Honey, I'm Home. Or Am I?

Home, sweet home (cliché, I know). Sony’s robust social app has finally made it, but still in beta form. Many claimed that it would propel PSN ahead (or equal to) XBL in the service race, some seemed mildly intrigued, while others ignored it from the start. I’m sure you’ve already heard what’s currently available regarding the service so I’ll save you the trouble reading another checklist. To put it simply: Home isn’t quite what we expected it would be, but it’s definitely the worst it will ever be. Does that make any sense?

What’s most interesting is what lies beyond the horizon. Home is a persistent environment that seems to have a very dedicated community team and even fan base. Many of the game involving/affecting features are in development, as are substantial 1^st/3^rd party content. Home’s success is contingent upon user interaction/activity as well as Sony’s response to it. If they can consistently update and add worthwhile features for the majority of users, then it could very well be a home run (lame pun intended).

As for now, its limited, though fairly fun, depending on your level of interaction and interest. Home definitely adds to the PSN’s encompassing package of services, not available on other consoles. Even so, this social venture isn’t for everyone—yet at least—and can get boring rather quickly. The good thing is: it’s free, with much on horizon. So until then, dance, dance, dance you dancing machines…or ignore it until the next big update is available.

Editor’s note: I didn’t discuss the reported and ridiculed harassment issues prevalent in Home because this problem/comic relief isn’t exclusive to this community. Most social networks (online games included) are riddled with identical behaviors and dialogue. Online culture never ceases to amuse.