Japanese interest in PlayStation Home waning?

  • Posted February 4th, 2008 at 09:15 EDT by
  • 4,377 views
  • 45 Comments

Initially, Sony’s PlayStation Home service was met with great anticipation from many, and the hype surrounding may have been considered on equal footing with forthcoming PlayStation 3 exclusives such as Killzone 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4.

However with numerous delays and somewhat lack of new information, Home has slipped down to something that only the hardcore loves, creating more of a cult following than a widespread phenomenon.

To show proof to this belief, Japanese gaming publication Famitsu Weekly presented the following question to its readers:  “What do you think about member services like PlayStation Home?"

The response is as follows:

-27.3 percent are interested in trying it out
-37.3 percent don't care
-35.4 percent dislike such services

Here is just a few comments said about Home in Famitsu:

"I won't allow myself to be trapped in some fake reality."

"It just doesn't look like it'd be fun as a game."

"It's more fun to enjoy myself in the real world."

As you can see, it would appear as though the Japanese public remains slightly apprehensive of Sony’s upcoming social networking hub; quite the contrast to public opinion when the service was first unveiled. Until then you may participate in the discussion regarding the Home open beta out on our forums.

Expect more about Home to be revealed at GDC where PSU will be in attendance to provide our own coverage running February 18 – 22.

Source: Kotaku

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Comments

Comment

What are your thoughts?

  1. zakruz | zakruz

    • 9:16am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Moron =)

  2. Triple Dk | TripleDk

    • 9:21am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Well I think it would be a great addition to the PS3, especially because it's free :D

    I just don't get why it takes them so long to make it?

  3. NeOne303 | FKUR

    • 9:34am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Nice one, more space and a faster service for Europe, personally looking forward to seeing what Home will be like.

  4. solinox

    • 9:44am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Sony needs to just release Home already. They need to release it and make upgrades as time goes on. I'm sooooo tired of delays! They talked about home last year GDC. This years GDC is right around the corner ,and still no open beta? Its like waiting to have in-game XMB before allowing online play. Doesn't make sense. Just give us what you have, and make updates later. Geez.

  5. IONIXX | IONIXX

    • 9:45am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    @SONY- don't say people didn't warn you, the numorus delays and lack of information will OF COURSE turn people off it, please hurry and release it sony :(

  6. Mattchewie | Mattchewie

    • 9:46am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    If anyhing, I'm looking forward to home, but not so much as social mmo, or even a game/service...but as an interface, just because as such, it has HUGE potential.

  7. terminator12259 | tacitassassin25

    • 9:55am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    home is goin to be great, there will be so much to do all of the time. home can only grow

  8. Gundam06 | gundam07

    • 9:56am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    I wouldn't worry about it if the number of people who took the survey are low. Lets say 1,000 to 3,000 i wouldn't worry but if it's 10k or higher then i'd be worried if I were sony. Me personally I can't wait for HOME to come out it looks entertaining.

  9. BD_BLACKAZZ | BD_BLACKK

    • 10:03am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    there idiots.... i bet they use it....

  10. Nosferatu

    • 10:04am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Some ppl would like it, and some ppl would hate it overall i think there should of been some comments on those who wants it since some who didnt want it are posted in the article lol.

  11. se7enthsign | Se7enthSign

    • 10:05am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    American interest is waining as well. The delays have killed it for me.

  12. DantheMan_69

    • 10:10am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    who cares if the Japanese don't want Home who gives a monkeys i agree with NeOne303 be more space and a faster service for Europe plus i don't have to learn Japanese then.

  13. damien2487 | damien824

    • 10:12am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    @zakruz

    *moron

    @

    BD_BLACKAZZ

    ***they're

    come on people if you're going to insult for their lack of intelligence at least spell correctly damn.

  14. richkaos | richkaos

    • 10:15am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    once its available people will use it, how can they not. Its free and part of the system so are they just going to ignore it?? Im not really into this sort of thing but I am looking forward to exploreing home and creating a character oh and kitting out my virtual appartment.

  15. sorrow880 | Sorrow880

    • 10:15am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    I think Home is a little more centered on the US population that is obssessed in ESCAPING this reality and getting away from the "real" world for awhile.  US seems more concerned with social networking such as Myspace, etc. and that goes hand in hand with Home.

    Biggest problem is that Sony releasesed info on Home too soon....that let the hype die down over the last year.  They are playing it smart now and keeping quiet until Home is closer to being released.  So quit complaining about needing new info--new info with long waits is just a hype killer.  Square Enix is the champ at playing out the hype meter--Sony needs to copy.

  16. XenoSilvano | XenoSilvano

    • 10:16am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    of I'm sure the gamers in Japan will come around once the Home is released.

    I'm still steadfast that Home will porvide us with a bet ter service then PSN alone; which personally I feel is quite lacking in many departments.

    The Home projected has been in active development since 2005, which obviously means a lot of work has been put into this prject therefore we all have high expectations!

    @solinox - vwouldn't that undermind the overall integrity product?

     

  17. Maxkiller | Maxkiller0

    • 10:32am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    i myself would not mind testing the game even with bugs they should just put it out like a open beta that way everyone can try it even with the bugs i would not care anyhow as for Home been useless is not true im looking forward to home alot i think it is something new kinda like secound life and the sims mixed lol but a bit better in a way and i hope theres points to get and stuff in games once this comes out aswell in a site i was reading there trying to do better then xbox live even tho i like more xbox live right now then psn it sucks in a way but good cause its free :)

  18. Towelie

    • 10:33am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Who cares what they think!

  19. tretormenn

    • 10:33am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    source Kotaku. that says everything.

  20. XenoSilvano | XenoSilvano

    • 10:41am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    'o'i' 't'h'e's''e' 'b'a'n'n'e'd' 'w'o'r'd's' 'a'r'e' 's't'a'r't'i'n'g' 't'o' 'p'*'s's' 'm'e' 'f'*'c'k' 'o'f'f'

    '@'d'a'm'i'n'o' - w'h'y' 'c'o'r'r'e'c't' 't'h'e'i'r' 'o'p'p'i'n'i'o'n's'.' 'w'h'y' 't'h'e' 'h'*'l'l' 'd'o' 'p'e'o'p'l'e' 'd'o' 't'h'a't'?' 'i't's' 'n'o't' 'l'i'ke' 't'h'e'i'r' 'wr'i't'i'n'g' 'a'n' 'e'n'g'l'i's'h' 'g'r'a'm'm'e'r' 't'e's't'.' 'n'*'o'p'h'y't'e' 'I' 'b'et' y'o'u'''r'e' 't'h'e' 't'y'p'e' 'o'f' 'p'''e'r's'o'n' 'w'h'o' 'f'a'i'l'e'd' 't'h'e'i'r' 'e'n'g'l'i's'h' 'e'x'a'm' 't'h'e 'f'i'r's't' 't'i'm'e'.'

    @'r'i'c'h'k'a'o's' - 'I' 'g'u'e's's' 'I' 'f'e'l't' 't'h'e' 's'a'm'e' 'w'a'y' 'a'b'o'u't' 'Y'e'l'l'o'w'd'o'g' 'L'i'n'u'x' 'o'n'c'e'.' 'n'o'w' 'i't's' 'o'f'f' 'm'y' PS3

    @S'o'r'r'o'w' - y'o'u' 'g'o't' 'a'n'y' 'p'r'o'f''f' 't'o' 'b'a'c'k' 'u'p' 'y'o'u'r' 'c'l'a'i'm'?' 'i'f' 'a'm'e'r'i'c'a'n's' 'a'r'e' 's't'r'e's's'e'd' 'o'u't' 'I' 'd'o'n't' 'e'v'e'n' 'w'a'n't' 't'o' 'k'n'o'w' 'h'o'w' 't'h'e' 'J'a'p'a'n'e's'e' 'a'r'e'.' 'I'''m' 'r'e'a'l'l'y' 'c'o'n's'i'd'e'r'i'n'g' 'b'e'c'o'm'i'n'g' 'a'n' 'e'x'-'p'a't 'a'n'd' 'm'o'v'e' 't'o' 't'h'e' 'U'K';' 'p'e'o'p'l'e' 't'h'e'r'e' 'a'r'e' 'm'o'r'e' 'l'a'y'e'd' 'b'a'c'k'.

  21. UnasFortuna | Unas_Fortuna

    • 10:46am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Sony has learned about allowing the release of an inferior/glitched product.  We all griped and groaned about getting products like those.  The delays are necessary to perfect a product.  I can wait for it until it is ready.  I personally don't care one way or another about the "social" side of it until I see what it is capable of .  I am interested in the new interface it will allow for PS3 users.  I have never seen so much griping about a service not out yet and that is planned to be free of charge.  If you don't want to wait for it...oh well... get over it.  You don't see as much groaning over the delays of KZ2 or HAZE.  It is not like programming a "calculator" for a computer.  This requires major programming ... let alone getting it glitch free.  SONY, take your time... and get it right... your real fans are less temperamental and can wait.

  22. Nitsu78 | Nitsu

    • 10:51am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    I'm interested in trying it out, but Everyone should applaud the japanese ability to "unplug"  I think Americans especially should take heed of some of that.  And enjoy thier real world.

  23. AwRy108 | AwRy108

    • 10:52am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Of course people are losing interest--PS3 owners are tired of hearing the words "if" and "when" used to talk about HOME.

    I was excited about HOME in Spring '07; but, by this point, I'm pretty much tired of hearing about it and not being able to try it.

  24. royboy | bigfreezy1975

    • 10:59am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    this can't be the outcome of home. maybe american and eu gaming mags should do polls to see what we're thinking.

  25. Righteous

    • 11:01am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    can't blame them really, these delays are the culprit...why not release a working one, then refine it through firmware upgrades...we could do with what they have right now, then add some later.

  26. Capt_Spaulding

    • 11:14am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    folding@home is free and people use it... why wouldn't they use HOME? I'm personally curious to see how SONY is going to handle the pre-pubescent teens who do nothing but talk trash and hit on "gurls" non-stop. Will it be a community of that, or adults (or will it depend on the time of day like other online games)? Because if its the former and not the latter i won't be on much, and i'm sure the same is for other adults (take the adult only clans prevalent on socom, warhawk etc...).

  27. encryptioncsta | csta

    • 11:16am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    idiots!!! i want HOME SO BAD!!!

  28. Staticneuron | Staticneuron

    • 11:17am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Um... the japanese have never been that fond of MMO type games. Whoever did the survey the first time were asking some unique people. I am sure sony themselves are aware of the interest in each respective region.

  29. gingo | gingo

    • 11:29am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    psn id: gingo... i'm still loking forward to it but if they delay it much longer i wont be at all happy

  30. circlethesky | circlethesky

    • 11:50am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    whats is the market for magazine though ?

    hardcore or casual gamers ? i predict the latter as they are the majority of gamers.

  31. hush404 | hush404

    • 11:57am GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Well, I can see their point. You can wait and wait and wait so long before you get frustrated and stop caring. However, once it drops things will flare up again when they get to experience it first hand.

    You can't woo people with promises of things to come.

  32. G-Code260

    • 1:15pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Not to insult them but i could care less what they think if they dont want to use home then they dont have to. I however will use it and im sure so will everyone else because like everyone else who posted ITS FREE. Simple fact if its their you will use it, so stop complaining it will come out when its ready, yeah it might take forever but so what. If you dont like waiting get a 360 and have everything that comes out be half @**ed and pay for it.

  33. Lozt_again | Lozt_again

    • 1:42pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Well, it's not out. So people are going to be like this. It'll change when it's out.

  34. roh_sik | rohsik

    • 1:55pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Maybe most of those japanese r xbots !lol!

  35. PS3-The Ultimate Machine

    • 2:42pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Let's see their thoughts when it actually launches,doubt anyone would miss a shot at that.

  36. Gekidami | Gekidami

    • 3:21pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Its sad that the press are telling people Home is a type of 2nd Life; a game that has more bad press and stero-types surounding it then GTA or anything alike. Home is nothing more then a virtual chat room END OF STORY, you cant do anything games like the Sims or 2nd Life offer, its about time the press understood this and droped the image they've given the game.

  37. leeman99 | Bedsidelee

    • 5:04pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    No no it came from famitsu which is very nintendo orientated, so i wouldn't take much notice.

  38. GreyFox666 | GreyFox666

    • 6:27pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    to h3ll with them... if they don't like it that's on them... i've been waiting for this for a long time, and i'm sure several ppl on here have been waiting just as long... so if they don't want it, they can erase it of they're drives when it comes out... or something... i could careless... I look foward to HOME, so keep working on it SONY and bring it HOME already...

  39. Alpha2

    • 8:28pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Sony is very quickly missing the boat with home. They took a ridiculously long time developing the thing and we still wont see it for what? 6 months? Someone in SCEE is going to loose their job just after Home gets released. they're going to see a startling lack of excitment because the thing should have been out a year ago. There huge anticipation surrounding it and the dissapointment if it's not everything people wanted is going to be even bigger than that.

     

    I've expressed the problem myself already. the development is like that of something made by a half dozen people in a basement on their spare time, rather than an important inferstructure building element created by one of the largest companies onthe planet. It's embarassing. They need to make it clear what the thing really is.

     

    No it's it NOT an MMORPG, its not Second life. it's a way for people to get together and then go play VIDEO GAMES. If people are talking about not getting caught up in a fake reality than they've completely forgetten that the whole POINT is fake realities, Every time we hit the start button we're entering one and to focus on comments like that is to show ignorance.

  40. svtschmidt

    • 9:27pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    if u can't get caught up in it, what's the point? life sucks

  41. zbamf

    • 9:34pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    The ones who say they have no interest in such services or they don't care may one day try HOME and end up liking it.

    I was never interested in online gaming until I got WarHawk. Now I will play it with Halo 3 (had 48 trial, I still won't pay) and CoD4 aswell and are willing to play others.

  42. Lp47PS3 | Lp47

    • 9:52pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    I really like HOME and cant wait to try it out.

  43. Redrider | Warhawk1

    • 9:58pm GMT - February 4th, 2008

    Sony needs to get there act together because Japan is not the only place in the world people are losing interest in Home. No real Home information since Phil said that Sony would launch the "open beta" in 2007..............and that didn't happen. So what makes anyone think they are ready for a full launch this spring considering all the "new" stuff they have not even beta tested?

  44. elmorro

    • 12:22am GMT - February 5th, 2008

    sony take for ever on everything thas not cool, they should release HOme already before people gets tired

  45. frank_magnet | Frank_Magnt

    • 4:15am GMT - February 5th, 2008

    You bunch of muppets, Sony do things right not fast!

    If they rush it and its a huge steaming pile of sh!t then you'd be complaining wouldnt you and then you'd have to stop and realise that you rushed Sony and it was all your fault, then you'd have to climb a clocktower with a sub-machine gun and take your own life!

    Thats just the extreme version... should be a game really.

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