Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. announced that it is going to expand the Closed Beta testing for PLAYSTATION Home during the Summer of 2008.  They will be inviting more registrants from the PS3 user network.  Following completion of the expanded Closed Beta test, the Home Open Beta service will start in Fall 2008.  As you know, PLAYSTATION Home is the visual representation of the PlayStation community. It is an evolving online social gaming service built for PS3 users to meet and share gaming experiences.

“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,” said Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “Our overarching objective is to provide users with new gaming experiences that are available only on PLAYSTATION Home. Spending more time on the development and on the Closed Beta testing reaffirms our commitment to bringing a quality service, maintaining the PlayStation tradition.”

Details of the Closed Beta testing features, registration for the test and the opening of the service will be announced as they become available.