PixlBit

This was all but inevitable. With the release of new hardware, the PS4, it was only a matter of time that content and support for last generation systems would come to pass. And it looks like one of the first items to be cut will be Sony’s attempt to create a 3D gaming hub world on the PS3. Back in August Sony announced that they were shutting down Playstation Home in Japan. Though there was no word if the US or EU servers were to suffer the same fate as Japan’s, word came out later last month that they too would be shutting down on March 31^st 2015. Sony plans to launch a large scale event to thank all the dedicated users of the service but plans were not forthcoming on exactly what was to take place.  

All we know at the moment is that there will be free content offered during Playstation Home’s final days till November 12^th but users will be able to continue to download digital content till December 3^rd.  After that users will still be able to visit the various “spaces” offered in the service until the final days.

For those not in the know, Playstation Home was a free service offered to all PS3 users that was intended to be a game hub for gamers to gather, interact and launch game titles directly from the Home platform. Users were able to create custom 3D avatars so they could gather in the various “spaces” offered in the service. The “Spaces” varied depending on the content offered by their makers. Examples range from Konami’s Penthouse where you could play a DDR mini-game while your avatar dances on the dance floor to SCE’s “Siren: Blood Curse” lobby that housed a hospital mini game where you had to escape the hospital that was infested with Shibito. Though the service never really took off as a game hub, it instead became somewhat like a 3D chat room PC equivalent of Second Life. Because of this the service (which is still in beta) saw several changes to its format. Original just having a central square where gamers could meet it eventually developed specific hubs like Adventure and Sport hubs that would branch out to other respective “spaces” offered.

Though one could win free digital items for their avatar, and their apartment, by visiting various “spaces” and/or playing mini games, you were able to buy items like digital clothes, furniture, and accessories to customize your avatar’s look. It even went so far as you having the ability to buy homes and home theatre systems where you could connect to Crackle and watch online videos, even with friends if they were visiting.

In Playstation Home’s current form you’re even able to take part in-gaming challenges to earn points for special in-Home prizes from the main menu once you log in. They even added trophy support.

I guess you could consider this a pre-eulogy for Playstation Home given how I was an occasional user of the service.  I was an off again/on again user of Playstation Home. For the most part it was an entertaining distraction when I wasn’t sure what to play on my PS3 at the time, or if I was curious in making new friends. Though I did meet some over time, my off again/on again activity on Home kept me from maintaining the friendships with heavy users of the service. It’s those people I feel bad for given how much money they spent on digital items in Playstation Home. I’ve known people who actually bought whole lake front homes instead of being content with their standard sea side apartment offerings when you first start up. Though I was tempted in spending real money on digital items (especially when they offered the Tardis from Doctor Who) I made due by playing the various minigames offered that scored me free items and download codes for my avatar and my profile.

But I will admit I really wanted to buy the extra dance moves for my avatar very badly.

The one thing I enjoyed the most about the service is the current adventure game they have going called “Quest for Greatness”. It was launched just as the PS4 was released to help promote the new system. In this adventure game you were able to find digital cards to collect that happened to offer download codes of the said items on them. This not only scored me special items for my avatar but also free PSone games for download.

Though I knew this day would come, and was preparing for it, it still saddens me that this service is to come to an end. I had fun with Playstation Home visiting the DreamScape Space and even IREM’s offerings before they shut down as a company. It was fun visiting Feudal Edo of Japan and taking a trip to the bathhouse or trying out the Sodium game spaces where I could play the Salt Shooter or race in Wipeout like hoverships. It was even fun going to a virtual beach and take a swim to find more rare items for my avatar. Though not exactly what it was meant to be, Playstation Home was a quirkly experiment that didn’t quite pay off for them. I’ve read that some “Space” makers were making money off the service but I guess it wasn’t enough to keep things going. You were fun while you lasted Playstation Home. Thanks for the memories.

Hopefully I can gain the last two trophies in Playstation Home before the servers are shut down. They are the “be invited to a friend’s apartment “ and “visit PS Home at least 50 different days”. I’m well on my way in earning that one but I could use some help in getting the friend apartment invite. I just wonder how the “Quest for Greatness” adventure game will end. I’m hoping they’ll give away more PSone games before the end of the year.

So with that said I have one more thing to offer. Free codes!

While playing around on Playstation Home, I was able to win some DL codes for the f2p game WarFrame on PS4. Since I don’t have a PS4 and these codes expire at the end of this month I’ll give them away to anyone who wants them. I don’t guarantee if they still work or even work at all (like some of the free PSone titles offered) so just be forewarned. Let me know in the comments if you want one and I’ll see which ones I have to offer. But make it quick for I’m posting this on both pixlbit and IGN!

Ta-ta

“N”