Defending Playstation Home – Conversation portal does its job
Playstation Home is now getting a roasting in the press and forums, with people disappointed at the lack of things to do. While I do think it could be improved massively, I think it’s achieved its ultimate goal of being a conversation portal.
Playstation Home was one of those things I had mixed feelings about right from the start. When it was first announced, I thought it sounded like a very cool idea. And then a year or two passed, it hadn’t arrived, and my anticipation levels dimmed until I couldn’t have cared less if it was ever actually released.
Then the private beta began, and although I wasn’t lucky enough to be a part of it, the screen shots, videos, and views of those taking part managed to once again pique my interest. And then on Dec. 11, 2008, just before Christmas, the public beta began, with everyone finally able to give Home a whirl to see if it lived up to the hype.
Here we are almost two months later and the hate has begun. In countless articles in print and on the Web, there’s bitching and moaning about how rubbish Home is, how there’s nothing to do in Home, and how it’s a complete and utter waste of time. To that I say hogwash.
Whether you like Home or not really depends how you approach it and what you think its purpose is. It was never meant to be a virtual games arcade, or a place full of excitement, freebies, and activities. No, it’s main purpose was always going to be a glorified chat room, allowing gamers to meet up and converse with other like-minded PS3 owners. And on that level, it’s succeeded.
There are of course attempts to draw people in and give them a reason to visit Home once in a while. Chess and Droughts are good for some cerebral entertainment every once in a while. While the bowling and pool games are well-implemented. Then there is the Red Bull Air Race which assuming you can actually find the sweet spot to start playing, is good fun.
But conversation is the main name of the game. Buying the Wireless Keypad brought Home to life for me, and I’ve now met quite a few people on Home that have become PSN friends. You get chatting, find things in common and then before you know it are playing games online with them. Which surely is the whole point of the PS3s online capabilities in the first place.
Home is always busy and achieving what I suspect Sony wanted it to – allowing a virtual environment for conversation and friendship to take place. It does need to constantly update and evolve in order to tempt people to keep visiting, but new areas and new stuff to do will come in time. Stop bitching, enjoy Home for what it is, and if you see a Santa Claus lookalike, chat with him because that him is me.
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25 Responses to “Defending Playstation Home – Conversation portal does its job”
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February 2nd, 2009
I tried Home out on my brother in law’s PS3. I did find it amusing how if you sit on the floor in front of someone sitting on a chair it looks like you’re giving the dude a hummer.
Other than that, it didn’t really PIQUE my interest.
February 2nd, 2009
I knew Peak didn’t look right lol.
February 3rd, 2009
Happens to the best of us Dave.
February 3rd, 2009
Hahaha. On a lighter note, how do you actually fly the red bull air race?? I can’t find the…. entrance? to the race.
February 3rd, 2009
How do you get TVs and furniture? Do you have to pay for it with real cash?
February 3rd, 2009
Home is the shit. When me and my friends are done beasting niggas in games, we get on Home, talk and fuck with people. We just don’t go around and make jokes or curse. We make games of it. We go round asking nigs if they want to buy some hardcore drug shit, make girl avarts and just wait to see what NASTY motherfucker come and try to spilt game at you. For real, try it, you don’t even have to do or say ANYTHING. They WILL come to you. It its good time homies for. You don’t play Call of Duty and just stand there do you? No you FIND somethings to do.XD
February 3rd, 2009
See I read it was hard to get to fly the Redbull planes, but when I walked up to the wall where the planes are and pressed X (without a prompting message) it asked which plane I wanted. Then I flew.
It was only annoying if it thought I was clicking on someone who was standing gormlessly near the wall. Or is that what people meant?
Dave P, when you going to chuck that PSN ID our way? Or would you rather have ours? Come on, be our friend.
February 3rd, 2009
ncaissie – yep, pretty much. Though they cleverly made it cheap enough so you could get stuff with the change you have left over from PSN Store purchases. Still, I’ll keep my pennies I think, for LBP goodies.
February 3rd, 2009
Lol Royzy cmon now, you can’t be THAT desperate for PSN friends.
Do you have to set times or something?
I got harrassed by someone when i was there. I walked up to someone and said Hi or something and then he told me to get lost for some reason.
February 3rd, 2009
If Home was set out like an online GTA instead of having to download each space then Home would improve ten fold.
Royzy, have you got that God Of War LBP pack?
It looks interesting.
February 3rd, 2009
So Dave you will go online to talk shit but you will not play games with all your fans here at Blorge who consistently ask you to play with them or meet up in Home or whatever. Your Lame.
February 3rd, 2009
I was in the beta, so I lucked out and got a lot of stuff for free. I have a Summer House, which is very nicely decorated and some extra clothes. I’m definitely wouldn’t have paid for any of it.
To be honest, I haven’t logged in since the open launch. Yes – it serves it purpose as a 3D chat room, but I just don’t have the need for it.
February 3rd, 2009
I hardly have time to finish some of the games I own. Still need to get through Prince of Persia and Bioshock.
By the time I do that KZ2 will be out quickly followed by RE5.
Anyone else excited for Darksiders?
February 3rd, 2009
Wow just played Fear 2 demo… wasn’t impressed. So boring.
February 3rd, 2009
No way in hell I will pay for anything in there.
To me it seems very useless because of that.
February 3rd, 2009
I haven’t heard of Darksiders, but I looked it up and it looks pretty good. I haven’t had a chance to check out the FEAR demo yet. I might give it a go at some point this week.
I think Xblades has potential to be decent.
February 3rd, 2009
Apparently we’ll be able to deck out our avatars in Resident Evil and Street Fighter themed clothing, etc. That will be worth logging in to Home for…
-Arvis
February 3rd, 2009
Bourne,
Did you sign a 10 year deal with EA?!?
http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/4549.html
-Arvis
February 3rd, 2009
cmon Roy… you got me… you dont need anyone else…
February 4th, 2009
hahaha @ Chris.
February 4th, 2009
Bourne you fucking sell out. EA?
lockdown, no but I will. I liked the look of the Kratos figure back when he was a pre-order exclusive, so I’ll grab it now.
DWH, sometimes I just need a little more. You aren’t always there for me. Being a housewife is boring, that is why I make those videos and upload them to redtube.
February 4th, 2009
fuck you guys… EA is cool again… havent you heard??? you forgot dead space and Mirrors edge?? who else had the balls to come up with new IPs on 08??? exactly…
yeah bourne youre last game was a simple *punch punch kick* game… rinse and repeat… give me something new bitch… or Ill call bond…
February 4th, 2009
EA can afford it though, but you are right, they have at least tried to win us back. And I’ll go with it if they keep making good games and not license shite.
February 4th, 2009
I have Mirror’s Edge and um… it’s not very good.
February 4th, 2009
Thanks for that, Harry. I was afraid that one would get nothing but awkward coughs and cricket chirps…
-Arvis