Further delays have been announced for the PlayStation Home service with the open beta now scheduled for the fall of 2008.

With an original release date schedule for the end of 2007, the PlayStation Home service was first delayed until the spring of 2008. There will probably be much disappointment among PlayStation 3 users as now a further delay has been announced. Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI) has declared in a press statement released on April 22nd, 2008 that the closed beta testing is due to be expanded and that the open beta PlayStation Home service is expected to begin in the fall of 2008. Although this will be close to a year after the original planned release date, PlayStation 3 users may hope that it will be worth the wait.

Sony describes PlayStation Home as "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."

According to the SCEI statement, additional participants will be invited from among PlayStation 3 users to the closed beta testing, which is due to be expanded in the summer. The open beta PlayStation home service has been rescheduled for the fall of this year while no date has been announced at this stage for a full release.