Playstation reveals “Home” and “LittleBigPlanet” for PS3 community
By Triston McIntyre
Today Sony is putting all the cards on the table at their 2007 GDC keynote, with the introduction of their new community interface called “Home.”
Home is Sony’s new community-unifying system, in which gamers can enter a virtual avatar realm to interact with other users via text chat, voice chat, and avatar gestures. The environment resembles a spacious resort, complete with movie theater, bowling alley, and personalized apartments.
Much of the avatar world is used for advertising, with multitudes of pay-to-download customizable content, a user can pimp his crib to his desire, and fit his user with custom designer clothes and styles.
The idea is to get users to interact in the virtual realm, and with high quality video and audio advertising, entice users to purchase forth-coming games. All that lovely content that is available (bigger apartments, artwork, clothing) will come at a price as well.
In addition to this free application, Sony is introducing another program known as, LittleBigPlanet, which was created by the same designers responsible for Ragdoll Kung-Fu.
Though the actual functionality of the program is difficult to explain without actually seeing it first-hand, it is a display of ground-breaking animations and platforming, which many think will push Playstation 3 into the forefront of the next-generation system.
In addition to these two games, Sony has announced they will release a new set of tools and applications that were previously limited to first-party game designers to all developers. Huzzah!
This may be the final piece Sony was missing for its next-gen domination campaign to solidy its superiority over the competitors. Let the comments and fanboy-isms flow freely!
Thanks to our friends at Engadget and Joystiq for the up-to-the-minute coverage of this festive event.
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March 7th, 2007
So the whole idea of this avatar based world is to promote a sense of community among PS3 users. From what I can tell, it seems to be a lot of pomp and circumstance for what Microsoft has done so simply and effectively with Xbox Live. Granted a Sims style game is almost always a sure winner, is it really necessary to add such a level of flare that it can detract from the core idea? My experience with XBL has shown that a simple system such as the Gamercard is not only quick and easy to use, but results in a desire to play every game possible and compete with fellow XBL’ers. This, of course, has resulted in my spending of my money for the sake of my gamerscore and befriending those I have played with online in an attempt to flaunt my superior score and/or achievements.
Perhaps the avatar system of the PS3 will hold more sway as a community driven tool. I’ve no doubt that the younger gaming community will find much to “ooh” and “aah” about, but is it enough to topple, or just compete, with XBL?
The first party tools and appliances, however, are definitely going to help Sony’s fanbase grow concerning the PS3. That’s for sure.
March 13th, 2007
littlebigplanet actually looks really cool. like a cross between lemmings and a regular sort of 3d platform game.
as for Home, it’s definitely a move somebody had to make. whether or not it’s necessary in online gaming isn’t really a bid deal. Sony now has a big market getter for second lifers, online gamers and user generated content. it’s a big move that a lot of people are gonna love.
though, i haven’t read anything about a monetary system yet.