April 22^nd, 2008 (12:15pm) - Delayed for second time, Sony Corp’s game unit pushed the release of its "Home" 3D virtual online service until Autumn this year.

The service launch was already delayed once from the end of 2007 until early 2008.

As in the "Second Life" virtual world, Home users create online characters or avatars. They can chat with other visitors, play games and customize their own rooms located in the virtual world.

"We understand that we are asking PS3 and prospective PS3 users to wait a bit longer," Sony Computer Entertainment Chief Executive Kazuo Hirai said in a statement.

"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."

Sony’s reason for the delay is to improve the quality of the service, the same reason given for the first delay.