Sony expanding Home beta

  • By Polybren, GameSpot
  • Posted Aug 7, 2008 10:40 pm GMT

Sony is inviting gamers to its new Home--while it's still under construction. In a post on the PlayStation blog today, PlayStation Home director Jack Buser confirmed that Sony will be expanding the closed beta test of its PlayStation 3 online service starting at the end of the month. To be added...

Sony is inviting gamers to its new Home--while it's still under construction. In a post on the PlayStation blog today, PlayStation Home director Jack Buser confirmed that Sony will be expanding the closed beta test of its PlayStation 3 online service starting at the end of the month.

To be added to the beta program, gamers must download a new Home theme (pictured) slated for release today on the PlayStation Network. Sony will thin the herd of applicants "using a variety of criteria including activity on the PlayStation Network..." Sony Computer Entertainment Europe is likewise expanding its closed beta testing of the Home service, but it will choose gamers based solely on how "active" they've been on PSN and the PlayStation Store.

Home is Sony's attempt to set up a virtual online community consisting of PS3 users. Within the world of Home, players will be able to establish and decorate their own living spaces, chat, watch movies and play games together, and be exposed to a wealth of paid advertisements. Originally announced in March of 2007, Home was initially slated to launch that fall. An open beta test is expected to begin later this year.

216 Comments

  • ps3eyerock

    Posted Dec 8, 2008 3:26 pm GMT

    have home and i will not tell you how to get it i will give you hint you need to write a code in the playstation store in redwwm codes

  • ThomCollins

    Posted Dec 5, 2008 1:57 am GMT

    IS HOME in my HOME yet with this latest update, just got my PS3 back from service

  • JaMnHoCk96

    Posted Nov 10, 2008 6:47 pm GMT

    when is it comming out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • PS3_03

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:44 am GMT

    The Home Beta should come out in late November this year but i don't know what date it will be released.

  • DarraghR

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 8:43 am GMT

    Does Anybody Know When Home Beta Is Coming Out

  • yichun4

    Posted Oct 17, 2008 6:16 pm GMT

    Lolz i got in!! it is fun i can now chat with friends! atleast if they got in too

  • megamaster32

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 5:10 pm GMT

    its been over two weeks where is home?!?

  • ashleighboy

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 4:18 pm GMT

    how do i get ps3 home

  • neerajkumar_4

    Posted Oct 10, 2008 8:15 am GMT

    Sony Rox

  • Amir29

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 10:38 am GMT

    Still hearing about people getting emails inviting them to HOME!!! I WANT IN!!!

  • ThomCollins

    Posted Oct 8, 2008 6:19 am GMT

    Credentials:
    Sims fanatic in 2000 moving my way into the "developing" crowd and got a BETA instant invite for The Sims ON LINE. It was and still is an experience I will always cherish. Granted The Sims and Diablo were my first introductions into PC gaming I cannot dismiss the fact I once killed 100 quail at 15 years old to be the first to own Atari 4600 computer . Sick it is because I am a Peta person. IN closing and to anyone who will consider me you won't be let down. I am at home/disabled/ on SSDI so video games are my life. whew you may now pelt me with rocks and garbage.

  • blakeney

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 10:10 pm GMT

    or did i miss it?

  • blakeney

    Posted Oct 4, 2008 9:55 pm GMT

    The theme's still not up yet?!

  • rybread13

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 7:31 am GMT

    cant wait for home, not gunna loose hope, bring it out and make it the best, dont rush things, ppl that have no patience for this can go to hell lol. BTW where is the Home theme to get the beta, any1 know?

  • DarthZone

    Posted Oct 2, 2008 4:45 pm GMT

    is this only available in the US? had a look for the theme but was not there!?

  • NsNsis

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 11:59 pm GMT

    Been to the beta. Not much to do there, its pretty boring after the first half hour.

  • Roxas-93

    Posted Sep 22, 2008 5:41 pm GMT

    their putting as much effort as possible you guys! BE PATIENT!

  • FabioPizzini

    Posted Sep 18, 2008 12:29 am GMT

    Waiting as long as needed for it

  • burstlimit514

    Posted Sep 15, 2008 6:04 pm GMT

    ohno! My dad still hasnt given me my ps3 back! I want to try it!

  • Mist00

    Posted Sep 5, 2008 7:15 pm GMT

    i think they should capitalize b4 ppl lose interest but nonetheless dont rush it and make it half@ssed

  • sa-id

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 3:41 am GMT

    man i agree wit MURDA_B. im still waiting. it was supposed to come out like two years ago. i love ps3 but they need to pick it up.

  • division_9

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 3:11 am GMT

    Wait?. I can easily wait another decade to watch Xbox live look like a 50$ a year rip off with no virtual world.

    @Murda_B Im sure youre still waiting for the grand disappointment of Gears of War 2 when you learn it isnt much different from the first one. And also hows Too Human haha.

  • MURDA_B

    Posted Sep 1, 2008 2:04 pm GMT

    OOOWWW STILL WAITING

  • djsiddiqi

    Posted Sep 1, 2008 6:30 am GMT

    man i cant w88 and i wanna play the home beta SONY

  • edngeh

    Posted Aug 30, 2008 11:05 pm GMT

    i am happy with my 80 (more like 74 gb) system. i now have 51 gbs left for some reason, i guess 3 of my games required 3gbs, and 2gbs to update or install.

  • edngeh

    Posted Aug 30, 2008 11:02 pm GMT

    sweet, i just got the new 80gb today and did all the updates for system, games, and downloaded stuff like the PS home.

  • C_Graham

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 1:47 pm GMT

    i havent got my theme thing yet and has any 1 goe a american account i could have please

  • skull_face_61

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 9:15 am GMT

    THANKS SONY FOR NOT SENDING ME A HOME BETA INVITATION TO ONE OF YOUR LOYAL FANS. I'VE BEEN READING ON THE PLAYSTATION FORUMS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOTTEN A HOME BETA INVITATIONS AND THEY HAVE SOMETHING NEGATIVE TO SAY ABOUT IT. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU HAVE SENT THE INVITATION TO THE WRONG PEOPLE. IN CONCLUSION MY PS3 IS STAYING OFF UNTIL HOME COMES OUT. I'M NOT BUYING ANY GAMES TILL' THEN.
    THANKS SONY FOR NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • rpgisforme

    Posted Aug 26, 2008 6:52 am GMT

    I can't wait for the release, it's gonna be awesome.

  • IcanSpel

    Posted Aug 25, 2008 3:19 am GMT

    playstation home is sounding awesome and i cant wait for its release

  • whantwhant

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 1:54 am GMT

    i hope in playstation home they bring out somthing like a monopoly table were like 2to4 players can get together and play arcade games like monopoly and battle ships and table tennies and connect 4 and uno and poker and any card games also any board games there are loads i just hope sony pick the right ones gd luck sony and plz allow use to play this sorts of games

  • dulichild

    Posted Aug 20, 2008 8:28 am GMT

    I just wanna know when you get selected by the ensigner? I mean I downloaded the theme but when and how will i know when i'm selected.

  • gtafan08

    Posted Aug 19, 2008 2:07 pm GMT

    im so excited

  • HarlemzProdigy2

    Posted Aug 18, 2008 9:34 am GMT

    I hope you can customize your avatar like in saint's row 2 t for your avatar, if every body walked the same it would be really wierd... Really hope its free though...

  • pokomo

    Posted Aug 17, 2008 7:15 pm GMT

    That download wasn't available as far as I can tell in Europe. Ladies and gentle-gamers, another example of us Europeans getting the brown and sticky end...

  • Singh409

    Posted Aug 17, 2008 12:57 pm GMT

    When is this coming out?

  • misterr66

    Posted Aug 17, 2008 5:42 am GMT

    What's taking them so long?

  • letthepigsfly

    Posted Aug 15, 2008 9:25 am GMT

    yeah that makes sense the way people are being chosen, does that mean there's a leaderboard for users times on PSN somewhere? cause i want to see it!!!

  • fcedillo

    Posted Aug 14, 2008 9:52 pm GMT

    somebody knows when is Home be available and if its gonna be for mexico too??

  • crazyeyes23

    Posted Aug 14, 2008 1:57 pm GMT

    yeah can't wait for the home. but also can't wait for 360's avatar. that is right i'm no fanboy i've got both systems but still like my 360 better for graphics and the marketplace. ps3 just as good for graphics they just gotta work on there games a little more. media sharing on the ps3 is great. each system has it's flaws but i think wii has the most flaws. crappy graphics and just lame if you aren't a little kid or a grandparent. i think nintendo needs to step up their game. yeah ps3 is doing good in sales but wait to see what happens when final fantasy comes out for the 360 since they've got the rights to it.

  • _Bugs_

    Posted Aug 13, 2008 1:53 pm GMT

    EA we have a deal dont we?
    you better do your part including me or i will kick you out of the family

  • whantwhant

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 11:13 am GMT

    raverrozza im glad you told me its not happenig in europe because i was gettimg really angry that i hadent got it on my psn store i just hope they relese open home beta this fall im really exsited about it its just ive herd comments that there only going to let 50.000 people in this open home beta i dont now if its true

  • cooldude03

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 10:40 am GMT

    Great a beta expansion for Home. Let me know the release date so I can get really excited.

  • meharu

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 7:47 am GMT

    Great news but still no exact date.

  • raverrozza

    Posted Aug 12, 2008 2:41 am GMT

    come on gamespot!this is an international site so please point out if things like this are only applicable to certain regions in this case NA.

    I got all excited before i realised its not happening in europe.

  • Darkblyth

    Posted Aug 11, 2008 8:48 pm GMT

    make an american account and go to store

  • HA_Chaosagent

    Posted Aug 11, 2008 5:37 pm GMT

    I am always online. I just don't buy things on the PSN, I do download tons of free stuff and themes, wallpapers, demos, add-ons that are free. I will get money for my PSN accounts soon i hope.

  • Ozzie234

    Posted Aug 11, 2008 11:07 am GMT

    No virtual disco dancing for a while yet then??? What a loss. lol.

  • zidan4000

    Posted Aug 11, 2008 7:07 am GMT

    i cant find the HOME theme anywhere in the PS Store . is it me or my PS3? coz i have a PAL PS3 i hope this applies to Europe and Middle East users.
    please help i really wanna get a chance to try the beta

  • Shmoe82

    Posted Aug 11, 2008 1:53 am GMT

    Does it count if you are always online but just long enough to log onto Call of Duty. I actually don't think I have been in the store sense the COD4 addon was released.

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