Kicking off the exhibition part of this year’s Game Developers Conference, Phil Harrison, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios took the stage this morning to begin his anticipated keynote address. Entitled “Game 3.0,” Mr. Harrison’s keynote focused on evolving games into a new generation. Moving beyond simply connecting games, games in the new generation will “empower users” to create experiences unique to them. Much like Web 2.0, he stated, Game 3.0 represents games that are socially driven and dynamic. Mr. Harrison’s address certainly honed in on this concept, divulging a slew of surprising announcements that promise to rocket PlayStation 3 in this crucial post-launch period.
Headlining his speech was the official reveal of Home, a new software application that enables you to create a custom character and apartment, as well as interact with other players. Mr. Harrison explained that Home is essentially designed to be a three-dimensional community with a wide range of communication features including voice and text chat, as well as animated expressions. In addition to the communication component, you can also play simple games such as billiards and bowling; moreover, you’ll be able to download arcade titles for play within Home. Beyond gaming, a special cinema enables you to view movie trailers, full films, or even television programs and discuss them in real-time with other players.
Navigating through Home and accessing its customization options is done using a virtual PlayStation Portable. Clothing, furniture, and other items can be downloaded and the displayed on your character and apartment. You’ll also be able to upload your own content to your PlayStation 3 hard drive and use it to customize your apartment. Third-parties are being encouraged to create unique spaces of their own, taking the custom apartment concept in a different direction. An example was shown of an arena dedicated to sports titles. Potentially the most exciting feature in Home is the Hall of Fame, which lets your display any trophies earned from PlayStation 3 games. Similar to achievements on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 titles will include trophies for completing specific objectives such as defeating the game on hard difficulty. Clearly an effort to cultivate a dedicated community around PlayStation 3, Home will enter a large-scale beta in April with a full free launch in autumn.
Moving from Home to SingStar, Mr. Harrison discussed the online functionality of PlayStation 3. Background downloading will enable you to purchases new songs and continue toying with the software without having to wait around on a static screen. Comprehensive communication features are expected to launch alongside the title including friends’ list and voice chat. Slated for release later this year in North America, SingStar promises a large list of launch songs that will be augmented in the months following release.
Mr. Harrison next unveiled a new PlayStation 3 Network game entitled Little Big Planet. From the developers of Ragdoll Kung Fu, the game enables you create original levels with real-world materials. Completing pre-designed levels rewards you with sponge material which is used to build items in your own levels. The mechanics of the game are incredibly basic, boiling down to running and jumping through 2.5-dimensional levels. You will even be able to alter levels from within, using the game’s comprehensive editor. Connecting via PlayStation Network, you can share levels you’ve designed, as well as download others’ creations.
Wrapping up his address, Mr. Harrison reiterated Sony Computer Entertainment’s dedication to creating socially-connected games. Obviously, Home and Little Big Planet represent this push; however, what remains to be seen are the bevy of first-party titles the company has planned for PlayStation 3. Certainly interesting, Sony Computer Entertainment’s move into alternative forms of gameplay clearly means it is taking its competition seriously as it attempts to reclaim the top spot in the now current generation. - Tracy Erickson.
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