San Francisco - Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) has introduced two new titles for the PlayStation 3 that incorporate many of the same virtual world features found in "Second Life," as part of its "Game 3.0" initiative announced at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.

"Home" is a real-time, networked 3D avatar-based community that will serve as a meeting place for PS3 users from around the world, while "LittleBigPlanet" is a community-based game where users play, create and share what they build with other PS3 users on the network.

"Our vision for the future, Game 3.0, will continue our track record of industry advancement by leveraging the convergence of technologies, from broadband and video chat to supercomputer-speed processors, to make gaming more interactive and dynamic than ever before," said SCE Worldwide Studios president Phil Harrison.

"Home" will feature areas where users can show the video, pictures and music stored on their PS3 hard drives, and a "Hall of Fame" that can display 3D trophies that will be unlocked through in-game milestones in PS3 games.

"LittleBigPlanet" will include both online and off-line multiplayer modes, allowing users to both work as a team and play competitively.

"Home" will launch a closed beta test in the spring, with a full launch expected later this year, while a fully-featured sample version of "LittleBigPlanet" will debut on the PlayStation Network in the fall, with a full version slated to launch in early 2008.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/yv35mq

http://tinyurl.com/2bbrt8

http://tinyurl.com/yp5quy (CNET)