Just yesterday, Steven reported that Sony's PlayStation Home service may well be available "before the end of the year". Apparently, a little over 24 hours can make all the difference in these things, with the rumour blown out of the water in a slightly different way than we'd expected.

News tonight has landed on my desk that the PlayStation Home Beta will be available for all PS3 users with PlayStation Network connectivity - starting December 11th, 2008. The information came out of the UK, so I wouldn't expect this one until tomorrow evening, or even Friday morning.

It seems the closed run was a success, and Home is now set to evolve with more new features and added functionality.


Now - a recap, if you've been living under a rock, or are otherwise scratching your head trying to work out what this Home dealy is all about. Sony are promoting it as a "ground-breaking 3D social gaming community" for their latest console, giving users the chance to interact, communicate, and even share their gaming experiences. They're promising an "overwhelming" visual presentation, and social experiences only possible on the PS3 platform - including the ability to communicate freely through text or voice chat, with their own unique avatars that are able to explore the virtual community in real time.

More than just an online network, Home also offers entertainment content including videos, mini-games and special events for people to enjoy with their friends - and if there's not something there you like, then try out the "Club" feature to set up a club with your friends and other Home users who share the same interests.


Available as a free download this week, Home will launch directly from its own icon in the PlayStation Network column of the XMB. It will first appear when you boot (or re-boot) your system, and - obviously - requires a broadband network connection and an active PlayStation Network account to run. At this stage, basic Home features and services will be made available, free of charge - and Sony are promising open interaction between themselves and various business partners with the users. The plan at this stage is to evolve the network over time, adding additional features such as dedicated game spaces, exclusive themed items and special events that will help to enrich the entertainment experience that is PS3.

While there's been no local announcement about what's in store for Aussies, we are often bundled into the Sony Computer Entertainment Europe region, and if this is the case this time, the unveiling of Home will see some swanky new themed visual environments for you to explore. From the outset, there will be a dedicated Far Cry 2 space, which will be followed by various gaming-inspired environments designed to give gamers the opportunity to discuss strategies, access content and maybe even find clues to enhance the gaming experience. Currently, there are plans for spaces to celebrate Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, Warhawk, MotorStorm and SOCOM in the near future. And it's not all just Sony doing the hard work, they've enlisted the help of the leading publishers to ensure that these environments provide users with the best possible on-going gaming experience.

Daniel Hill, Home Service Manager, SCEE explains:

“We are very excited to be bringing PlayStation Home to Europe and the PAL territories, offering users an interactive, social, gaming experience. PlayStation Home is unique to anything else in the gaming world and by partnering with both global and regional gaming and non-gaming brands, we are able to offer exciting and entertaining content that will enhance the PlayStation experience.”

It's not just games that will be given their own space. Home is bringing some sponsors with it - so you can deck out your avatar in the latest men's and women's designer avatar clothing from Diesel, and decorate their apartment with some exclusive Ligne Roset furniture (including the Togo and Facett upholstery collections). Just like in a real store, you'll even be able to personalise the furniture to your likings, with a wide range of fabrics and leathers on hand as well.

...but wait, there's more. Red Bull Island sees visitors being able to take part in many events that are unique to the brand - starting with the chance to get in a cockpit of a Red Bull Air Race plane, and take part in races against the community!

Exclusive to PS3, free to download and simple to join, Home looks like it could be the ultimate online community. Use it to meet friends, check out the latest games, listen to new music, watch some videos, relax in your dream apartment... and plenty more. More spaces are being created regularly, so when the Open Beta starts up in the next 24 hours or so, I hope to see you there!