PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 3 is a video game system made by Sony Computer Entertainment, that hosts a handful of Sonic the Hedgehog titles. The console is often referred to as PS3 for short. It is the successor to Sony's highly successful PlayStation 2. Unlike Wii and Xbox 360, the PS3 uses Blu-ray as its game discs. It uses the XrossMediaBar as its graphical user interface.

Sonic Games

 * Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)
 * SEGA Superstars Tennis
 * Sonic Unleashed
 * Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection
 * Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing
 * Sonic Generations

Upcoming games

 * Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II (PlayStation Network)
 * Sonic & SEGA All Stars Racing 2

Characters Introduced

 * Silver the Hedgehog
 * Princess Elise
 * Mephiles the Dark
 * Iblis
 * Solaris
 * Chip/Light Gaia
 * Professor Pickle
 * Sonic the Werehog
 * Wentos
 * Brenda Hernandez
 * Zonshen
 * Dark Gaia
 * Orbot
 * Time Eater

PlayStation Store
The PlayStation Store is an online virtual market available to users of Sony's PlayStation 3 and PSP game consoles via the PlayStation Network. The Store offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. Available content includes full games, add-on content, playable demos, themes along with games and movie trailers.

PlayStation Network

 * Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I
 * Sonic Adventure
 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Sonic the Hedgehog 2
 * Sonic CD
 * Sonic Generations (Europe Only)
 * Sonic Heroes (Europe Only)

PlayStation Plus
PlayStation Plus is a paid PlayStation Network subscription service that was officially unveiled at E3 2010 by Jack Tretton, President and CEO of SCEA. Rumors of such service had been in speculation since Kaz Hirai's announcement at TGS 2009 of a possible paid service for PSN but with the current PSN service still available. Launched alongside PS3 firmware 3.40 and PSP firmware 6.30 on June 29, 2010, the paid-for subscription service provides users with enhanced services on the PlayStation Network, on top of the current PSN service which is still available with all of its features. These enhancements include the ability to have demos, game and system software updates download automatically to the PlayStation 3. Subscribers also get early or exclusive access to some betas, game demos, premium downloadable content and other PlayStation Store items as well as a free subscription to Qore. Users may choose to purchase either a one-year or a three-month subscription to PlayStation Plus.

SCEA is offering a limited time offer for the one-year subscription, which is an additional three-months for free, while SCEE is offering one-year subscribers a digital copy of LittleBigPlanet for a limited time. Regular free bonuses are also made available. These include PlayStation Store discounts and free PlayStation Network games and Downloadable Content (DLC), PSone Classics and PlayStation Minis which the user will own for the duration of their subscription as well as themes and avatars which the user can keep after their subscription has lapsed. PlayStation Plus also offers "Full Game Trials" of some PlayStation Network and retail games, allowing the user to download the full game and use it for one hour. Users can later purchase the game and continue their progress. For SCEA, the first Full Game Trial is for inFamous, while European subscribers get to try out Shatter and Savage Moon. In addition, users who are PlayStation Plus subscribers have the PlayStation Plus icon by their PSN ID. Users can only sign up for PlayStation Plus through the PlayStation Store via the PS3.

PlayStation Home
PlayStation Home is a virtual 3D social networking service for the PlayStation Network. Home allows users to create a custom avatar, which can be groomed realistically. Users can edit and decorate their personal apartments, avatars or club houses with free, premium or won content. Users can shop for new items or win prizes from PS3 games, or Home activities. Users interact and connect with friends and customise content in a virtual world. Home also acts as a meeting place for users that want to play multiplayer games with others.

A closed beta began in Europe from May 2007 and expanded to other territories soon after. Home was delayed and expanded several times before initially releasing. The Open Beta test was started on December 11, 2008. Home is available directly from the PlayStation 3 XrossMediaBar. Membership is free and requires a PSN account.

Home features places to meet and interact, dedicated game spaces, developer spaces, company spaces and events. The service undergoes a weekly maintenance and frequent updates. At TGS 2009, Kazuo Hirai announced that Home has been downloaded by 8 million users.

Trivia

 * The PS3 is very popular for introducing the idea of user-created content.