Finally Sony has caught up with Microsoft and Nintendo regarding the interaction of the gamers online in a virtual setting. Originally planned for autumn 2007 Sony will release PlayStation Home, an online 3-D social networking service, on Dec. 11. Every PlayStation3 owner can download the free software and find other companions online to play with.

How does it pay off for Sony? Well, first of all, their PS3 unit is struggling in sales compared to their competitors, so they need to make an effort to get back in the game. Second, who in the world is insane enough to pay for a feature other game units offer for free after he has already spent 400 bucks for a video game console?! And third, they are planning to charge gaming companies and other brands to create shops, sell goods and advertise. So don`t worry, if enough gamers catch on it will still be profitable for Sony in the long run.

If you saw yourself already compeating with Japanese super-gamers, I`ll have to disappoint you though. If you log on in the US you won`t be able to interact with gamers around the world (”due to cross-border legal issues” according to Sony). Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy yet another virtual reality that enables you to create the life you`ve never had and makes you forget about the unbearable reality of this world for a few hours a day.