Home gets delayed again, open beta scheduled for Fall

by Andrew Yoon { Apr 22nd 2008 at 1:25AM }

You're going to have to wait a little bit longer for Home. Sony's much-discussed online service debuted at GDC over a year ago, but it's still been restricted to a number of closed beta participants. According to a new press release by both SCEA and SCEE, the closed beta testing will continue through Summer, with an open beta finally available in the Fall.

"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 tradition."

It appears that more people will be invited into the closed beta. However, this recent delay of Home is continuing a disturbing trend of promises that are delivered late or not at all, such as in-game XMB and game invites -- these features are far more valuable than an online world to walk through. We're sure everyone will echo the same sentiment: it's been taking Sony much too long to deliver on these promises. Stay tuned for any new developments regarding the Home beta.

Gallery: Home

Tags: delay, home, playstation-home

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

babash @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:31AM

well so much for all those rumors that it'd be available sooner rather than later eh!

that sux

Syn @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:01AM

Ok people. Would you like a razor blade so you can go cut yourself? Because it's the emo thing to do.

Seriously. It's the end of the world because a social service via a console is delayed. Oh no What will we ever do? Sony made you a promise and left you out in the cold, to only break that promise. Are you really that upset? I mean, yeah Home is a great addition to the PS3, but its free, its not a game, and you're not developing it. Lets take everyone who is complaining, a few computers, and say here... Make a 3d social community beyond anything that is out there. Now, thats what game developers do aswell. They get told what to develop, but are given a time frame. Now yes delays are made, but those delays are made by companys who can afford it. I know you've played games that have a felt rushed, and you complain about it. Now what would stop you from doing the same with Home? Home is announced "OMG HOME IS AWSOME" and the list of additions people want pile up. Even Beta testers have said, It's not ready. People have an expectation of Home, but as we know. People like things beyond their expectations or they complain.

The Dark Trooper @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:51AM

Did you mean to reply to babash's comment? as thats a huge over recation, Secondly I don't mind waiting a few more months better to work the kinks out now I say

Frosty22 @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:28AM

Syn... your post just annoyed me. I mean, it really annoyed me. When a company makes public a rollout date, they should stick to it. Right now, what they are doing is dangling this carrot in front of us with dates but when we get there they move the carrot a little further, rinse and repeat. It is getting awfully annoying. If they do not know when it will be finished, they should not dangle the carrot yet.

Justin @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:36AM

Actually Syn is right.

I'm a tester, it's not even close to ready. Be glad you don't have it and they're working bugs out.

I'd rather the bad press now over people calling it half-baked later.

thinkofmeasmra @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:32AM

Frosty (and everyone else whos B!TCHING)

Your post really annoyed me. I mean REALLY annoyed me. STFU up honestly. Being a developer myself, I can tell you its not easy nor always on schedule. I cant stand dealing with clients like you because they have no idea of the process nor have any respect for it, they just know what they want and that they want it now, but will complain till they are blue in the face if they find a single bug.

Do you even have any idea what goes into developing a network application, let alone a 3D network application?? Has there ever been a version of Windows that hasnt been delayed and then still came out with bugs?? What about GTA4? What about Haze? Things get delayed for a REASON. Developers dont waste precious money making time keeping a product in development just cause. They are improving the damn thing one way another whether it be quality assurance, polishing, or packing in more features.

Seriously, try making a better version of second life and lets see how you do. Not only will you struggle with the engine alone if your doing something completely above second life, but lets see how much extra time your spend on cool new features you wanna put in, polishing all the graphics you have made, testing the whole thing, then fixing the bugs and finally optimizing. Its not the developing the engine that takes long.

Like any fine piece of art, its the little details that make it impressive. So keep bitching with your stupid carrot analogy and and buy a launch 360 cause obviously your not interested in quality assurance or innovation.

I mean Sony is listening to the input of beta users and implementing those suggestions, then we turn around and bitch at them for taking the time to do so?? WTF... Then again if they didnt listen, we'd all bitch and moan and say they dont listen and that Home is shit. So I actually feel a bit sorry for Sony in these situations cause they cant win, but the question is what do we want damnit, do we want rushed, buggy, feature-lacking products, or do we want stable,polished, feature-packed products?? Think carefully cause one of those responses requires you to STFU and be a little patient..

matthew_neitzer @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:29PM

I agree with thinkofmeasmra almost 100%. Sony isn't doing this just to be mean or to play some kind of joke on us. We have waited this long, get over it. Some people are just so impatient, though I guess that more and more that is a defining attitude of the current generation. Too bad for you people, because you are letting this upset you. What is the point of that? Does it make Home's bugs go away, or Sony work any faster. I can assure you that they are working really hard on Home. Do you really think they don't know that we all want it?

matthew_neitzer @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:28PM

And, your reply system is really annoying PS3fanboy. I didn't put my password in to get a confirmation e-mail that never comes.

Vohaul79 @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:15PM

I like it when people late to the party use the reply button to overlap on someones comment then write novel to top it off.
Heres looking at you thinkofmeasmra ; )

toefer @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:10PM

I like how the people who are angry at the angry people usually argue stuff like "do you even know what it takes to make a game" or "go slit your wrists crybaby" when that's not the point of the original complaints. I don't know what it takes to make a game, and I don't care. But Sony shouldn't have said it was coming out in the Fall of 07 unless they were sure it would. Then they said Spring (or at least strongly hinted at it) and what do you know, delayed again.

I understand games take time, and that they need to work this out. But they should shut up about the game until they know for sure that it's going to be ready to roll out. That's the point of complaining. It doesn't mean it ruins someone's life that it's not out yet, or that they don't understand how games works, and implying that it does makes the counter arguments sound childish. My dad is better than your dad.

matthew_neitzer @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:46PM

You're probably right about the Dad part. :(

TP4MYBUNGHOLE @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:33AM

Absolute Bullcrap! But you know what, I'll be so busy with GTA IV that I couldn't care less. Atleast Rockstar kept its promise, I would lose my mind if GTA IV was postponed as well. And here I thought with all the "Year of the PS3" hype, the disappointments from Sony would be coming to an end with Sony delivering on its promises. But nope, we get bit in the arse again!

Da @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:37AM

ehh.. GTAIV was already pushed back half a year.

TP4MYBUNGHOLE @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:47AM

I meant the promise they made for GTA IV to be released in Q2 08. :)

Matt @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:30AM

Actually, Rockstar didn't keep its promise. It got delayed from last October to next week, so they aren't much different. Only difference is that Home has been delayed more than once.

deaftly @ Apr 22nd 2008 2:15PM

Take a guess why it got delayed.

JaseH @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:47PM

Oh get lost deaftly.

Rockstar have never officially mentioned the PS3 was the cause. In fact if they have, it was only a MINOR issue.

The BIGGEST factor in the delay was the multiplayer. They had a tough time recreating Liberty City for an Online aspect, so that they could keep as much texture & reality without any lag or problems of any other sort.

SEARCH IT UP.

This rumor you're biting into is total bullshit. And to be honest I wouldnt be surprised if the DLC from MS was the basic factor in delaying it also. Im sure $50 million can sway alot of people to postpone their debut until the next Financial year.

There sso many rumors yet so little time. Get over yourself and quit talking about something you dont know anything about.

X360Fanboy.com. - Your home. Stay there & shut up :]

_____________________________________
JaseH.

casey @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:35AM

Jesus Christ Sony, honestly what the hell is a matter with you. It has taken you over 4 years to bring this service out. Maybe hire a bit better coders, who program more than one line of code a day.

never$$hort @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:01PM

Everyone one here that's b****ing and moaning that Home is not released yet are the same type of people that would be b****ing and moaning if Home was released in its current state. Sony can't win with you people, everything they do is wrong or not good enough. Here's some good advice Sony, don't mention anything until it's finished and ready to be released a month later, then all these obnoxious tools wouldn't have much to b**** about, wait, I take that back, they'd still find something to complain over.

Lars @ Apr 22nd 2008 2:36PM

It's kind of a catch 22 situation. Developers don't like to release any info on a game or whatever until it's near completion. The problem is that the way the industry works is hype generates revenue, so they're forced to announce things way earlier than they should. I don't blame Sony for taking so long on it, I'm a developer too, I understand how long coding takes, especially on a new project. I think they should have delayed announcing it until like summer this year... but they just can't wait on announcements because of the way things work.

G @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:40PM

bothered about home? tbh i'm not that knowledgeable about home and what it does or doesn't do, but I don't get why everyone is moaning about it being delayed. Huge projects always get delayed and you don't want some half assed buggy piece of crap on time. Sony have done loads of things to boost the performance of the PS3 via firmware updates and I'm sure they've got bigger appeal than a niche project called home

DrunkRaba @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:38AM

ugh, coming soon to your PS4, Home!

Andrew Yoon @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:43AM

LOL. Seriously, Sony. You have to get your act together.

SQUIRTFORCE @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:39AM

It's kind of a bummer this is pushed back but I don't understand why people instantly go into butthurt mode about it. It's not a game and there is going to be plenty of stuff to keep you busy now that GTA is here. And Metal Gear Solid very very soon. BUT I WANT VIRTUAL IKEA FURNITURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111

Popfrogs @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:49AM

That's not the point, people want all the features Home is supposed to bring. Private rooms where you can share photos and videos, chat and meet random people walking around, and best of all, group game launches. It's your way to create a 'lobby' where everyone meets and jumps into a game.

I couldn't care less about making some 3d emo kid dance around like a fool, but the features Home promises are going to help alot with the PSN's sorry deficiencies.

Vohaul79 @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:41AM

So sick of hearing Sony BS. I was just telling my friend tonight that the wait is getting irritating. Dont announce something and pretend your going to do all this stuff when in reality you havnt done jack. Claimed they had been working on it since the ps2. Spin another one Sony. How bout they just say "we got caught with our pants down regarding our online features and made up home, figuring we could make it. Turns out we had ni idea what we were getting into when we promised this magical world."

Once again you have outdone yourselves Sony .

SonofaGunner @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:43AM

Judging from your reaction you probably would have complained if they released HOME in it's current state.

Vohaul79 @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:57AM

I'm well aware of its current state. I've used my friends beta account many times. Forgive me for hoping they could possibly have something decent to show after a year + of effort. How rude of me to be sick of Sony feeding everyone bullshite everytime they are too incompitent to make good on another loud mouth promise. Please forgive me ....

Noshino @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:29PM

goddamn, Im tired of whinning babies.

Vohaul79

"I'm well aware of its current state. I've used my friends beta account many times. Forgive me for hoping they could possibly have something decent to show after a year + of effort."

1 year +? are you serious, do you think that they could pull off Home in 2 years?

Have you played God of War? yes that game that has won so many awards and its considered the best PS2 game, yes that game. How long do you think it took to develop? reportedly it was 5 years, and you are hoping that something like Home, that is going beyond what we have seen on any console even PC for that matter, to be developed in less than 2 years?

"How rude of me to be sick of Sony feeding everyone bullshite everytime they are too incompitent to make good on another loud mouth promise. Please forgive me ...."

What bullshit? they made the promise of making a quality product, aren't they keeping THAT promise? goddamn grow some balls and understand that sometimes things MUST be delayed for their own good

Noshino @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:29PM

"I'm well aware of its current state. I've used my friends beta account many times. Forgive me for hoping they could possibly have something decent to show after a year + of effort."

1 year +? are you serious, do you think that they could pull off Home in 2 years?

Have you played God of War? yes that game that has won so many awards and its considered the best PS2 game, yes that game. How long do you think it took to develop? reportedly it was 5 years, and you are hoping that something like Home, that is going beyond what we have seen on any console even PC for that matter, to be developed in less than 2 years?

"How rude of me to be sick of Sony feeding everyone bullshite everytime they are too incompitent to make good on another loud mouth promise. Please forgive me ...."

What bs? they made the promise of making a quality product, aren't they keeping THAT promise? goddamn grow some balls and understand that sometimes things MUST be delayed for their own good

Skippy @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:53AM

You should contact Sony in order to get a refund of the money you paid for Home.

Vohaul79 @ Apr 22nd 2008 12:43PM

Noshino

Its called an open BETA asshat. They have delayed a BETA for that ammount of time. GOW wasn't in open beta form after 5 years. Nice comparison though moron.

I unlike you have actually used the closed beta. So speak to me when you have. Sony has notoriosly dangled carrots and never delivered. Im not the only one bitching.

I dont even like the idea of home all that well. Just sick of Sony babble that never comes true. They lie more than our current president.

Noshino @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:41PM

"Its called an open BETA asshat. They have delayed a BETA for that ammount of time. GOW wasn't in open beta form after 5 years. Nice comparison though moron. "

First of all, it shows that you cannot understand what I meant by what I stated, so I'll explain it in other words. GoW was a regular console title, no online connectivity, and it took 5 years to develop...5 FUCKING YEARS and they even left behind a lot of material (according to Jaffe), and you want something of the caliber of Home to at least release a beta in less than 2 years?...

You do know what the Beta version is right? by Beta, all of the features should be implemented and working (even with bugs), it is understandable that they released a close Beta since all functions haven't been finished nor polished, why would they release a Beta if they are not ready for a testing of that magnitude?

"Dont announce something and pretend your going to do all this stuff when in reality you havnt done jack"

Its funny that you claim that you have tried the beta you then state that...it has been reported by many sites that there have been many updates from the build that was given at the beginning of the beta....

I have tried many beta's (both open and closed) so I know how it is...there have been times in which the testers have reported that the product needs a lot more of work and so the devs sometimes end up delaying its release.

As for Sony and their promises, yah, they do take a bit long to fulfill those promises, but still, I have yet to be disappointed by what Sony has offered, both software and hardware wise.

Vohaul79 @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:10PM

Noshino,
I bet you wear GOW pajamas.

According to Phil Harrison at the time of Homes unveiling, he claimed that they had been developing home during the ps2 days, years before the ps3 was out, when questioned about their lofty goals for their new online platform.

So according to your holy 5 year to make a game theory... Fine... I guess if you believe what Sony spits then home has been in development for at least 3-4 years and is still in closed beta.

Whatever man. Defend them all you want, fact is they promised it and promised it and pretended to be further than they were. Stick up for that if you want, I wont. I'd rather hear, uh we dont know when its going to be ready. We'll tell you when it is.

SonofaGunner @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:42AM

Why are you even linking HOME to in-game XMB? HOME isn't the new OS or PSN. This type of commentary is pretty much misinformation.

kentuckyfried @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:30AM

I was going to say....this "delay" announcement doesn't mean that there's going to be an actual delay with in-game XMB, right?

That's a minor piece that's missing when setting up online matches like COD4. A nuisance, but tolerable. It's not like the 360 works that much better in terms of invites. I've burned 20-30 minute sessions trying to coordinate that sort of thing on Live.

frankym @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:45AM

Another Sony delay??

By the time Sony brings everything out to market that they have promised, Xbox will be on their next console..no kidding...its like ony keeps stringing us along year after year and nothing materializes.

Eggy @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:56AM

Most xbox 360 owners already have had a second and third new xbox.

Jove @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:46AM

by the time it launches, they risk loosing ppls interest on it. they need better programers, seriously.

Marco Cano Jr @ Apr 22nd 2008 2:24AM

Yeah thats whats happening with me. Started out with "cool!" and its getting to "meh". Honestly I think they should just cancel it.

Thing is with all these features people want is already built in the system. Its been proven by Rock Band [Messeging in game], Burnout Paradice [Custom Soundtracks], Ridge Racer [Game Invites], even more. Its just Sony's too laid back or Open. Its like they're saying to devs "Its up to you dude" or it could be that they don't have enough power (both in Sales and Dev Tools) to force it on devs.

LJ @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:37AM

If they get to cancel it... i'm sure you'll keep on bashing them.

To me Home is not a big deal... i couldnt care less. Just go out.. and make some friends like normal ppl do. In-game XMB thats what we need.

Home is just gonna be full of child molesters and geeks with no social life and I'm sure is going to be feature in "to catch a predator" you'll see. This is not even a game they are talking about and you guys are just whining about it.

doc j @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:48AM

At this point it's going to have to be incredible to be worth it. The only redeeming factor is that they aren't telling us to get another job to spend our time waiting for it. Perhaps the Sony hubris has been capped.

Of course, to be fair, I wasn't anxiously waiting for Home so I'm not really disappointed in the delay. I am - however - disappointed in Sony not living up to its end of the deal.

bo moulton @ Apr 22nd 2008 2:02AM

Exactly. I've never been that interested myself. Used my friends beta account many times. Its the problem with Sony and their wild promises that have rarely if ever been kept...Just keep dragging it along. The dissapointing part to those non beta testers (or those without access) is that it has more or less not progressed since the release of the open beta. I was secretly hoping they had something to deliver we just hadn't seen after all this time..Apperently I was wrong (once again) to think Sony would come through on their end for once..

Vohaul79 @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:49AM

when they first announced it open beta was due months away in the fall. Now its pushing way way past a year. Awesome programmers at Sony. Wonder why Phil left. How bout gran t. beta for 40$ though?

PHENOMENAL_OTF @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:51AM

So is the open beta thats coming in the fall the finished home or what?

DepheCt @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:57AM

Here is whats going to happen, I have seen it time and time again. All these people are going to bitch and moan that its taking to long for it to come out, over whelmed with the hype. When it finally does drop and they realize it was a hype machine and it really isnt that great, they wont even play it but a couple times. Thats what I see happening with HOME. Its not going to be the be all end all gaming experience, as a matter of a fact its not even really a game. Dont get me wrong, I would like it to be here too, so I can try it out... but I just dont see it being what everyone is hoping for.

DocPolkaBob @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:59AM

That's absolutely ridiculous. By the time they actually finish Home we'll be moving into the next console generation. Why did they even bother announcing Home if they were never actually close to releasing it. I love my Playstation, but Sony's really letting me down.

Extinction @ Apr 22nd 2008 2:05AM

I'm no longer interested in Home, being delayed a year killed it.

adam @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:38AM

sony pisses me off to no end. i fell for the "year of the ps3" hype also. i ended up finally getting one, and i still have to rely on my fisher price red ring of death box to deliver quality online service(im on my 3rd one). i was hoping the ps3 would give me reason to abandon that piece of crap, but with exclusives (dlc included), better online setup, developers porting half-ass work to the ps3, and now sony screwing the pooch on promises. not to mention that i was planning on playing the metal gear beta today that got what? delayed. im not a hater, just dissapointed at the relentless bad news that keeps smacking ps3 owners in the face.