I know there's a market for all this but as somebody who doesn't give a toss about collecting graphics, actually logging in to spend time in a place more boring and sterile than the one I live in seems like arseholery of the highest order to me.

I agree. But tell that to the "millions" of "active" Second Life users. And the companies who have been bamboozled and FUDed by (Second Life shareholders) Reuters reports that Second Life will entirely replace sliced bread.

Metaverses are hot, and compared to Second Life's 1950s ration-book existence - Sony Home is like life in the 21st century.

mmm... microtransactions...

BULLshit FILTER ENGAGE: Unless you want your Mii - sorry avatar - to walk around naked and looking like everybody else, you better be prepared to cough up.

As a strict pro-nintendo person I want to find this insulting for obvious reasons. Truth is, aside from the microtransactions s**te it looks as though it could have a lot of potential. I love the idea of actually being able to use your avatar in matchmaking rather than the whole "must protect the children" approach that's been adopted on the Wii.

Wouldn't it have been nice if this had been a pack in rather than a response to what the competitors are doing though? Sorry PS fans, I couldn't resist adding some fuel to the fire.

Surprise, Surprise, Sony have ripped off someone else... Second life, Sony saw how much money SL is generating & now want to steal a slice of that pie, how long before your being charged for your "virtual space" & "clothing & flower pattern curtains", i went on to second life once walked about got bored, abused a load of people & f**ked off, i can see this appealing to some people & it'll have a novelty factor for awhile but most people just wanna play games..... come on Sony, start listening!!, PEOPLE WANT TO PLAY GAMES ON YOUR PLAYSTATION!!!.... If Sony had concentrated more on making good games for the PSP (which i happened to think is an awesome console) instead of trying to make it a f**king Swiss army knife!, then maybe it wouldn't be sinking as much as it is.

i can see the headlines now "my son was abducted after meeting someone on his playstation" peados will be rejoicing.