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Having already issued a lengthy delay to PlayStation Home last year, the 3-D social networking service for the PS3 has fallen on hard times yet again. Originally, the "Open Beta" (that means all of you guys) was supposed to kick off this Spring, with the full Home service launching in Summer - something we all expected to be announced at E3 in July. However, late last night Sony issued a press release detailing the updated plans for their ambitious undertaking.
The Closed Beta for Home that is currently underway (and has been for quite some time) which I was lucky enough to be a part of has been extended until this Fall. More testers will be selected to enter the online world's private session to try out their virtual socializing skills at a yet-to-be determined time frame. Once Fall arrives (if all goes according to plan) Sony will finally move into Public Beta mode, releasing it into the wild for all PlayStation Network users. Kaz Hirai, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO said:
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. 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(R) tradition.
Worst case scenario, the final, polished release of Home might possibly to slip to next year. However it should be noted that former Sony President Phil Harrison stated that, effectively, there would be no "finalized" release, as the service will continue to be improved and expanded even after it goes live. So at this time Sony is adamant that the Public Beta (read: full release) is on track for this Fall. On the other hand, further testing can only yield a better end product. Right? And that is something that Sony has to absolutely nail at this point. No more screw ups can befall this project. Too much is riding on this. It does make you wonder though, what exactly is holding this up? Something has to be severely wrong with the service - somewhere - for such a long delay. Well, here's to the Fall, then. Now, in-game XMB? What's up, Sony?
Hit the jump for Sony's full announcement.
Sony Computer Entertainment Announces Expansion of Closed Beta Testing for
PLAYSTATION(R)Home in Summer 2008
Open Beta Service Scheduled For Fall 2008
TOKYO, April 22 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI)
announced today that it will expand the Closed Beta testing for
PLAYSTATION(R)Home in Summer 2008, inviting a further number of registrants
from the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) 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(R)
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.
Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the
opening of the service will be announced as they become available.
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