PlayStation Home says 'Hi honey!' tomorrow @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on December 10, 2008

News: Open Beta of the PS3's virtual community is finally ready to go.

Sony has announced that the PlayStation Home virtual community service for the PlayStation 3 will launch in beta form tomorrow. The long delayed Second Life-like online world will bring avatars and a virtual apartment to PS3 owners:

Within PlayStation Home, users can create and customize their own unique avatars and explore the virtual community in real time where they can communicate freely through text or voice chat. PlayStation Home users will not only be able to enjoy variety of entertainment content such as mini-games, videos and special events along with their friends, but will also be able to create their own community by using the "Club" feature to create clubs with other PlayStation Home users who share the same interests. PlayStation Home also allows groups of users to launch directly into their favourite online games together from PlayStation Home.

On the home front, PlayStation Home gives everyone their own apartment to spend time in and entertain friends - who will now be able relax on exclusive Ligne Roset furniture. At the virtual store, people will be able to choose from a selection of the most popular Ligne Roset designs, including the iconic Togo and Facett upholstery collections. It will be possible to personalise furniture by selecting from a wide selection of fabrics and leathers allowing a unique and individual look. This is an opportunity to get acquainted with Ligne Roset's cutting edge designs created by some of Europe's most talented designers.

Sony plans to partner with many different companies to supply both free and paid content for free. Among the list of initial partners includes Ubisoft (who have created a Far Cry 2 "space" on Home), Red Bull, clothing manufacturer Diesel and furniture designer Ligne Roset.