by Olivia_Allin, HSM team writer

I am a huge fan of Sony products! My years in broadcast television allowed me the privilege of using Sony’s high-end professional video cameras and support equipment. As the owner of a small video production company now, I rely on Sony’s affordable yet very dependable “Prosumer” line of video equipment. And as a gadget freak, I love all the cool toys Sony produces to satisfy my techno fetish. My family has owned every gaming system available in the US, and after comparing all of them, I have found that the Sony PlayStation line is the only system I need or want. At this time I own two PS3 consoles, and I am eagerly awaiting the PS4 with great anticipation.

Anticipation tempered by a slight bit of unease.

As an avid Home user, the lack of definitive information on whether or not Home will be available on the new platform is causing cascading waterfalls of hyperactive electric butterflies in my tummy.

Let me say up front that I am admittedly naïve when it comes to the art of business and economics. I would not even begin to assume that I have any knowledge that your experts have overlooked as far as business models, nor would I attempt to second-guess what Sony as a corporation deems fiscally responsible. I am only speaking for myself.

I am not privy to any reports that show financial losses or gains as a result of supplying Home to the general public. And I understand that Sony is in business to do business. But does good business always mean a high profit margin, or even just breaking even? I do understand that Home users are not a vast majority of the Sony Entertainment Network user base, and perhaps not even a priority. As far as I have seen, Sony has put little to no effort into marketing Home since Q4 2011.

Please do not misconstrue this as undue criticism; this is only meant as an observation. Yet with little to no marketing, a loyal and dedicated group has not only become accustomed to enjoying this privilege granted us, but for many of us it is more than a hobby, game or pastime: it transcends all that and has become part of our daily lives.

Whether or not this was a foreseen effect, it has become a reality — and not just a virtual one.

I understand the concept of beta testing. I understand the concept of product testing. Which brings me to this analogy: if a pharmaceutical company was to do a double-blind test on an antidepressant drug, and the numbers revealed that the patients that received the actual medication and not a placebo benefited greatly but realized after the fact that production costs would make it prohibitive to mass-produce for the public — so their choices would be to either abandon the product or make it available at a loss — what would be the right thing to do?

I understand that this is probably not a fair analogy. But from a Home user’s viewpoint, allowing this community to end — an application that so many of us have come to love — would be incredibly sad, and even in some cases devastating. Emotional attachment is a powerful thing, the ripple effects of which are not always easily quantified on a spreadsheet projection. Home may be the uncool stepchild of the PlayStation pantheon at this point — how do you market a place for slightly obsessive damaged people as a cool and hip environment for target marketing? — but as long as it is in some small way showing a net profit, why kill it?

I am a thirty-year-old woman. I have learned in my time on this planet that the best way to deal with things is with logic and reasoning mixed with realistic emotions. Not holding my breath, not stomping my feet, not screaming till I’m red in the face like I unfortunately see happening on the Sony PlayStation Home forum by people with overactive feelings of entitlement. So I will not throw out a hollow threat — something petulant like I will not buy a PS4 if Home is not an option on it. Bah. I will be honest and say that I intend to buy one, regardless.

That said, let me add that I would use it more extensively and enjoy it much more thoroughly if my favorite part of the PS3 — Home — was included in this new generation.

I know I said I would not offer economic or business advice because I literally have no business in doing so. But, referring back to my pharmaceutical analogy: if the drug company agreed to go ahead and make the medicine that helps the many people and sustained a loss by doing so, perhaps they could claim it as a loss on their taxes to help things in a larger picture? I don’t know if that’s an option. I’m doing good just to accurately file my taxes in time. I know nothing of what a massive corporation like SCEA does to juggle its books.

Now, as this is an open letter and is being published for the public to read, I feel somewhat obligated to use this opportunity to voice a call to action. I am not trying to rally a revolution or a coup d’état. I am in no way wanting to incite a riot. But I will ask that all who read this and are of like mind to, at the very least, please say so below in the comments or continue to maintain this issue’s visibility elsewhere. And I will go further and ask that you invite all your friends to help support Home and politely let Sony know that you would like to see it continue. I ask only that you maintain grace and civility in doing so. Hopefully, by doing so, we can have our voices heard and express our desires without presenting them as demands or inferring any ultimatums.

If we can do this — and do it with class — perhaps this will be the start of a grassroots movement that can serve as a petition. A petition meant only to represent the voices of all of us who want Sony to know we appreciate the gift of Home.

Thank you for your time and your understanding.

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3 Responses to “An Open Letter”

1. Mark McCracken says:

   September 21, 2013 at 11:59 am

   That Was A Wonderful Read,A But Long Winded But Wonderful None The Less. I Will Agree Home Is Part Of Mine And My Wifes Everyday. It Would Sadden Me If We Lost Home And I Want MY Ps4 To Have It. We Still Have Our Ps1,2 And Two 3s.I Will Sign Whatever It Is I Need To, To Keep home

   Reply
2. Danger_Dad says:

   September 22, 2013 at 1:21 am

   :^/ I agree that Home may be getting to be more and more of a niche service, but it is no less valid for that.

   Reply
3. ted2112 says:

   September 22, 2013 at 2:50 pm

   Nice letter and this is why Home has succeeded when nobody though it would. People who care about it deeply, like you!

   Reply