Summary
While thePlayStation 3may not have sold nearly as many units as the PlayStation 4, and certainly not as many as the best-selling console of all time, the PlayStation 2, it’s still one of the most influential consoles ever released, coinciding with one of the most pivotal eras in modern gaming history. Releasing in 2006, thePlayStation 3- alongside the Xbox 360 - was at the forefront of cutting-edge gaming technology at the time, and this new tech gave rise to some of the most experimental games ever made.
From some of the first truly open-world titles and some of the most realistic shooters ever made, to some of the most critically-acclaimed sports titles and a slew of Indie games that were finally given a chance to break into the mainstream,the PlayStation 3 erawas filled with games that really tried to push the envelope of the industry. And though it might not be the first game that comes to mind when fans think of the PS3,PlayStaiton Homewas certainly one of these envelope-pushing, experimental titles, and it’s about time it made a comeback.
It’s Time for a PlayStation Home Revival
PlayStation Home Would Suit Sony’s Live-Service Plans Perfectly
First released in December 2008,PlayStation Homeis generally described as a “social gaming platform,” but many fans will fondly remember the game as a sort ofSims-like multiplayerhub where players could customize their own living space, invite friends over to check it out, and venture out into the various districts of this virtual 3D world, complete with its own set of shops that sold various in-game cosmetics like clothing based on popular video game IPs and furniture for their living space.
PlayStation Homehad a surprisingly long life-span, remaining live right up until March 2015, and though it lost its luster over the years, looking back on it now, it feels like it was a project ahead of its time, and a project that would perfectly suit PlayStation’s current plans. All the way back inFebruary 2022, Sony announced its plans to release 10 live-service games by the end of 2026, with Bungie set to assist.
These plans haven’t really worked out very well so far. Toward the end of last year, Sony tentatively announced that it was scaling back its live-service production, reducing the number of projects from 10 to 6, and soon after, its flagship live-service titleThe Last of Usmultiplayer was canceled. But it isn’t too late for Sony’s live-service venture, as it just might need to pivot a little.
PlayStation desperately wants a live-service title that can be made quickly on the cheap, and one that can survive with very small but frequent content updates, and the perfect answer is right under its nose. AnewPlayStationHomegamecould give Sony exactly what it wants. Though paid cosmetics were a bit of a hard sell for many back in the late 2000s, it’s become an extremely common practice, meaning thatPlayStation Home’s bread and butter would be even more lucrative today. Throw in some kind of battle pass system andPlayStation Homecould be the cash-cow that Sony desires, but it would need more than just nostlagia to keep fans engaged.
A New PlayStation Home Would Have to Go Big or Go Home
PlayStation Homewas essentially a live-service game before the term even entered the public consciousness. Over the course of a few years,PlayStation Homecontinued to receive constant updates, adding new mini-games, cosmetics, and areas based on upcoming first and third-party titles. To succeed in the present day,PlayStation Homewould need to double down on all of this.
A newPlayStation Homewould also need to give players a way of earning in-game currency, as only offering microtransactions would get the game a lot of heat right off the bat. It would be great to see this hypothetical version ofPlayStation Homereward players for their activities outside of the game, such as offering exclusive cosmetics for those who have finished certainPlayStation first-party titlesor have earned the Platinum in specific games. Essentially, a new version ofPlayStation Homeshould be a much more rewarding version of PlayStation Stars.
PS3
The PlayStation 3 was Sony’s console for the seventh generation. Debuting in 2006 and discontinued in 2016 in North America, the PS3 had a rough launch but picked up steam during its twilight years. Along with the bulky launch model, Sony also released Slim and Super Slim versions of the PS3.
