Sony’s PS3 upcoming online services to feature 3d virtual world

At the Game Developers Conference yesterday, Sony offered a preview trailer of its new 3d virtual world, which will be part of its PS3 “Home” online services. The trailer has been posted at GameTrailers.com (search under PS3), which can be slow to load and contains ads. Mark over at 3pointD also has a link to the trailer in his post. Mark was also able to get some additional info about the PS3 Home 3d world, including a potential beta launch data in April. The virtual world will have many similarities with other virtual worlds out there, with customized avatars, social spaces for interacting, and private spaces which users can customize and invite selected avatar friends to visit. In addition, users will be able to interact and invite virtual friends to participate in other online PS3 games with them.

All I can say is, I’ve wanted a PS3 since well before they were launched, since I am a long-time PS and PS2 gamer (yes, I am a Final Fantasy fan), and now I want one even more, but still can’t manage the $600 price tag.

But, on a more serious note, this spring is bringing news on a number of fronts of increasing investment in online virtual worlds and new players getting into the game, and I’m sure the heavy hitters who will be speaking at the Virtual Worlds 2007 conference later this month will have much more to say on the growth of virtual worlds and their expansion into many areas of business and entertainment.