Home beta test survey gives info on possible expansions

by Jem Alexander { Jul 18th 2007 at 6:30PM }

One of our readers has emailed us to let us know that Sony has sent each member of the Home closed beta a simple survey. Consisting of only a single "question", the survey asks testers to rate the importance of a list of features from 1 to 5. Here are our top rated features, the rest are after the jump.

Purchasable private spaces for clans/groups (5)
Community events (movies/concerts/developer chats/other events) (5)
Ability to customize avatars with unique items based on game accomplishments and ownership (5)
The ability to acquire (find/learn/buy) collectible/limited edition items (5)
Additional avatar customization (non-human enhancements, e.g. robots, animal heads) (5)
A means of displaying a user's personal gaming history (5)
Hall of Fame/trophy display (5)

We know we weren't invited to join the beta, but we've rated these ourselves anyway (the number in the brackets after each list item). We hope that Sony will eventually add all of these features to Home and that this is just a means of choosing which to work on first. The open beta is due to open sometime this month and this looks very much to us like Sony is attempting to get the final opinions of the closed beta players before the influx of new users occurs. Hopefully within the next week or so.

[Thanks Hunter!]

Online game launching from within Home (4)
The ability to find fans of specific games (4)
More mini-games within Home (3)
Tools for accessing my PS3 media in my private Home space (3)
Access to the PlayStation Store within Home (3)
Game specific lobbies (4)
Premium private Home space upgrades (purchasable) (3)
Premium objects for private Home space (purchasable) (3)
Premium avatar clothing upgrades (branded, designer) (3)
The ability to earn trophies for game accomplishments (4)
Non-avatar based method for accessing Home features and functionality (3)

How would you rate this list?

Tags: beta, Home, survey

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

dan @ Jul 18th 2007 6:45PM

Additional avatar customization (non-human enhancements, e.g. robots, animal heads) = 0

I like it the way it is now with people rather than turning it into a freak show. I would rather it was as realistic as possible and save all the fantasy stuff for in game.

komrad @ Jul 18th 2007 6:48PM

freakshows are real dan.

Hunter X @ Jul 18th 2007 6:50PM

Same here!

Hunter X @ Jul 18th 2007 6:53PM

I rated mine similar to what you guys have, no number 3's though, and sure you can place my name

Conor @ Jul 18th 2007 6:55PM

i agree with #2! otherwise home will start looking like the world of warcraft "the internet is for porn" vid!

Nick @ Jul 19th 2007 12:19AM

The ability to customize an avatar with your "achievements" is a huge one. If any of you have played any MMORPG's you'll know this. Being able to show off that you own the best piece of armor or weapon in the game is a major feature.

Being awarded a wearable "achievement" in Home will be the same thing. Imagine being able to attach some type of sword accessory to your avatar after you win the achievement for getting that ultra rare sword in the latest Final Fantasy. Or maybe after you kill 10,000 people online in Unreal Tournament you will get a shirt for your avatar that says "Seriously..." on it.

The idea here is really open ended and very exciting! Who cares about gamer score and a little slogan on your profile when you can visually show off your achievements with new avatar gear!

Kxpuc @ Jul 18th 2007 7:09PM

i want clothing that makes me look like Dan from Street Fighter :p

Dan 4 life

johnxmzzhang @ Jul 18th 2007 7:21PM

I rely like the community events idea... I mean whats better than going on Home during a big day such as 4th of july and finding that theres a fireworks show at a certain spot at a certain time... Its a awsome idea.... and maybe if they integrade some special free items during times like christmas, where if u visit the store they will have free santa hats or sumthn to add to our inventory, or even xmas shirts and stuff free or not. HOME is already lookin rely awsome I cant wait for the release.

iRoy @ Jul 18th 2007 7:29PM

@dan

I agree, If i see one furry in Home I'm throwing my PS3 out my window.

GRT @ Jul 18th 2007 7:29PM

I can't believe you guys rated having a robot head higher than launching a game from inside home....

qwerter @ Jul 18th 2007 7:41PM

@8 see now your just tryin to make it like runescape dude, i dont wanna see people looking like rs noobs in home..no way!

Consolcwby @ Jul 18th 2007 8:58PM

Online game launching from within Home (5)

The ability to find fans of specific games (3)
More mini-games within Home (2)
Tools for accessing my PS3 media in my private Home space (5)

Access to the PlayStation Store within Home (4)
Game specific lobbies (5)

Premium private Home space upgrades (purchasable) (1)

Premium objects for private Home space (purchasable) (1)
Premium avatar clothing upgrades (branded, designer) (1)
The ability to earn trophies for game accomplishments (5)

Non-avatar based method for accessing Home features and functionality (4)

=o This is my list, and may I say that I wouldn't want to spend actual $$$ to purchase virtual clothes or furniture, but I would spend "Home Buttons" you get for doing things in games. (I would use the word 'points', but "Home Buttons" could be copyrighted =D ) I hate the idea of spending cash on anything but entertainment (things that entertain - if a couch entertains you then seek help!) =D
This is my 2 buttons for this post! =P

Alex P. @ Jul 18th 2007 9:11PM

Playing off the whole "points" idea, if instead of having to pay for new furniture for your home in HOME it would be cool you could purchase stuff with "points" you earn for doing stuff in a game. Say you reach the rank of fox in MGS online you should get some "points" to buy items with. Obviously the points can't be worth that much but I rather buy/rent more games and earn points than have to pay for each new thing I want in my space. I think this type of system is more motivating than the other system's achievements because you actually get a (virtual) tangible reward not some sign that says you have 5 stars.

mcloki @ Jul 18th 2007 9:56PM

I love the "Ability to customize avatars with unique items based on game accomplishments and ownership"
What an easy way to find out people who want to play a football game than walk up to someone wearing a Buffalo Bills/favourite team Jersey. This is a visual space after all. The more visual clues as too what gamers want the better. And after seeing the demos it looks like a bluetooth headset is a must. Sony should make it a pack in.

Nick Kosmides @ Jul 18th 2007 11:13PM

I don't agree with anything that costs $$$$$$ and is not an item you can hold in your hand. Paying money for clothes for your avatar or items for your HOME space, I am TOTALLY AGAINST that kind of transaction. It does NOT enhance gameplay.

If it were a pack of maps or like the Ridge Racer 7 downloads, only the music was charged. Even though you can't export it and listen outside of the game.

No nickel and diming consumers! This is for XBOX to do to their consumers.

If its not free, it shouldn't be!

Definitely have unlockable clothing and stuff for your HOME space that comes from playing a game. Like a Darkling statuette for your living space that gives off red, green, orange or blue light to illuminate a small corner of your room. Only unlockable by playing The Darkness on Hard difficulty all the way through!

THAT'S A KILLER IDEA!

Chuck @ Jul 18th 2007 11:13PM

All I want are more hair options and customizations.

adam @ Jul 19th 2007 1:09AM

When is Home suppose to be released to the public?

BestOfBothWorlds @ Jul 19th 2007 1:57AM

hmmm? i bet a lot rpg fans are gonna be decked out in FF7 clothe! if i see another EMO dude in half a shirt or vest im making a game designer hit list! !:)

Cameron @ Jul 19th 2007 3:02AM

October 4th is the day for ps Homewith the Thursday update the truth!

GL @ Jul 19th 2007 2:26AM

I like the freak show! I'll be "Clank" or "Sackboy!" Yeah!

Kung_Fu_Russ @ Jul 19th 2007 2:52AM

AAAARGH!!!
CROSS-GAME INVITES!!!

FOR FECK'S SAKE SONY!!!!!!

SORT IT OUT!!!!

Nine @ Jul 19th 2007 3:34AM

Though Home is nice, I would really like a little something that shows you how much friends are online right after I switch on the PS3. I think the 360 got this feature spot on. But maybe thats what they mean by "Non-avatar based method for accessing Home features and functionality"

Brian Spence @ Jul 19th 2007 7:21AM

If I can't launch a game from Home, then I probably wouldn't use it much. I'm a slightly older gamer (32) and I don't know many people who have a PS3. Just my younger brother, actually. So this community thing isn't that big a deal. I don't make friends online, sorry.