Playstation Home Thread

[Digital-Nitrate]

Namco Museum is a JP only beta at this stage, I got into it on my JP account the same time I got on Home. It has Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug and one other game that I'm not sure what it's called.

It's Xevious. It was an extremely popular arcade game that came out near the end of the Golden Age of Arcade Games.

 

[Lernatix]

this THREAD is borderline scaff.

sure, i might have been wrong abour your OP
but the way this is going you might as well
start one for KZ2.

 

[Scaff]

this THREAD is borderline scaff.

sure, i might have been wrong abour your OP
but the way this is going you might as well
start one for KZ2.

You are aware that the current build of Home does not have an Non-Disclosure Agreement (simply an End User Licence Agreement), and as such nothing in this thread can be a borderline breach of an NDA.

You will not find anything in here that is not also publically posted here.....


http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board?board.id=b_EN_PS3_Home


...a fully public thread on the Home public beta.


The point behind this stage of the Beta is to load test the servers, as such nothing about it exists that is not already in the public domain. If you want a Beta to remain totally confidential then you don't invite over half a million people (in Europe alone) to join it and then ask them to post up thoughts in a publically viewable forum (as the official Sony on is).


Can I also ask you to use capitals in your posts, the GT Planet AUP does quite clearly ask that this is done....

No slang words that promote laziness, ie; “r”, “u”, “plz”, etc. will be tolerated. Decent grammar is expected, including proper usage of capital letters. Repeated violations will be grounds for suspension and/or permanent removal from the forums.

.....thanks.


Scaff

 

[TheMoose]

Well Gizmodo says Home open beta coming December 17th.

According to Times Online, the PlayStation Home open beta will hit on December 17th. From an article published yesterday:

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.

Just keep in mind that even if Times Online has the scoop, they're a UK publication who may not be speaking for a worldwide release date.

Then again, December 17th up with Sony's own assurances quite nicely...even if it's all a bit too late for pre-Christmas hype.

 

[FoolKiller]

Well Gizmodo says Home open beta coming December 17th.

According to Times Online, the PlayStation Home open beta will hit on December 17th. From an article published yesterday:

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.

Just keep in mind that even if Times Online has the scoop, they're a UK publication who may not be speaking for a worldwide release date.

Then again, December 17th up with Sony's own assurances quite nicely...even if it's all a bit too late for pre-Christmas hype.

December 17th sounds a bit fishy as store updates do not happen on Wednesdays. December 18th sounds more likely.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

December 17th sounds a bit fishy as store updates do not happen on Wednesdays. December 18th sounds more likely.

There could be a couple explanations, the Dec 17th date 'might' be for Japan, and that publication was using that date. The other, which actually makes sense, is that it will come out a day before the PSN update, as the server loads will likely be massive with so many people downloading the Home installation file off the PSN store servers. So it would make sense that they release it at least a day before the regularly scheduled store updates in order to minimize traffic on the PSN store servers.



Speaking of Home, while I am not a fan of complaining... I'm very disappointed that Sony still has not made it possible for a Master Account to change any Sub Account to a Master Account. The only way to do this is to create a brand new account... but doing this makes the person who was using the sub account to not only lose their PSN ID, but also all the trophies they had earned. Not only that, but if they have purchased any DLC under their sub account and then delete it from that PS3, that DLC will no longer be available. Granted, if you contact Sony's Customer Service, they can transfer ownership of DLC from one account to another, but it's still something we all need to be aware of.

I bring this up here only because currently, sub accounts, even if the Master Account removed all parental controls for that account, and even if they are old enough, are not allowed to participate in Home.

I contacted Sony Customer Service about this issue and they say they are looking into ways of allowing sub account to be turned into master accounts, but apparently it is the way their system is setup that they say locks a PSN ID, thus the reason why we can't change PSN IDs or change the account classification.


So for those that are considering creating a sub account for someone... just know that currently, not only will they not be able to change it to a master account, but they will also not have access to Home. That will hopefully change, but for now, that's the situation.

 

[WallRunner]

December 17th sounds a bit fishy as store updates do not happen on Wednesdays. December 18th sounds more likely.

http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/12/08/rumor-home-is-coming-on-dec-17th/

According to that, Home's Director, Jack Buser, said that the open beta phase will launch "by the end of calendar year 2008"

Although, having it out before Christmas would probably be a good move for Sony, as people receiving a PS3 for Christmas would get to download it and play bowling on Christmas Morning! (Provided that it isn't full of people )

From,
Chris.

 

[Hun200kmh]

Speaking of Home, while I am not a fan of complaining... I'm very disappointed that Sony still has not made it possible for a Master Account to change any Sub Account to a Master Account. The only way to do this is to create a brand new account... but doing this makes the person who was using the sub account to not only lose their PSN ID, but also all the trophies they had earned. Not only that, but if they have purchased any DLC under their sub account and then delete it from that PS3, that DLC will no longer be available. Granted, if you contact Sony's Customer Service, they can transfer ownership of DLC from one account to another, but it's still something we all need to be aware of.

I bring this up here only because currently, sub accounts, even if the Master Account removed all parental controls for that account, and even if they are old enough, are not allowed to participate in Home.

There's something you wrote (bolded part) that makes me wonder: can I delete my current GTP_Hun account (originally created as a Sub Account, and create a new GTP_Hun account (this time a Master Account) ? I thought that wasn't possible.

If I can't change this, or Sony doesn't allow to change the nature of the account, that's really bad news for me, because then I'll not be able to use Home with my GTP Account.

 

[Hereward]

Couple of things, if you read the wording in the actual times article, not the Gizmodo article theres not an actual date given, first quote is "this week" the next quote is "in the next 10 days"......So basicly it could be out in about 30 seonds LOL
But before you all rush of to check for store updates there is one thing which is seriously lacking in the Times article, any referance to here the information came from, no single Sony employee was mentioned nor a sony department. I suspect this is simply an educated speculation which has no doubt ramped up the amount of readers for that article! On an twist of synersisim, maybe, just maybe Sony have had a hand in the article to ramp up the PR which has been stunningly absent? Or has it? the 360 NXE system went relativly low key prior to release as well.

Cue X-Files intro music and fade to siloet of the smokeing man then to black LOL

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

There's something you wrote (bolded part) that makes me wonder: can I delete my current GTP_Hun account (originally created as a Sub Account, and create a new GTP_Hun account (this time a Master Account) ? I thought that wasn't possible.

It isn't possible. Deleting an account only deletes it from 'that' PS3, not from the PSN database. This can be a handy feature, as it allows you to get back PSN IDs that may have accidentally been deleted from your PS3, or even trade PSN ID's with other people. Despite this, it would be nice, and I hope this will be possible in the future, to also be able to delete a PSN ID from the PSN database all together.

If after deleting GTP_Hun from your PS3, if you created a new user and tried signing up for a new PSN account with that same PSN ID, all you would get is an error message letting you know that PSN ID is already taken, or something to the effect.

As it is now, just as it is should you want to change your PSN ID, if you want a sub account to be turned into a master account, your only choice is to create a new user, then sign-up for a brand new master account with a new PSN ID. Hopefully Sony will be able to change this in a future system update, but it seems unlikely.

The good news is that you not only can have up to 16 accounts on a single PS3, but you can always retrieve deleted PSN IDs by creating a new user, and then select the option of using an existing PSN account when signing up for the PSN. All you have to do then is put in the email address and password for that existing account.

If I can't change this, or Sony doesn't allow to change the nature of the account, that's really bad news for me, because then I'll not be able to use Home with my GTP Account.

This is exactly the situation my wife is in. When we got our PS3 almost exactly two years ago, I created a sub account for my wife because I assumed that was necessary in order for her to be able to use my credit card. Seeing as I could turn off all the parental controls I didn't think this was going to be an issue... and it wasn't until two years later when my wife tried to use the Home Beta from her account.

For the time being she was using my account to explore and play in Home, while I tried to figure out why her account was being locked out of Home. I couldn't find any info about this online, so I called Sony's support line and that's when I found out that sub accounts, even when parental controls are turned off currently do not have access to Home.

So in the meantime she will have to create a new user account and signup as a Master Account with a new PSN ID in order to use Home.

For most people I'm sure this isn't a big deal. It just means you either now have two accounts, for those that want to keep the old one (perhaps because they like the old PSN ID, or because of trophies, or saved messages, bookmarks, etc) or you don't care about the old one, thus you are simply starting fresh with a new account and delete the old one.

Ideally though, it would be great if we could change PSN IDs without changing accounts and it would be great if we could change a sub account to a master account, and vice versa. However I'm not holding my breath.

 

[FoolKiller]

So, PSFanboy updated their story with a little tidbit that caught my attention.
http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2008/12/08/rumor-home-is-coming-on-dec-17th

[Update: Our sister site Joystiq was contacted by Home's director, Jack Buser, who stated that the open beta phase of the service will launch "by the end of calendar year 2008." However, an exact date or means of delivery were not revealed. Based on Buser's "wide grin" when responding to the inquiry, Joystiq postulates that it won't be through conventional means (such as a firmware update or PS Store).]

And I have a theory. Theory, meaning guess, speculation, not fact, just my thought. No evidence or links.

Didn't the latest firmware update move the beta file from the Games menu to the Network menu? If I had to guess, I would say that firmware 2.53 already added the access file to Home (A whole update for fullscreen Flash ). It is hidden in the Network menu and on whatever date it is supposed to be available it will just become visible.

Now, there is nothing here that is actually on the system other than an icon with a shortcut on the PSN servers, like Folding@Home when you first start up your PS3. On whatever day it launches that icon will become visible. When you click on it the first time it will act just like Folding@Home did, telling you that in order to use this software you must download it. Then it does.

In short, he is smirking because everyone already has it. They just can't see it yet.

This would be on par with the "Introducing the PlayStation Store Video Service, available right now" announcement.

 

[Hereward]

OK I'm with you, a very theasable theorie, lets say your right.......ok so it's there now, on every PS3 that updated tp 2.53, just hidden til it's "activated" Now heres a twist for you, the activation method.......it could be time based, in which case I suggest simply setting the PS3 clock to christmas day and see if that "activates" it!!!!!! Or what if it's activated by a "go code" fired on release day when you log in to PSN.....in which case It'll be a bit of a suprise!

Go on turn your clock foreward, I can't get at my PS3 at the moment, just in case.....then lets try and keep quiet about it before the servers really get "load tested" LOL seriously though if it dose work I'll delete this post and I suggest you delete yours Fookiller LOL

 

[FoolKiller]

OK I'm with you, a very theasable theorie, lets say your right.......ok so it's there now, on every PS3 that updated tp 2.53, just hidden til it's "activated" Now heres a twist for you, the activation method.......it could be time based, in which case I suggest simply setting the PS3 clock to christmas day and see if that "activates" it!!!!!! Or what if it's activated by a "go code" fired on release day when you log in to PSN.....in which case It'll be a bit of a suprise!

Go on turn your clock foreward, I can't get at my PS3 at the moment, just in case.....then lets try and keep quiet about it before the servers really get "load tested" LOL seriously though if it dose work I'll delete this post and I suggest you delete yours Fookiller LOL

I'd test it, but I am in the beta, so I have the icon and files already available to me.

 

[Hereward]

OK hang on then LOL

 

[Hereward]

Erm, yes and no.........no it didn't work but......some odd stuff did go on at certain dates (I tried a few) perhaps you need to start your PS3 up on a specific date? didn't have to check them all....oh well no doubt someone will, good theorie though and one that could still be right!

 

[Legendary]

Im intrigued....

 

[Mr.Grandorifto]

I just got the Beta today, so I started up a running man train! That's me in the front with the white t-shirt and shoes.

Enjoy!

 

[NLxAROSA]

OK I'm with you, a very theasable theorie, lets say your right.......ok so it's there now, on every PS3 that updated tp 2.53, just hidden til it's "activated" Now heres a twist for you, the activation method.......it could be time based, in which case I suggest simply setting the PS3 clock to christmas day and see if that "activates" it!!!!!! Or what if it's activated by a "go code" fired on release day when you log in to PSN.....in which case It'll be a bit of a suprise!

Go on turn your clock foreward, I can't get at my PS3 at the moment, just in case.....then lets try and keep quiet about it before the servers really get "load tested" LOL seriously though if it dose work I'll delete this post and I suggest you delete yours Fookiller LOL

Nice theory, but I don't think it doesn't work that way. I don't think Sony would use an insecure, easy-to-crack time-based mechanism on the PS3's to 'hide' a new feature, while they can do the exact same thing in a secure, controlled manner by flicking a switch on a server. Especially since if one person finds out, it will be posted on the internet and everybody will try to access it, generating a huge amount of load for PSN/Home servers in an uncontrolled manner. They're not going to let you open the present early.

'Rolling out by unconventional means' may means something completely different. What if they mean the XMB will be completely replaced by Home? That sounds pretty unconventional to me.

 

[amar212]

Home coming tommorow for eveyone:

10/12/2008 08:00
PLAYSTATION®HOME BETA SERVICE WILL BECOME AVAILABLE TO ALL PLAYSTATION®3 USERS ON DECEMBER 11

Highly Anticipated Service Open For All PLAYSTATION 3 Users

Tokyo, Foster City, London, December 10, 2008 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that its highly anticipated PlayStation®Home Beta service for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) will become available for all PS3 users around the world *1 on December 11, 2008. Following the successful completion of the closed beta service, PlayStation Home’s open beta service will continue to evolve with new features and functionality.

PlayStation Home is a ground-breaking 3D social gaming community available on PS3 that allows users to interact, communicate and share gaming experiences. By leveraging the power of PS3, PlayStation Home delivers overwhelming visual graphics and rich gaming social experiences only possible on the PS3 platform. Within PlayStation Home, users can create and customize their own unique avatars and explore the virtual community in real time where they can communicate freely through text or voice chat. PlayStation Home users will not only be able to enjoy variety of entertainment content such as mini-games, videos and special events along with their friends, but will also be able to create their own community by using the “Club*2” feature to create clubs with other PlayStation Home users who share the same interests. PlayStation Home also allows groups of users to launch directly into their favourite online games together from PlayStation Home.

PlayStation Home, available as a free download*3 starting December 11, will launch directly from the PlayStation Home icon on the PlayStation®Network column of XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) on PS3. Users will be able to experience basic features and services of PlayStation Home, free of charge*4. PlayStation Home will allow open interaction among users, business partners and SCE, and will evolve with additional features including dedicated game spaces, special events and exclusive themed items, to further enrich the entertainment experience on the PS3 platform.

For users accessing PlayStation Home in the Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) regions, themed virtual environments will be available to explore. Starting with a themed Far Cry 2 space, PlayStation Home will offer game inspired environments that allow people to discuss the specific games, plan strategies and access content and clues that will enhance the gaming experience. The number of gaming environments such as this will regularly increase, with spaces for Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune™, Warhawk™, Motorstorm and SOCOM following very soon. SCEE is working with leading publishers such as: Electronic Arts, UBISOFT, Midway, Sega and Atari to create engaging environments that will provide users with an on-going gaming experience.

“We are very excited to be bringing PlayStation Home to Europe and the PAL territories, offering users an interactive, social, gaming experience,” said Daniel Hill, Home Service Manager, SCEE. “PlayStation Home is unique to anything else in the gaming world and by partnering with both global and regional gaming and non-gaming brands, we are able to offer exciting and entertaining content that will enhance the PlayStation experience.”

Visitors and residents will be able to explore PlayStation Home with their avatar character and, thanks to Diesel, avatars can look great from the start with Diesel offering the latest men’s and women’s designer avatar clothing, with items ranging from free of charge to €1.50. So for those visiting PlayStation Home, they can dress their avatars in the latest jeans and jacket prior to getting out and about.

On the home front, PlayStation®Home gives everyone their own apartment to spend time in and entertain friends - who will now be able relax on exclusive Ligne Roset furniture. At the virtual store, people will be able to choose from a selection of the most popular Ligne Roset designs, including the iconic Togo and Facett upholstery collections. It will be possible to personalise furniture by selecting from a wide selection of fabrics and leathers allowing a unique and individual look. This is an opportunity to get acquainted with Ligne Roset’s cutting edge designs created by some of Europe’s most talented designers.

As the very first consumer brand space, Red Bull has created the Red Bull Island where visitors to the Island can interact and take part in many of Red Bull’s unique events. Initially there will be the opportunity to get inside the cockpit of a Red Bull Air Race plane and compete against the PlayStation community. The real-world Red Bull Air Race World Championship has become a global phenomenon in just four years, attracting millions of spectators. Now those spectators can leave the stands, become a pilot and tackle the Red Bull Island course themselves. The Red Bull Island will continue to expand, adding new and exciting content in early 2009.

Taking full advantage of the PlayStation Home Theatre, SCEE has partnered with various content providers to enhance the cinematic experience. Offering a wide range of content, the PlayStation Home Theatre will provide lifestyle technology programming from Hexus TV, gaming content from Eurogamer and exclusive film content from Paramount Pictures. Starting with the release of the highly anticipated film, Watchmen, Paramount Pictures International will use PlayStation®Home to promote its latest films. Initially, PlayStation®Home residents will be able to view an exclusive video greeting from Watchmen Director Zack Snyder as well as the latest Watchmen trailer. A selection of virtual Watchmen merchandise e.g. T-Shirts with the smiley face logo, Doomsday clocks and character statues, will also be available in the New Year, ahead of an exclusive Q & A event where cast and filmmakers will meet selected press and competition winners fans within the Watchmen themed environment.

PlayStation Home is exclusive to PS3, free to download and easy to join. It’s the ultimate online community – a place where you can meet friends, try the latest games, hear new music, watch videos, relax in the apartment of your dreams and much, much more. With more and more spaces being created and partners like Diesel, Ligne Roset and Red Bull coming on board, the PlayStation Home experience is just getting started.

SCE will vigorously promote the expansion of the world of PS3 by introducing new services that will open up new possibilities and enjoyment in interactive entertainment.

*1 PlayStation Home will not be available in some regions.
*2 To be a “Clubhouse” owner, user will need to buy the entitlement to run the club.
*3 When the service is available, PlayStation Home icon will appear after booting/ re-booting the PS3 system. To enjoy PlayStation Home, users will need broadband network connection and PlayStation Network account in addition to the PS3 system.
*4 Some content and services are charged.

ENDS

 

[Legendary]

EPIC EPIC EPIC!!!!! Is that official? Also, if I live in Australia (of which I do) will it be available at my 11th of December or do I have to wait for the Americans December 11th which will be later in my afternoon?

 

[Scaff]

Bloody hell!!!!!!!!

Nice work amar212, thats a lot earlier than I had expected it to be.

Scaff

 

[Hereward]

Not my theorie but dosn't matter now, the times were right with there "this week" and "in the next 10 days" quotes!

 

[ND4SPD]

Hells ya!

 

[Legendary]

Tommorow...full of AWESOMENESS. I come off school tommorow, I can leave it to download throughout the day or if it comes out later than I can download it later, but in any case, I've got all holidays (6 weeks) to test it. By then it would have developed alot.

 

[NLxAROSA]

Very good news indeed, I'm curious about the new content and how the servers will hold up.

 

[Hereward]

Playstation blog has some clues as to the new content, new plaza desighn, 4 new mini games in plaza and it looks like the game specific areas are back in as well along with alot of new shop content. Theres also a video of the redbull air race game, now from what I've heard thats not ready till next year.......but again it could be in there now! It looks very good anyway, very warhawk / pilot wings. Sony have said via there Home forum that there would be alot of content going live on open beta release that wasn't available to the closed beta load test guys. Going to be a heavy day for the servers tommorow LOL

Quick edit update, PS3 fanboy is reporting the redbull island and thus the redbull airrace game will be available on launchday......Lets hope the "Plane crazy" protestors don't find out and have a sit it demo on the runway LOL

 

[NLxAROSA]

Lets hope the "Plane crazy" protestors don't find out and have a sit it demo on the runway LOL

In that case I hope that the Shopping Centre will have a weapons store opening up tomorrow as well.

 

[Touring Mars]

Makes me feel a bit daft for being all excited at getting into the 'closed' beta just a few days ago...

You know what this means, though... DISASTER! No more fun at the PS forums watching people renouncing their "loyalty" to Sony because they didn't get an invite to the beta ("i bought every game and got my ps3 on launch day and i didnt get a invite. well thats it sony im gettin a xbox see if i care you meanies " )

 

[Robin]

I just read this on the net... its so amazing that its finally here!! I didnt get a beta invite so Im really happy!

Im like Homer going oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!

Im pretty sure as you guys have theoried that Home was dormant in 2.53 just waiting to be activated on the correct date.

Robin.

 

[GT4 genius]

Wow!! Was not expecting to read that today at all. Great news, and thanks Amar, thanks very very very much.

Just wondering, will it be a big file to download, because I wont be home until Friday and I'm wondering should I ask someone at home, the real one not the virtual one you know what I mean, to download it for me, incase it takes my measly 1mb/sec connection all weekend to download it?