Room for PlayStation Portable

Room for PlayStation Portable
DeveloperSony Computer Entertainment Japan
TypeOnline community service
Virtual world
Launch dateQ4 2009 (Closed Beta)[1]
DiscontinuedApril 15, 2010
Platform(s)PlayStation Portable
WebsiteOfficial website (in Japanese)

Room for PlayStation Portable (officially styled R∞M — that is, with the initial and final letters in capital case, and an intervening pair of (lowercase) letters O suggested by an intervening infinity symbol.[2] also marketed as PlayStation Room) was a community-based social networking service that halted development on April 15, 2010.[3] It was being developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan and beta tested in Japan, from October 2009 to April 2010 for the PlayStation Portable on the PlayStation Network.[4] The service was similar to the PlayStation 3's service, PlayStation Home.

Room was first announced at TGS 2009. It could be launched directly from the PlayStation Network section of the PSP's XrossMediaBar after it had been downloaded and installed onto the PSP system. Just as with Home, PSP owners would have been able to invite other PSP owners into their Simulated rooms (called "my rooms") to "enjoy real time communication."[5] The service would have been free, with additional premium content available at launch.[6] It was to be available for all models of the PSP; Sony announced that it would allow users to create 3-D avatars, room spaces, blogs, albums, and chat support.[7]

A screenshot of Room.

A closed beta test was conducted from October 2009 up to April 15, 2010, with selected PSP owners receiving an invitation to participate, and further details. PSP owners in Japan were able to sign up from September 24 to October 5 of 2009, on the Japanese website, requiring

Development of the service was halted on April 15, 2010, in light of the feedback from the participants, with SCE Japan thanking them for their feedback.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Introduces Room for PSP". IGN.
  2. ^ "Sony Computer Entertainment Japan introduces "R∞M (Room) for PlayStation Portable" in Japan this Winter". Tokyo, Japan: Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. 24 September 2009. Archived from the original on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2009. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ) […] today announced the "R∞M (Room) for PlayStation Portable,"
  3. ^ Spencer (2010-04-15). "Sony Pulls The Plug On PSP Social Network Service". Siliconera. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  4. ^ "PSP Room: It's Like PS Home for The PSP". G4tv.com.
  5. ^ "TGS 2009: Make room for 'PlayStation Room'". Joystiq.
  6. ^ "Sony reveals PS Home for PSP". Eurogamer.
  7. ^ "TGS 09: New PSP Room service announced". PlayStation Universe.