PlayStation Home was 5-10 years ahead of its time according to one exec.
Retrospectively pointing out something as being ahead of its time can be easy, and in this instance is absolutely correct. But whether that makes for good or bad depends entirely upon one’s personal views. PlayStation Executive Jim Ryan discussed Sony’s plans regarding Metaverse during deposition for Microsoft Vs FTC case and made publicly-available documents detailing Sony plans in connection with Metaverse as part of testimony for that case.
Ryan noted that PlayStation Home was 10-15 years ahead of its time. PlayStation Home provided players a place for socializing on PlayStation 3, similar to Second Life of its day; today we recognize such digital interactions as part of an ever-evolving ‘Metaverse.’
Ryan described it as a “very early manifestation” of the Metaverse; Home was more successful than any recent Metaverse product, yet executives still use this buzzword today. Ryan went on to explain, “We currently have several exciting projects underway for us that involve creating game-type Metaverses which could involve collaboration among Sony divisions.
Lately, Web3 ideas have come under scrutiny due to many companies trying to jump onto an already floundering bandwagon – NFTs fell by the wayside, blockchain is not relevant for most gamers and Metaverse technology can already be found in games such as Second Life or MMOs.
Sony would benefit by reinstating Home, providing other companies are still interested in exploring Metaverse options. An interconnecting hub world linking PlayStation games, Sony Pictures films and other properties from Sony could prove fruitful; although some similar hub worlds already exist such as Fortnite which acts more as an entertainment franchise platform than anything else.
Has there ever been any need for something similar now, when social media was still emerging at the time Home was produced?
