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So, apparently Sony has confirmed that the beta version of Home service for the PlayStation 3 will launch in November. (It's in a closed beta trial at the moment.) For those who aren't aware Home will be a social network with a three-dimensional graphical interface much like Second Life. Everyone with a PS3 will get their own apartment in this virtual world which they can dress up however they choose. They will be able to walk around, chat with other players, play billiards at pool halls and video games at the arcade. You'll also be able to buy digital clothing and furniture at the PlayStation store. A video on EuroGamer. TV shows a demo of how to launch PS3 games through Home. Frankly, it seems like a waste of time. You have to bring up a PSP within Home to access the games and it really makes you wonder why it's better than just starting the game from the desktop. Though, because you're already logged in to Home, it might be a little easier to find online friends to play with. Then again I don't really see the point of Home at all. Granted, I'm probably not the target audience. I tried Second Life a couple of times. I spent loads of time trying to make a unique-looking character and then flew around for a bit, went dancing at various clubs and then got bored. Sure you could talk with other players but it seemed a lot of effort to go through to enter a chat room. But at least Second Life has a lot of users. In theory, Home will, as well. Since every PS3 owner will have a Home account, even if the system hasn't sold as many as the Wii or 360, but we're still talking a few million potential users. But how many will actually bother logging in? Will Home be a burgeoning metropolis or will it be a ghost town? Honestly, I don't know the answer. Perhaps this program is just the thing to connect PS3 owners and make the online gaming world a better place. But I doubt it. Nothing about the PS3 screams co-operative interaction. I mean so few recent PlayStation games even allow multiple players. And when you can have more than one player, online or off, it's often just so you can shoot at each other or beat each other out. So I can't really see these people logging into Home and hanging out together, go shopping and play pool. I mean if PS3 users wanted to be friends, they could have bought a Wii instead.

 

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About G4 in Canada
G4 Canada (formerly TechTV Canada) launched in September 2001. G4 is the one and only television station that is plugged into every dimension of games, gear, gadgets and gigabytes. Owned Rogers Media Inc., the channel airs more than 24 original series. G4 is available on digital cable and satellite. For more information, see www.g4tv.ca.