Develop reports that online reports claim to spill the beans on part of Sony’s GDC announcements – five days before the format-holders’ keynote in San Francisco – saying that the PS3’s online offer will be updated into a MySpace/Second Life style hybrid called ‘PlayStation Home’.

A tipster talking to gamer blog Kotaku describes the updated service as follows: “You get to make an avatar for your console (like a Nintendo Mii) and this avatar has a room. As you play games and accomplish certain tasks, you will receive items with which to adorn the room that are specific to the game (achievements).”

The tipster goes on to add that Xbox Live-style achievements will become key requirements for every PS3 game produced and that users will be able to visit the homes hosted on their friends' machines.

Now, all eyes are on Sony's keynote at the Game Deveoper Conference in San Francisco next Wednesday, March 7th, where Harrison will relay his company's strategy on "the seemingly infinite entertainment, creative, and commercial opportunities presented by the massively connected communities of players and developers" to a 5,000-strong audience.