, 2007 7:46 pm PT

    Cant wait to get a ps3 filled with home lol

  • GPSnake03

    Posted May 2, 2007 7:33 pm PT

    can't wait for home! but cmon..

  • TheJoker003

    Posted May 2, 2007 7:25 pm PT

    well, finally some progress in home

  • rosssca

    Posted May 2, 2007 6:13 pm PT

    How exactly do you sign up on the Home Web site? It's the same message as always. You are wrong.

  • Skat137321

    Posted May 2, 2007 5:09 pm PT

    still waiting for home to go at least on open beta...i know it's too soon but i'm very impacient about testing it

  • bboycookie2

    Posted May 2, 2007 4:55 pm PT

    home seems really cool.i think i will get my ps3 at the end of this month

  • stunt_boarder03

    Posted May 2, 2007 4:43 pm PT

    They sad 15,000 in April... I've checked the website 5 times a day since it was announced and I haven't seen anything...

  • the-very-best

    Posted May 2, 2007 4:30 pm PT

    Hopefully the final build makes it before GTAIV is released.

  • JoeyDrey

    Posted May 2, 2007 4:00 pm PT

    I dont understand, I got an email for the US version of the beta and we are still waiting on some sort of confirmation, wheres the email Sony?

  • justincoool

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:51 pm PT

    can't wait for home!

  • Someguyinavan

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:41 pm PT

    I dont like the people that comes here and have zero intresting in PS3 or home... Just trying to convince people too not buy a PS3 is stupid..

  • majindustin

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:24 pm PT

    Sony said at GDC that the Home beta would start in April, and I haven't heard anything else about it besides this...

  • plastic1980

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:23 pm PT

    "Those who are interested in signing up can register their interest on the company's Web site."

    No you cant....

  • g_hart

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:17 pm PT

    Don't get me wrong. I want MGS, GTA, and several other games on the PS3, but this is the first thing that I can actually say that I'm looking forward to.

  • mad_tyger

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:16 pm PT

    Cool, glad to see Europe getting the chance to test Home out. I just signed up through Gap, so I hope I get chosen

  • lilmp89

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:11 pm PT

    F1sTDaCuffS
    wow...yea...besides the fact that Europe is pretty well on the top of the list to pay back for all the delays...Chances are that all Home beta testing for the US will be held exclusively to the PS3 owners within the Playstation Gamer Advisory Panel, who have beta tested numerous games for the PS2 for a few years now.

  • hovan316

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:06 pm PT

    HOME will take over the online gaming world...just wait and see...

  • sanjt

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:05 pm PT

    levent18 why don't you post an intelligent reason for why you disagree with chunky's statement that you don't buy a games console for one reason. Go on. Give it a go.

  • FurioustigerGR

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:04 pm PT

    chunkybloodfart

    You don't buy an Ipod for one song.
    You don't buy a phone to make a call to one person.
    You don't buy a DVD player for one movie.
    And you don't buy a system for one game.

    ======================================================

    You don't buy a CONDOM for one WOMAN !!!!

  • gnrlcryingwolf

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:04 pm PT

    yeah you own the world. but it's not that you're good at it, now are you? :-)
    anyway, if i wanted this "home" crap, i would buy the sims. much ado about nothing

  • F1sTDaCuffS

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:02 pm PT

    crap on the usa huh. it should be beta here first, dont they know we own the world.

  • lilmp89

    Posted May 2, 2007 3:02 pm PT

    levent18
    Can you comprehend what comes out of yours? The idea he's expressing is true and a very important fact all people should take into consideration before making an investment in any product.

  • levent18

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:59 pm PT

    chunky do u actually believe the crap that is comming out of ur mouth?

  • ex-paranoia

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:34 pm PT

    king-akt > It was invite only.

    daniel665 > I'd rather play tennis and all those other sports, outdoors where they belong. In Home they are just gimicks. Things to waste time on, they aren't really meant to mimic the Wii gameplay or anything like that. Home is just a virtual space, where you can meet up with friends, meet new people to add to your friendslist, view other people's achievements through their "trophy" room. And if you wanted to watch their videos or listen to the music on their hard drives, then you can visit their "space". It's just a small online 3D community where you can chat, meet new people, and even launch online games from.

  • sanjt

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:30 pm PT

    chunkybloodfart, you speak the truth!

  • snipe2004

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:30 pm PT

    Home looks very interesting and will really expand the psn to what it needs to be...as good as LIVE or better. i guess all the bashing the xbots give is probably because this might surpass their precious LIVE.

  • Haruhi_love

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:23 pm PT

    HMMMM if home works well then it will be a nice addition i will have to check up on it at a friends house as hes gona beta test it hopefully it will be cool.

  • daniel665

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:21 pm PT

    Also as for having a virtual house/life in home i guess secondlife people will love it but i have to say i already have a good life and don't have as much free time as i would like due to work so why would i wanna spend it in a virtual world where quite frankly you won't bebale to smell,touch,feel things like u do in the real world. i think its crazy but i guess that a matter of opinion.

  • daniel665

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:18 pm PT

    Home does look intersting but i have a 360/wii and if i wanted to play pool, bowling, golf, baseball,boxing,tennis, air hockey,shooting etc id rather play it on the wii as its alot more fun/immersive with the remote/nun chuk. I hope that they will release an update that allows people to play these games online as well. IMAGINE having a friend round to play doubles in tennis against another group of friends from some where in the world. how cool would that be. Homes good but nintendo have already been there done that using miis and WII PLAY/WII SPORTS. Plus using the remote to play these games feels like you are actually on the tennis court/ bowling alley. Can't see Home beating this experience. SOLS TO THE PS3 FANBOYS BUT IT'S TRUE. don't beleive me have a go on a wii and then come back and tell me im talking crap.

  • king-akt

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:13 pm PT

    im suprised, as there homebeta website always says "check back later", there wasn't even a chance to sign up.

  • snipe2004

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:10 pm PT

    @anakid

    its going to be free.

  • bkslayer

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:09 pm PT

    it's completely free to download and use

  • anakid

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:07 pm PT

    Will people have to pay for home, is it going to be like buying a new game or it is going to be a free download from the sony network? Anyone know?

  • xtremeimport

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:04 pm PT

    home should give Sony a boost, if it does what they say it will.
    it looks like something different and entertaining. although, some people dont want different so it could be a problem. But its good to see Sony working on their online, since apparently thats why people are buying the Xbox instead.

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