Interactive PS3 Gaming to make you feel at ‘Home’ with Sony’s Game 3.0

Sony Computer Entertainment announces at the GDC that they will be venturing into the Social networking realm. Their chief gaming rivals, Microsoft and Nintendo have been running successful online communities for months. It may not really be a case of too little too late because Sony promises its users a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.
Exclusively for PS3 owners, Sony launches a networked, 3D avatar-based online community dubbed “Home”. This will enable gamers meet and interact at the “Central Lobby” via text, audio or video chatting. In addition to this, Home presents users with the ability to create personalized avatars and customizable scenic features including buildings, shopping areas, lobbies and large common areas. Participants can also view high-definition videos on the PS3 network. Moreover, the concept incorporates LittleBigPlanet, a community-based game that gives players the power to customize game levels, create their own game environment and share content.
From Sony’s keynote address at the GDC, Game 3.0 strives to improve social networking by combining creative game development, online collaboration and interactive entertainment. However, they have not said to what extent users may create their own content. It is believed that it won’t be as limitless as other virtual communities like Second Life, There.com among others.
It is clear that Sony is coming late in the 3D social scene, probably with a tinge of desperation. They still have a few problems to deal with such as the ominous PS3 shortage and their steep prices. In spite of these difficulties, Sony is upbeat that Game 3.0 is poised to take the market by storm. They are already the market leaders although PS3 lags behind PS2, Xbox 360 and Nintendo. The service will be available worldwide this fall as a free download.