PlayStation Home: Breaking and Entering

As many of you PS3 fans will know, Sony launched its Beta version – Version 1.03 – of their (not so) new virtual networking world – PlayStation Home – a few days ago on 11 December. 

Home, as its referred to, is supposed to offer gamers a virtual networking space in order to meet friends, play games and well live you life – hell you’ll even be able to buy virtual clothes to wear in your virtual world!  However the main purpose of Home is to completely revolutionise the PS3 gaming experience…

Now on to the news bit

Breaking

After only a matter of days since the latest Beta version of Home was released, it has been reported Hacked, exploiting weaknesses in the programming and design.

According to reports, one hack enables users to play your own movies and music and manipulate text in the virtual world.  Another, more serious hack, appears to let users download upload and delete files to and from the Home server which is a serious security flaw!

No doubt Sony programmers are quickly working on fixes but how many more problems might be found.

Entering

Since releasing the new version of Home, users have reported serious problems accessing the virtual world (yep, those C-931 errors) and also the general stability of the platform once they can actually get in.

The problem is clearly serious enough to prompt Sony to develop a patch designed to improve access.  Expect to see this rolled out on Thursday - to the relief of a number of PS3 owners!

The future

Sony have been very open about the importance they are placing of Home on the future success (and sales) of the PS3.  I’m not convinced that their optimism is well founded.  A number of PS3 owners are already ‘annoyed’ about the ongoing delays associated with Home.  Also the latest version will not instill confidence in gamers.  There are concerns that PlayStation Home will be overrun by inappropriate ‘sexual activities’ (just think second life!)

Also, this is very likley to to turn into a marketing/money making scheme for Sony (think Bond films and Sony product placement) and not really be designed for the gamers true desires in mind!

Don’t get me wrong, the idea behind Home is really exciting, fresh and different (in gaming terms) however the reality is that Sony have yet to deliver.  

On a plus point, those gamers who can access Home will be able to watch traliors and exclusive content for Watchmen, the new film based on the best selling graphic noval (of the same title).  
This advertisement will be the first time ’Home’ is used in the promotion of other media .  I’m sure many, many more will follow……