Today we’re announcing the expansion of our closed beta test for PlayStation Home to begin at the end of the month.
Later today, the PLAYSTATION Store will be updated with a PlayStation Home theme. By downloading the theme, users are submitting an application to join the PlayStation Home Beta test community. We will be using a variety of criteria including activity on the PLAYSTATION Network to determine eligibility for the Beta community. Existing beta testers have automatically qualified to be part of the expanded beta.
We’re really excited about this milestone and want our most loyal fans to be a part of the evolution of PlayStation Home.
In Europe, SCEE is also beginning their expanded closed beta, directly targeting consumers who have been most active on PLAYSTATION Network and PLAYSTATION Store. SCEE will be in email contact with their PSN audience very shortly.
Let us know what you think.
Right on, thank you very much for the info! Got the theme already, fingers crossed!!
Thanks Sony!
I have wanted into this beta since before i got my PS3 and have my fingers crossed that i can get into this :)
Keep up the great work!
Thank Jack and Sony, one question does it inculded Puerto Rico? I’m from PR
You know, I really don’t think is fair that the people that is more active in the playstation network get to have an advantage to be in the beta. There are people that don’t have a life and spend the entire day playing videogames, every single day. What about the people that have normal lives. People who work, go to school, have a familiy and can play videogames once in a while. Maybe not every day but 3 time a week. Why give preference to loser people without a productive life.
(not meaning to offend anyone though)
Thankk you
Awesome!
Been on PSN since Day 1. Also part of G.A.P. and the Underground. I was part for the sweet FFXI online beta with the PS2 and hopefully I’ll get a chance to be a part of the start of this groundbreaking application!
@554…Colonel970…I, too have a lot of responsibilities that keep me from playing games as much as I’d like, but I’d hesitate to call those who have more free time “losers”. I can’t speak for Sony, but I assume that there are a limited number of slots available and SOME type of filter needs to be in place so Sony can get some kind of meaningful feedback. Time spent w/PSN is only one of the factors being used to determine who gets to participate. They (Sony) aren’t likely to get useful information back from a beta tester who, by their own admission, may only get a couple of hours a week to use one of the limited number of spaces.
I’m sorry you don’t feel like you have enough time to play games, but seem to have plenty to construct a hasty insult to a large portion of the PSN community.
If you are fortunate enough to be a part of the Beta team, be grateful and use the time to help Sony deliver a better product for everyone.
If you don’t get a spot, thank the “losers” who do for the time they’re going to invest to help work out the bugs and help get the finished version to the whole PS3 family.
You do realize now Sony that nobody is going to sleep now?
BTW I have upgraded my HDD to 320 GB… so just itchin’ to load it up!!!!
I usually browse through every nook and cranny of the store on update Thursday but I’ve never backed out of there so fast in my life…never knew that the XMB would scroll so fast,never installed a theme in such a rush..whew..
I didn’t even take the time to go back to the store yet, I went straight here to the Playstation Blogs to see if it was really true or if someone was funnin’ with us..
I’m not getting my hopes up too high but..I am hopeful..
The theme is very well made,easy on the eyes like one should be..the swirl to the trophy icon is anice touch IMO.I can’t eveb begin to tell you how much time I’ve spent making themes so congrats to Noel on it.
Enough of my ranting I actually have a question for any bloggers who care to respond..Why can’t I log in on my PS3? Do I need to change something to log in? When I try it just freezes up and I have to soft power down(PS). I have to use my PC to post here..shame..my PS3 is on all night and my PC is becoming a dust bunny..
Thanks for the theme and the chance,at least a chance.Now to power the bunny down and boot the beast back up..later.
Well I think they want more active users to be in the beta so they can test home more extensively. I would be a big contributer if I’m selected. Wish they would tell us how were going to know we got in so were not waiting with high hopes. So my question is… When and how will we know of were in? Thanks!
its great that existing beta testers are automatically included (myself being one). gives me a chance to do some extensive testing!
cheers,
Lh
I am hoping that I can get in. I have been waiting for this for such a long time. I wish we could possibly know what are the qualifications that are being looked at.
I check this site a lot just to see if there is any new info. on home, glad to finally read something new about it.
The theme is cool…can’t wait till “Home” is realesed!
You know even though alot off people have shown interest i think alot of people will get in the beta, cuz think of it the PSN has almost 10 million people registered so they have to at least accept 1 percent of the total amount of people in the PSN (100000)to prepare for the amount in the future, especially now that the ps3 is selling the XBOX 360 :).
GOD I have BEEN WAITING SINCE FALL OF 2007 FOR THIS, OH WAIT A SECOND NO THIS IS STIL A BETA BUT HEY AT LEAST IS SOMETHING VERY ESXCITING. BECAUSE I HAVE VERY INTERESTING IDEAS AND I THINK I COULD GIVE A LOT OF GOOD FEEDBACK INFORMATION THAT COULD HELP THIS SERVICE BE MORE INTERACTIVE AND FUN FOR PS3 OWNERS AND TO MAKE THIS A GREAT EXPERIENCE, SO I REALLY REALLY HOPE I GET IN, SO PLEASE SONY BE SMART AND CHOOSE THE RIGHT PEOPLE
PSN ID: k3vln1
it might be late for me to get an answer but is there anything else i need to do after downloading the theme i want to know i want home so bad please tell me lol
Nope,just check your emails every once in awhile for an invite..Just downloading the theme entered you..hope you get in,hope we all get in..lol.
Side note: Signed up for a Gravatar..how do i get it to show up?
Also it would be nice to know of a date this is all suppose to start.
Ever since I heard about Home I have wanted to try it out. The things you can do on there has no comparison to the Wii or 360.
I would really like to be a Beta tester, just to sample how well it will work out, I plan to start my own clan on MGO as soon as I hit level 4 and having my own virtual space to show videos and or slide shows in real time would be an epic improvement. Video in-game would also be an improvement, but that could come at a later date.
To think I was a Die hard Nintendo fan, but they lost me by way of interactivity with my friends and families. There Friend Code system is not on par with Playstation or Xbox, And for Sony to release a program like Home for free…
Mad I tell you. Any company who risks losing millions of dollars just so their fans can have the best they can offer deserves to have my hard earned cash spent on them. The games are great. The community is better, and I am here willing to beta test anything you guys offer up.
And trust me, I wont hesitate to tell you any bugs I find. Keep up the work guys, your turning this old Retro Nintendo fan into a die hard Playstation fan.
Just keep up the good work, and make Home available before December. lol I downloaded the home theme already, hope to see you guys in Home Beta Testing.
Signed,
Riael Vargos – Ex-Retro Nintendo Fan
pick me i am always active at least 6 days of the week. I am one of your most loyal customers.
so if someone plays more online it will be more possible for him to get accepted for the beta?
I’m really happy about this thing
I downloaded the theme but i didnt apply it yet… do i have to ?
Just download it,but it’s an awesome theme so why not apply it? (I’m posting too fast?)
NOW back to my PS3…
I’m looking forward to home whether its the beta or the real thing. Everyones rushing for it to come out but I say take your time Sony and get it right. Some people want you to rush and produce a crappy product but as long as it is worth the wait I say take your time.
Thank you for this
I want to be in this beta SO BAD!!!!!
Thank you!
I hope I get in, bought my 60GB ps3 back in in April 2007.
Heck I’ve been around since Sony’s Playstation1 days hehe so I’ve been loyal all the way through.
Not to mention that I’m not the typical FPS fan.
Hmmm bout time i read something about PS3 HOME =]… im glad SONY has made the right choices so far with the PS3 and im still proud to say i own a ps3. i have supported Sony since PS1 and they have always been one step above everyone. When i first saw HOME i was all hyped up about it and i still am and i cant wait to get accepted (I Hope) i play as much as possible after work and school. feel free to add me my PSN: NYJETS10
I PLAY ONLINE ALL THE TIME. Uusually tom clancy stuff ^_^ I Hope I get in! =) Ps3 for life. =)
As if I will get the closed beta of Home….. in my dreams
IM GLAD TO BE APART OF THE PLAYSTATION WORLD, I HOPE TO BE INVOLVED W/PLAYSTATION HOME BETA TEST.. THIS IS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED.
i want this so bad!
I play every day for at least 6 hours lol most of it online!
I also get lot of stuff from Playstation Store :D
I hope I get in :D
PSN: MadeInBrazil__
So will they be tracking what we have been doing all along on PSN and the PS Store, or just what we have been doing after D/Ling the HOME theme?
ARGH!
why don’t Aussies get this?
we miss out on everything.
@583
I’m aussie too!
PSN: Ivan_Krazy
Will it log information before or after the installation of the Home theme?
@585
I just asked that too. lol
582
WOOHOOO its bout time, I cant wait to beta!
YES!!! Thank you so much…..
this is sooooo cool! I want to be a home beta tester. I HOPE I GET IN
PSN Dave702
this is cool, all most every one is leaving there PSN ID
Finally.. I really hope I get picked & I can’t wait for it to be released..
2 Questions, when will the PlayStation Home Theme be on the PlayStation Store? & must I update my system for the PlayStation Store to be updated?
Thanks.. =D
wow, Foxhoundx you should have the theme by now
Dowloaded the theme.
Pro:s:
– The icons are loyal to Home
– most of them have uniq look and not just some new color thing.
– The wallpapers “design a building look”
cons:
– No custom sounds (;_;)
– The wallpaper doesnt really fit my taste but thats just me.
– some icons only have home logo painted to them nothing else.
nice theme none the less.
Hear about the new Tron movie, Jack? lol Anyways, I CAN’T wait any longer for HOME! I missed the first beta, but i’ll be damned if I miss out on this one. My butt’s staying on my PS3 every day before and after work, so no sleep for me! lmao I can’t wait to see how you guys have implemented all the new stuff into this app. I wonder if cam chat in home will be an option….? o_0
I can’t Sleep!!!!!!!!!
ITs 3:19AM Here in the East coast
(Florida)
Nice to see this coming, I hope I get in, but I don’t expect it.
_______________________________________________
@ 559 (Richlando)
I had the same problem today. I logged in from the PS3’s browser and it froze, I gave it some time, still frozen, then i had to restart it.
I also has is 404 error message coming @ me last week.
WHAT IS GOING ON??
I have just registered for playstation underground and ps blog just for this beta.PLEASE put me into this, this is all i want and god of war 3 and socom confrontation, I also have about 250 hours of psn online gaming. I just hope you pick the right people for the beta who would take advantage of it and not waste it. I dont like to brag, but sony please dont screw this up.
How about you guys also give access to beta those who registered and bought this still unfinished console and paid $600 for heater that was unusable for almost a year and a half?
I mean at least that way I won’t feel so raped for the money after the fact that you lowered the price so fast so you can compete that my behind is still feeling sore.
I mean, I guess it would be common decency considering I paid you $600 for nothing for such a long time and I’m still pulling my hair with flaky multiplayer and 3 games that are worth something while others work and don’t work unlike the X360 counterparts of the same game I see at my friends’ houses.
I’ll tell you though, I’m not keeping high hopes, considering that I’m already used to being screwed over by Sony again and again.
I’d be pleasantly surprised if you did reward those who purchased the console believing you that it won’t take 2 years to get something out of it. Beta for Home would be a step in right direction in at least saving some face.
Cheers.
i think it’s a bloody joke
you have this in the us where anybody can try for a shot at beta testing home but in europe where we have those retarded mopnkeys at scee we have to take it on faith that they’re even doing anything.
when the fact is we know they wont be doing a damn thing.
the sooner sony shuts down that mess and gets somebody competant running europe (paris hilton would be a step up at this point) thebetter it wil be for us the users and for you the company that’s losing money while reeves and his cronies hold back great swathes of content from your most loyal customers.
I downloaded the theme I hope I get accepted I mean… I’m Beta-guy :p I’m very interested in testing, and eager to find bugs…