At their annual press conference during the E3 Media and Business Summit, Sony announced new games and services for its PLAYSTATION Network.
SCEA unveiled new features for the PlayStation Home, a 3D community-based service and announced new content for its PLAYSTATION Network.
In addition, SCEA introduced several new downloadable games designed specifically for PLAYSTATION Network, including a crafty puzzle game called echochrome that takes full advantage of the PLAYSTATION 3 system?s (PS3 ) SIXAXIS wireless controller; an funny action game named PAIN; and the next chapter in the popular WipeOut racing series, WipeOut HD. Also demonstrated was a pair of games available through download from PLAYSTATION Store and on Blu-ray Disc (BD) : SOCOM US Navy SEALs: Confrontation, the next title in line of one of the most popular franchises in PlayStation history; and Warhawk, an online multi-player air and land combat game.
During the press conference, company spokespeople presented both in person and as their own personalized avatars within the PlayStation Home 3D community service, transitioning from their virtual-world avatars to reappear live on stage. Phil Harrison, President, Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, unveiled key new components of PlayStation Home. The newly introduced features, all available when the free 3D community makes its public debut this fall, include:
- Launch Games Within PlayStation Home: Users will have the ability to launch Blu-ray Disc (BD) or PLAYSTATION Network games from inside PlayStation Home. Users who want to play a game together can meet in one location to set options and start the multi-player online game.
- New Home Square: The newly designed Home Square replaces the PlayStation Home lobby concept first introduced at the Game Developers Conference in March. The new open-air space provides internal developers with more flexibility to build upon the community experience.
- New Personal Spaces: Four new apartments including a Beach House, Norwegian Cabin, Manhattan Penthouse and a traditional Japanese House, were introduced today to allow for additional user choice and personalization.