Home 1.75: What Needs to Be Said
by Jin Lovelace, HSM team writer
I’ll be honest with you: this article was actually a base for a long comment from Burbie’s article on Home’s upcoming 1.75 update.
From my understanding, when I read the announcement, there will be some subtle changes to the servers, such as your Home saves like your furniture, wardrobe, and personal space setups. This will come with the sacrifice of allowing clients to manually save their own data with the use of their own memory source.
Now there are some reasonable — even valid — pros and cons regarding this patch, with the former being the obvious increase of server performance and possible ways of implementing more features onto Home with little to no fuss; the latter being early server hiccups like freezing, the dreaded F13 crashes, and lag.
What I find jarring for myself, as a five year Home “veteran” (as they say), is the outpouring of rage and anger that could fill a super combo meter faster than your opponent could see what’s coming to them.
While no thorough details are expounded from the officials, they do provide us with enough to inform all that who do possess good common sense to keep your eyes on the News Bulletin, as they will breakdown some added features that will come along with this update. I think it’s pretty simple, yes?
Well, according to the voices of the community, this just isn’t enough. I mean, let be real for a bit here: let’s see a show of hands — on average — of Home users that use their jump drives to save their Home settings via XMB.
So let’s do the math here:
- Community logins: roughly around 36 million plus
- The “voices” of the Home community who say they create USB saves: 12 out of the 36 million
- The likely actual number from said voice group that use this feature: 3
- The ones that complain who don’t use this process at all, but utilizes this as fuel to their existing issues that don’t even pertain to this update, but Home in general: 2
- The number it takes for all to follow blindly from one’s negative perspective: 1
I’m not pointing any fingers here – aside from stating the obvious equation above – but let’s cut to the chase, and I feel this is something that needed to be said: if one follows the crowd so blindly to see the truth lain before, that said truth will hit you harder than any thrown brick aimed at your head. Usually when one is out cold from the damage done, you’re too disoriented to even try to figure out where you are, only to find that the crowd has left you behind.
That analogy goes to my point of this article; people are too blind to see the truth that’s in front of them. That truth is you don’t know – at all – what will happen on this update. No one knows, except the company that’s worked on the service since it’s release for the PlayStation 3 console. Yes, I can understand that many who’ve graced Sony and the developers with their hard-earned cash enjoy the content within this social construct feel the money they’ve spent earns them some sort of say, but to rage on with little to no substance, and lacking any evidence to back up any sort of theoretical claim shows no merit in regards to their character. In essence, I find those people – and their opinions – simply null or void, with little to no value.
The fact is, I’ve backed up some Home data maybe twice in my time due to the server troubles I’ve experienced on the network, mainly for my furniture set up at one particular space for a video project. Since the servers have been stable, I really have had no need for such data in my USB drive, so I deleted it. However, there was a time that my system crashed before I could backup any data, thus deleting my save files and having to start all over on my settings. I was livid, yes, but I didn’t curse Sony for it.
What I’m saying here is that I’d rather take the neutral route to completely understand what everyone is saying with regards to their outrage and concerns about this patch. It’s far more productive than digging really deep to find some barely relevant detail about the dissenters’ distaste of the upcoming service change. But no matter what, they will still continue to be the living conundrum and the contradiction that they are: to login to Home and go see if the improvements they’ve already discredited are up to their standards. Thus the cycle continues: login > see something that displeases you > vent/whine/anger > release > wait until next week. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Here’s a simple solution: how about we wait until the actual update is implemented? In all likelihood, when the time comes, Home will be up and running and we’ll see the first one to quickly post they’re unsatisfactory. Whatever, right? Let’s narrow down some hypothetical truths here:
- This update will possibly serve for some new features that they could actually implement to give us what we need and want.
- No one knows at all the effect of this update could bring to your systems, aside from the exaggeration of your negative experiences you’ve had with your console or on Home.
The bottom line here is that we’re faced with some dilemmas on how this update will effect us all. One one hand, the performance could be faster, more efficient and easier to manage memory on the Home servers, and so much more. On the other hand, you’re looking at some memory that you can no longer control on your own.
But the true question remains: if you honestly think Sony isn’t capable of preparing themselves for whatever effect takes place, honestly….why are you using this service then? Why even host an organization, a website or even a group to proclaim your affection for this community, this Home, and show support if you’re none at all pleased by this?
That answer will remain a mystery to me.
My only concerns are: when am I going to receive a fashion wardrobe increase?
January 25th, 2013 by Jin Lovelace | 19 comments
Jin Lovelace is a machinimist and team writer for HomeStation Magazine, as well as the founder of Twilight Touch Inc. -- http://twilighttouchinc.com and http://youtube.com/twilighttouchinc. When not found in PlayStation Home, Jin studies graphic design and illustration (character design and fashion), gaming, and the culinary arts.
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I completely agree Jin, every core update or new innovation is met with rampant complaints that are unfounded. Nobody but Home management knows what will be in store for us with this yet as always there are loads of critics that seem to know exactly what is going to happen and the majority are always wrong in the end. I’ve always tried to avoid the drama surrounding such milestones and choose to meet it with open arms until there’s a real problem to overcome, even still I have faith that those in charge can handle any challenge that needs to be overcome. Many may not like what they read in this update but for myself i am hoping that working from my multiple consoles will be much easier and having to back up and transfer so much the huge amount of data I have will not be so much of a hassle anymore. And besides the aforementioned wardrobe increase when will we get better organization also?!?! I’m tired of being lost in there for so long that everyone else gets to have fun while I search for my way out. :p
I SOOOOO agree!
My storage is now known as “The Abyss”…..which I don’t EVER want to visit again. xO
Lots are expecting issues because people only remember when things go wrong, so some users are expecting or even wanting the update to go wrong just so they can say ive knew it would be a problem. If the 36 million community log ins in roughly right, and Lockwood gift has only just gone through the 1 million marker, that means theres 35 million accounts have not bought anything off the gift machine so id be surprised if they have bought anything else being there have been freebies on the gift machine. plus aurora took a year to get 1 million unique visitors so you can cut your 36 million voices down to 1 million voices that have probably used home more than once, of that take 250,000 off for duplicate accounts , so theres a lot less voices than a lot of users think, so even if every home user shouted it would still be a whisper in relation to most decent ps3 games. So whats coming is going to come, if it has issues, users will either put up with it or they will leave and not come back, if theres not issues the complaint will be how come psn plus users get better functions than me on home after core update.
That’s the beautiful thing: they will find something to complain about. I’m not at all stating that Sony is flawless on any aspects at all, but one can’t help but see how people are already complaining bout the issues before the client update’s been released.
Now in regards to them complaining about the PS+ Home updates, yup! People have already been complaining about something that they’ve been desiring for with the said PS+ users: more exclusive content. They get it, and then they are already complaining about what they PERSONALLY didn’t ask for.
It’s like when someone requests for four items of their desires, the provider gives you four and one extra but out of the four, it’s ALWAYS that one they will dislike, but yet it’s the EXACT thing they had requested.
It’s pretty pathetic. >8(
Hmm, as Gary says, people only tend to remember the bad stuff. Or it stays in their heads longer. Sony have been known to be a little careless with PSN in the past. In fact I think they’re only now having to pay grievances from the PSN Outage hoo-haa we had a while back.
I think trust is the main issue people are having here. I use 2 PS3’s and have seperate layouts for my Home spaces on one than the other so having control of my data taken away in that regard is pretty frustrating. But in that sense, I’m in the minority; so I should just be ignored? The next thing is the simple fact that as a PAYING user for Home, I no longer have back-up data available to me IF something goes wrong on Sony’s end. I think enough people can protest Sony’s idea of customer care that’ll tell you straight, it’s unlikely you’ll get the help you need if all your Home stuff goes *poof*.
That, I think, is the main fear here: what if, just “IF” we have another server meltdown and your FIVE YEARS of collected special event rewards are gone? Sure, they might be able to replace all your paid for products but the rewards -- you’ll never get those back if the data became corrupted.
Not just all this, but the problems the network (and specifically Home) has been suffering in the last few weeks has seen some sporadic oddities that have some worried too.
That’s my problem with the most who remember the bad stuff: they feel that they are bound to their past, especially if it’s not of their own. They have to move on from that. It’s been two years since that incident and, personally, I’ve only had a few issues in regards to Sony software and hardware problems. However, I’ve managed to get it fixed quick, fast and a hurry.
As far as some recent issues regarding to server issues on Home, many over-exaggerate their issues. I know this because, for me, my server experience on Home has been good.
I don’t blame the frustration of the lot, as I can be as well, but many go under this delusions of grandeur to state things that aren’t true to all but true to themselves.
It’s just frustrating enough for me to never go on the Sony Forums again. :/
All your items are cloud saved server side now, its your Avatar, how you have set up your personal spaces and the script file which has game info on it which is being taken server side
Well said Jin -about hanging on to the past… We should not forget the past- but using it as an excuse to purposefully rant in anger and distain about what we do have (this amazing technology that is relatively cost effective and accessible to the general public) is sort of like spinning our wheels.
I have always found that it is better to stay in the solution to any problem- to communicate without assumption or blame -to formulate and ask logical questions -to see what we as users can do to improve what we have- anyone can complain -but only a creative thinking person can make a suggestion as to what might work to actually help improve the system.
There are a lot of tech Savvy people on the forums- instead of ranting against the Sony Cyber gods it would be far more interesting to see some suggestions- and instead of the private server glitch underground- why are we not talking to Sony to integrate these needs into the framework?
Instead of new colors why doesn’t Sony create private servers that plus members can book time in? Why don’t plus members get more furniture slots -more club slots -more friend slots?
The colors are nice- don’t get me wrong -I love that they are finally gearing some of the plus benefits to us homesters… But I am holding out on a plus subscription til I see more benefits to the home going casual gamer. But I do want to reiterate that there are some cool benefits to this update. Tech savvy ppl know how to back up -so if you are scared of loosing stuff then do it.
Part of the great part of home is that it constantly changes- there is always something ever present to talk about- to weigh in with -thank you Jin for your take on it
“It’s been two years since that incident and, personally, I’ve only had a few issues in regards to Sony software and hardware problems. However, I’ve managed to get it fixed quick, fast and a hurry.”
So what of all the people who have had issues since the incident? Should they just sit silently and accept whatever Sony offers because you’ve had a good experience?
Nothing personal here, Jin, but this is the sort of subtle selfishness that there’s far too much of on both sides. Some of us have been having terrible issues with Sony’s servers. And the reality remains that There Is No Home Customer Service.
Many in the community are rightfully concerned about what will happen when (not if) their data gets corrupted. What will happen when (not if) they lose the ability to log in because the servers are overloaded. What will happen when (not if) users find ways to exploit the new setup. This is what smart consumers do. They ask questions. Some ask more politely than others.
One other thing to keep in mind is that none of us signed up for a cloud-based service. It’s absolutely Sony’s right to change the terms of the agreement, just as they booted the OtherOS function from the PS3, but they should expect a decent amount of backlash from customers when that happens. It’s an assumed risk that goes with the territory of making wholesale changes in a product or service.
Some customers will leave, most will stay. Some of those who leave will make noise on their way out the door, and some of those who stay will make noise as well. Smart companies take advantage of these situations to engage with their customers and try to address their concerns. We’re not seeing a lot of that from Sony, which is par for the course for them. That further fuels the complaints.
What I don’t understand is why people bother complaining or commenting about it at all, as neither constructive criticism nor complaints generate a response anymore.
All criticism and complaints makes the user that said them a complainer, who then gets attacked by all the people that wanna make up a bunch of silly stuff about how home is great and usually ends the sentence with Woot Woot. Its not just the complainers that do damage its the home can do no wrong crowd that are doing just as much. Ive seen legit comments get destroyed on forums, example is a new developer releases they new stuff in japan to a lot of woot woots, saw loads of complaints being raised about spaces, complainers get attacked by people saying they are wrong and how could they attack a new developer, Developer then shuts several spaces for months because the developer believes they were poor as per the complaints. That was Granzellas start up in home and how the official and unofficial forums reacted. All legit praise and criticism should be heard but neither should be over the top.
You’ve pretty much summed up my reply right there, which is exactly why I never go to the forums. Going there is seriously like reasoning on why some woman (or man) states they aren’t interested in your romantically but rationalizing on how you can MAKE them said interested in you.
HearItWow has some points. There is no Home customer service, thus most troubleshoots are likely dealt with on your own. But I seriously don’t believe if “Sally” was having server trouble severely to the point that she can’t log into Home without proper knowledge that it’s her own internet connection or if “Jean” there were to complain how these items on Home are horrible to where it prevents he (or she) getting on Home.
However, most who “make noise when they leave” are the ones who usually continues to do so but manage to log in to Home in the process. My thing is, if you wish to make your noise, make it and move on. To continue to make that noise makes that person a whining infant.
I’m not saying Home is perfect, neither is Sony. What I’m saying here is people exaggerate their problems and their “existing” issues with the Sony servers. Home has been up for 6-7 years now, with the open beta being 4 years now. If one person has been logging in and STILL having issues with the servers for 4 years now, you don’t think something is entirely wrong with this scenario?
That’s my point.
Thanks for the response.
HearIt it’s great to see your comment! You are always so insightful. I too think Sony is a bit distant and unforthcoming -but I do know that being adversarial with a company that provides a service that we all choose to partake in is not usually the answer to getting more information… I also know (as you do) to speak openly in a public forum about company matters and company direction- and possibly cost saving fiscal endeavors to keep a system or infrastructure afloat -opens the speaker and that company up to a great deal of liability. And I also know that people as a whole tend to resist any change- there are valid psychological reasons for this. So no matter what the change is there will always be parties that reject it- usu. their sentiments are based in fear -fear of failure -fear of getting something worse -fear of the loss of tradition etc. All very reasonable concerns.
I am not saying that Sony’s stance with its consumers is the correct one- I am simply saying that an adversarial approach to consumer concerns does not often result in a dialogue. And certainly personal attacks on the character of any person- no matter their stance is ignorant and foolish behavior by and large.
Afterall what is there in us if we complain about, personally and professionally attack a company representative, and act generally like fools from keeping Sony looking at us all like a bunch of ignorant whiners…?
Wonderful Write Jin,
I have never understood complaining or worrying about a thing before it happens. Yes crashes are annoying and scary for your profile, yes lagging is annoying, yes freezing is a pain; so is being hacked and trolled. The bottom line is do you want to play in Home? Is all the negative worth the stay in home? I believe Sony is trying to give and do what it can to feed our wants. Maybe we should say thanks?
Thanks for the read Jin
If the cloud save canprvent some form of hacking, then it wiould worth the risk and loss of flexibility. And the with wath we know now there is some very interresting features coming.
But for me the patch itself was not the problem. The cloud save was not meant and built as a “upgraded user experience” and yet, thats what they tried to sell.
You can’t say it will be good for thoses who own more than one PS3 when it suit you and a few post later say only a small percentage use multiple saves so it’s not a big thing. Are they or they not a valuable asset to home?
I’ve started questioning my commitment to home in the F13 era. When they kept trying to blame our own connection and tell people to clear cache, delete & re-install…
I like to think of myself as a forgiving person. But I hate to lied to. Do I think this precise event is a big deal? No. But I was already close to the edge. It just gave me the last little nodge to push me over the border.
One last thing. I have problem with the last part of you’re article (Nicely written btw) I don’t think because you love a “product” and are ready to commit your time to it you should close your eyes to the problem you see and shut up. Keep telling people to leave if they don’t agree and they might just do it…
Again, sure we had our usual bunch of whiners. But many long time home supporters didn’t like it either.
It’s their money they can do what they want with it. There will always be some complaining don’t care about them. If you don’t like it leave….. Not exactly the best marketing tactics.
If their complaining creates an outcry for all to follow up and state the exact same thing to create a negative void, that would mean the exact thing what I meant in the article
Criticism and constant complaining about something you’re not precisely getting is two different things. On one hand, while Sony isn’t perfect (the re-skinning of the Hub, x7, some decisions on how they present their premium services to build a social bridge due to said “voices” of the community who can’t comprehend simple functions as “Ignore” and “Report”), they’ve shown that they can provide impeccable services. Many times, I’ve complained about certain features not implemented via PSN or even in Home, but I’m also not the one to boast on how Sony sucks and they are a crappy company, but continuing to support their products.
The fact is: if Sony has been really horrible to the most, the simple solution is to just not support their service no more. Just because their hard-earned cash has been spent for 4 years to complain about how Home sucks--as they say--and vow to never log in to the service, but only to do this several times more is no excuse to me; if you don’t like it, just leave.
Thanks for the feedback.
The cloud seems to be the in thing. Fine. But if people can’t back up their files that’s a dangerous game.
If I build a website for example, I can up files and pages (usually) on another web server (or cloud if yo will) or my computer. How can I back up files with this new move? We shall see.
As for expressing dissatisfaction, some do it better than others. But if one doesn’t express their opinion on a forum which isn’t meant for just chit chat (although a bit of that is OK), then how does SONY know what we like or don;t like. Oh! Wait! I got it! We can call customer service.
The Forums serve for many purposes: chit-chat, customer support, whichever.
However, I don’t visit the forums due to the lack of substance there.