Comments on: Does Fantasy Life Improve Real Life?

By: backarch

backarch — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 06:09:04 +0000

since ‘real’ life has pretty much proven to be futile to me, especially from being so small (ridiculed, mocked, etc.), home pretty much IS my life. sad, but there it is.

By: NorseGamer

NorseGamer — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:05:01 +0000

Excellent point, Seal; it’s the social elements which keep bringing a lot of us back to Home, and many of those social elements are quite excellent. The Homeling Art Shows. LAIR’s “King Neptune’s End” game. Various groups like PSTalent, HSM and so forth.

Home’s just a hell of a lot of fun. To me, it truly is “reality TV.”

By: SealWyf

SealWyf — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:40:32 +0000

As someone who maintains three Facebook accounts — one for the human self, one for the Homeling, and one for the, ah, walrus — I very much appreciate the potential of Home for deep imaginative role-play. I also appreciate that much of this potential has been discovered, not by Sony and its third-party developers, but by the users themselves, playing with the tools they have been given. It’s amazing what creative minds can build from a costume, a set of avatar-modifications and an organizational structure. And it keeps taking off in new directions. ::bows::

I’ll just mention here that Commander SealWyf is currently organizing the Fifth Homeling Art Show, and a related poetry reading. None of which — “Commander”, “Homeling”, “Art Show”, or “poetry reading” — was explicitly created by Sony as part of the Home experience. They gave us the tools to built it (clubhouses, Echochrome, picture frames and text bubbles), and we supplied the imagination.

In a way, this publication is another example of grass-roots world-expansion. Without any official sponsorship, we are creating a body of commentary on the virtual world of Home, discussing it not only from a gamer’s point of view, but from a deeply human perspective. This was something that was never planned (or, perhaps, intended) by Sony when it created the Home product. It’s exciting times for all of us, seeing this publication take shape. I’m delighted to be on board.

By: keara22hi

keara22hi — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:30:57 +0000

Well, Nos, next time I am running around in my Michelin-man costume with the light glinting off my bald head whilst klenting unsuspecting hoomans and stealing their bacon, I will try not to remember your words!

By: Nos

Nos — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:23:02 +0000

Indeed. Excellent article. But wait…
Are you suggesting there is a realm known as “Real Life”?
Bah!
Gah!
In fact, bah AND gah! … and pfft.
Am having none of it, thank you very much.
Oh, and “role play”? That’s stoopid.

By: Stryctnin

Stryctnin — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:38:09 +0000

When I first started using Home I made my avatar look like my character Stryctnin who is from a series of novels I’m writing. I “role-played” as her and it helped me develop her character more. For the first couple of months most people didn’t know who I was. Only some of my closer friends in Home knew. I figured it wasn’t anybodies business but then I realized I was making friends based on a lie so I eventually told everyone and most didn’t care. It’s Home, there are no rules saying you hafta be what you are in real life. Go for it and use your imagination, it’s no different than when you were young on the playground having space battles with sticks…which I doubt kids even do that anymore.

By: CheekyGuy

CheekyGuy — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:42:38 +0000

Home, is like many other Virtual worlds, in that it gives people freedom to ‘be’ themselves, no expectations, no pressure, just for that one moment, that person can be whatever he or she wants, and that gives a person a real sense of worth and power.

I would never have met you guys without the aid of meeting in a virtual world, I can have conversations as if you lived right next door to me. These places have broken down barriers, moving away from the Chatrooms of old, and we can now express ourselves more freely than ever before.

Virtual worlds bring ‘The Real World’ much, much closer And Home does this in very much the same way.

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 18:32:27 +0000

One of the observations I have made in my foray into this fanciful place is that many people stick with the norm, they may deviate once in awhile by becoming a character in costume, but for the most part they come out into public as regular people. I myself rarely wear anything but my vast clothing choices, in different combination grant you, but still normal by out world standards. I admit I would never consider wearing some of this in real life though. I have many friends who wear crazy combos and change gender as well. I see Home as a way to express ourselves in whatever way we choose, as long as it isn’t harming anyone, GO FOR IT!!
As for it affecting peoples outside lives I have talked to many who have told me that it has enhanced their lives tremendously. Many people are shy and introverted and Home has given them a means to communicate with a level of anonymity of their own choosing. Others are handicapped or unable to leave their real life homes for extended periods of time and Home has given them a wonderful outlet to explore a world that they themselves have a good deal of control over. This is an incredible place we have here, full of fantasy and yet also reality. Once again Keara you have hit a home run with this article, full of imagination and insight, written as only you can. Keep up the good work I always look forward to your next one.

By: cthulu93

cthulu93 — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 16:42:49 +0000

It is a powerful feeling when u start 2 realize all the things possible on home.Often u r only limited by your imagination,and no matter what u r into or your particular world view u can usually find other ppl with similiar interests.Its endlessly entertaining,and i often find myself leaving home 4 the day wiser than when i entered it that morning.So 2 answer the articles question,yes,at the very least it can broaden your horizons and if not change your point of view will at least give u some serious food 4 thought on many topics.I know of no other place where i could discuss “string theory”in the mid-afternoon,the political consequences of the mongol invasions of the 13th century around dinner time,and around midnight the ramifications of the U.S.”war on drugs”.Its an interesting place and an interesting time,truely the best thing going on the ps3 today.

By: Autumnspice37

Autumnspice37 — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:40:37 +0000

Awesome Reading Keara….I love your stories

By: deuce_for2

deuce_for2 — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:07:03 +0000

I love reading everything you write. This article has opened my eyes to new ways of looking at Home. Thank you!