SAN FRANCISCO, March 7 (UPI) -- PlayStation 3 aficionados finally will be getting the Internet community they've been salivating for, Sony announced Wednesday in San Francisco.
Sony's far-reaching PlayStation Home, revealed during the Game Developers Conference, will give PS3 users the ability to mingle and chat with like-minded gamers, as well as create customized online images for themselves -- as is the case with Microsoft's Xbox Live Service and Nintendo's Wii, CNNMoney.com said. Sony's design, however, is expected to be more photo-realistic, allow for group participation in common areas, as well as access to a private "apartment."
PlayStation Home is to begin a large-scale test in April with worldwide launch slated for this fall.
"We have a tremendous deal of growth ahead of us," said Phil Harrison, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios. "It's a very exciting opportunity laid out in front of us and one I hope people embrace and take to new heights."
Analysts appeared taken by Sony's new venture into Internet community space as the company tries to pick up ground on its gaming competitors.
"It's a good game of catch-up -- and it's different," said P.J. McNealy of American Technology Research.
