Sony's much-hyped foray into virtual worlds is turning into an embarrassment for the company and the PlayStation 3 platform. When Home was first announced early last year, the potential Second Life competitor was heralded as a "very friendly, enticing platform" that would "finally bring secure 3D virtual communities to the masses."

But it wasn't long before news of delays began to leak out. At last year's Tokyo Game Show, Sony Computer Entertainment President and Group COO Kazuo Hirai confirmed that the project would be held back until spring 2008. Microsoft's Xbox 360 group, which at the time was glowing from the well-received Halo 3 buildup, was quick to pile on.

Now, Hirai has announced Sony is once again delaying Home, in order to develop a "more focused gaming entertainment experience." The open beta testing period won't happen until the fall, and Hirai's statement did not say when Home will be released to the public. TD Daily notes that the Home environment has been "completely reconstructed" several times since testers first began using the service in 2007.

While there was disappointment last year when Home was first delayed, at least this Christmas is looking a lot brighter for the PlayStation, in part because of the Blu-ray victory and also because of the expanded number of PS3 titles coming out this year.

Related news, commentary, and predictions:

• Prediction: Blu-Ray market share will not exceed 50% this year
• Analysis: Second Life: Interface, infrastructure and growth woes continue
• Opinion: 10 'Net services that will succeed (and 10 that will probably fail)
• News: Apple plots Second Life-like online store

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