More on Home by Harrison

  

Fresh from the success of the Playstation Home announcement party at the GDC, Phil Harrison talks to Next-Gen Biz about this new PS3 project. We already told you about how PS Home will work; here’s a few more discussions about the concept behind Home. Quite informative actually, knowing as how Home is one of the hottest topics in the games industry these days.

Home started out as something on the Playstation 2, linked to one particular game. It was an online experience for that game, which then started to become a 3D lobby for more than just 1 game. They moved it in the PS3 afterwards, and Home has been there for maybe 2 and a half years now.

Phil says that the challenge in Home was to make a place that is not so fantastical that it was exclusive, and not so real that it would appeal to only one culture. They also wanted an experience which transcends gender and place. Sony recognizes the 21st century fascination with individuality, with themselves. This is why the company wants to make more options for the gamers; to encourage them to make more unique choices and thus improve their Home experience.

Another challenge in Home was putting real-world brands in it. This would mean more responsibility for Sony, of course, because the media and the government will truly make sure that this responsibility is going to be handled well. So far, Phil relates that Sony’s been doing steps to see to this enormous task; putting a limit on the maximum amount to be spent on the Playstation Wallet, for one. Sony also made sure that PS Wallet had parental controls built into it.

All in all, the philosophy behind Home sounds good: put a 3D lobby for DVD watchers to meet, give the avatars more options to express their individuality in it and make sure that the gamers become responsible enough in spending in Home.

Via Next-Gen Biz

  

Fresh from the success of the Playstation Home announcement party at the GDC, Phil Harrison talks to Next-Gen Biz about this new PS3 project. We already told you about how PS Home will work; here’s a few more discussions about the concept behind Home. Quite informative actually, knowing as how Home is one of the hottest topics in the games industry these days.

Home started out as something on the Playstation 2, linked to one particular game. It was an online experience for that game, which then started to become a 3D lobby for more than just 1 game. They moved it in the PS3 afterwards, and Home has been there for maybe 2 and a half years now.

Phil says that the challenge in Home was to make a place that is not so fantastical that it was exclusive, and not so real that it would appeal to only one culture. They also wanted an experience which transcends gender and place. Sony recognizes the 21st century fascination with individuality, with themselves. This is why the company wants to make more options for the gamers; to encourage them to make more unique choices and thus improve their Home experience.

Another challenge in Home was putting real-world brands in it. This would mean more responsibility for Sony, of course, because the media and the government will truly make sure that this responsibility is going to be handled well. So far, Phil relates that Sony’s been doing steps to see to this enormous task; putting a limit on the maximum amount to be spent on the Playstation Wallet, for one. Sony also made sure that PS Wallet had parental controls built into it.

All in all, the philosophy behind Home sounds good: put a 3D lobby for DVD watchers to meet, give the avatars more options to express their individuality in it and make sure that the gamers become responsible enough in spending in Home.

Via Next-Gen Biz