Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony senior official Karraker on the PSP and PS1 downloads

In case you are not aware, Sony has a new guy manning the senior director post of their corporate communications. He's Dave Karraker and while he isn't new to the game industry, he never expected he'll eventually end up where he is now considering his background. He actually started out as a TV reporter for CBS and NBC in Santa Barbara and Reno.



Enough about the guy and on to why he's making news today. Recently, gaming-dedicated site GamaSutra interviewed Karraker. It was a rather long interview and it was all about their marketing strategy, the PS3 launch, and other Sony stuff. However towards the end, the discussion shifted to PSP and downloadable contents. The moment we read that, we were like, "Dude, now we're talking."

"I think handheld is incredibly important for us, particularly as we start developing more and more downloadable content. And I’m not just talking about games, I’m talking about entertainment content as well," Karraker reveals. He then specifically pointed out TiVo-to-go saying it actually is a big hit. He then went on saying the DS simply cannot be compared to their product, as the former is more about gaming while the PSP offers a whole wide array of things.

The discussion then proceeded to PS1 games on the PSP. When asked how the emulated download works, Karraker explains, "Basically you just download them to the PS3, and bounce it to your PSP, and those will all be under US$ 5. And then there will be downloadable content from hotspots." Hmm, just under five bucks. What do you think?

Anyway, they then capped off the conversation with the types of games different markets dig. While actions and sports games work well with the PSP, such titles are not big hits in Japan as they prefer RPGs. Karraker then reflects, "it’s just a matter of getting the consumer in Japan accustomed to the idea of playing an expansive RPG on a handheld device."

Read the whole article at GameSutra here.

Source: PSPUpdates

46 PSP pack

Want raw, unadulterated skiing goodness?

If you do, you might want to check this PSP pack out. It features "46" (named after the Swedish landcode, +46), a hip film made by an equally hip freestyle ski filmer, Christoffer Aldell. Basically, it's about inline skating: stylish moves, cool tricks, an in-depth portrayal of top Swedish skaters, the works. And all of those are rolled into one neat package for your PSP.

Well, not the whole movie, though. But this PSP pack contains the trailer (which gives you a really good glimpse of the movie) and a bunch of wallpapers, so it's the next best thing, right?

From the looks of the trailer, this movie shows promise. We sure got to give Christoffer Aldell the props for this really cool film. Go check it out for yourself. Just click the link below. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Credits go to Swexican for the heads-up. Thanks a lot!

Download it here. (it's big - 17+ megs)

Source: PSPUpdates

Chotto Shotto on 2.71 With 2.71SE Usbcam Flasher v0.2

iI’m sure you’ve all read about Sony’s Chotto Shotto digital camera accessory for the PSP. And I’m sure you’re aware FW 2.82 is required to actually operate the camera; the FW update is included on the camera’s software UMD. But we all know that’s hogwash — below are some PRX modules for 2.71 SE that’ll get your camera working without 2.82!

Quoted from Zephyrus’ translated README:

This is a simple flashing application that allows you to flash the usbcam.prx & usbmic.prx over to your custom 2.71 SE fw. It allows SE users to use the USB camera aka ChottoShot on the SE custom firmware without upgrading to 2.82.

Note: the software UMD is reported to work fine under DevHook.

Download 2.71SE Usbcam Flasher v0.2

Check out the video...

Source: PSP-Hacks

More Details On The Chotto Shotto

PSPUpdates has posted some pictures of the Chotto Shotto, pictures taken with the camera and also some details about its functionality, which were submitted by a MyQJ user by the name of ABK_Lotus Pod. Here's what he had to say about it...

TAKEN WITH THE CHOTTO




As you can see from these pictures, the quality of the images is very good. Since the screen is only 480x272 1.3 megapixels is all that is needed for good picture taking quality.

What We Know:

• Camera requires 2.80 and comes with firmware update 2.82 on the Edit UMD.
• A CHOTTO_SHOT folder is created in the VIDEO and PHOTO folders making it easy to transfer the media to your pc.
• Videos are 15 seconds long and are saved in your Album on the Edit UMD you can enter your album and convert your videos to Motion JPEG (It says they are converted to AVI but their really converted to Motion JPEG.) After converting it will then add your video to the CHOTTO_SHOT folder in the VIDEO folder.
• You must have the Edit UMD to take pictures or video without the UMD you can ot use the camera.
• The Edit UMD is part English. The main things you need to know are in English but pretty much all the editing is Japanease but I got the hang of it very quickly and already remember what all the things do. Again its not hard its actually kinda fun finding out what everything means.
• Also if you do get the camera and have difficulties finding out how to do thing PM me and I'll help you to the best of my knowledge.

FEATURES:

• Camera has a mic so yes there is sound on the videos.
• Has digital zoom.
• Has a night mode for videos.
• Has many special effects to add to your videos and photos to list a few you have background music, sound effects, can freeze reverse video, theres just soo many things to do when editing theres too many to list.

What it Comes With:

1. PSP Camera
2. PSP Camera Case (Hard Plastic)
3. Editing Software (Half Japanease Half English Kinda Difficult Takes A While to Get Used To.)
4. Software Manual (All Japanease), First Step Guide(All Japanease), and the Camera Attachment Instructions (Section for English)

Here are the rest of the pics:





Here are some taken using the PSP Camera:





Source: PSPUpdates

Celebrate Veteran's Day with Medal of Honor: Heroes

In a few days, November 11 to be exact, we'll be celebrating Veteran's Day. Wait up, don't dismiss this at once because you feel like it doesn't concern you. In fact, the moment we saw this, we felt like it was an effort from the organizers to broaden the scope and awareness concerning the celebration. Our soldiers, active or not, have been surrounded by too many political issues and they feel used and neglected long enough.

Anyway, before we get all teary-eyed and patriotic here, let us proceed. In Alameda, California this coming Veteran's Day, a Medal of Honor: Heroes PSP Tournament will be held. Since there is no cost to enter, it's actually a good time to spend the special day. Players just have to bring their own PSP with working Wi-Fi while the minimum age requirement to join is 13-years old.

Aside from the price, do you know what's the cool thing about the tournament? It would take place on board the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier. Interested already? Sign-up first on the tournament's official website through the link below. You will then receive an email confirming your participation with directions and schedules.

Is that understood, young soldier? And oh, before we forget, here is the list of the prizes to be won:

• Logitech Play Gear Accessory Package
• SanDisk Gaming Memory Stick PRO Duo 2GB
• Shure E2c-n Sound Isolating Earphones
• Winners profiled in GamePro Magazine and the editorial section of GamePro.com
• One year subscription to GamePro Magazine
• Official GamePro cap

Sign up here!

Source: PSPUpdates & Game Pro

Katamari Back On The Swing?

 Just when everyone had come to terms with their beloved Katamari Damacy series fading away, up pops a trio of trademark applications to get everyone's hopes up for a sequel or three. On August 22, Bandai Namco Games filed trademark applications for Beautiful Katamari Damacy and Katamari Damacy Tres Bien, and on September 7, a further application was filed for Katamari Damacy-kun. Of course we know absolutely nothing about what they might be used for - the applications are broad enough for the names to be used in games, TV shows, music, movies or just a simple email. But at least there is hope. Hope for one of the most bizarre characters in gaming to grace our screens again.

Jonathan Lumb
November 8, 2006

Source: 1UP