Let’s be honest, PlayStation Home is probably not where your heart is. Sure, it’s only in Beta, but it hasn't been the experience people were hoping for when the virtual world was first announced in 2007. Slowly but surely, Sony and its partners are molding the service into a place you’d want to call home. EA Sports’ contribution is the EA Sports Complex.
After poker, we went for a spin in the racing simulator. Up to four people can participate in what is essentially a race with go-karts that look a bit like Formula One cars. The racing has a decidedly arcade feel to it, even before taking into account the cars' various boosting abilities.
Lastly, there’s golf. This part of the complex wasn't yet playable, but we were able to take a look at the driving range. In it are two greens, some water, and a few bunkers. Once you’ve gotten a few people together, your goal is to get closest to the pin on your tee shot and then sink your putt in the fewest number of strokes. Once everyone has finished a hole, the pin moves and you try again. The winner of each challenge earns points that can be used to play poker or used to buy additional boost for your race car.
None of the aforementioned activities cost real money to play, but there is an as-of-now empty EA Store that will eventually sell yet-to-be determined items for yet-to-be announced prices. While none of these games are what you’d call “deep” experiences, they are a step in the right direction, and they are free. Keep your eyes out for the open Beta which is tentatively scheduled to start sometime between mid-April and mid-May.
Mar 13, 2009
