Sony's New Home

Sure, you’ve already got a great Second Life. Your avatar is a stunningly attractive projection of your idealized self, and your cyber-residence is a blocky approximation of your dream home, giant shark tank and all. But for some, that’s just not enough.

In today’s keynote address at the GDC in San Francisco, Sony Worldwide president Phil Harrison announced the launch of Home, a free real-time social network that enables PlayStation3 users to create 3D avatars, decorate virtual apartments, play games, visit virtual stores, and otherwise never leave their couches ever again. Much like Second Life, most of Home’s content will be user and sponsor-generated, with uploaded photos, music, and streaming video all making up the virtual environment. Yes, it is just like Second Life with more video games. Shhhh.