With the launch of Sodium, PlayStation Home's first MMO, PlayStation Home further evolves into a true social gaming platform, complete with both snack-size mini games and extended gaming experiences to share with both existing friends and new friends met within PlayStation Home.

"The launch of PlayStation Home in 2008 pioneered new ground in interactive entertainment and, since then, increasing support and enthusiasm from our PS3 user and game publisher communities have helped to make this a tremendous first year for the platform," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. "Today we further push the envelope with the launch of PlayStation Home's Sodium -- an evolving space that leverages the incredible computing power of PS3 to deliver truly unique, and visually stunning social gaming experiences that you won't find on any other platform."

Starting on December 17, PlayStation Home users can step into the Sodium "Teleporter" located in the PlayStation Home Central Plaza and be transported to a futuristic, action-packed social gaming environment. In Sodium, a new technological era has dawned bringing with it interstellar travel, rapid colonization of the galaxy, inexhaustible energy, advanced Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and the power to travel between quantum realities. This new age has also brought a host of new challenges where players must battle for harmony with their environment -- and sometime survival.

Sodium, developed by Outso and published by Lockwood Publishing, starts players in a social hub located in the Nevada desert.  Players must check in with A.I. life-force "VICKIE" to obtain their objectives, then battle through multiple levels for a spot on the leader board -- either in individual combat or as a multi-player experience -- while earning credits and rewards to be redeemed within the game. Sodium features objective-based meta-games, full arcade-style games and community events.  During the first section of the game, "Salt Shooter," players must hunt self-replacing robots with tanks in order control their population. Gamers can play through the first five levels of "Salt Shooter" for free, or unlock additional levels and experiences with the purchase the virtual items, ranging from $0.99 (MSRP) to $4.99 (MSRP).

By leveraging the power of PS3, Sodium delivers awe-inspiring visual graphics and rich gaming social experiences only possible on the PS3 platform. Due to the flexibility of the PlayStation Home platform, the genre-defying Sodium space will continue to evolve over time. Players can look forward to new games, community events and virtual items to be added, further revealing the story and offering new experiences and challenges.

As with all PlayStation Home spaces, Sodium enables PlayStation Home users to interact, communicate and share experiences. Players looking for a more social experience can become a bartender and serve virtual drinks to friends at the 'Sodium Hub", or compete with friends in mini games. PS3 owners can customize their PlayStation Home avatar with Sodium gear while exploring the virtual community in real time, and communicating freely through text.