Was Playstation Home a ripoff now we have had a chance to look back and analyze it?

It was, and always will be, a colossal waste of resources on the part of Sony.

It never worked right, it was really slow, and what parts they did implement were terrible. The first - and last - time I used Home, it took 20 minutes to finish downloading so I could even step into the main area. Then it took another 5 minutes to load up the bar area when I went inside. There, I could "stand in line" to play a video game because there was already someone playing on the cabinet. Or I could "wait in line" to get an alley so I could bowl.

Whoever came up with this should be taken out back and beaten with a pillowcase full of Sony VR headsets. And whatever management thought this was a good idea should be forced to go wait in real lines for the rest of their lives since they think that's supposed to be "fun" or something...

There could have been some great tie-ins that Sony just missed out on completely.

For instance, why didn't trophies in games unlock items for your Home avatar to wear?

Or, why didn't Sony partner with other companies, so they could open "Stores" on Home. Imagine if ESPN had a giant sports bar studded with "TVs" where you could watch your favorite sports team (separate subscription required of course) with 100s of other fans scattered across the planet?

Or, stop by the Nike store and check out special deals on physical sneakers for you...that come with a virtual pair for your avatar.

Or, Sony could sponsor Home-wide special events, like a scavenger hunt, or a virtual flash-mob dance contest.

As it was, Home turned out to be nothing more than a buggier and more disappointing version of IMVU.

No. It had many decent elements. Besides, it would was mostly free.