Comments on: The Unintended Outcome

By: Aliasdude66

Aliasdude66 — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 02:08:23 +0000

Great article Mael! I have been thinking a lot on the future of Home and the social aspects it provides. I believe the die-hard users of Home understand the social value. In a way this can be a double-edged sword. Using myself as an example, I have lost a great deal of interest in buying items. Home has reached the point where the selection of clothing items and personal space has reached a sort of critical mass. I have more items than I will ever need, and it takes something really special to catch my interest in the store. I come on Home to see my friends.

So here’s the dilemma: Sony has a loyal Home “customer” in me, but what I come to Home for cannot be sold. It’s the service itself that has the greatest value for me.

I think Sony is feeling the squeeze of their most faithful users running out of things to buy as well. Perhaps, this is why they have made the shift to games. Unfortunately, the disc-based games are so much better that I don’t know how willing people will be to shell out money for a mediocre gaming experience.

Home has been used as a marketing tool for disc-based games and other products, but I don’t know how much of a percentage of their revenue that represents.

I have already seen a few of my friends drift from Home -- friends that used to come on every night for years. They just got bored and realized how much of their real life was being neglected I guess.

In my opinion, Sony needs to come up with some better ways to exploit the social aspect of Home that draws the real fans. Perhaps more special events -- maybe even sell tickets. I think more could be done with the clubs as well. One idea I had would be to have contests where an award is given to a club and it’s members for winning. If Home carries over to the PS4, I think a better voice chat system would help strengthen the appeal.

That being said, I don’t think the end of Home would be enough to end the friendships I have made. Where there is a will, there is always a way. I think we would simply migrate to some other web-based social platform.

By: riff

riff — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:25:59 +0000

Great article Mael! Yes very “stimulating.” heh. I do agree. The social aspect of home actually got me into gaming. I would have never bought any games if it were not for Home and the friends I have met there. I love the social aspect of it. When people move they can take their little black box of friends with them anywhere…

By: ted2112

ted2112 — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 20:05:26 +0000

I really feel Sony looks at things from a let’s make money point of view, but also a what’s good for the company point of view. Home has some amazing momentum going right now, popularity and expansion wise. Oh yeah, and it’s also making money.So, I don’t think it is going anywhere. I also feel that the PS4 will have Home on it, simply for that reason. In the initial launch of a new platform they are going to want as many as possible on board as early as possible.

If I’m wrong, it’s ok as well because the PS3 will still be around for a long time, and Home with it. You can still go to Game Stop and by a PS2!

I agree with you Strom, I don’t think they had any idea what they were going to get with Home. Great article as always!

By: Godzprototype

Godzprototype — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:03:44 +0000

To continually create things people can obviously relate to with each other, will make Sony money.
This was a really nice article Strom.

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:29:48 +0000

Great read Strom and right on the money. Yes Sony is a company and needs to make money, but I think that Home has become enough of a cash cow, especially lately with all the new developments, that it will be around for a long time to come. Even if PS4 comes out without a version of Home in it, PS3 will be here for a long time after. Just look at PS2, it is still here and purchasable. Home means a lot to many, and I too hope it lingers for a long time after any new console shows up.

By: Kid Fleetfoot

Kid Fleetfoot — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 04:34:33 +0000

$$$$ will make the decision. SONY’s not in this as a public service.
Use it or lose it.