Home opening up December 17?

Source: The Times of London.

What we heard: In April, Sony revealed the second delay for PlayStation Home, an online, avatar-based social-networking hub for the PlayStation 3. Since then, the publisher has been adamant about getting Home's open beta out by the end of the year--or more precisely, fall 2008. To that end, Sony has steadily added to its closed beta pool throughout the summer.

With all eyes turned toward the open beta, The Times of London appears to be under the impression that Home in its full glory is a mere 10 days away. In a spotlight feature article posted Sunday, The Times stated, "To try Home, which is slated for release in the next 10 days, players must download a piece of free software from Sony's PlayStation store onto their own PS3." (Emphasis added)

The official story: "Not sure where that report generated that date," Patrick Seybold, SCEA's director of corporate communications and social media, told GameSpot. "We haven't made any announcements on a specific date for when we'd roll out the open beta for launch, except to say by the end of the year."

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus that Home proper will arrive in the next 10 days. However, with fall 2008 officially expiring as of 12:01 a.m. on December 21, it seems as if Sony will be taking this one to the wire. Don't be surprised if the long-promised open beta lands on or around December 17 (more likely December 18, considering Sony's proclivity toward Thursdays).

136 Comments

  • GIF

    Posted Dec 22, 2008 2:14 am PT

    HOME came and went and it still sucks. Plus the servers were hacked and voice chat was taken away. I think its a weak ass joke that is a complete and utter failure. And to expect me as a user to buy clothes for my avatar or furniture for my apartment is ridiculous. Xbox LIVE is a clear winner Sony, sorry........on that note the 360 and PS3 each have features that I like. I love my PS3s Blu-Ray, internet browsing and exclusive games. I love my Xbox 360s game library, unparalleled online game play and the new features like High Def Netflix streaming and the NXE.

  • _Matt_

    Posted Dec 11, 2008 12:50 pm PT

    Its up in europe now. Im un UK and started downloading now

  • dustybigham

    Posted Dec 10, 2008 10:58 am PT

    I have the beta. It is not all that great. Don't expect too much. Cool for about an hour but wish Sony would spend more time on games. My PS3 is now in the shop for 7 to 15 business days. Sucks!!!

  • abu_eljod

    Posted Dec 10, 2008 3:11 am PT

    Finally,but too late

  • dmish82

    Posted Dec 10, 2008 2:39 am PT

    Well, Sony's official site and blog announce that tomorrow, Thursday Dec. 11th, Home will enter open beta meaning that EVERYONE can get in.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 9:08 pm PT

    Kinda makes me wonder, I mean there is less than 3 weeks left in the year and they STILL cant come up with a date.

  • BlueFlameBat

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 5:14 pm PT

    If it stays worse than Runescape, however, I'll be upset.

  • BlueFlameBat

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 5:06 pm PT

    I just want to play it. It doesn't have to be a grand masterpiece from the very beginning. I won't mind if it's not even as good as the free version of Runescape.

  • deathreturns

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 4:38 pm PT

    Whether anyone one here fanboys or not states that it won't even be worth it. I have the Beta and in my own honest opinion think that it is truly worth the wait. The 1 year wait? No, but if it is a few more months that is alright with me. The beta I find so addicting and love every second about it. The customization goes above and beyond which is similar to Oblivion with the specifics. There is so many things to do as well and especially a lot with friends, such as bowling, pool, chess, etc. There is a lot to do for a "game" that is free.

  • breakitapart

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 3:29 pm PT

    yay? Who cares anymore...

  • CharlieFubar

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 2:04 pm PT

    i cant wait for home because 200000 news articles in the last 2 years speculating its arrival are getting old... i mean, it isnt that important anyway. It doesnt have much to do with games, as much as just "which system has the coolest pointless avatar integration"

  • s_h_a_d_o

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 1:54 pm PT

    A plethora of fanboyisms ... grow up people! Stop being so self-absorbed and talk about the issue!
    I'm a little ambivalent about HOME - looks interesting, but I'm not sure that "realism" in the portrayals of avatars and environment is the way to go - to much "uncanny valley"! XBox got it right I think with the exaggerated, cartoony look to the user persona.
    EDIT:
    Lordy, lordy - I own a PS3, usually prefer anything to MS products and still get a thumbs down for stating an honest opinion?
    Morons!

  • pop_can

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 1:20 pm PT

    its funny watching people fight over consoles
    can't wait for home, it will be like the xbox live marketplace, only home will be an actual marketplace

  • SouL-Tak3R posted Dec 9, 2008 1:16 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    SouL-Tak3R

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 1:16 pm PT (hide)

    I have all systems and it really doesn't matter. The 360 rules online play.

  • SouL-Tak3R posted Dec 9, 2008 1:15 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    SouL-Tak3R

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 1:15 pm PT (hide)

    The home idea is stupid

  • boogernator

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 1:10 pm PT

    i also like 360 cuz of exclusive games.

  • boogernator

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 1:06 pm PT

    ps3 pwns 360. 360 isn't shiny. also the ps3 is the "most high tech console" according to gamespot

  • boogernator

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 1:05 pm PT

    ps3 pwns 360. 360 isn't shiny. also the ps3 is the "most high tech console" according to gamespot

  • JayQproductions posted Dec 9, 2008 12:47 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    JayQproductions

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:47 pm PT (hide)

    @dulichild

    the reason everyone likes the 360 better is because it is better. on 90% of the multi-platform games the graphics look almost the exact same on both systems except on the 360 you get more detail in the far distance, the online play is WAY better because everyone has a microphone, the PS3 is too expensive.

  • puablo

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:37 pm PT

    So far the beta has been *more* lame than I already thought Home was going to be, so lets hope it has some worthwhile content when it goes live.

  • JamesSoprano

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:37 pm PT

    um. they specificly mentioned Fall 2008 for some time now. but then got changed to before 2008 ends .. so if it's an extra 10 days on top of that SO WHAT ?????? at least you all will still have it right !?

  • zgreenwell

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:35 pm PT

    Those employees worked in the electronics division. Sony is a big company and most people have no idea what is going on in other departments.

  • sciteach256

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:33 pm PT

    i bet the info leaked from one of the 8000 sony employees that were canned

  • dulichild posted Dec 9, 2008 12:32 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    dulichild

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:32 pm PT (hide)

    Sony better put this out soon before Microsoft copies Home and creates yet another patch for the xbox update. Home is going to be free right? Also PS3 is better. The only reason people like xbox more is because xbox came out be4 PS3 and all those rich people rushed out to get them for their childeren forcing rich peoples friends to get them because of peer pressure. Sorry my theory may sound weird but think about it.

  • DrKill09

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:29 pm PT

    Cool! I've been waiting for this news for a while.

  • zgreenwell

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:28 pm PT

    I'm predicting a Holiday 2009 release.

  • flameducky

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:21 pm PT

    I hope this is the real release date. I'm tired of these false sources. But hey, 08 is almost over, so there is a chance it's a Sony employee leaking some info.

  • anshanlord

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:19 pm PT

    i doubt that it will be another fake-release date it took as much as time it could take

  • anshanlord

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:19 pm PT

    yeah im so waiting for this

  • DarkNeoBahamut

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:15 pm PT

    I should try this

  • fdaguila

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:11 pm PT

    At this point Home is a flop or at the very least false advertising! Sony should of put their efforts into a quality on-line interface and adding features to enhance it's home entertainment value. While my jealousy increases of the XBOX 360 especially the netflix aspect, Sony needs to pull there head out of there "HOME" and supply us the customers what we purchased.

  • FLEEBS

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 11:38 am PT

    Go Home, Sony.

  • Gamer_4_Fun

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 11:34 am PT

    The beta is great.

  • thegame1980

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 11:01 am PT

    I expect as Sony's MO that there will be another delay.

  • PuhJesus

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:50 am PT

    Closed beta was fun for about an hour.. I played pool, I played bowling.. however, theres not enough of either games for the amount of people in closed beta alone... The shops are all closed and its kind of bleehhh...

  • arbrooks28

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:46 am PT

    I've been playing the beta for about a month now. I haven't seen all the features that were promised, but it's looking pretty good. I can see how there is/will be expansions to the base download. As far as the community settings? I've made more friends than I had playing games like warhawk or Resistance. The "stores" have just now started to carry items, the main lobby is large and has a few things to do ( music and a trailer area); the theater is nothing more than watching "behind the scenes" and trailers; the arcade/bowling ally is where the funs at. The bowling game has a pretty steap learning curve, but I find it fun to play. And the mini-arcade games gives you prizes for completing levels, such different clothing. So far, the only game I can launch from home is Warhawk...I really hope that changes soon.

  • otanikun

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:30 am PT

    Really and for true?
    Golly gee it's been a long time coming, I can't wait!

  • paul265

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:29 am PT

    I downloaded the beta and deleted it 5mins later, just don't see the point of it.

  • RawhideSphinx

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:27 am PT

    I'am in the home beta and I'm not impressed easily, but it was a great experience, one that a lot of people are going to enjoy. And the price you can't beat that price. It's a great place to hang out. Like cheers.

  • insanitycheck3 Site moderator

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:22 am PT

    20081209 Post 2

  • mjc0961

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:15 am PT

    I already got invited to one beta of Home and was severely unimpressed. I guess they were trying to test the servers to see what they could handle, but since there was nothing to do, I turned it off.

  • Megavideogamer

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:05 am PT

    Well if the Open home beta does come before Dec 21 2008. I'll give it a shot see what all the fuss is about. However I don't think that it will be here before April?

  • EyeBleedNoSleep

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 10:00 am PT

    You know how you can put the Nintendo's Miis in different Nintendo games as playable characters? I wonder if you could do that with the home avatars. That would be AWESOME. Having a character in my likeness running around in the next installment of Uncharted-Drake’s Fortune. Or getting my head blown off in future Unreal Tournaments! I know I’m reaching way out there but a gamer can dream can he?

  • warlok9

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 9:56 am PT

    Hopefully this will help Sony close the gap to Xbox Live featurewise. Not sure I get the whole "virtual life" aspect of Home. I mean I think it's cool that it's there, but I am not so sure Sony isn't wasting their time.

  • xXRorschachXx

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 9:55 am PT

    just release it already.
    Theres nothing to do in the beta.
    You have the mall with nothing in it, the house with nothing in it, central square with nothing in it, the movie theater with the same socom video every day, and the game room in which its almost impossible to bowl because everybody is.

    I like home, i just want to see the full version.

  • BuckGame

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 9:48 am PT

    Home IS OUt its ABout TIME tha BETA Is CooL tho

  • nephili232

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 9:02 am PT

    I was in the Home beta during the summer and not much has changed. It looked pretty much finished then, I don't know what the delay is. Of course they can always add more/bigger spaces but that's kind of the nature of the beast. I'd rather be playing games but all in all Home is pretty sweet.

  • djthebandit

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 8:54 am PT

    With the way things are now, I hope they wait. Unless the release comes with a massive update, people will be pretty dissapointed after the first day "OMG moment I can't believe it's out finally!"

    HOME looks pretty, and has massive potential, but really needs a lot of work still.

  • zmbi_gmr

    Posted Dec 9, 2008 8:36 am PT

    @Dream Clock

    If your right that would be great.

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