Sony online service delayed again

By Jim Reed
Newsbeat technology reporter

Fans queued before the release of the Playstation 3 last year

Sony has delayed the launch of an online gaming service for the Playstation 3 for the second time because of technical problems.

The Japanese gaming giant has been developing its "Home" digital distribution platform for the last three years.

The 3D application is billed as an online virtual universe along the same lines as Linden Lab's Second Life.

It lets users create a virtual apartment and invite friends round to play games and share music, videos and photos.

Characters will be able to buy pets, clothing and 3D furniture.

Users can meet up in a virtual town square and communicate by text message or talk using a Bluetooth headset.

Sony also plans a virtual cinema which can stream films to a high definition television, although the price of the service is still under wraps.

Launch delayed twice

Home was originally meant to go live in October last year but Sony pushed back the launch until "early this year" for technical reasons.

Home, Sony's online service, will let users set up their own virtual flat

That release date has now slipped for the second time.

The head of Sony's game unit, Kazuo Hirai, said: "We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer.

"But we have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service to ensure a more focused gaming entertainment experience than what it is today."

A limited test service is now planned for the summer with a full rollout expected in the second half of the year, probably this autumn.

Rivals pull ahead

The delay is a setback to Sony, which has lagged behind arch rival Microsoft when it comes to online gaming.

Microsoft's Xbox Live service, launched back in 2002, lacks the 3D graphics and some of the social networking features planned by Sony.

We have come to the conclusion that we need more time to refine the service Kazuo Hirai, head of Sony's game unit

But it already boasts 10 million subscribers and a large library of television shows and films through partnership deals with studios like Paramount and Warner Brothers.

Microsoft has also signed a number of deals with games publishers for exclusive content.

Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV, due for release next week, will offer updates only through Microsoft's online marketplace.

But Xbox Live also has its detractors.

The service stalled late last year, forcing Microsoft to offer a free game to all its online customers.

The service interruptions were later blamed, by Microsoft, on high demand from new Xbox 360 users.