If you’re beyond the age of 13 and have spent any time on Sony’s new virtual world, PS3 Home, you were probably bored of doing a robot dance around other characters within three minutes, disgusted by the uninspired branding, or baffled by the lack of things to actually do.
My question is this: WHY? When developers are concepting a new virtual world, their first instinct is to think that it should look exactly like the real world looks. But why? It’s the same logic that caused early web developers to create websites that looked like notebook paper. The real world and digital space aren’t the same; they don’t have the same rules. Instead of mimicking real life, why not create a virtual network that plays to the strengths of an online community?
The limitations of Home are too stifling to ever create a real community with any value. I’d like to see Sony create something that expands upon the pre-existing niche gaming communities on the PS3, and I’m sure marketers wouldn’t mind a little additional segmentation. Or why not an online community with, oh I don’t know, a purpose?
It was a nice attempt but I want to see more. We deserve more because more is possible. I wonder what the average age was of the developers on the Home team?
