P.Archer Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Hey everyone, I got an email today from news@uk.playstationmail.com with a redemption/voucher code for Home. I don't know if they're rare or not but seeing as how I don't have broadband, I wont be able to use it. It expires on the 1st of December. Also, I dont know if other people can use this code, but if you want it, the first post on this topic will get it PMd to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunnas Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I wouldn't mind having a go. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suldaman Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I wouldn't mind having a go. Thanks and did the code work? and how is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Was_There_Then Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I got one of these from PSN UK today too. Has anyone tried it out yet?I assume there is no problem redeeming a UK code even though we are in a different region? I assume it's just a case of logging into the UK account and redeeming the code from there. To anyone who has tried it, if you download it under your UK account, can you access Home from any of the other accounts, or will it only be accessible from the UK one? I should be able to test this out tonight (which may then answer some of my questions). I'll post on here how I go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riggi Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I think Australia falls under SCEE (Sony Computer Entertainment Europe) so should work for your AUS PSN account... I got a HOME beta email today too so will try it tonight or tomorrow on my AUS PSN account (I only have an AUS and US account, so I'm guessing they sent it to me because of my AUS account - it's from SCEE) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfa Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I got mine this morning too, to the email address registered to my .au account. We (Australia) are a part of Europe - according to Sony. Bowling was fun, but real life pulled me away from further exploration (of the video games in the bowling alley). Does anyone know if we can use this (Home) as "private room invite" for games (ie GT5P, LBP, Civ, guitar hero etc...)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yankees Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Once you download it from whatever account it was sent to, you can use it under any PSN account. You can also share it with as many people as you want (there is no limit). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neon Kitten Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 I got mine this morning too, to the email address registered to my .au account. Got mine yesterday as well. It's kind of amusing, really - the app's already at version 1.01 (an update awaits when you first run it) so this is anything BUT a "beta". What it is, really, is a test for server load before the official release, which could be any week now. Exactly like the LittleBigPlanet non-beta beta. We (Australia) are a part of Europe - according to Sony. Sadly, yes. Ironically if we were part of the US side of the company we'd get faster and more numerous releases, better online support and much faster network links to their servers. Bowling was fun, but real life pulled me away from further exploration (of the video games in the bowling alley). You're in breach of your licensing agreement there, naughty! No talking about Home to ANYONE, remember? Except on Sony's forums, which are public anyway I couldn't get in to a game of bowling, the alley was loaded to the gills with Germans hogging the lanes. The video games were interesting, especially the custom-made take on Echochrome. There's really not all that much else in it though. After playing with the whole thing for half an hour and realising just how much stuff Sony's left out of it, I got bored and turned it off, planning to come back later. Though the four mohawk-haded punk avatars standing outside the cinema pumping their fists in unison and repeating "PORN! PORAn! PORAN!" did give me a good laugh I have the feeling that Sony will want to sell you the ability to properly customise your home space and avatar. The store to do so is already there, though empty. Presumably they'd be looking to milk micropayments from the sort of people stupid enough to buy $9 t-shirts for their LittleBigPlanet characters. And I'm not stupid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-phile Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 (edited) What it is, really, is a test for server load before the official release, which could be any week now. Exactly like the LittleBigPlanet non-beta beta. Never thought I'd be saying this: but the 'official' release can't come soon enough! Based upon my rudimentary test with the beta - comprising the best part of four hours and many aborted conversations with Euro folk after being rudely disconnected - this really is a killer app for PlayStation. In so many ways, it harks back to the days of 'lobby life' on Dreamcast's PSO... bodies magically pop into existence as folks congregate, but alas, just as things are getting started, YOUR umbilical chord breaks. The saving grace for me was spending a good portion of my time alone (sniff), albeit with a shapely avatar the likes I've not cultivated since Saints Row 2. The range of her actions is superb, and just hangin' on the harbour balcony while simultaneously rocking out with my Xbox playlists made this imaginary Home shine. A little miffed that the screen resolution is bog-standard 720p, but it's saying something that this FREE public beta has usurped more of my online time than anything else on PS3. Ironically if we were part of the US side of the company we'd get faster and more numerous releases, better online support and much faster network links to their servers. Don't suppose you'd know if the official release will be supported by local servers? The early word was Home would be region-locked - so I was quite surprised that my Japanese PS3 performed as well as it did. Notwithstanding, if region-locking improves the stability of the experience I'd gladly make Japan my second 'Home'. Time will tell, I suppose? Edited November 29, 2008 by X-phile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DansDans Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 this really is a killer app for PlayStation. I think you should stick to you X360 - this is the biggest load of **** I've ever used... and I cant believe SONY really expect people to use it... The billiards game was horrid too - and I can never get on an "arcade" machine either... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neon Kitten Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Based upon my rudimentary test with the beta - comprising the best part of four hours and many aborted conversations with Euro folk after being rudely disconnected What, you found people that actually spoke English?? The trouble with us being stuck on the Euro server is that most of the people on it appear to be from Germany this really is a killer app for PlayStation. Got to disagree on that one. It has major problems. For starters, any time there's any sort of multi-person network activity, the app starts stuttering and juddering as it tries to keep up with everything that's going on. The whole thing seems to be set up to market products rather than connect people. The avatar customisation is woeful compared to most games out there with similar features. No matter how much you tweak, you look like a freak. Eventually you just go for a fantasy avatar as there's no point in even trying to give it any of your own appearance or personality - it simply can't be done. There are virtually no useful clothes to "wear" and you can't change their colours. And apparently you can "decorate" your "apartment". But how? Apparently with a bubble machine toy. That's it. The setup appears to be that on launch, Sony will SELL you the virtual items needed to redecorate and personalise your space. And for what? The only person who can see it is... you! The saving grace for me was spending a good portion of my time alone (sniff), albeit with a shapely avatar the likes I've not cultivated since Saints Row 2. The range of her actions is superb, and just hangin' on the harbour balcony while simultaneously rocking out with my Xbox playlists made this imaginary Home shine. "Hanging out on the balcony" wore off after 20 seconds for me, when I realised that there's nothing there, the view is static and the opportunity for interaction is zero. I put a bubble machine there later. Woo. A little miffed that the screen resolution is bog-standard 720p, but it's saying something that this FREE public beta has usurped more of my online time than anything else on PS3. Glad you're thrilled by it all, but honestly, it's like Second Life done on the cheap with the let's-bilk-'em-for-cash model intact and the rest of the fun removed. I'll have another look later tonight, but honestly, if the funnest thing I've seen so far is a bunch of avatars fist-pumping a cinema entrance yelling for porn, then perhaps there's not much fun to be had. Unless, of course, you speak German. Years of development went into this? The lunch budget must have been running into the millions. Don't suppose you'd know if the official release will be supported by local servers? Australia has no local servers. We connect to Europe, hence the lag and relative lack of locals (and no doubt why I've never met an Australian player in online games of Wipeout HD or GT5 Prologue). I think you should stick to you X360 - this is the biggest load of **** I've ever used... and I cant believe SONY really expect people to use it... I think that's a much more succinct and accurate review The billiards game was horrid too - and I can never get on an "arcade" machine either... I couldn't get on a billiards/pool table to try it out: is it worse than the pool game in GTA4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-phile Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 (edited) For starters, any time there's any sort of multi-person network activity, the app starts stuttering and juddering as it tries to keep up with everything that's going on. Ah, glad it wasn't just me. But isn't that the nature of a 'beta'... to sort out these backend jitters before launching? The whole thing seems to be set up to market products rather than connect people. Well, that explains a predominance of posters and moving billboards... not that I could discern any of the finer points (ie, sound cues) because I was visiting whilst "rocking out" to my Xbox playlists. Still, what I saw rocked my eyeballs. The avatar customisation is woeful compared to most games out there with similar features. No matter how much you tweak, you look like a freak. Eventually you just go for a fantasy avatar as there's no point in even trying to give it any of your own appearance or personality - it simply can't be done. There are virtually no useful clothes to "wear" and you can't change their colours. No, the customisation options of NXE's avatars are woeful. I spent far too long trying to distinguish my Mega Mii for virtually nil gain. By contrast, a couple of dedicated hours with Sony's clay pigeons and I'd extrapolated a feature-rich version of one of my personal icons (no, not me, myself and I - but a certified Hollywood starlet). The clothing range is sparse, agreed, but I found just the right 'look' to accompany my vanity. And apparently you can "decorate" your "apartment". But how? Apparently with a bubble machine toy. That's it. LOL. For the life of me I don't where these things came from. But I do remember a preponderance of "Germans" dropping their bubblemakers in front of me while communing in Love Square - must be some sort of Euro welcome. The setup appears to be that on launch, Sony will SELL you the virtual items needed to redecorate and personalise your space. And for what? The only person who can see it is... you! I thought you could invite friends back to your pad? If Sony's charging for the decor, then regrettably I'll be slumming it. "Hanging out on the balcony" wore off after 20 seconds for me, when I realised that there's nothing there, the view is static and the opportunity for interaction is zero. I put a bubble machine there later. Woo. Hmm, the best part of my time with Home was spent in the apartment... at least that way my connection remained stable. And the balcony soiree lasted a good deal longer for me while music streamed from my Xbox. Guess I just got a vicarious thrill from zooming the camera around my avatar and marvelling at Second Life done on a shoestring. Australia has no local servers. We connect to Europe, hence the lag and relative lack of locals (and no doubt why I've never met an Australian player in online games of Wipeout HD or GT5 Prologue). Ah, saddened to hear this. Guess I'll just be a virtual tourist in the end - logging in each night and staying until my patience (or PSN dropout) gets the better of me. Edited November 30, 2008 by X-phile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neon Kitten Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Ah, glad it wasn't just me. But isn't that the nature of a 'beta'... to sort out these backend jitters before launching? Unfortunately the Home app is actually at a release stage - version 1.01. The network-activity-induced jitters also pretty much destroy online play in LittleBigPlanet. It's something Sony really needs to look at, and urgently. I never have any such problems with non-Sony-hosted games like Burnout Paradise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webbsy1503560295 Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 does anybody have a code i could use? cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer Kazz Posted November 30, 2008 Volunteer Share Posted November 30, 2008 does anybody have a code i could use?cheers So I see this forum is still good enough for you to use when you want something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
palmag Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 I got the e-mail on the 28th, downloaded it on the 29th. At install stage it asked to set aside 3 gigs from your Hdd for "home applications", did that, installed home, set up the avatar.....and all of a sudden I'm in Sony's second life!...lol... Its a very similar interface to second life, very smooth though, I read somewhere in the future you'll be able to load up your pad with stuff, until then I think I'll give it a miss..... I could not find any English speaking Germans in the town square Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowabungadude Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 So I see this forum is still good enough for you to use when you want something. nice troll post Kazz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer Kazz Posted November 30, 2008 Volunteer Share Posted November 30, 2008 nice troll post Kazz Not trolling, just pointing out facts after his spamming of this forum a few days ago bemoaning this forum and trying to drum up business for his own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webbsy1503560295 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 dont worry about it then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Danny Boy Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Checked my email and found the invite. Installed it last night. After spending a good 3 hours in it, my first impression is it's crap. It's just not my cup of tea. I don't know, this must appeal to many gamers for Sony to invest the time and effort. I'm going to give it another go tonight, maybe it'll grow on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K Dog Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Man you guys really know how to whine and complain about something thats free. Its not perfect by any means but when its open to all it will be like going to a work conference, be able to meet people and network, find other people playing the games your into and have more opportunities to play against people youve spoken to and invite. And to be fair it is still a Beta despite updates and not the final product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webbsy1503560295 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 so can someone shoot me a code? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neon Kitten Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 Man you guys really know how to whine and complain about something thats free. Commenting is not "complaining". Man. After the HUGE development time that's gone into Home, and the amount of hype Sony has been lavishing on it for what seems like forever, it's a bit of a scaled-down disappointment. It looks and feels like something done on the cheap by a Second Life fan trying to do a tribute. They've even copied the Second Life paying-real-cash-for-virtual-junk philosophy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X-phile Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Commenting is not "complaining". Man. Well, certainly no complaints here. It may have had something to do with firmware update 2.53, but my time spent in the company of others was well rewarded... after downloading the Bowling Alley area I was getting a good 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted convos (ie, no disconnects). Lots of smal talk of course, and lots of hits from punters admiring my sexy avatar (well, girl-next-doorsy), but at least I'm making headway. Nice to see you can slip in and out of the menus (even return to your wardrobe) while socialising. As the welcome message says, Home is a work in progress, and at this stage it doesn't even matter that Second Life got there first... This is still a killer console app and I'm rather enjoying working the room (tee hee). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabor Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Well, certainly no complaints here. It may have had something to do with firmware update 2.53, but my time spent in the company of others was well rewarded... after downloading the Bowling Alley area I was getting a good 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted convos (ie, no disconnects). Lots of smal talk of course, and lots of hits from punters admiring my sexy avatar (well, girl-next-doorsy), but at least I'm making headway. Nice to see you can slip in and out of the menus (even return to your wardrobe) while socialising. As the welcome message says, Home is a work in progress, and at this stage it doesn't even matter that Second Life got there first... This is still a killer console app and I'm rather enjoying working the room (tee hee). Can this be real? X-phile you're paying a compliment to something PS3 related. That's cool. Seriously, I don't mind it either. It is essentially free and no one's holding a gun to anyone's head about paying for extras. I had a good game of chess with some dude from Scotland. Sure, it might resemble a glorified chatroom but it's not a bad way to kill a bit of time every now and then. I do agree with the another here about the pointless task of being able to jazz up your apartment without the ability of having others visit it. Maybe this will be addressed later? ...and if I come across a sexy, girl-next-doorsy type avatar working the room, I'll make sure to say "Hi" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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