I'm really looking forward to home. It may not be a game -- we'll see -- but it's a marvelously elegant and inviting interface, from what I've seen.

Also, I love how the mantra has become "third party exclusives aren't as important anymore." I'm sure that response isn't an attempt to downplay the fact that there aren't as many any more. 

In reality, every third party exclusive is now extra specially important, because there is much more parity this generation and companies can't afford to go exclusive as often. The few that do exist all gain a special significance. Metal Gear Solid 3 was a big exclusive, but it was simply one exclusive in a sea of other major games like DMC, Grand Theft Auto (timed), and Kingdom Hearts.

Rather than giving up on exclusivity, it certainly appears to me that both Sony and Microsoft are clutching at every scrap of exclusivity they can get, be it DLC, extra content on the disc, or what have you. They're very eager to differentiate themselves from each other, and avoid the dreaded "PS360" label. 

At this point, I just want in-game messaging so people can communicate more easily. They need that and trophies, because I know a lot of people care about that. I don't personally care if I get points for playing a game, but I can see the appeal.

What are trophies?

 Yea, they should have just changed their name, remove the 3 and the link is gone.

I don't see why stuff like Live and Home have to be paid for, I mean most games have free servers for the active community, here what is the payment for?

_servers? that is paid by the royalties on games you buy.

_Developpement? that is paid by people buying the console (should be out with the console and not 2 years later anyways).

_Extra content? that is marketing cost to attract new customers and make them loyal.

Advertizement is just cause they want to milk the cow... Imagine the news channel and weater channels on Wii with side bar adds... I feel these things violate your privacy. Gaming ads would be one thing, but sports adds... Blah!!

Well, at least they're admiting their mistakes.

I think in a number of ways Sony cast its vision too broad and forgot that its better to get a viable version 1 out the door and to your consumers rather than trying for version 3 with lots of extra features and making everyone wait.

Get Home out geared to gamers first is the obvious approach they should have taken from the start, then layer in the additional stuff over time and based on user feedback/reacation.

i've said it before and i'll say it again. home is the biggest flop ever.

sort of. Supposedly, there is a point system coming that is similar to achievements, but that's not trophies. The trophies are just items to put on your virtual shelf in your apartment that people can look at. If they attach the reward point system to that, then I suppose they'd be the same thing. So far, though, they have been talked about being 2 different things.

 wow...

I didn't know home was out yet!