When the screenshots for the fabled and much-talked-about Playstation Home were finally released to the public, there was an audible chorus of palpitating hearts which filled the QJ offices. But now that there's actually a VIDEO showing how the virtual Playstation community will look like once it's completed, some members of the QJ staff hyperventilated, while others couldn't take the excitement and simply fainted. Yes, everyone, among the treats that Phil Harrison brought with him to the ongoing Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2007 in San Francisco were these video clips which feature two of Sony's latest pet projects.

The first is Home, which uncannily resembles the MMORPG Second Life, where users can communicate, share videos, music or images, and even show off their game achievements. Home is expected to be ready as a free downloadable service by this Fall.

The other project Sony's working on is Little Big Planet which is another community-based service which reminds one of the game Spore. In Little Big Planet, users will each have a certain way of reacting to things in the environment, and it will require teamwork and some puzzle-solving skills to be able to get past some obstacles.

Later on, users will be able to explore and modify their surroundings, thus creating a virtual world which is almost "organic" (in the sense that it is constantly growing since many members will be contributing to the forming of the environment at any given time). Users will also have their own "patch" of land which they can form as they please, and others can then visit them to view their work, while they can visit others in turn. This service is scheduled for a full release as a downloadable content by 2008.

But enough of the talk, and on with the eye candy!

GDC 2007: Playstation Home trailer

GDC 2007: Little Big Planet trailer