Sony's "PlayStation Home" hitting the PS3 this Fall

The rumors were swirling, but the New York Times just confirmed that Phil Harrison is expected to announce the new PlayStation Home service at his GDC keynote, which takes place in San Francisco in a couple of hours. The service is supposed to take elements from Xbox Live and Nintendo's Mii avatars, along with tossing in virtual prizes -- a more tangible version of XBL's achievements -- to wag in the face of fellow fanboys. Phil Harrison also wants gamers to take part in YouTube and Flickr-esque content creation, but how that will tie directly to the PlayStation Home service is unclear at this point. What is clear is that Sony is in dire need of an answer to Xbox Live, which just hit the 6 million mark for subscribers, so we hope Phil has more than just avatars and prizes to show off when he gets on stage at 10:30 PST.

[Via Joystiq]

[Sarin @ Mar 13th 2007 7:18PM]

lol, calm down, no ones said anything about game scores.
I'm no fanboy, but I've yet to see anything that would make me buy a PS3, I'm sorry...but that console just doesnt quite cut it , yet.

The 360 has been out longer, so it cant really be compared to the Wii and PS3, they've had more time to make things better, an the Wii did that.........ps3? no, not yet any how.

An before you start bashing my comment, I have played on the ps3 many times, my friend has it, but its not played as much as anything else, really.

Maybe when I get chance to play motorstorm I might think differently, the videos of it look quite good, but all the old videos that got released to "show" the ps3 off.....are a bit of a let down.
all that in-game bulls**t ruined alot of hopes I had for the ps3, killzone 2 would look AMAZING if it actually looked as it did in the previews, but now its just killed everything.

(I'll probably read this later when I've waked up, then realise some of it didnt make sense...whatever =P)

[Scabies @ Mar 7th 2007 11:46AM]

I'm all for more shiz on my PS3, given the drought since launch. Yes, even if it is unoriginal..
Engadget, I know that you have overdone it with Sony stuff in the past couple of weeks, but can you get us some deets from this GDC keynote you speak of? Even if it brings nothing but flame wars down here in comments?

[Rafy @ Mar 7th 2007 11:46AM]

I could care less........... I want some games!

[andy @ Mar 7th 2007 11:54AM]

Excuse me if I take sony promises with a rather large grain of salt or just ignore them outright. They seem to have a small issue with delivery and deadlines as of late. (ex: ps3 will be out christmas '05, no I mean spring '06, no I meant fall '06, no I mean Christmas '06) (playstation online will have exclusive features) (ps3 will fix issues with 1080i downscaling to 480p)

[Scabies @ Mar 7th 2007 11:55AM]

who needs to subscribe when its free?

[DEEZNUTZ @ Mar 7th 2007 12:15PM]

_____________________________________________________
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED
Successfully ripped off another MS/NINTENDO idea
_____________________________________________________

[ben.brase @ Mar 7th 2007 12:44PM]

LOL! I have to agree to that.

[DEEZNUTZ @ Mar 7th 2007 12:16PM]

You get what you pay for with SONY... NOTHING!

[Alice Unchaind @ Mar 7th 2007 12:17PM]

the name ALONE sucks. this will blow, guaranteed.

[Frosty @ Mar 7th 2007 12:20PM]

Color me unimpressed.

(its a mix of green and magenta)

[Mp3 @ Mar 7th 2007 12:23PM]

I can't beieve everyone is so negative about this. I really don't care much about online features for my consoles - I'm more into games - but any new content just makes the machine more attractive to me. Now excuse me as I must return to watching crashes in MotorStorm...

[Mark @ Mar 7th 2007 12:31PM]

Sigh another load of desperate rants from unloved Xbox fanboys, whilst the rest of the world actually likes thier PS3... You would think they would have something better to do than spending all day hating Sony...

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=23321

[SuicideNinja @ Mar 7th 2007 2:01PM]

"Sigh another load of desperate rants from unloved Xbox fanboys, whilst the rest of the world actually likes thier PS3... You would think they would have something better to do than spending all day hating Sony..."

I own a PS3 and there really is nothing good to say about it. Nobody I've ever let play the console likes it; they always want to play the Wii or the 360. The PS3 has nothing right now (it looks like we're a year out from anything good), and Sony hasn't shown us any reason why we should be happy about our purchase. Blu-ray is a joke, their "free" online service is boring and so detached from the gaming experience its a waste of bandwidth (which is what they are trying to solve by mimicking the competition). I have no qualms calling it the WORST console I've ever purchased, which is also aggravating since it was the most expensive one as well.

As I always say, FFXIII better be amazing...because so far...it looks to be the only reason to purchase this console (and is why I haven't sold it yet). Don't forget to check your PS3 for a pulse.

[John Doe. @ Mar 10th 2007 3:32PM]

Really? That's news to most of the world. I know one person who own a PS3. he also owns every other system known to man. Everyone else thinks the PS3 is and overpriced media player. Games? What games?
seriously. Other then the fanbois no one gives a shit about the PS3. And the people that do own them think its a lovely paperweight. That being said I also am not overly impressed with MS's FPS console either. Most of the "good" games on their system consist of FPS, and while I do enjoy an occasional FPS, love Prey, I would like a bit of variety. Wii? Heh. Again lacking more then a handful of good games. And forget about finding one anywhere. I called up about 20 stores in a 30 mile radius. No one has the damn things.

All in all color me unimpressed ny any of the 'next generation" consoles. They were all rushed to market, and/or has some sort of hidden agenda that taints the systems potential. F

[Michael Maley @ Mar 7th 2007 12:34PM]

"Stupid Sony fanboys. This war was won over a year ago when Microsoft launched the greatest system ever known and nobody else was ready to go."

Ugh, this statement is wrong on so many levels.

[Eric @ Mar 7th 2007 3:13PM]

True. Microsoft and Greatest don't belong in the same sentence.

[Ken @ Mar 7th 2007 12:40PM]

After 30 hours of playing "Resistance: Fall of Man", I began to wonder "is this all there is?"

"Ridge Racer 7" is OK, but not much different than RR on the PSP or the XBox 360. MotorStorm isn't out yet, and really isn't a break-out game for me. Games like "Darkness", "Lair", "Warhawk", and "Unreal Tournament" are still vaporware with nice screenshots in PSM.

It wasn't worth the rush or the hype. I don't exactly have "Buyer's Remorse", but I'm still waiting for the potential I was promised 6 months ago. I can't believe it takes Sony developers a year to release a cheap knock-off of Xbox Live as PlayStation Home. The current PlayStation Network and PlayStation Store is very lackluster... a half-baked online experience than seems thrown in as an afterthought.

[Russell @ Mar 7th 2007 1:34PM]

I totally agree though I think I was ripped off.

My XBOX 360 for cheaper gives me many more hours of fun. Not including a headset with the PS3 means all the broke pizza boys playing online with one don't have headsets while XBL headsets are ubiquitous.

Basically games are better on the 360 if they are on both platforms, so it's all about the exclusives and so far resistance is it IMO.

I'll pick up motorstorm soon though, but I don't have high hopes.

[rafa @ Mar 7th 2007 12:44PM]

They're going to have a world like Second Life where you build community, trade, and buy. Mark my words...because I got them here: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/sony-looks-social-gaming-spur/story.aspx?guid=%7B8A4F8917-3627-4F40-90C7-D1AC5E68B4AE%7D&dist=

[Shmoove @ Mar 7th 2007 1:11PM]

I don't get the fan boy crap, why favor one system over the other when both are good, in different ways. So if Xbox live is better then Sony's online stuff, did you xbox guys get a HD disk player out of the box, I think not. Just wait to see. I think online gaming is kinda lame anyways. it give u losers another reason not to leave the house, get fat, and unlaid.

[Tim C @ Mar 7th 2007 1:22PM]

what aboutthe price of the unit? that is the problem. it will take at least 3 years to compete with xbox live

[eurotard @ Mar 7th 2007 1:22PM]

Why sony online will be bigger than xbox live...free online play.

[SickManSeth @ Mar 7th 2007 1:43PM]

HOLY SHIT! SONY'S MAKING A VERSION OF SECOND LIFE! DEAR SWEET CHRIST IN HEAVEN,SURELY THIS WILL HELP MAKE UP FOR THE $700 I REFUSE TO PAY FOR IT!

[SimbaDogg @ Mar 7th 2007 1:46PM]

why do users like XBOX_OR_DIE even post anything here. I hate posts from users that are socially useless, and mentally incapable of any higher thought processes. Other than, "i like this a lot, and if you do have it and dont like what i like, you're an idiot"
Engadgets, please make it so the engadget writer who actually writes the article becomes a Mod to delete comments like that.

[Fruition @ Mar 15th 2007 8:12PM]

Ah, you mustn't pay any heed to people like that. That only makes them stronger. See, I spend a lot of time at 4chan and I see this all the time. These people just post to cause drama. They don't even really mean what they say. If you listen to them, they will win. So just ignore them and they eventually go away. You just can't validate their existance. If you do they will only do it more.

[Fruition @ Mar 15th 2007 8:18PM]

Ah, you mustn't pay any heed to people like that. That only makes them stronger. See, I spend a lot of time at 4chan and I see this all the time. These people just post to cause drama. They don't even really mean what they say. If you listen to them, they will win. So just ignore them and they eventually go away. You just can't validate their existance. If you do they will only do it more.

[Grant @ Mar 7th 2007 1:48PM]

but seriously.
what took so long?
i mean i know the PS3 could not have been delayed any longer without a SERIOUS sales hit, but none of this is revolutionary, so why did this take so long to implement.
XBL with achievements and marketplace have been around for a year to study previous to launch, sony got the marketplace somewhat right, but why not the other stuff?
are they trying to show that by adding it in now they are not out right copying other people?

honestly, what happened to sony's performance?
they went from industry leader to birthday party clown overnight, how did they so effectivly kill their performance?

i don't think i am the only one that can see this, but unless sony does something DRASTIC, things look grim.

[Adrian Williams @ Mar 7th 2007 2:14PM]

I love to bash Sony but its about time they're putting something 2gether even though it dont come out till the fall

[Geir E @ Mar 7th 2007 2:35PM]

I am wondering a bit why for every Sony post so many x360 users seem to have their hammer set to smack down with all the clichê-arguments? Since it's such an amazing piece of engineering that everything else is not worth it - Why do you spend your time ranting about it and not playing?

I have only tried the xbox 360 of the lot, and frankly it was just a prettier experience of what i had on the xbox - which i also had on the ps2, the pc and even didn't feel any more fun than i had on similar games on my old trusty Amiga.

Which brings me to my point - It's not how many features the live system has, it's neither how the shaders work, nor how many exclusive first person shooters or car games the console have. It's all about finding games that actually appeal to you. That's why the wii is selling like crazy, all those classic nintendo games - plus playing new games like everyone that have played airguitar dreamed of playing an acual guitar. And that's why games like loco roco actually made the psp interessting. And games like the sims actually got girls to play (Not that strangly, that confirms my thoughts that girls like to be in control) and that's why halo 3 will sell (Teenage boys who get a boner from violence with very pretty graphics)

But I agree, Sony seem to be working on a very slow gear lately. Come on release more god damn DSLR cameras! I'm waiting my arse off here.

So my wish for 2007/2008:
- More of those creative games for the wii
- Sony, get some lineup and show us some funky psp+ps3 love
- Microsoft, hush that noisy box and give us some hdmi.

And nobody should need to bash the other systems to somehow make their purchase feel better.

[DJ @ Mar 7th 2007 3:07PM]

I really don't understand why people like xBox so much. When people say, "I never play ps3 and all my friends agree and it just sits there" --that just boggles my mind. Ever play NHL 2K7 on ps3 with 4 controllers? It is unbelievable. Best NHL game ever. I have played the garbage that EA has put out for xBox and it's not even enjoyable after playing ps3's NHL 2k7. And the ps3 online experience isn't bad at all. I think it is sufficient. All you losers who are complaining that it's not interactive enough blah blah blah can sit in your bedrooms by yourselfs all day. I don't care about xBox's stupid rewards system.

And the comment about super xBox live headset? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. ps3 has better headsets and they are plentiful. They are called EVERY BLUETOOTH HEADSET ON THE PLANET. seriously, it works awesome. i dare you to say that playing resistance fall of man online with a squad using your cell phone's FREE bluetooth headset (free b/c most phones come with them or you just have one coincidentally) can be matched on xbox live. it just can't. not with 40 people playing at the same time.
i've heard enough ps3 bashing. and i've also heard enough of my xbox's ridicolous fan. that alone pisses me off enough to warrant not playing. and don't say turn the volume louder. it's a serious problem when you live with other people and you play at night after work. you can't even watch movies with it b/c it drowns out the dialogue. ps3's compatibility with EVERYTHING will dominate one day. and screw xbox's childish online system. it looks like a cartoon.

[FrankTheCrank @ Mar 7th 2007 3:25PM]

6 Million XBL subscribers??? LOL!!!! Yeah right!

Does this does count old XBOX1 live users, dead accounts and multiple accounts?

C'MON MICROSOFT...how many are paying????Give us the REAL numbers.

[Qriz @ Mar 7th 2007 4:22PM]

I think it looks pretty cool. The best of any similar feature like it out there, and free!

This doesn't really bring the PS3 up from its fall since release, but I don't think Microsoft should be counting their money until these brand new consoles are in full swing.

[alex @ Mar 7th 2007 7:05PM]

$400-$700 for a system of some sort.

pricless: fanboy calling out fanboys.

[James Smith @ Mar 8th 2007 2:29AM]

Looks like Kotaku was right after all.

[krymson @ Mar 8th 2007 3:14AM]

I just want to say, this is the best article pic Engadget has ever produced, and there have been some pretty good ones in the past.

Using the console as the frame of a house was a great move, but the berry bushes on the side and the happily smiling sun were a stroke of genius

[Rynth @ Mar 8th 2007 6:37AM]

Meh - I bought a Wii, and its awesome, but I'm still waiting for these awesome online features...

Go Sony, revolutionise the stuff...I dare you..

[Reno @ Mar 8th 2007 9:12PM]

@XBOX_OR_DIE:

Pot...kettle...
It depends on what you want out of a system. I go for flexability, otherwise i would have an XB360.

@DEEZNUTZ:
You only get the cheapest BR player out there AFAIK...

/rant

Overall, i'm very happy with the PS3, and any addtions will be very welcome. Anyone who attacks a persons preference on a console system is, by default, is a fanboy of whatever opposing system. Get what you want, play what you want, and leave others to do the same.

I think the internet has been invaded by hormone pumping 13 year old boys with something (or nothing) to prove...

[sykodieZel @ Mar 9th 2007 1:56PM]

The Xbox 360 and PS3 are the same price if you add up the options.
I am sick of hearing this crap over and over. "Its more.." Its not. Do your math. Add the extra $100 for the HD-DVD drive. $400 + $100 = $500 (XBOX 360) and $500 which includes BluRay (PS3).
If you want to add the extra $100 (making it $600) for the next level up of PS3 with the 60 gig drive, the wireless AP/wireless adapter - built-in, and the extra memory slots and such, well you cant, because XBOX 360 doesnt have any of that (except and additional $100 WIRELESS adapter that can be purchased seperately). And you really cant compare any of this to the BALLS edition of XBOX 360 that costs $300 because that comes with NO HD and a WIRED controller. Whats to COMPARE?? Not to mention SONY has GIGABIT on the BACK.
So before you open your mouth on this subject again FANBOYS, think before you insert your ENTIRE foot into it.

I own BOTH systems and enjoy them BOTH!! I have been a loyal Sony and Microsoft customer for many years now, and they both show much promise. I enjoy my gaming experience on BOTH systems equally.

Microsoft has the lead, but they came out a year earlier. Sony got a late start but will catch up.
Regardless of hows this works out. THE MATH of assumptions on this matter are closed.

[Morg111 @ Mar 12th 2007 1:09PM]

Please, please bring me Playstation Home so I can start paying another monthly subscription fee for movies that I get from a thousand sources already.... Where is the true power of basic networking features. No UPnP (media connect), no AVI playback, no decent file categorization options, no useful accessories like compatability with any bluetooth keyboard, mouse, phone...etc, etc, etc. If this is supposed to be a media hub too then they have failed, my $160 dlink medialounge does more.

[Smitty @ Mar 12th 2007 3:45PM]

LOUD NOISES!!! (That's what I always think as I read some of the more hostile comments)

I definitely agree with some of the comments that Sony has been slow or lagging. It seems that they got lost in the hardware/technology side of things during the PS3 development and didn't spend enough time focusing on the application side of things. No rumble feature (Wii figured it out), lack of real online community, etc. seem to illustrate this.

On the other hand, I'm excited to see that Sony has finally shown some sort of vision. Some say it's just a ripoff of 360 or Second Life, but isn't imitation the greatest form of flattery? Seriously, 360 owners and PS3 owners should be excited by this.

In the end, as I've posted in another thread, it really comes down to execution. If they pull it off well, it should really help the system's image. Furthermore, it should also help justify some of Sony's strategy - they have a technology advantage that is sunk in the cost, so it is possible to catch up on the application side. The reverse is not as easy - unfortunately the Wii may run into this problem in a few years.

Whatever system you have, spend more time enjoying it rather than yelling at others on forums. It's a good era to be a gamer (as long as you can afford it... alas, two out of three systems sell $60 games).

[JMorgan @ Mar 14th 2007 6:48PM]

Honestly, for one manufacturer to create more online content paves the way for others to follow or be left behind. I think it's safe to say we're all going to benefit from this at the end of the day.

[joshua @ Apr 1st 2007 3:58PM]

hahaha the ps2 was beating the S#$T out of xbox when it came out

[nick-s101 @ Apr 3rd 2007 5:18PM]

Just give Sony not a few more months, and they will have the best system ever made. Xbox fans are just hatin cuz they have more games. Well they can go fuck themselves.

[Dr. Evil @ May 13th 2007 3:40PM]

XBox fanboys just upset that you cant use food stamps to buy a PS3.