Playstation Home Delayed... Again

[Bond]

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) announced today that it will expand the Closed Beta testing for PLAYSTATION®Home in Summer 2008, inviting a further number of registrants from the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) users. Following completion of the Expanded Closed Beta test, the PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service will commence in Fall 2008.
“We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home. Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation® tradition.”
The PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service that will become available in Fall 2008 will be built around providing new and fun community gaming experiences, such as connecting PlayStation games with Home and providing places and items from the games.
Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the opening of the service will be announced as they become available.

Source: Platform Nation (http://www.platformnation.com/2008/04/21/playstation-home-not-open-till-fall-of-08/)
So basically, Playstation Home will go into public beta in Fall 2008, meaning the full service won't launch this year.

This is not looking good for Sony.

[Renwood]

I'm guessing the open beta will be as much of a beta as Gmail by fall. Its a distinction to fall back on if something goes horribly wrong, but for all practical purposes, it is the full product, as complete as any software that receives regular updates can be.

Still disappointing news, but I'd rather see it done right than rushed out. If in-game XMB still makes it out by summer, that would take a lot of the pressure off for me. That's the functionality I really care about. The rest of Home occupies the same space as achievements; they're great auxiliary features, but I can do without them.

[Dyne]

I was never really interested in it, personally.

[Typhoid]

I don't think it changes anything.
If you're buying a PS3 for Playstation Home, you're pretty fucked up.

That's like buying a Wii, because you can make a Mii.

[Angrist]

Well, it's all part of the fun. But for Wii it's more important than for PS3.

[BreakABone]

I don't think it changes anything.
If you're buying a PS3 for Playstation Home, you're pretty fucked up.

That's like buying a Wii, because you can make a Mii.

Then you aren't hanging out with the right people.

Though I guess the appeal of the Miis is you can use them in Wii Sports right away and they do carry over to a lot of games.

As for Home, I kind of agree. It isn't a selling point IMO. It will be a cool feature, but I really don't think anyone is straddling the fence based on its release.

[Aladuf]

Meh, I may play around with Home a bit when it finally comes out, but I am in no way anticipating it or anything.

I don't think it changes anything.
If you're buying a PS3 for Playstation Home, you're pretty fucked up.

That's like buying a Wii, because you can make a Mii.

Agreed.

[Bond]

I don't know... I see Home as a counter to the 360's superior online experience. Until Sony at least attempts to match the level of interactivity, communication, and community that Xbox Live has achieved, I see it as a major problem for them.

[-alpha-]

I don't think it changes anything.
If you're buying a PS3 for Playstation Home, you're pretty fucked up.

That's like buying a Wii, because you can make a Mii.

Hmm, no, it's more like buying an alienware pc to play second life.