Loose Threads: Should HOME come to the PSP?

The PSP has become something of a gimmick repository over the last year, collecting GPS add-ons, camera add-ons, Skype headsets and cradles as it rolls along like a snowballing Katamari. Which got us to thinking that if Sony is going to adapt a 'because we can' attitude to what it chooses to add to the PSP, then perhaps it isn't inconceivable that the highly anticipated PS3 HOME social networking service might also make an appearance on the handheld.

Last week we asked you lot what you thought about it. Would it be a better fit than on the PS3? Would you use it? Would it help prolong the life of the PSP? Is it even possible?

First to the discussion was Hidden Away, who was definitely not in two minds about this one:

"Every single question on the list, I answered a resounding 'No'. I can't see it working on the PSP, what with the current memory constraints on the console and things like that. It's certainly not something I'd use, though I can see the angle that this is coming from. Namely social networking and having an avatar represent you whenever you're around and maybe get straight into a game from the UMD. I don't think the PSP's life will be extended by something like this. It'll be similar to what's happening with HOME on the PS3."

Danskmacabre was equally unenthusiastic:

"This would not tempt me to get a PSP. If I have access to the internet, I am probably at home, and therefore will use my PC for social networking stuff. If I am not at home, and I have portable access to the internet (say via a hotspot) I would just use it for e-mail and general browsing. What WOULD tempt me to buy a PSP (and I AM tempted) would be a really good fantasy RPG, done in the style of Bioware's Baldur's Gate or something like that. It's about having really good games, not novelties and stuff like that."

Well there is Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core which is about as fantasy-like and RPG-like as it gets, but point taken about the PSP not really being the best suited platform to social networking. Accelorata Jengold then stepped up to the plate to muse about the broader situation:

"I don't want to sound all holier than thou, but I am so over social networking. It's become the lowest common denominator for internet culture. A recent episode of the American Office where Brian tries to drum up business by tacking on a social networking aspect to the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company website crystallized it for me. Social networking is to the internet now what reality TV was to the box ten years ago, and though it admittedly has its uses (I do use Linked-in and teenagers would be lost without Bebo/Facebook), I don't think I am the only one starting to feel jaded about the whole concept. In fact, the analogy in The Office makes quite an apt comparison for HOME on the PSP. It would be a tacked on, unnecessary extra, a shallow exercise in bandwagon jumping that few people would use. How about some online games that people play for more than one month before moving on to the next title instead? The servers for most titles are deathly silent most of the time when I try to play."

Blimey, this isn't looking good. Isn't there at least one of you who would like HOME to come to the PSP? Well it's certainly not going to be SetsFireToPoshHammer:

"If there was a way of integrating some interesting games into it, it could be good. Like an arcade room where you can play the best PSP flash games that have been handpicked by Sony and tailored to the PSP's controls. Mind you, you don't really need all of the other aspects of HOME for something like that and I have to agree with everyone else in here that it wouldn't be used much, or at least, I certainly wouldn't use it much. I have to say, though it isn't coming to the PSP anyway, I really do feel like the whole HOME concept may have missed the boat somewhat. I really don't think it would help or is even needed to prolong the PSP's life. Games like God of War and Wipeout Pulse are doing a good enough job of that already."

Not a glowingly positive response to the concept it has to be said. But then, if it did happen it's not like PSP users would be forced to use it. Couldn't it be a good thing for the small group of people who are interested? Couldn't it compliment the PS3 experience in some way? Or is that the sort of thinking that landed the PSP with all of the dust gathering gimmicks it is home to (see what we did there?) already. Hmmm, *scratches chin*.

Elsewhere on the forum, one pocket gamer in particular, nikki2519, has been suffering from a serious case of stuck, posting three threads in the Help! section. It would take up too much space to list all of those woes here but if anyone out there considers themselves to be an authority on either Enchanted, The Sims 2 or Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on the DS then your wisdom would be much appreciated.

Then there's myke, who's having a bit of trouble with Flying Stickfighter:

"The first mission (!) is to go to the canteen to get and buy burgers... I think I've found the canteen (knife and fork symbol!) but when i go in - nothing, no burgers, no options to buy anything. Anyone got any tips? Thanks in advance."

If you know what to do, then you know what to do.

And so on with next week's topic:

Will the Zeemote be any good?

As always, the full details can be found over in the forum. That's it for now, click 'Track It!' to catch more discussion in next week's Loose Threads.