Home beta down Thursday morning for mall stock taking

by Jem Alexander { Dec 3rd 2008 at 9:00PM }

As we inch ever closer to Home's open beta phase, when the PSN's unwashed masses finally gain entrance, it's clear that preparations are being made for the big day (whenever that may be) behind the scenes. Home producers both sides of the pond have revealed that there will be some server downtime tonight, as they do some jiggery-pokery. The downtime will occur between 2am and 9am EST (7am to Midday GMT).

When they come back up the Mall (or Shopping Centre, in Europe) will be full of purchasable items. While they're technically pay-for items, they will be free to grab for everyone in the closed beta for a limited period and will carry over into the open beta. We have no idea when that will be, so make sure you go ahead and grab them ASAP, just in case. We're assured that if you miss out on getting these items for free, their full price will be pretty cheap and they will "continue to have free items in Home on a regular basis."

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Tags: closed-beta, home

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Tim @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:04PM

It's about time.

Albanian_Killa @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:05PM

What kind of idiot pays to decorate a fake apartment with fake stuff? Not even an idiot would do that.

It would be nice if we could use points we get from Trophies as a currency method, or something like that. If they charge for all extra items, they shouldn't expect to be making too much money.

Tez @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:23PM

Wow, I haven't heard this position on pay-for items before! Thanks for the insightful commentary!

hurricane @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:22PM

I'm not sure if you're being sarcastic or not Tez, but I will say that that actually sounds like a great idea.

Devin @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:30PM

There have been hints made from credible sources saying that that very well may be the case; that you will earn "points" from trophies that can then be redeemed in Home for items....I think that is a great idea. More people will want to buy games, to earn trophies, to earn points for Home to then give users an actual reason to jump back into Home....

I want a virtual 3D trophy room like Phil Harrison spoke of at GDC when Home was unveiled and a movie showcasing how I got my trophy(ies) so I can show it(them) off to everyone I know....now that would be cool and really differentiate the PSN from XBL IMO.....

MakaiOokami @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:31PM

Well considering you don't have to pay 50 dollars a year you could just take the money that you save on not paying for internet access and go "here sony thanks for Home please continue to work on your network"

Rather than be a boosey and complain about something ENTIRELY OPTIONAL!

Do you know what Neopets is? What Gaia Online is? That Microsoft is also doing Microtransactions for their Avatars? How much money people have paid for Diablo II items?

This is a way we can give Sony money for all the crap they've given us for free. Kinda like how a lot of people will buy Burnout Paradise cars just as thanks for all the free updates.

Or you could just sit there smug and go "Thanks but no thanks. You guys just keep dishing out the free stuff while I take the free ride"

master811 @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:31PM

Erm, aren't trophies supposed to be converted into "credits" anyway. In which case that's how it will work no?

ryuk @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:42PM

what's a map pack? it's not real, i'm sure you still buy them, an expansion? hell, you pay money for games, which are not real, so stfu

DrunkRaba @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:56PM

@ master 811

Trophies will be used to unlock a certain amount of the money used in Home to purchase items. It will act retroactively for trophies you have already earned. Learned from the Pool Social done last week from the devs that showed up.

Synd @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:26PM

Well. Although I don't play Maple Story, they do make $1mil/month off paying for clothes that only last a month. So, although you maybe anger that people spend chump change to decorate their social expression via the internet, it does happen and people will pay for it.

MBO @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:58PM

people who play club penguin.

HenryH @ Dec 4th 2008 12:14AM

@Tim:

People Buy Themes and Wallpapers for their console's MENUS. You're telling me that's any different from paying for a wallpaper in a virtual home?

I'm not into buying things to look "different" than others, but if I were, I'd rather have a 3D world to change around instead of a boring background picture and bunch of icons...

HenryH @ Dec 4th 2008 12:15AM

^ Errr. Previous post was for Albanian_Killa not Tim.

Albanian_Killa @ Dec 4th 2008 12:35AM

@Henry: You make a good point about the wallpapers, but tell me this. You buy a beach girls theme on the PlayStation Store for ~$1. You can also buy a red love seat and maybe a coffee table for your Home apartment for ~$1.

Now, you see the XMB everytime you turn on your PS3. Having used Home, I usually see it once in a while, of course I see my XMB more often. Which would I rather spend money on (if forced. I don't buy themes, because they're also a rip off). I would choose the theme because it would be of greater value.

spyyder @ Dec 4th 2008 10:04AM

What kind of idiot would pay for online gaming (xbox live) when its free everywhere else?

There are a lot of morons out there, expect people to pay for this crap.

Roto13 @ Dec 4th 2008 12:37PM

@ Ryuk: Wow, way to miss the point.

skin.bintin @ Dec 4th 2008 6:08PM

Xbox Live gamers aren't moron's. They are paying for a superior service.

I'm no fanboy either. I own, and use, both consoles. Add EvilWalksWithMe on either Xbox360 or PS3 if you think I'm lying.

silverfox840 @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:19PM

Cool... I wonder what will be available

BSprague @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:21PM

I'm fairly certain that they won't do it with actual money. It will be more like Trophy credits, as an incentive to get more trophies. This will be good because that gives trophies the upper hand over achievements because they actually have value now.

Mr. Joe @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:29PM

i'm fairly certain they WILL charge real money because people WILL pay for sh!t. advertisers won't be giving anything to home without getting something back. micro spending is going to make home huge. and by huge, i mean nothing but advertisements.

DrunkRaba @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:57PM

Money will be used as one way to get credits, trophies are another way. Though the exchange rate is quite reasonable indeed.

ryuk @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:44PM

awesome can't wait til tomorrow

Lord_von_Punx @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:45PM

good who cares they can shut the whole damn thing

down for all i care! i still have not got my beta code

and i have been an annual sub since day one wtf sony!

Lord_von_Punx @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:47PM

liek seriously i sent sony an email cuz they asked

for my info and p.o.p. for qore. and said sorry for the

inconviance and that i should get the code within a week

been like a month now!!!!

-slycooper_rocker- (lorddshadow the amazing) psn: shahanasalam @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:33PM

how should i contact them? customer service?

nbdyz @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:50PM

WOOHOO!!! Sony finnaly gave in to our playstation home riots!! If anyone has home and have been to the mall lately, im sure you may have seen a riot.

DrunkRaba @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:58PM

I was there! join club "openthedoors" the official mall riot club lol.

nbdyz @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:03PM

LMAO, i will propably do that! but for the ppl that havent seen it, heres a picture of one of the riots.

http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r273/nbdy447/?action=view¤t=11292008001.jpg

sorry about the picture quality, it was taken with my cell phone. but you get the idea...

RVCA208 @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:34PM

@silverfox,

i'd say that expansions and map packs are a tad different. at least those keep an enjoyable game fresh and exciting. i'm with everyone that doesn't want to pay real money for fucking fantasy furniture. i might buy a king size bed so i can get tons of virtual Home ladies. Home altogether is losing interest with me.

ryan @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:49PM

Yup, that DLC is more substantial to a game's experience. Even if you can trade in trophy points for Home items, it's still virtual fluff that doesn't really give anything in return. Like er, um Horse Armor! "Hm, that looks cool. Ok, what now." ...and that's all you'll feel about it.

Trophy points to unlock game content like maps, mission content and items, now we're talking! But I kinda doubt devs would let go of real world currency.

j.howlett @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:56PM

maybe if you weren't so boring Home would keep an interest for you. jk

p.flynn2 @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:24PM

could this signal Home is very very close? Perhaps releasing tomorrow after the down time? Maybe next thursday?

Would Sony do a surprise release like that? we know that home should be out before year end and we are now in the first week of the last month of the year.

I sure hope it does. A december 25th release date (like some have speculated) would be a bummer in my opinion. thats JUST squeezing it in before the end of the year.

no one knows except for sony (and maybe journalists under NDAs)

Mr. Joe @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:23PM

that's a great piece of journalism. did you also know it is the third day of the first week of the last month?! how weird is that!

thanks for listening, chiiildren!

RPMd70 @ Dec 4th 2008 2:31AM

@Mr.Joe

hah. surprised you didn't howl...

".....and now, some music."

rohan @ Dec 3rd 2008 10:33PM

i said it once and i will said it again hurray for free stuff!!
hopefully they give us the ability to add color to the stuff we have i hate the plain white sofa and chair
plus they need more furniture, wallpaper, flooring, games, and so on and so forth
did i mention hurray for free stuff yet??

Lord_von_Punx @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:06PM

send them an email on www.us.playstation.com

spyker @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:34PM

I want free stuff.... but this Qore subscriber is still out of the beta :P.

Liquidus Snake @ Dec 4th 2008 12:16AM

I think its stupid too how they can charge people for stuff like that. You should be able to earn it somehow. If nobody buys any of it im sure after awhile they will realize that they should make it free.

liquidJ @ Dec 4th 2008 12:32AM

They'll do both. They make money either way.

If you buy from the store - they make money.
If you get trophies from downloadable games and buy stuff with the credits - they make money.
If you get trophies from retail games and buy stuff with the credits - they make money.

You know the best part? If you do nothing - they make money. Because the rest of us will be in there partying like it's 1999 and the advertisers will pay because it's cheaper than TV and is a focused group of Males 14-40 who buy sh*t.

Your welcome.

Think Adrian @ Dec 4th 2008 1:43AM

Stardoll.com lives on ppl buying clothes for a virtual doll. Habbo Hotel lives on ppl buying stuff for their virtual hotel room. They both are regression-proof sites.

Grishrak @ Dec 4th 2008 2:35AM

New items, free for us closed beta players??? And so I quit playing Killzone 2 beta to go grab me some new items.

Wadey @ Dec 4th 2008 8:11AM

Its still not back up, just sticks on the initialising screen then get network error D5027.

GGCAN @ Dec 4th 2008 8:43AM

Albanion_Killa

I think a few people will pay....look at LBP and the costumes.

They seem to be selling pretty well.

Gonzo @ Dec 4th 2008 11:20AM

My wife will be excited. The only thing she's come across in the mall (and everywhere else in home) are pathetic virgins in heat.

bill @ Dec 4th 2008 12:58PM

This is going to be good for all of us(who like PS sytems). Regardless of if you want to buy anything on home for home or not, why bash people that might? Do you not realize that every dollar Sony makes in Home goes toward paying back the 3 billion or so they have already lost putting out the Ps3? Home will ensure that there is a Ps4, I for one am all for it.
@ Anyone who hates:
Please consider something besides yourself before posting, the lack of thought going into some of these posts is getting very annoying.

Opnureyes @ Dec 4th 2008 2:27PM

Phew!! Luckily I checked this site out or I never would have known.
It's cool that the beta testers get the items free, nice bonus.

BT @ Dec 4th 2008 4:36PM

Just picked up some new clothes, furniture, and a summer home from the Home mall.

Woody @ Dec 4th 2008 5:33PM

Damn! I wish I saw this last night. I hope there are still some items when I go on later tonight.

JadeWarlord @ Dec 5th 2008 9:17AM

From what I have seen last night the summer home is nice, there is some more furniture, lots of ornaments and a few more clothes, no electricals though, was hoping they might have had TVs or virtual Hi-Fis.

You can expect more free stuff though. Think of all those in home advertisers. e.g. Red Bull I would expect that they would be offering free "Red Bull" t-shirts and other clothing in exchange for your virtual person advertising their products around home.