Sony cancels PlayStation Room plans

Sony Japan has cancelled plans for online PSP service PlayStation Room, a social network similar in concept to PlayStation Home on the PS3.

A short Japanese language statement indicates that following the end of beta testing for the service development of Room has been cancelled.

No specific reason is given for the move, although it is indicated that user feedback from the beta testing will be taken into account for future networked services on the PSP and PS3.

Room was announced at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show but was never referred to by any of Sony Computer Entertainment's Western divisions.

The service allowed users to own and customise their own virtual rooms, as well as 3D avatars. Other users could then be invited to different rooms to chat, write blogs and share images.

The service was to have been free, with some paid-for additional content.