Response from: Sean I    (12/18/08 3:10am)

Sony Playstation has released "Home," launched in beta form. The program is an online world where players can create a digital self, and interact in a virtual world. It is a kind of hybrid between the avatar program for the Nintendo Wii, and the online phenomenon Second Life. Home users create a custom representation of themselves, virtual homes, and can communicate with other people via chat with text and video, host friends online, play games, and do lots of things in the free version, but upgrades will be made available at the Sony online store, such as larger houses, clothes, furniture and other things, except those sell for real money. It is only in the beta stage right now, but it was officially launched on December 11th. Wii and Xbox 360 already have avatar programs, but Playstation home is the more sophisticated of the three, with its own music playing in-world, mini-games, even trophy rooms where accomplishments in gaming are displayed. Some critics maintain that people are likely to pay real money for things they don't need in the virtual world. Other people see some value in things like the Home program, and some see value in no fax payday loans, that can be an online home away from home.