Microsoft dismisses PS3 Home – Xbox Live is superior
The day has finally arrived when more than just the lucky few (hundred thousand) will be able to sample Playstation Home. Have you downloaded it yet? And right on cue, Microsoft has dismissed the groundbreaking service, claiming Xbox Live is still superior.
Playstation Home has been a long time coming but is finally launching today to the millions of Playstation networks users around the world. Those of you still in the dark about Home, what it is, where to get it, etc., needs to read my guide from yesterday. The rest of us can stand and laugh at Microsoft’s obvious jealousy.
I never expected Microsoft to come out and praise Playstation Home, that would be ridiculous, but did Aaron Greenberg, group product manager for Xbox 360, really need to dismiss the service to such a degree? Greenberg told Kotaku:
What Home to me feels like is Second Life for hardcore gamers, it doesn’t feel like it broadens the experience and invites people in. When they unveiled it, it seemed innovative. I think what’s happened is now here we are a couple of years later and we feel beyond that.
It feels like 2005 tech in 2008. I’m not sure that’s what people want.
Firstly, Second Life for hardcore gamers sounds brilliant. Second Life is great, and having a completely free alternative veered towards games and gamers is my idea of heaven. So rather than being a negative assessment of Home, that comment sounds positive to me.
And what is that about Home being 2005 technology? Are you kidding me? Home is one of the most innovative additions to a console I’ve ever had the fortune of experiencing. Xbox Live is great, user-friendly, simple to use, etc. But Home is newer, more advanced technologically and has the capacity to become huge.
The only point I’d concede to Greenberg is about Home not necessarily being an instant turn-on for the more casual, mainstream end of the market. On that score, the Xbox avatars and Wii Miis are much simpler and more likely to draw in people. But so what, Home is a service for true gamers… diddums.
Home is also free where Xbox Live isn’t. And Greenberg states that it is unlikely to change anytime soon.
I think we have seen people are willing to pay for the premium experience. When they compare Live, even to Home, there is still a huge gap.
Yeah whatever, you bitter man.
PlayStation Home Director Jack Buser also went on the offensive yesterday. While talking up his baby he also had a sideswipe at Microsoft, albeit never mentioning the company by name. The Seattle Times reports him as saying:
PlayStation Home is really leapfrogging the online offering on any other platform. Frankly PlayStation Home just couldn’t be done on any other game platform.
Anybody that wants to try to play catch up is going to have a real hard time.
That is what you’d expect him to say of course but he has a point. The three-year development time, constant delays, and ongoing beta prove how hard a task creating and managing Home has been. I can’t see this sort of service being undertaken on the Xbox 360, and that’s if it were even possible on the Microsoft console in the first place.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating I suppose so the only way to find out whether Home is really 2005 technology or an incredible advance on anything yet seen is to have a go. If you’re now in the Playstation Home beta, let us know what you think of it in the comments section.
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38 Responses to “Microsoft dismisses PS3 Home – Xbox Live is superior”
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December 11th, 2008
1. there is nothing “groundbreaking” about psn’s HOME. but keep the dream alive davey boy.
2. xbox live still has features PSN does not have… leaving psn the task of playing catch up, which they still haven’t done.
3. ”Firstly, Second Life for hardcore gamers sounds brilliant.” – anything from sony sounds that way to you, fanboy. secondly, it’s sounds stupid. why? because hardcore gamers love to GAME…not stand around and listen to 12 year olds brag about their “trophies”.
it’s hilarious you claim ms is bitter when sony still hasn’t proved the features of xbox live…
sucks about psn not offering netflix, btw..
December 11th, 2008
Kev,
1. I think the “groundbreaking” part comes from a Second Life environment being brought to a gaming console for the first time. Just like 360 was “groundbreaking” in bringing Achievements/Gamerscore/Live capabilities to a gaming console for the first time. Whether it is successful or not depends on how much gamers will enjoy it and use it (yet to be determined for Home).
2. At least PSN is making an effort in the right direction.
3. Agreed, hardcore gamers would probably being playing games, but they may still enjoy their trophies (at least I would, like I do my achievements and gamerscore on 360).
4. Can’t PS3 offer netflix through it’s browser?
To the author, it doesn’t seem like Greenberg ever “dismissed” Home, seemed jealous, or was overtly negative in any way, he was merely giving an honest opinion, probably based on a few facts:
1. Sony promised Home for PS3 from the start, years ago, and Second Life existed at that time (it still is not an overwhelming success).
2. Home seems to be a simulated lounge area for gamers when they are not playing games (which hardcore gamers would probably rather do), and little else, while trophies have already been implemented since launch on the 360.
3. Home is still in Beta.
December 11th, 2008
@kev.
You must have downloaded and tried it already to have such an opinion.
Netflix streaming is still an uphill battle. They really have shit on it, and the quality is less than dvd. Once they start having to stream HD expect to start paying more than the trivial $5.
IMHO, netflix streaming is only good if you already had a Netflix account. Otherwise your Live price just doubled for waht I believe is just old tv shows and old movies.
This MS BS to kotaku sounds like sour grapes.
December 11th, 2008
I still havent got in YET, but thats because im stuck with my family watching my main tv which my PS3 is connected to, is it up yet? I’ll see you guys in there, Kev, Hairy, we’ll save you some cake.
December 11th, 2008
@CarlB.
4.
No. Netflix needs to install software to run the Netflix browser which was written for PC and not PS3.
author 3.
I think it will practically stay in beta for the remainder of its life. It will constantly be getting upgrades. Sony rep said as much. They didnt want to release it gimped but realized it was going to be a work in progress for a long time to come. Go check out the redbull home commercials on gametrailers.com.
Anyway. The 2005 technology comment sounds retarded. Will he be saying the same thing about Killzone2? How about FF games that take three years to create.
Sonys biggest problem was they announced this way to soon.
December 11th, 2008
Well lets just remember and get the facts straight that LIVE is a “Free” Service. You have access to everything except Playing Co-op and Multiplayer games online and Netflix.
December 11th, 2008
Home is worth it for bowling alone.
Need more pool tables and more lanes tho.
December 11th, 2008
I also wanted to state that if 360 never dropped the new NXE there would be no Home right now. No one says it but it’s true. Home is released as a Beta being under presure from Microsoft. Sony would just look bad if they had to delay it anymore. So they give a downgraded version of the service with intentions of upgrading the service as they go along. The exact same approach that Microsoft is taken. I find it funny that Sony was put under presure because they have been announcing home since the begining and then Microsoft Drops the NEX at E3 and Then it’s released in November. I’m going to check it out soon but my friend who has both said it is something you have to log into and that it’s not seamless with the interface. So basically it takes effort to do Home where the 360′s NXE is part of the experience right from the moment you turn on the 360. You just think they would have done it better because Sony always has the last say this generation and then they drop meidiocrioty because they should be the best seeing what is already available.
December 11th, 2008
phranctoast,
good point… maybe a future patch would fix that?
Agreed, PS3 as a testing ground for Home, then fully implemented on PS4 if it is success (at least trophies/rankings remain… please?)
KZ2 debacle with “target” appearance anybody?
How is home “advanced technology”… anybody?
Agreed, Sony seems to have a knack for making promises they can’t keep.
December 11th, 2008
The structure and style of this article leads me to believe that DAVE PARRACK! was inebriated when he wrote it.
It’s strange, PS3 fanboys (for the most part) have never trashed Live, but now that the PS3 has upgraded PSN to a service that anyone could see is comparable, the 360 fanboys unanimously refuse to concede the achievement.
Also, pretending that Live is “free” is pretty hilarious. You can’t even get demos at the same time as the paying members… or at the same time as PSN members, for that matter!
-Arvis
December 11th, 2008
@arvis
Don’t forget the execs choose to tear into it.
@CAD
Home was planned for a release earlier (oct) and it had been said for some time now that it would be in beta. I believe it will be in beta for a long time.
December 11th, 2008
@ Arvis, yeah that pisses me off.
Half the time MS’s retarded gold/silver scheme drives me to download the demos for my ps3 instead of 360!
@ Phranctoast – You turned CAD into this monster, YOU, YOU ARE TO BLAME!!!!
NXE is fine I suppose. I just wish they would’ve have let me switch back to the blades
they were so much more intuitive to navigate and use.
I’d rather sony Beta Home now, that way we get the initial crush of users out of the way and they can bug fix the mofo.
December 11th, 2008
Home is on now i hear from the Gametrailers community, Royzy if your here, i’ll be on soon my love (lol i realised when typing it sounded like we were a couple) Parrack n Ferro lets all have a blorge mass meet.
December 11th, 2008
My love? that is creepy on so many levels….
December 11th, 2008
I can’t believe you are on about netflix again Kev, nobody cares about substandard, streamed movies that swallow your bandwidth. Netflix are all your Kev……
Have you tried Home Kev……. ??
As soon as home came out, all the xbots came out straight away to dis it…..something to be concerned about hey fellas ??
December 11th, 2008
I wasn’t dissing it. I was talking about trashing ivan’s place and smearing poo on his walls.
December 11th, 2008
I wasn’t talking bout you harry.
I have finally got onto Home and my oh my, it is good.
My only complaint at this time is you have to buy clothing and other accessories to spruce ya s%^T up. There had to be a bit of a money spinner in there.
Overall, worth the wait and look forward to the future enhancements.
December 12th, 2008
Yeah, SOME furniture would’ve been nice, instead of the boring white stuff
Still, at least I don’t have to pay for a space lol.
December 12th, 2008
Unfortunately there are going to be microtransactions aplenty with this service, similar to how themes etc are sold on Xbox live. They’ve got to make their money back on the years of developing home somehow. It’s just business.
December 12th, 2008
It would be nice (and I’m not sure if it’s an option since I haven’t delved into Home to deeply last night) if you could generate points in some way (bowling/other games) that were redeemable at the stores for purchase of new stuff.
December 12th, 2008
Too true Harry, too true
December 12th, 2008
I doubt it phranctoast. As much as a loyalty programme would be nice, i.e spend x amount of dollars and you get y amount of redeem points, it won’t happen.
December 12th, 2008
Kev,
1. I think the “groundbreaking” part comes from a Second Life environment being brought to a gaming console for the first time. Just like 360 was “groundbreaking” in bringing Achievements/Gamerscore/Live capabilities to a gaming console for the first time. Whether it is successful or not depends on how much gamers will enjoy it and use it (yet to be determined for Home).
2. At least PSN is making an effort in the right direction.
3. Agreed, hardcore gamers would probably being playing games, but they may still enjoy their trophies (at least I would, like I do my achievements and gamerscore on 360).
4. Can’t PS3 offer netflix through it’s browser?
To the author, it doesn’t seem like Greenberg ever “dismissed” Home, seemed jealous, or was overtly negative in any way, he was merely giving an honest opinion, probably based on a few facts:
1. Sony promised Home for PS3 from the start, years ago, and Second Life existed at that time (it still is not an overwhelming success).
2. Home seems to be a simulated lounge area for gamers when they are not playing games (which hardcore gamers would probably rather do), and little else, while trophies have already been implemented since launch on the 360.
3. Home is still in Beta, and even if more than a fraction of owners try it, how many will keep it?
December 12th, 2008
Has any body else ever had a problem with their comments getting posted successfully and then removed the next day?
December 12th, 2008
Depends CarlB. I find that a lot of anti PS3 comments get deleted by the moderators. Anti 360 comments seem to stay though. Funny that.
December 12th, 2008
@harry.
One can dream.
@CarlB.
I haven’t noticed it happen since Sega and namegate….
December 12th, 2008
Really you can’t get demo in silver. I’m fact checking that tonight.
December 12th, 2008
Bourne my love, I am here. Spideydog continued to whoop me in bowling after you left Home earlier and then at pool too.
Initial thoughts on Home:
. Dancing kicks ass, especially when you get a huge line of people performing ‘the running man’ on the grass.
. Why is there so few hair colour choices? And why is the darkest brown actually ginger? They think I’m ginger now.
. They don’t have anything similar to my curly locks. Otherwise, facial customisation isn’t bad.
. The interaction is pretty cool, and the graphics are better than I expected.
. The amount of ‘free’ clothing available seemed quite limited, though clothes are only like 59p.
. I look forward to more stuff being available
. I like the apartment view
. Bourne’s pulling costume is hot.
. There is no Poo Smearing option, which was bit of a let down.
. Somebody came up to me and just said ‘Ola gay’ and walked off. This hurt my feelings.
December 12th, 2008
Someone said ‘f u’ to me and walked off
I cried for days
December 12th, 2008
SW you have Home?! Why didn’t you say so! Me, Royzy and Spideydog were playing Bowling but we had a random guy play with us. What’s your psn? We were having such fun. And i get to freak ppl out with one of my costumes. But the fact that you are limited to some costumes is a major let down. To be individual on Home you need to go all out and modify the hell out of your character, i’ve seen several people dress exactly the same as me which sucks.
December 12th, 2008
Bourne,
I notice I wasn’t invited to your bowling party… T_T
-Arvis
December 12th, 2008
Arvis, you’re always welcome, do i really need to invite you?!! You’re never on PSN when i am though, and Royzy is.
December 12th, 2008
There is no Poo Smearing option, which was bit of a let down.
Somebody came up to me and just said ‘Ola gay’ and walked off. This hurt my feelings.
Someone said ‘f u’ to me and walked off, I cried for days
Verrrry funny stuff. Good times, good times Gents. I think there needs to be a “Home Referee” …. lol
December 12th, 2008
http://www.kotaku.com.au/games/2008/12/so_home_is_broken-2.html
December 12th, 2008
Yes I have some issues connecting, but I used a bit of common sense and put it down to everyone hammering the service. You can connect, it just takes a little patients at times.
December 12th, 2008
It took me 2 mins to connect.
I havn’t seen an mmo, or multiplayer game that hasn’t had issues on ‘launch’ (even beta) day tbh.
December 13th, 2008
harry,
Yes, I seemed to have noticed about 15 comments I’ve successfully posted like that over the last few days having been removed, but they usually were fairly grounded and had at least some balance for the PS3 as well.
phranctoast,
An example is the post you responded to at the beginning:
(posted Dec 11)
Kev,
1. I think the “groundbreaking” part comes from a Second Life environment being brought to a gaming console for the first time. Just like 360 was “groundbreaking” in bringing Achievements/Gamerscore/Live capabilities to a gaming console for the first time. Whether it is successful or not depends on how much gamers will enjoy it and use it (yet to be determined for Home).
2. At least PSN is making an effort in the right direction.
3. Agreed, hardcore gamers would probably being playing games, but they may still enjoy their trophies (at least I would, like I do my achievements and gamerscore on 360).
4. Can’t PS3 offer netflix through it’s browser?
To the author, it doesn’t seem like Greenberg ever “dismissed” Home, seemed jealous, or was overtly negative in any way, he was merely giving an honest opinion, probably based on a few facts:
1. Sony promised Home for PS3 from the start, years ago, and Second Life existed at that time (it still is not an overwhelming success).
2. Home seems to be a simulated lounge area for gamers when they are not playing games (which hardcore gamers would probably rather do), and little else, while trophies have already been implemented since launch on the 360.
3. Home is still in Beta.”
and the one following that in response to you:
“phranctoast,
good point… maybe a future patch would fix that?
Agreed, PS3 as a testing ground for Home, then fully implemented on PS4 if it is success (at least trophies/rankings remain… please?)
KZ2 debacle with “target” appearance anybody?
How is home “advanced technology”… anybody?
Agreed, Sony seems to have a knack for making promises they can’t keep (at least on time).”
I do not know. I think the authors and editors are mature and secure enough to leave comments like this on here… it is just a sign of professionalism and integrity. It is probably just a problem with the filter. I really can’t see Dave or Mike being that petty.
December 15th, 2008
Yeah I cant see them being that petty either.
Your posts are more than likely the most balanced out of the people here (including myself).
If they were removing posts by people for their 360 appreciation I have to imagine harry and CAD’s posts would be gone more often than not…