From TheBitBag:
Sony Computer Entertainment Announces Expansion of Closed Beta Testing for
PLAYSTATION(R)Home in Summer 2008Open Beta Service Scheduled For Fall 2008
TOKYO, April 22 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI)
announced today that it will expand the Closed Beta testing for
PLAYSTATION(R)Home in Summer 2008, inviting a further number of registrants
from the PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(R)) users. Following completion of the Expanded
Closed Beta test, the PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service will commence in Fall
2008.“We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a
bit longer, but we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to
refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience
than what it is today,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc. “Our overarching objective is to provide users
with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home.
Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms
our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation(R)
tradition.”
The PLAYSTATION Home Open Beta service that will become available in Fall
2008 will be built around providing new and fun community gaming experiences.
Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the
opening of the service will be announced as they become available.
In other words, it's releasing this Fall, and they'll use the "beta" excuse to explain all any shitty parts. It will then get updated regularly much like it is now, and much like the PS3's firmware has been getting updates since launch to add new features.
This is all very disappointing. :|









