Recently, my PlayStation 3 surprised me when I found, on the XMB (XrossMediaBar), something called “Playstation Home”, a community-based environment developed by Sony Computer Entertainment’s London and Cambridge studios. The open beta service has started last December. Phil Harrison used the term “Game 3.0″ to describe it back in 2007.

It’s still a small world: users can wander their own empty harbour studio (you can customize it later), the central plaza, a bowling center, a movie theatre and a mall. There are also dedicated game spaces (Uncharted and Far Cry 2) and a Red Bull area. Red Bull? Yes, the corporations are already there. Despite the size, according to Sony, 3.4 million users already downloaded it.

Aside the energetic drink environment, users can also find Ligne Roset and Diesel stores at the mall, where they can buy, using the PlayStation Network Wallet, virtual clothing for real dollars! Activision, SEGA, Ubisoft, Atari and Midway are reportedly creating Spaces for the service. EA announced the future opening of the EA Sports Complex, with leader boards, game trailers and some multiplayer games.

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