Sony Playstation Home - Gen. Discussion & Info - Open Beta Available Now

Was just reading on Wikipedia about how HOME has been in development since 2005. Sony got mega-ambitious with the HOME featureset. I think everyone would have been better served if Sony phased in features one at a time instead of holding everything back for such a long time. They could have implemented a simple in-game XMB w/ voice chat and a music player long ago. That's what most people want right now. Just add the fancy features later.
 
[quote name='smiggity']I really think it will be packaged with the new store.. We can only hope![/QUOTE]

that's my guess. kotaku asked sony what was coming with the store since it was also a firmware update and sony responded that they couldn't say anything.
 
I wonder if that's because they're still in crunch mode on Home to see if they can get it ready in the next few weeks for a beta release.

What we do know is that they do need to start the beta soon, partly because it needs to attract attention, and having Home out and working in some form means developers can finally work on stuff to utilize it.

It also means they can start monetizing it by putting up ads, testing the ad systems, etc...

One thing I hope is that they also upgrade the XMB too, it needs a lot more things to make it more user friendly. Including a better, bigger, and more notifications areas that can be turned on and off per user preference.

And honestly, as much as I like the MXB, I wouldn't mind if they ditched that interface for something more like the new PSN Store.
 
it's also what looks like to be that we'll see HOME before the end of the month. reason for this is that Sony gets it out before GTAIV to get more pull/publicity to their side.
 
[quote name='Vanigan']I wonder if that's because they're still in crunch mode on Home to see if they can get it ready in the next few weeks for a beta release.

What we do know is that they do need to start the beta soon, partly because it needs to attract attention, and having Home out and working in some form means developers can finally work on stuff to utilize it.

It also means they can start monetizing it by putting up ads, testing the ad systems, etc...

One thing I hope is that they also upgrade the XMB too, it needs a lot more things to make it more user friendly. Including a better, bigger, and more notifications areas that can be turned on and off per user preference.

And honestly, as much as I like the MXB, I wouldn't mind if they ditched that interface for something more like the new PSN Store.[/QUOTE]

You're right, they need to get something out soon because this dev cycle has gone on forever. I can only hope that the extended time has been spent working with developers on already released PS3 games to backport Accomplishments, voice chat, etc... I really don't want to see things like "oh, this is an old game, it doesn't support HOME". If you look at when the 360 came out we're about 2.5 years into this console generation and it would be a damn shame for only half of the PS3 library to support HOME features.

As far as the XMB goes I think it's a great user interface concept for a game controller. It visually and functionally works like a D-pad. All Sony needs to do is make the buttons that are there do useful things. I would even go so far as to say that the XMB is superior to the 360's "blade" concept simply due to the fact that's it's so consistent across each different part of the interface.
 
[quote name='Vanigan']I'm not sure if GTA is any reason for it, unless there's some kind of GTA content in Home.

I wouldn't mind a GTA homespace.[/quote]
There is.
There was an article posted talking about how doing certain things in GTAIV unlocked certain items for Home.
 
[quote name='NTolerance']Was just reading on Wikipedia about how HOME has been in development since 2005. Sony got mega-ambitious with the HOME featureset. I think everyone would have been better served if Sony phased in features one at a time instead of holding everything back for such a long time. They could have implemented a simple in-game XMB w/ voice chat and a music player long ago. That's what most people want right now. Just add the fancy features later.[/quote]

The player-to-player voice chat is a joke.. and the no in-game music thing sucks as well.. isn't there an easy way to just copy the way XBL runs those two things? Much needed additions, are they coming?
 
I don't have high expectations for home, but it will definitely be a welcome addition to the PS3 brand. Keeping a running list of games owned for people to match up with you would be pretty cool. If I have a friend pick up COD4 in a few months and it's been collecting dust for whatever reason, it'll be nice to have an invite that will re-invigorate my interest.
 
[quote name='DestroVega']The player-to-player voice chat is a joke.. and the no in-game music thing sucks as well.. isn't there an easy way to just copy the way XBL runs those two things? Much needed additions, are they coming?[/QUOTE]

I agree 100%. I made a thread about this as well.

The funny thing is that in spite of all the fancy HOME features, whenever a Sony PR dude gets asked about the mythical "in-game XMB", they always just mention "we will have in-game communication". There's a huge difference between simple in-game chat and an in-game XMB. In-game XMB would imply all sorts of in-game options such as a music player and whatnot. In-game communication simply means chat. #-o
 
Being that the ps3 XMB is realtivley new, the os is still bloated..I read somewhere that the entire 360 OS only takes up 32mb of space..Which is because they have been trimming the fat away for two and a half years, once the PS3 gets rid of some of the extra fat, in-game xmb will be implemented..
 
Check out what Noel Silva posted on the official ps blog!
Noel Silvia | April 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Hi, folks!
Quick update for all of you.
I just went through all of your comments again and gathered all of your questions, comments, and concerns.
Even though we’ve been hard at work getting the new Store ready for its launch, we’ve put in some extra-extra hours to put together a special treat for you.
Can’t say too much (don’t wanna ruin the surprise), but keep an eye here on the Blog over the next few days!
See you guys soon!

Noel Silvia replied on April 3, 2008 at 1:17 am

avatar_9140.jpg
I can see it now - people taking this “little surprise” and running with it.
So, to clear things up, emphasis on “little”.
For those who don’t like surprises, read on…
SPOILER
We’re going to be recapping some of your comments with answers to some of your questions, although please keep in mind that there are some we cannot address for a variety of reasons. Also, we should have some new screen shots for you, including a comparison of the HD and SD Stores, possibly some “early looks” at the Store, and Jeff’s trying to get some video together for you guys so you can see the thing in motion.
/SPOILER
This time, “little surprise” actually means “little”, but we’re proud of what we’re working on and want to share it with all of you since, from the comments here, you’re eager to see how it’s coming along!
icon_wink.gif
 
Sounds like just store news.
Not Home.

But that's ok.
I'd like to see video of the store, wonder if it's dynamic at all.
 
They need to get that Beta out ASAP. You know they're going to be sitting on their ass once they get the feedback, just like they did last time. We keep hearing "oh yeah Home is coming soon". It should have been out already.
 
I completely agree with Tuna.. Hopefully they give us the open beta by the end of the month.. The best thing for them is to at least open it up during the beginning of their fiscal quarter..
 
[quote name='DestroVega']The player-to-player voice chat is a joke.. and the no in-game music thing sucks as well.. isn't there an easy way to just copy the way XBL runs those two things? Much needed additions, are they coming?[/QUOTE]

I agree 100%. I made a thread about this as well.

The funny thing is that in spite of all the fancy HOME features, whenever a Sony PR dude gets asked about the mythical "in-game XMB", they always just mention "we will have in-game communication". There's a huge difference between simple in-game chat and an in-game XMB. In-game XMB would imply all sorts of in-game options such as a music player and whatnot. In-game communication simply means chat. #-o
 
Being that the ps3 XMB is realtivley new, the os is still bloated..I read somewhere that the entire 360 OS only takes up 32mb of space..Which is because they have been trimming the fat away for two and a half years, once the PS3 gets rid of some of the extra fat, in-game xmb will be implemented..
 
Check out what Noel Silva posted on the official ps blog!
Noel Silvia | April 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Hi, folks!
Quick update for all of you.
I just went through all of your comments again and gathered all of your questions, comments, and concerns.
Even though we’ve been hard at work getting the new Store ready for its launch, we’ve put in some extra-extra hours to put together a special treat for you.
Can’t say too much (don’t wanna ruin the surprise), but keep an eye here on the Blog over the next few days!
See you guys soon!

Noel Silvia replied on April 3, 2008 at 1:17 am

avatar_9140.jpg
I can see it now - people taking this “little surprise” and running with it.
So, to clear things up, emphasis on “little”.
For those who don’t like surprises, read on…
SPOILER
We’re going to be recapping some of your comments with answers to some of your questions, although please keep in mind that there are some we cannot address for a variety of reasons. Also, we should have some new screen shots for you, including a comparison of the HD and SD Stores, possibly some “early looks” at the Store, and Jeff’s trying to get some video together for you guys so you can see the thing in motion.
/SPOILER
This time, “little surprise” actually means “little”, but we’re proud of what we’re working on and want to share it with all of you since, from the comments here, you’re eager to see how it’s coming along!
icon_wink.gif
 
Sounds like just store news.
Not Home.

But that's ok.
I'd like to see video of the store, wonder if it's dynamic at all.
 
They need to get that Beta out ASAP. You know they're going to be sitting on their ass once they get the feedback, just like they did last time. We keep hearing "oh yeah Home is coming soon". It should have been out already.
 
I completely agree with Tuna.. Hopefully they give us the open beta by the end of the month.. The best thing for them is to at least open it up during the beginning of their fiscal quarter..
 
It looks like a Beta version 1.0 is already on Sony servers, but access is restricted. This is a damn near guarantee that the public beta will be out soon. The links and boards on the official PS forums have been locked/removed, so this is what i could gather from my history. links and info is pretty sketchy, but it seems true..

http://www.ps3news.com/forums/ps3-online-chat/playstation-home-working-but-you-cant-play-95953.html

Heres one of the locked threads at official ps forums
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3home&thread.id=162445
 
It looks like a Beta version 1.0 is already on Sony servers, but access is restricted. This is a damn near guarantee that the public beta will be out soon. The links and boards on the official PS forums have been locked/removed, so this is what i could gather from my history. links and info is pretty sketchy, but it seems true..

http://www.ps3news.com/forums/ps3-online-chat/playstation-home-working-but-you-cant-play-95953.html

Heres one of the locked threads at official ps forums
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3home&thread.id=162445
 
The firmware is ready for it as it adds the Home icon under network when you download it.

The private beta shows up under "games".

14pfsw.jpg
 
The 1.0 version is the version locked on the servers, NOT the private beta that is currently running.. No problem for the updates, I am looking forward to Home as much as the rest of you.
 
[quote name='RelentlessRolento']I pray so. I still say it'll launch when the new store/firmware is out.[/quote]

Wow that would be awesome.

I really hope (as someone mentioned earlier) that they went back and added accomplishments for exisiting games. That would be lame if a majority of the PS3 library didn't have any because the game was "old".
 
[quote name='Blackout542']Wow that would be awesome.

I really hope (as someone mentioned earlier) that they went back and added accomplishments for exisiting games. That would be lame if a majority of the PS3 library didn't have any because the game was "old".[/QUOTE]

Gotta be pessimistic on this one. Think of all the ancient 360 games that never got a post-release patch. Most developers/publishers drop a title like a bad habit once the initial 2-week sale blitz is over. The same thing will probably happen with the older PS3 games. No HOME support, no accomplishments. If Sony was smart they would have mandated HOME support at the onset in 2006 and put the developers under NDA to not disclose features, but considering how long in the tooth HOME is I suspect they had no idea what they'd be doing with the service in 2006. Get ready for half of the PS3 library to be HOME-incompatible. :roll:

I'd also like to know if games that are assured to have a HOME update (Uncharted, Warhawk, Resistence, etc) will grant retroactive accomplishements.
 
I'm sure we'll see patches for basic Home support of all past online games.
In the same way we've gotten random patches for rumble support when they didn't have to do that either.
 
[quote name='dallow']I'm sure we'll see patches for basic Home support of all past online games.
In the same way we've gotten random patches for rumble support when they didn't have to do that either.[/QUOTE]

I'm curious to know how many third party and non-Sony exclusive developers implemented rumble support post-release. Also, it's probably a much bigger deal to implement all the HOME features into a game that wasn't designed for it than to simply add rumble to certain game events.
 
[quote name='NTolerance']Gotta be pessimistic on this one. Think of all the ancient 360 games that never got a post-release patch. Most developers/publishers drop a title like a bad habit once the initial 2-week sale blitz is over. The same thing will probably happen with the older PS3 games. No HOME support, no accomplishments. If Sony was smart they would have mandated HOME support at the onset in 2006 and put the developers under NDA to not disclose features, but considering how long in the tooth HOME is I suspect they had no idea what they'd be doing with the service in 2006. Get ready for half of the PS3 library to be HOME-incompatible. :roll:

I'd also like to know if games that are assured to have a HOME update (Uncharted, Warhawk, Resistence, etc) will grant retroactive accomplishements.[/quote]

I'm not expecting games like Godfather or Madden 200X to have them, but it would be nice if they went back and added them. At least for games coming out now (DMC4 etc) games are already coming with them, so it will be easier to throw into Home.

Are those achievements I got in Uncharted going to be thrown into Home or will I have to play the game over again? I hope they have some sort of thing where it just reads your HD and automatically gives you the achievements you already have. Is that even possible?
 
I'd expect that it would be easy for them to add Home trophies for games that already had their own accomplishment system. Otherwise, you'll probably have to earn them all from scratch.
 
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