According to a forum post on ResetEra (via PushSquare via Twitter user Mrpyo1), PlayStation Home has been rebranded by Sony through the European Union Intellectual Property Office. The trademark was renewed on April 26, 2021 and expires on October 1, 2028.
A quick check of the EUIPO website confirms that the trademark, originally filed in 2008, has been extended.
It's an interesting coincidence that the new repository is coming when it does. Although PlayStation Home has had a steady following over the years, the conversation around the virtual social platform among the larger gaming community has picked up again in recent months.
IGN premiered a documentary earlier this year about "the fans who refuse to let PlayStation Home die." It's a fascinating and deep dive into the PlayStation Home fan base and those who have taken it upon themselves to keep it alive. Video Games Chronicle also recently highlighted how members of the PS Home community are using Media Molecule's Dreams to recreate the experience through a project called Dreams Central.
The rebranding of PlayStation Home is certain to create increased buzz around Home and rekindle hope for those who want the social hub back. At this time, there is no confirmation from Sony that the Home relaunch is the intention. Just as we don't yet know what Konami plans to do with the recent rebrands for Castlevania and Metal Gear Rising, it's unclear if Sony plans to bring PlayStation Home back to the PS5 or not.
PlayStation Home was announced in 2007, before being launched for PlayStation 3 in 2008. It never made its way to PlayStation 4. After expanding PS Home by adding a plethora of free and paid content, mini -games and even trophies, Sony shut down the space in 2015. It continued support until mid-November 2014 and allowed "users to download content until" early December of that year. , but eventually ended the hookup on March 31, 2015.
Stay tuned for more on PlayStation Home. Who knows, maybe Sony will resurrect the social hub in light of 2020, where games like Fortnite, Sea of ​​Thieves, Destiny 2, VRChat, FFXIV, Animal Crossing and so many more have provided people places to socialize and gather. – exactly the sort of thing PlayStation Home was designed for.
[Sources: ResetEra, PushSquare, IGN, Mrpyo1, EUIPO, VGC]
