The opportunity was there for Microsoft's Chris Satchell to really lay into Sony's plans for their 3D community Home service for the PS3, but instead the head of Microsoft's game developer group praised Sony's vision, albeit with a pinch of sarcasm. Where's Peter Moore when you need him?

"I think they've definitely taken some concepts that we originated like Achievements, but I think they're pushing in a different direction and we've sort of fundamentally got two different approaches going on here."

"I think there is very much a vision that people see it and it looks cool but it's fundamentally separate from the games – or at least what they've shown so far. It's a cool world but it's like a little game by itself. Our approach is the other way around; it's that games are the center and that's the star of the show, that's what people buy the console for."

Sony's other big GDC announcement was their community based game called Little Big Planet in which characters will be able to physically interact with the environment and Satchell seems impressed by the idea, "I think Little Big Planet is very cool," he said. "But I can't see a big portfolio of games at the moment that do this. I don't think there's a whole load to catch up."

To be fair to Sony, the game does look very interesting and their Home community, which will be a meeting place for gamers from across the globe, where they can interact, communicate, join online games, shop and share content will at least offer something different to Xbox 360, although creating your own online living space for others to view doesn't really get my juices flowing.

Of course, the new service may be wonderfully innovative, but until I see it with my own eyes I won't be convinced.

So, what do Nintendo think of PS3 Home?

Well, they apparently thought of it years ago and dismissed the idea. "This is an example of Sony's "Mii-too" approach. But as Mr. Miyamoto states, Nintendo years ago considered and rejected the type of approach Sony is now taking," they told CVG.

Source :: CVG