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This Thursday, February 17th marks the launch of the newest member of the PlayStation Home Community Theater program: Urgent Fury! Urgent Fury is a gaming community focused mainly on FPS games, most notably the SOCOM franchise and will be sharing exclusive videos with the Home community beginning this Thursday. Patrick “Commander Fury” Gross of UF has this to say:

“Our goal in Urgent Fury has always been to create a ‘central hub’ for tactical gamers everywhere – a place where they can congregate and compete in a friendly environment. We believe that Urgent Frequency Television is an extension of that philosophy and allows us to reach a whole new audience. We can’t wait to bring our videos directly to the PlayStation Home community.”

Also playing this week in the Community Theater is the newest edition of the HomeCast Rewind series and the latest episode of Replay with Doc, which includes an interview with the winner of The Tester Season 2 (SPOILER!), Gaymer.

The PlayStation Home Mall receives an update this week with new furniture, clothing, and active items – including new lighting options for the party-minded. Check out this video that highlights some of this week’s virtual item offerings.

Speaking of virtual items, nDreams is bringing horror fans a variety of new decorations from the upcoming film Monsters. Visit the PlayStation Home Mall this Thursday to pick up yours.

VeeMee’s London Pub Radio – included in the London Pub personal space – gets new tunes this week. So Timeless blends the classic soul sounds of the 70′s with 90’s lyricism and today’s swagger while Pierre Massé showcases singer/songwriter stylings in “Give the World.” Electric Sugar Children’s sparkly and shiny “Lead Singer Syndrome” leads to Electroverse’s busy space-jams and Order 66’s bouncy pop-punk. Visit your London Pub personal space (available from the Estates store) this Thursday to check out the new music and then submit your own original material for potential inclusion in future updates at http://www.veemee.com/thelondonpub/radio/.

Your friendly neighborhood Home Community Volunteers will be offering tours of the Home Mansion’s Second Floor with Game Room. Sign up for a tour come this Thursday at http://community.us.playstation.com/community/general_home. Note the playable pool table and dart board!

With the launch of Killzone 3 right around the corner (2.22) now is the time to log in to PlayStation Home and take part in our special Killzone 3 event where you can unlock exclusive rewards including a voucher good for three Unlock Points that can be redeemed for new weapons and abilities in the Killzone 3 multiplayer. Be sure to take advantage of our special pre-order offer (available from the kiosk in Central Plaza to receive a limited edition jetpack for your avatar along with extra Unlock Points and the Retro Map Pack).

This Thursday, February 10th marks the introduction of one of the most popular games of all time into the ever-evolving world of PlayStation Home. The Magic: The Gathering game space is a modern castle filled with six mini-games that unlock various rewards. This visually-dazzling location is packed with Magic: The Gathering content – from Duels of the Planeswalkers’ leaderboards to battling holograms and more. Starting at 4:00pm PST (7:00pm EST) on launch day, the Wizards of the Coast team will be on-site to answer your questions, so be sure to log in this Thursday to experience this awesome new space and meet the guys and gals behind the Magic: The Gathering franchise.

The PlayStation Home elite will get an opportunity to expand their territory when the newest addition to the mega-popular Mansion personal space releases this Thursday. Available from the Estates store in the PlayStation Home Mall, this expansion pack includes an infinity pool, a million dollar view, and six exclusive clothing and furniture rewards for owners and visitors alike. Check out this video for a guided tour courtesy of our resident business guru, Magnus Keynes.

What’s in that box? Who knows – but one thing is for sure: it has some truly unique moves. The “Thing in a Box” is amongst the coolest companions to be released in PlayStation Home. Watch the video and let us know what you think lives in the box in the comments section. Then be sure to pick yours up from the Exclusives store in the PlayStation Home Mall when it releases this Thursday.

The courageous and the mighty can add the Silver Warrior and Claudia costume sets to their collection come this Thursday when the latest batch of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow items release in PlayStation Home. That’s not all – this week Konami also releases a line of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow furniture items including Lycan, Vampire and Pan figurines. Check ‘em out!

The PlayStation Home Community Theater receives yet another update this week with the latest edition of GamerIndepth’s “ShoutOuts” videocast, which features an interview with Jet Set Games (the developers behind the PlayStation Home-exclusive action/espionage game Conspiracy). To celebrate the premier of this episode, the Jet Set Games team will be on-hand in the Community Theater for a live Q&A session. The party starts at 6:00pm PST (9:00pm EST) and will last until 8:00pm PST (11:00pm EST) so mark your calendars and set your alarms, because this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Speaking of the Community Theater, we’d like to take this moment to welcome our newest addition to the line of regular contributors – the one and only LittleBigPodcast!

Also releasing this week are a slew of Valentine’s Day items for the Lockwood Gift Machine (including jewelry and furniture items), male and female versions of the Dead Space 2 Advanced Prototype Protective Suit, a slew of new active items (everything from indoor waterfalls to Tesla coils), tons of new furniture items for the Loot Amaterasu yacht, new costumes, and enormous chess pieces to decorate your personal space.

See you in Home!

#ps3 What happens when the world's most addictive collectible card game meets the world's least addictive virtual world? Find out tomorrow, when Magic: The Gathering enters PlayStation Home. More »

Beginning this Thursday, February 3rd, PlayStation Home will serve as a respite to the battle-hardened survivors of the zombie apocalypse known as Dead Nation – the explosive action-shooter now available exclusively on the PlayStation Network. The Dead Nation “Safe House” is one of the last bastions of humanity in a world ravaged by a deadly virus that has turned the majority of mankind into a sweeping horde of brain-thirsty zombies. Complete with an improvised shooting range, the Dead Nation “Safe House” is the perfect retreat for you and the remaining pocket of survivors to recoup and reload. Hone your skills in this brand-new game space by taking out as many zombie targets as you can, placing on the leaderboard and demonstrating your undead-slaying abilities. Just remember to always aim for the brain.

Novus Prime – Hellfire Games’ hit sci-fi space shooter – receives an update this week. Earth Fleet scouts have reported sightings of very large fighter ships among the enemy armada. Evidence also suggests that all bot vessels are being outfitted with new weapons. In response, a new shipment of gear is arriving at Novus Prime. The commercially-built fighter ship known as the Codebreaker leads the new arrivals. Outfitted with the latest in defensive shielding technology, the Codebreaker disrupts nearby AI systems, turning bot ships into allies. A specialized interface helmet is included, which may be worn at any time.

New weapon technology: Capable of dealing out massive damage, the Ion Beam is a turret-mounted cannon that fires upon the turret’s target for as long as the fire button is held. Once the beam connects, it takes a few seconds to reach the maximum damage potential. If you buy the Ion Beam you also get the Ion Blaster Cannons. Slip these cannons over your arms and feel the power of a thousand suns!

Looking to experience the ultimate freedom? Now you can with the Zero-gravity Simulator jet pack! With this on your back, you can float freely throughout the space station. And if you want an extra speed boost, grab a pair of Propulsion Boots. The Propulsion Boots also include the Turbo-Matrix Speed Booster which can be equipped to a ship’s upgrade slot to significantly increase its top speed.

Two new companions are now available! Say hello to DataBot Jr., a highly-portable companion bot that hovers over all terrain, following diligently as your faithful pal. It also fits into most overhead storage compartments.

These Rogue Mech Suits were recovered from an abandoned outpost that was believed to be operated by space pirates. They are fully operational and should not require oil changes for at least 3,000 miles.

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Blue Toad Murder Files releasing on the PlayStation Network, we are releasing a host of Blue Toad items for sale in the PlayStation Home Mall. Stressed after a hard days investigation? Relax in your very own Blue Toad Hot Tub. Or go nuts and deck out your personal space with the Giant Sheep, Bongo Drum and stylish Murder Rug. While you are at it, pick up the variety of Blue Toad costumes, including a life-sized Toad outfit and a deer-stalker hat (for all you budding detectives).

Konami is hosting another one of their uber-popular parties this weekend. Come out to the Konami space this weekend in your SAW II: Flesh and Blood items and earn extra points!

The PlayStation Home Mall gets an update this week with new Valentine’s Day-themed items. Pick up the Heart-Shaped Box active item (pictured below) and the array of Codeglue items – including three new companions (as well as multiple clothing items).

Visit the PlayStation Home Community Theater this week to watch the newest edition of Replay with Doc as well as a new episode of the Hip Hop Gamer videocast – which focuses on the Homefront, THQ’s upcoming first person shooter.

Finally, don’t forget to take part in the on-going Killzone 3 “Total Game Integration” experience, available in PlayStation Home for a limited time only. Join your fellow soldiers and defend the Central Plaza against waves of Helghast infantry, airships, and ground vehicles by manning the Central Plaza Defender and mowing down the approaching enemy forces. Complete all the community challenges to unlock exclusive rewards – including a voucher good for three Unlock Points that can be redeemed for new weapons and abilities in the Killzone 3 multiplayer. Pre-order Killzone 3 through Amazon.com straight from the kiosk in Central Plaza to receive:

• A limited edition Killzone 3 jetpack for your Home avatar, not available anywhere else
• Unlock and Load Pack, instant access to an additional three Unlock Points to use on the weapon or ability of your choice in Killzone 3 multiplayer
• Retro Map Pack, featuring two of the most popular maps from Killzone 2

As you’ve most likely heard, this Thursday, January 27th the Helghast forces will invade PlayStation Home for our special Killzone 3 “Total Game Integration” experience. Players that head to the Central Plaza will find the once bright and sunny locale transformed into the last remaining ISA stronghold on the war-torn planet Helghan.

Join your fellow soldiers and defend the Central Plaza against waves of Helghast infantry, airships, and ground vehicles by manning the Central Plaza Defender (a Killzone-themed first-person shooter) and mowing down the approaching enemy forces. Assist your friends by collecting and delivering upgrades such as ammunition, rocket launchers, explosives, repair kits, and first aid. Complete all the community challenges to unlock exclusive Home rewards. And if you can survive all three levels of relentless Helghast assault you’ll receive a voucher good for three Unlock Points that can be redeemed for new weapons and abilities in the Killzone 3 multiplayer.

That’s not all – Players that pre-order Killzone 3 through Amazon.com straight from the kiosk in Central Plaza will receive:

• A limited edition Killzone 3 jetpack for your Home avatar, not available anywhere else
• Unlock and Load Pack, instant access to an additional three Unlock Points to use on the weapon or ability of your choice in Killzone 3 multiplayer
• Retro Map Pack, featuring two of the most popular maps from Killzone 2

This is an offer that Killzone and Home fans simply can’t afford to miss out on, so be sure to log-in to PlayStation Home this Thursday to play this exclusive game and take advantage of the special Killzone 3 pre-order offer. While you are there, check out the Sodium store in the PlayStation Home Mall for the new Lockwood clothing items and a variety of new costumes and active items (including new animated furniture items for your personal spaces and more active item pets).

See you in Home!

#ps3 The Central Plaza of Sony's PlayStation 3 virtual playground PlayStation Home has never looked quite as attractive as it will this Thursday. To think all it needed was an alien invasion. More »

If you happen to wander into PlayStation Home's Central Plaza after this Thursday, January 27, you may not find it as antiseptic and serene as you remember. As part of a Killzone 3 promotion, Sony has transformed Home's main meeting area into "the last ISA stronghold," wrecked by a Helghast attack. Players can fight back in three "levels" of Home minigames, earning points that can be used to unlock content in the real game's multiplayer mode.

Sony is also adding the somewhat impractical functionality of a Killzone 3 pre-order from Amazon ... from within Home. For the first time, you'll be able to reserve a game from within Sony's virtual world, securing an exclusive avatar jet-pack "costume" (don't get your hopes up -- it's a prop!); in addition to Amazon's standard pre-orders bonuses, including more multiplayer points and the "Retro Map Pack" (two maps from Killzone 2 playable in the new game). So, you'll go to the fake Killzone to buy the real one -- is that right? And get a fake jet pack to wear?

Beginning on Thursday, January 27th, the Central Plaza will be transformed into the last remaining ISA stronghold when Killzone 3 Invades PlayStation Home. Join the remaining members of the ISA as they defend Home against the relentless Helghast assault.

The Central Plaza Defender is a first-person shooter that pits you against wave after wave of Helghast forces. Fire at the approaching enemy forces, shooting down Helghast airships, ground vehicles, and infantry units or assist gunners by collecting and delivering ammunition, repair kits, and first aid. Complete challenges to be granted exclusive PlayStation Home rewards. Furthermore, completing all three levels will grant you three Unlock Points, which can be redeemed for new weapons and abilities in Killzone 3 multiplayer.

Players will be able to pre-order Killzone 3 through Amazon straight from a kiosk in Central Plaza to get:

• Limited edition Killzone 3 jetpack for your HOME avatar, not available anywhere else
• Unlock and Load Pack, instant access to three Unlock Points to use on the weapon or ability of your choice in Killzone 3 multiplayer
• Retro Map Pack, featuring two of the most popular maps from Killzone 2

The enemy is well-armed, resilient, and fueled by Visari’s martyrdom. Your success will require both a strong sustained offensive and support from your unit. Be sure to log in to PlayStation Home this Thursday to take play this exclusive game and take advantage of the special Killzone 3 pre-order offer.

#playstationhome Two new games hit Sony's PlayStation Home virtual world on Thursday, through one hits harder than the other. Conspiracy's stealthy infiltration seems entertaining, but Slap Happy Sam's cartoon violence looks downright therapeutic. More »

Two brand new games are coming to PlayStation Home this Thursday, January 20th. First up is Conspiracy – Jet Set Games’ action-packed espionage game where you and your friends form alliances and raid enemy facilities, engaging in firefights with guards while subverting high-tech security systems and stealing bits of intelligence that have been locked in hidden and well-guarded locations. Unlock bonus items and abilities through in-game rewards and purchasable upgrades while earning points for your faction and increasing your standing on the leaderboards. Avoid detection or crush the competition with sledgehammer-like force – all in your quest to uncover the secrets of Conspiracy.

If you need to take out a little frustration (or just want to smack somebody for the heck of it) then Slap Happy Sam is the game for you. Available this Thursday in the ever-evolving world of PlayStation Home, Slap Happy Sam is a multiplayer slap-a-thon from the critically-acclaimed development team known as The Odd Gentlemen. Check out the video for a look at Slap Happy Sam, and then head into PlayStation Home first thing tomorrow, because it’s time to take the gloves off!

An addition to our line of pet “active items” the new Robotic Canine trots into Home (and your hearts) this week. Pick yours up from the PlayStation Home Mall this Thursday for only $2.49!

Lockwood Publishing updates the Sodium store this week with new clothing items – including folded sneakers, stylish jeans, and shirts.

The PlayStation Home Community Theater updates tomorrow with the latest episode of the HipHopGamer videocast. This week, HHG interviews Hermen Hulst, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Guerrilla Games, the developers behind the highly-anticipated Killzone 3.

Speaking of which, we’re pleased to announce the newest addition to the Community Theater –LittleBigPodcast! Founders Austin and Daniel are two of the biggest fans of this hit game franchise, having shot over 100 LBP-themed videos, and we’re proud to have them share their excitement for all things LittleBigPlanet-related in PlayStation Home. Stay tuned for details regarding their premiere episode, coming soon to the Community Theater.

Finally, for those of you that purchased the recently-released PlayStation Home Mansion, here is a sneak peek of the upcoming Infinity Pool addition to this epic estate. More details (including release date) will be posted soon.

See you in Home!

This Thursday, January 12th, we’ll see yet another addition to the long line of PlayStation Home personal spaces. The Treehouse, a fantastical estate perched high above a spectacular landscape, offers gorgeous vistas surrounding a truly zen-like setting. Check out the pics below for a peek of what to expect from this dazzling new personal space.

After you pick up your new Treehouse, be sure to head over to the Exclusives store to pick up the new Solitaire game, available in 5 different designs.

Also available this week from the PlayStation Home Mall: Military uniforms for the guys and gals as well as new hairstyles and accessories for both sexes courtesy of our friends over at Lockwood.

The PlayStation Home Community Theater receives a massive update this week. To start, HomeCast Rewind airs a new video where the staff takes a look at the new Mansion personal space, the recently-released Xi Museum, and the Lockwood Gift Machine, while also giving a run-down of December’s Top 5 items.

Hip Hop Gamer returns with a new episode of the HHG show focusing on the upcoming LittleBigPlanet 2, including Alex Evans and John Beech from Media Molecule, while the most recent episode of Replay with Doc features Mo Chocolate from The Tester 2.

If you head over the PlayStation Store you can become a true PlayStation Home real estate mogul with the new Estates Pack. Purchase this pack and receive 10 different personal spaces including: the Post Apocalypse Apartment, Planetland, Villain’s Lair, the Paris Clocktower, Anime Syle, Santorini Greece, Wizard’s Den, the Playground Apartment, Pharoah’s Tomb, and the Luxury Racing Box. It’s a $47.90 value, now available for $19.99 with this exclusive bundle!

Last but certainly not least, Konami is inviting all of you Castlevania: Lords of Shadow fans out for a special event this weekend. To participate, simply show up to the Konami space in your Castlevania: Lords of Shadow gear and earn extra points for each item you wear.

See you in Home!

Calling all rock stars, leading ladies, big ballers, shot-callers and connoisseurs of all that is fine and all that is fun! This Thursday, January 6th you will finally get a chance to show the world your status as true members of the PlayStation Home elite when we release what is undoubtedly the ultimate gaming pad – the super-pimp and uber-posh Home Mansion. This epic estate is Home’s first expandable personal space (the first floor releases this week; additional levels and rooms will be available soon) comes complete with exclusive clothing items (check out the gold loungewear!), a built-in gifting machine (so you can spread the wealth and love amongst your friends), some of the finest furniture items money can buy (including a state-of-the-art Home TV), and even your own pet tiger (Markus – the head of the Home Mansion’s security team).

Check out this guided tour that my main man Magnus Keynes put together showcasing all the features that come with the new Home Mansion – available this Thursday, January 6th from the Estates store in the PlayStation Home Mall.

Two new Hudson Gate spaces are being unveiled this Thursday – the Bomberman Dome and the Hudson Theater. Within the Bomberman Dome you’ll find a new Bomberman- themed game, where you and your friends will take part in a survival challenge and race through a bomb-laden maze, collecting keys to unlock new levels while avoiding strategically-placed explosives.

In other news, the PlayStation Home Mall receives a huge update this week with classic games for your personal spaces (we’re talking multiple versions of checkers), male and female “Astronaut” costumes, everyone’s favorite fortune teller “Shandor” (because every house needs its own soothsayer), a slew of fashionable clothing items for the guys and the gals courtesy of our friends over at Lockwood (pictured below), a Dragon’s Lair personal space (huzzah!), and two new cat companion items for all you animal lovers (including the adorable Chairman Meow).

No week would be complete without an update to the GlassWalls’ Community Theater. Swing by this week to catch up on PS Nation’s game reviews, Hip Hop Gamer’s golden gaming commentary, and watch a brand new episode of GamerIndepth’s “ShoutOuts” (featuring Alex from Lockwood).

Last but certainly not least, we’ll be airing The Tester 2 marathon in the PlayStation Home Theater this week (complete with the famous “Game Over” rewards associated with each episode). Log in to PlayStation Home this week to watch through the entire season and collect all the rewards while you still have a chance!

This Thursday, December 23rd marks the return of one of the most popular games to ever grace the PlayStation Home platform. The Xi Museum – a commemorative game space constructed solely for fans of the PlayStation Home exclusive Alternate Reality Game – consists of an updated Alumni hub plus three AlphaZone 1 spaces (Hexopolis, Maximum Tilt and the Text Adventure room) and four AlphaZone 3 mazes. Play a variety of games in this collection of historic spaces to unlock a slew of collectible ornaments and explore the mysterious world of Xi.

The new and improved Alumni hub also includes a Xi Museum Shop, which has 11 unique items for sale – including full-size Maximum Tilt bikes for your personal spaces to your own version of Jess’s Xi party apartment (can you figure out how to open the safe?). You can also pick up your own Stapler active item for your apartment, who will share new words of wisdom with you every day, as well as an incredibly cute Stapler companion that can accompany you throughout PlayStation Home.

In the Holiday spirit of gift-giving, Lockwood Publishing releases a revolutionary item this week. The Lockwood Gift Machine is the answer to every user’s shopping woes: Simply visit the Sodium store in the PlayStation Home Mall this Thursday to pick up the Gift Machine for FREE (it even comes with 64 free Lockwood tokens – additional tokens are available for purchase) and then choose up to six people from your friends list, select an item from a preloaded range of Lockwood gifts, and the Gift Machine will gift wrap the item(s) and send it directly to the intended recipient(s)!

The PlayStation Home Mall gets another update this week with new Burn Zombie Burn costumes (because even zombies are in a festive mood these days), a line of new music items (including a boombox made for the chiptune music act 8 Bit Weapon – this item includes remastered versions of crowd-favorites such as “Closer” and “Fallout in the Wasteland”), the World’s Most Colorful Suit (understatement of the century), five versions of Chess for your personal space (!), and, of course, Jellyfish hats (which I am vowing to wear all throughout the remainder of the year).

Finally, the PlayStation Home Community Theater airs a new episode of the uber-popular PS Nation videocast this week. In the latest episode, the PS Nation crew waxes philosophical on the awesomeness that is Dead Nation and Hoard before gushing over the Killzone 3 beta (mechs, jetpacks, and melee kills – oh my!). Shameless plug action: Check out the PS Nation podcast for an in-depth chat with Ilari Kuittinen of Housemarque (makers of Dead Nation).

See you in Home!

Please note that, in observance of the Holidays, PlayStation Home will not update on Thursday, December 30th. The weekly PlayStation Home content publish will resume on Thursday, January 6th. We wish you all a wonderful Holiday season and look forward to another year of awesome content in 2011. Have a safe and fun New Year!

Early this morning, PlayStation Home received yet another update to its core client. Available now, the 1.41 update includes many improvements that were requested by our community after the massive 1.4 release last month. Patch notes can be found HERE along with instructions on How to Update to Version 1.41.

Novus Prime, the recently released space combat game exclusive to PlayStation Home, also receives an update this week. Pilots who have earned the rank of Airman or Captain will receive pilot jacket rewards upon reporting for duty on Thursday, December 16th. Earth Fleet is also proud to announce the new Mini-Mech companion (there’s no longer any need to walk alone!).

Sodium celebrates its one year anniversary with a special sale and new rewards. Watch this video to learn more.

Konami is throwing their first event this weekend, and you are invited! Check out the Konami Penthouse in PlayStation Home this weekend for a Soccer-themed party. Wear your Konami gear and earn more points. The more Konami Soccer items you wear, the more points you get!

This Thursday, December 16th, the PlayStation Home Mall will receive an enormous update. Just in time for the peak of the holiday season, our friends over at Doublesix Games will release some hilarious Burn Zombie Burn costumes.

Speaking of the holiday items, Codename releases some festive tops for the guys and the gals as well as a White Christmas mini-game. And check out this ridiculously awesome “Santa on a Reindeer” costume from Codeglue!

Also available this week from the PlayStation Home Mall: New Ghostbusters and “Mad Scientist” furniture items (these can be found in the LOOT store), a musical “Ballerina Box” for your personal spaces, and nDreams’ epic “Bling Reaper” costume (also pictured below).

Those of you who pick up the full PlayStation Network game, Tales From Space: About A Blob, when it releases next year, will be able to unlock special rewards in PlayStation Home by successfully completing select levels in the game. See the below for a sneak peek of some of these exclusive rewards.

The PlayStation Home Community Theater receives another update this week, with episode 7 of Replay with Doc: CastOffs, now playing in-world (in this episode Doc interviews War Princess from the Tester 2). Also airing this week in the PlayStation Home Theater is a full episode of Buso Renkin, the popular anime show from Viz Media. Be sure to log in to PlayStation Home this week to watch these awesome videos and pick up rewards (including the new Tester 2 “Game Over” shirt, available from the Tester 2 Theater, and the PlayStation Home 2-Year Anniversary shirt, available in the Community Theater).

On that note, we want to invite all of you out to a live event in the PlayStation Home Theater with the finalists from The Tester 2 on Monday, December 20th between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00pm PST (9:00pm and 11:00pm EST). Chat with the finalists of the latest season of The Tester and hear about their experiences firsthand, only at this exclusive PlayStation Home event.

Finally, I want to remind you all that the holiday celebrations continue in the mega-popular Winter Wonderland space, now accessible via PlayStation Home’s Navigator. Be sure to visit the Winter Wonderland daily between now and December 25th for new games, quests, and rewards.

See you in Home!

Man, it seems like only yesterday that we first stepped virtual foot into PlayStation Home, communicating with fellow PS3 owners using a complex system of gestures and gender morphing. In actuality, it's been two years since the platform launched, and according to a Sony press release, over 17 million users have visited its ghostly halls in that time. These users have participated in over 600 "community events," some of which were sponsored by other game developers and publishers, while some of which were hosted by us, such as our lightly-attended "Virtual Pizza Party/Singles Mixer 2009."

The presser also announced two games which will arrive on the platform next spring: Sodium 2, a follow-up to Outso's successful, Home-based competitve tank shooter, and Conspiracy, a multiplayer "Spy/Puzzle game" from Jet Set Games. You can check out a few screenshots from the latter of these two titles in the gallery below. We wonder if our own proclivity for sexual espionage will give us a leg up?

Introduces new games.

#infographic Sony's PlayStation Home virtual world launched two years ago tomorrow with nine games, 114 virtual items, and 25 community events. On the eve of its second anniversary, PlayStation Home is much, much bigger. More »

It’s amazing to look at the evolution of PlayStation Home and see how much it has changed since we launched in December two years ago. From our humble beginnings in 2008, we’ve become a world filled with hundreds of games enjoyed by 17 million users worldwide and given PlayStation Network users a unique and dynamic gaming experience that can only be found on our platform.

The idea of what games mean in PS Home has also changed. In contrast to the handful of simple mini-games offered at launch, we now see a huge variety of games, including massive full-length games developed by some of the most prominent and innovative indie developers in our industry. The experience of PS Home itself has radically improved over the years as well, with faster load times, zero-wait game access, intuitive navigation, and the addition of features such as group-based voice chat and robust inventory management.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so check out the infographic below to see how PlayStation Home has evolved over the last two years into an industry leading social game platform:

Also, as part of our second anniversary celebration, I’d like to discuss some new games for PlayStation Home. These games clearly show PS Home as a platform for the most exciting indie and social games today. Some of these titles are sequels to hugely popular games in Home, demonstrating the business success of our partners. From Novus Prime which launched last week, to Sodium 2 coming next year, I hope you are as excited about these games as I am!

Novus Prime – Now Available

Created by Hellfire Games, Novus Prime brings a multiplayer space shooter to PlayStation Home. Players can band together to protect their space station. Along with the ability to customize ships and embark on space battles of epic proportions, players can also jump out into zero G and defend the space station from parasitic insects. See the game trailer here.

Midway 2 – Now Available

The folks over at Mass Media have seen a great amount of success with the first Midway game released on PlayStation Home in 2010. They’ve been so happy with how their title has preformed that they are back again! Mass Media has expanded their offerings of popular Midway games with Midway 2. Midway 2 brings nine new games plus the timeless classic, Miz Fortune, to the already robust set of games in Midway. Along with the new games comes 100 new game prizes, a new meta-prize for winning all 20 Midway games and a Scramble Puzzle game as the meta-prize for getting 5,000 points. For those of you that were fond of Darla, we’re bringing in Karla – Darla’s sister – in the game “Wet and Wild,” where you can dunk her in the water tank and get a snapshot of her giving you a kiss! Check out the official trailer from Wednesday’s update.

Conspiracy – Available January 2011

There is a mystery afoot! Jet Set Games is getting ready to release its first ever PlayStation Home game and is ready to take players into a secret world filled with covert infiltration and espionage with their new action/puzzle game, Conspiracy. Conspiracy will have players join different factions as they work to steal goods from enemy corporations. As the rival corporations battle it out, they will uncover the mysteries of the ultimate Conspiracy. Be prepared to learn the secrets of the Conspiracy world in early 2011.

Sodium 2 – Available Spring 2011

Veteran PlayStation Home developers, Outso, are back with a sequel to their highly successful PlayStation Home game, Sodium One. Sodium 2 is looking to expand on every area of the original game with heavily customizable jet racers, supersonic speeds and a pounding soundtrack. The future of Sodium is coming soon, so be on look out for Outso’s new game coming in Spring 2011 to a teleporter near you.

These four games just barely scratch the surface of what the future holds for PlayStation Home. We hope you continue to enjoy what we have to offer on our platform as much as we enjoy creating it for you.

See you in PS Home.

New premium space for PlayStation Home features entertainment-on-demand feature in social viewing environment.

Attn: Midway fans. This Thursday, December 9th we pull back the curtains on the Midway 2 game space. An annex to the Midway complex, Midway 2 introduces ten brand-spankin’ new games and 100 new prizes (plus a grand prize for winning all ten levels of all 20 games in both Midway 1 and 2). Purchase the Golden Ticket (which grants you 50 tokens; one token = one play) and then tackle hilarious new games such as Kitty Cannon, Half Cocked, and Tee’d Off, unlocking prizes at each level until you become a master of the massive carnival known as the Midway – only available in PlayStation Home.

Available this week from the LOOT store in the PlayStation Home Mall, the Ameratsu Yacht personal space is a full-on luxury party vessel that allows you to cruise the high seas while watching select videos with your friends. Take advantage of LOOT’s Entertainment on Demand (EOD) system to watch tons of great new content with your friends. As the Amaterasu glides through the crystal blue tropical waters, catch sight of the sea life that plays in the waves. Sharks are included, but other sea life can be unlocked as well. Watch the video below to learn more and then shoot on over to the LOOT store on Thursday and spoil yourself with the new Ameratsu Yacht.

Head to the delightfully festive Central Plaza this week and kick off your Holiday celebration by approaching the teleporter that leads to the Winter Wonderland event space. A snowy location filled with games and rewards galore, the Winter Wonderland serves as Santa’s home base. Help the elves with their holiday tasks in exchange for presents (duties change often, so be sure to visit the Winter Wonderland every day between now and the 25th). And while you are there, be sure to check out the Winter Market and get your picture taken (the photo elf will even throw in a free picture frame!)

In other news, we will be putting the mega-popular Dragon’s Green on sale in celebration of the winter holidays beginning Thursday, December 9th. Visit the Dragon’s Green space via the Featured Games section on your Navigator and pick up the Golden Ticket at a reduced price of $2.99 (or grab the 30-Day Voucher for the low price of $0.99)!

This Thursday, December 9th, in celebration of the recent release of Tron: Evolution, we are launching a truly awesome Tron personal space – a highly interactive environment full of Tron-themed games that is exclusive to PlayStation Home. In addition to this special space, we will also be releasing a host of Tron clothing and virtual items in the PlayStation Home Mall. So be sure to visit PlayStationHome this Thursday to pick up this exclusive personal space and complete your Tron collection!

We have an epic event scheduled for this Friday, December 10th. Members of the creative team behind the hit Adult Swim show Robot Chicken will be in the Gamer’s Lounge between the hours of 3:00pm and 5:00pm PST (5:00pm and 7:00pm EST) playing games of Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planewalkers with the PlayStation Home community. Come out and meet Doug Goldstein (co-writer and co-executive producer), Mike Fasolo (Writer, Voice Actor, and Creative Director), Hugh Sterbakov (Writer of the Emmy-nominated Star Wars: Robot Chicken special), and the one and only Clare Grant (Voice Actress for Robot Chicken and star of Black Snake Moan and Showtime’s Masters of Horror series). Challenge members of the team to a duel in Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planewalkers and try to be one of the first to earn the limited Spellslinger trophy!

Starting this Thursday, December 9th, you will be able travel around PlayStationHome with a brand new companion – Steve, the lovable pet monkey from Columbia Pictures’ Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Pick up the Steve companion from the LOOT store (just remember to keep him far away from your stash of Gummy Bears…)

Speaking of new items, the PlayStation Home Mall gets an update this week with new furniture items from the LOOT store (including new items for your Ghostbusters personal space), additional Spelunker HD and Dragon’s Lair items, rock star costumes, festive musical stockings for your personal space, and brand new Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 costumes.

Last but certainly not least, the PlayStation Home Community Theater debuts the new HomeCast Rewind series this week. In the premiere episode, host HearItWow tells you how to get the most out of the 1.4 client update – offering a “How To” focused on the new Chat and Storage features – and takes a look at some must-have items. Also playing this week in the Community Theater is episode 6 of the legendary GamerIndepth “Shout Outs” (which includes an interview with our very own GlassWalls). Visit the PlayStation Home Theater this week to watch these fantastic new videos, and while you are there be sure to catch up on the latest episodes of The Tester 2 and Replay with Doc: Cast Offs.

See you in Home!

Are you looking for the quietest place in the (virtual) world? Yes, even quieter than PlayStation Home. Sony Europe just launched a PlayStation Plus-exclusive lounge inside of Home. Perfect for the person who likes Home, but just wishes it didn't have so many people in it.

Once you get past the doorman in the marble foyer, you'll be able to converse with the other occupant of the PlayStation Plus Private Members Club in peace -- mostly about how awesome it is to have a place to go where you can get away from all the people who meant to launch the PlayStation Store. There's a bar, "alcoves" for conversation, and even an exclusive card game, optimistically designed for two to four players.

#playstationhome It takes something pretty special to drag me into PlayStation Home these days. A free-to-play multiplayer space combat game complete with customizable ships and zero-G avatar exploration might just do the trick. More »

Calling all PlayStation Home residents! Reports of an impending attack on Central Plaza have come through the PlayStation Home Community Management office. Our friends over at Hellfire Games are asking you, the resistance, to report to the new Novus Prime space station. From there you will board a state-of-the-art fighter ship and engage the enemy in a free-to-play action multiplayer space combat game.

Form teams of up to four players and embark on a score of dangerous missions where you will employ cutting-edge weaponry in intense battles against massive fleets of foes. Purchase new ships, weapons, and upgrades from the workshop, customizing your fighters’ styling and gear. Take your avatars out into zero-G, floating freely while shooting the parasitic crawlers that drill into the station’s hull. The best pilots can even earn an exclusive animated officer’s jacket! Do you have what it takes to fight back the invaders? Head into PlayStation Home Thursday, December 2nd to join the fight!

The PlayStation Home Mall also gets an update this week with new clothing items from Konami’s DefJam Rapstar and DanceDance Revolution, additional Dragon’s Lair clothing and furniture items (pictured above), and Lockwood’s ridiculous(ly fun) Fish Tank Bubble Helmets (pictured below).

Finally, the PlayStation Home Community Theater is airing a new installment of the Hip Hop Gamer videocast this Thursday, which focuses on the recently released Gran Turismo 5. Also playing this week in the Theater are the latest episodes from The Tester Season 2 and Replay with Doc: Cast Offs (the latter of which rewards viewers with a special virtual item). Be sure to log in to PlayStation Home this week to grab the free The Tester 2 virtual item and watch these awesome new videos.

See you in Home!

PlayStation 3 owners can come together on November 25th to engage in virtual experiences linked to some of the biggest video game franchises.

Hot off the heels of the highly-anticipated 1.4 core client release (and a long line of massive content publishes) comes yet another PlayStation Home update jam-packed with new games to play, spaces to explore, items to collect, and special videos to watch. This enormous update is the reason why I’m dropping in to formally invite each and every one of you to log in to PlayStation Home this Thursday, November 25th and get hands-on with all the awesome new content we have waiting for you to devour between all the voracious turkey-grubbin’ and football-watchin’ that is the center of a proper Thanksgiving Day celebration.

To start, our friends over at Konami are releasing a rooftop penthouse space filled to the brim with games, new items from Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (including a Laura costume as well as an upgraded Gabriel Belmont suit), DanceDance Revolution, and some secret goodies that you’ll have to log in and uncover yourself. Peep the below screens for a sneak peek at what to expect when this huge shipment of Konami content hits your PS3 later this week.

Attn: Film fanatics and budding Hollywood directors. This week LOOT releases their brand new Ultimate Machinima bundle. This bundle – which includes the Modular Stage Set 3 personal space, the LOOT Active Camera, and the LOOT Active Light items – is the ultimate tool for shooting your own movies and TV shows in PlayStation Home.

The Modular Stage Set 3 lets players control over three enormous retractable backdrops, which can be set to different chroma key colors with motion track markers. The stage light system now offers two additional flood lights for defining the right mood of each take and the floor can also be set to different materials and colors. And on top of all the tools included in this hot new personal space, there is plenty of open room for furniture and large props, which gives you the ability to build virtually any kind of environment/set for your next Home-made film. Pick up the Ultimate Machinima bundle (along with the new Talk Show bundle – a collection of props that allow you to dress your personal space like your very own talk show) from the LOOT Store in the PlayStation Home Mall this Thursday.

To celebrate the launch of Irem’s Spelunker HD on the PlayStation Network we are releasing the new “Gathering Place for Cave Explorers” game space. A true must-visit for any Spelunker fan, this new space comes complete with Spelunker-themed mini-games, rewards, and plenty of clothing and furniture items to add to your collection. Check out the pics below for a taste of this awesome new game space!

The always-popular PlayStation Home Community Theater receives yet another update this week with a brand new episode of the Hip Hop Gamer videocast. In Episode 2, HHG discusses Call of Duty: Black Ops with a hardcore fan. Also airing in the PlayStation Home Theater this week is a full-on Tester 2 Mid-Season Marathon (Episodes 1-3, along with special t-shirt rewards) as well as a collection of Episode 3 cut scenes and the newest installment of the hit reality show (Episode 4), complete with a brand new reward!

Finally, the PlayStation Home Mall gets an update this week with stylish new clothing items for the ladies courtesy of our friends over at Lockwood Publishing along with two essential additions to your collection – nDreams’ new Zombie Pets, Nipper and Benji. Visit the PlayStation Home Mall this Thursday to pick up these loyal creatures, which can accompany you both in your personal space(s) and also out in public (just be careful not to leave them unattended around any of your friends’ brains…)

See you in Home!

One of this year’s most anticipated games and eagerly awaited albums pair up in PlayStation Home this week for a special giveaway. Beginning tomorrow, Thursday, November 18th, visitors to PlayStation Home’s Central Plaza or Theater will be able to pick up an exclusive Gran Turismo 5 costume designed by the platinum-selling rock band, My Chemical Romance. The band’s single “Planetary (Go!)” from the upcoming Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, is the main song in GT5’s opening cinematic sequence. This special racing suit will only be available for a limited time, so be sure to log in to PlayStation Home Thursday and pick yours up while you can!

Miles from civilization, hidden deep in a gorge that once housed a secret government facility, lies the long-lost Dam personal space, the perfect location for each and every aspiring arch nemesis that simply needs a proper hideout from which to formulate plans for world domination. Pick yours up Thursday from the Estates store in the PlayStation Home Mall and then commence becoming the evil overlord you always wished you could be (just don’t make the common N00B mistake of falling into the built-in piranha pool…)

In other news, the PlayStation Home Community Theater will air episode 5 of GamerIndepth’s “ShoutOuts” this Thursday. In the newest installment of this popular videocast, the GI staff sits down with Amped from the first season of the PlayStation Network original reality show “The Tester” to talk about the new season (and the new contestants). On that note, we’re pleased to announce that Episode 3 of “The Tester 2” is now live in PlayStation Home as well. So be sure to head to the PlayStation Home Theater this week to watch the newest episode of “The Tester” and pick up a limited edition t-shirt reward!

The PlayStation Home Mall gets an enormous update this week with standee furniture items appearing in the LOOT store from Top Cow’s famed Witchblade comic book series (including standees of The Magdalena, Sara Pezzini, and Danielle Baptiste), Dirk the Daring and Princess Daphne outfits from the classic Dragon’s Lair franchise, and new additions to the Sodium store.

In celebration of the impending holiday, we’re bringing the popular Turkey Chase game back to Central Plaza! To play, simply approach the giant stone turkey, proclaim your allegiance to the almighty Meleagris Gallopavo by stating “gobble gobble,” and then proceed to chase down legions of wily turkeys while unlocking some truly hilarious rewards. It’s not only ridiculous(ly fun), it’s the most festive way to pass the hours and days leading up to Thanksgiving. Check out this video for a sneak peek at what we have in store for you Thursday.

See you in Home!

This Thursday, November 11th, PlayStation Home will update to client 1.4. In addition to the features we announced last Friday – wardrobe management, grouping, and voice chat – there are several other noteworthy additions, such as the new “Character Status” settings, improvements to the Menu Pad and Navigator, and cross-game invite support (finally, you can invite your friends to join you in PlayStation Home no matter what they are playing or watching on their PS3s). The new 1.4 client also brings numerous bug fixes and performance improvements. Full Patch Notes can be found HERE.

Important notice: When you start PlayStation Home to apply the 1.4 patch, please wait for the orange light to stop flashing on your PS3 before commencing the patching process. Otherwise your PS3 will reboot and you will have to start over.

LittleBigPlanet fans rejoice! This week the mega-popular LittleBigPlanet space receives a massive update with the brand new LittleBigDerby game. This super-addictive multiplayer game puts you and up to 7 of your friends in a paintball challenge where you must shoot targets to earn points and progress your racer towards the finish line. Pro tip: Hit targets with the right color paintballs to rack up bonus points.

The PlayStation Home Mall receives a huge update this week with brand new items in the Exclusives store (such as the new Platinum suit and Onyx gown – pictured below), new accessories for the ladies in the Sodium store (also pictured below), Irem swimwear, and Konami’s new line of soccer items (their initial offering includes the Australia and New Zealand kits – check back often for more countries’ kits in the PlayStation Home Mall).

Finally, the PlayStation Home Community Theater will air the first episode from our newest partner – the one and only Hip-Hop Gamer. In episode 1, HHG takes a look at the PlayStation Move and discusses how it may affect the gaming industry as we know it. Check out the world premier this Thursday!

See you in Home!

Hey everyone!

Great news: On Thursday, November 11th, PlayStation Home will update to version 1.4. This update to the core client will have an enormous impact on users and developers alike, as it is literally jam-packed with new and revised features. A full list of these features will be posted next week, but before the weekend hits I wanted to hop in here and give you all a sneak peek at some of the exciting new features that will be coming with this update.

Grouping and Voice Chat
That’s right – voice chat is coming back! With version 1.4 you will be able to form a “Group” with up to 8 people and chat with one another in both public and personal spaces. The best part is that these groups will have dedicated voice and text chat channels that allow you to speak to members of your group regardless of where each of you may be located in-world! New voice and chat channels will also be made available for clubs, making communication with other members of your club much easier.

Wardrobe Improvements
Alongside improved voice chat, many of you have asked for additional inventory/wardrobe management features. Our development team has taken your requests very seriously and have instituted sweeping improvements, including:

• You will now have the ability to mark items as “Favorites” – making commonly-used items much easier to relocate.
• Newly-acquired items (along with categories that contain new items) will be marked accordingly.
• Options for filtering and sorting items have been added, giving you greater control over which items you see and how they are displayed.

There is also a new “Storage” section that will be added to your wardrobe so you can store away items that you do not regularly use. For those with a lot of items in their wardrobe, placing items into storage will result in your wardrobe loading faster, and will make it easier for you to browse your main wardrobe. This system is very flexible and allows you to quickly restore items to your main wardrobe when you need them.

While these are some of the most important changes associated with version 1.4, this does not represent the entire scope of the update. Trust me – we have tons of cool stuff in store for you next week ;) Stay tuned to this blog for a more in-depth list of all the awesome features and improvements coming your way next Thursday.

See you in Home!

This Thursday, November 4th, members of the PlayStation Home community can own real estate in one of the most glamorous and exclusive zip codes in the world when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment launches the all new “Hollywood Hills House” personal space.

For just $4.99 you can live like a celebrity in a two-story mansion perched atop the Hollywood Hills. Invite up to 11 friends at a time into one of your two home theaters and watch clips from some of your favorite movies, trailers, Minisodes and exclusive content from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Releasing and Crackle. Throw a party by the sprawling infinity pool, lounge in the Jacuzzi, and take in the million-dollar views – all in the Hollywood Hills House, available this Thursday from the Estates Store in PlayStation Home.

Music lovers rejoice! This Thursday the London Pub Radio (LPR) takes to the airwaves – a free update to all London Pub owners. Every month LPR will be pumping tunes courtesy of a hand-selected group of featured artists into a radio placed in the London Pub personal space (first up from LPR are four tracks from RedderStare – an up and coming four-piece band from London, UK).

That’s not all – LPR is also launching a website where independent musicians from our community will be able to submit original music for a chance to have their tracks broadcast into London Pubs all around PlayStation Home. Head to www.veemee.com/thelondonpub/radio to upload tracks and learn more about this exciting new program!

The PlayStation Home Mall receives a large update this Thursday with items from Capcom’s Lost Planet 2 (look for the Jungle Pirate and Nevec Soldier costumes), nDreams’ “Party Props” and “Black Robe” items, and a some truly awesome additions to our line of original costumes (check out the pics below for a taste of what is in store this week).

Finally, we’ll debut a new series this week in the mega-popular PlayStation Home Community Theater. Come out and watch the premier of Replay with Doc. In episode 1, the Tester star interviews Brett Norton, lead designer of TimeGate Studios, and they discuss the upcoming Section 8: Prejudice as well as digital distribution in the gaming industry. After you watch Replay with Doc, stick around for GamerIndepth’s “Shoutouts” and learn how not to appear “N00Bish” in Central Plaza and catch an interview with the team behind Lair.

See you in Home!

He’s one of the most iconic villains in the history of video games, and this week he appears in PlayStation Home courtesy of our friends over at Konami. That’s right – Red Pyramid (a.k.a. “Pyramid Head”) virtual items are coming to you just in time for Halloween. And that’s not all – girls can pick up the grotesque Bubble Head Nurse costume (from Silent Hill 2) as well as a female version of the Saw franchise mascot, Billy the Puppet, from the PlayStation Home Mall come this Thursday, October 28th.

Continuing our Halloween celebration in Central Plaza, an updated version of the Lord Pumpkinhead game is being released this week. Be sure to log in to PlayStation Home on Thursday to play the Lord Pumpkinhead game and unlock tons of exclusive rewards.

After you are done playing the Lord Pumpkinhead game, head on over to the Central Plaza kiosk to pick up two special gifts that we are making available to you, the PlayStation Home community, as a sign of thanks for your ongoing support. Guys will be able to pick up the “Moonslayer Sword” while girls will be able to add the “Shadowpiercer Weapon” to their inventories free-of-charge through Halloween night. Take advantage of this special Halloween offer by logging into PlayStation Home and visiting the Central Plaza kiosk before Monday, November 1st.

In other Halloween-related news, Codeglue releases some super spooky clothing items this week (a fantastic Mummy costume and the gruesome “Bone shirt”) along with some truly horrific furniture items for your personal space (like the Skull Throne and Guillotine – pictured below).

The LucasArts store receives a massive update this week with four new costumes from the recently-released Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II – including the dual-lightsaber wielding Starkiller, Rahm Kota, Imperial Jump Trooper, and the all-new Terror Trooper (dual lightsabers are also available separately). Visit the PlayStation Home Mall this Thursday to pick up these items along with the veritable ton of other Star Wars items currently available from LucasArts.

Also releasing this week are the newest addition to the long line of PlayStation Home original costumes (such as the female “Red Dragon” outfit and the male “Mechanical Abomination” suit) along with three amazing new active items – “Johnny the Mysterious Doll”, the “Magic Cauldron” and the “Miniature Dragon” companion for your personal space. Check ‘em out!

You asked for it, so we’re bringing it to you: The mega-popular Hudson Gate and Dolphy Room are being updated this week with more items as well as some changes and optimizations to the Dolphy game!

Speaking of popular games, Lockwood Publishing are excited to announce that over a million gamers have played through Sodium! As a token of appreciation they’re offering a selection of fine gifts and offers to the whole PlayStation Home community. Whether you’re a battle-hardened tank pilot or expert bartender there’s something for you this week. Head to the Sodium Hub this week for a golden “Thank You” reward, additional earnings for Sodium bartenders, extended free-access to the Sodium Salt Shooter, and even discounted Pilots Jackets!

See you in Home!