Hacking the PSP Blog

PS3 and PSP2 Launch Unveiling in 24 Hours?

Sony's big Japanese summit expected to reveal PS3 launch plans, line-up and details. Plus, new PS product unveiled?

10:09 Sony is expected to unveil its launch plans for the PlayStation 3 tomorrow - including launch date, price and line-up - as the company finally comes clean, ending months of rumour and speculation over its next-gen machine.

As we reported last week, a big PS3 announcement is potentially in the offing and Sony has just opened up the briefing to the wider media, raising expectations even higher.

The briefing which will be fronted by Sony boss Ken Kutaragi and other assorted bigwigs - has been called in Tokyo for 3.00pm Japanese time on Wed, March 15. The father of the PlayStation is expected to reveal some of the company's plans for its next-gen machine, as well as offering insights into how it will support the PS2 and PSP arms of its business.

"These events typically address platform strategy, loyalty structures, development-related plans and other details that aren't as interesting to us, but the fact that they opened the meeting up raises the possibility that there might be more," said Yuta Sakurai, a senior analyst with Nomura Securities, speaking to financial site Reuters.

To add further fuel to the fire, there's a wildly speculative 'net rumour doing the rounds, suggesting that a new PlayStation product might be unveiled too. Although wholly unsubstantiated, we suppose it could be the new camera-equipped PSP which has been widely dissected on the internet of late.

Whatever Sony decides to reveal tomorrow, it will probably hold back at least some important PS3 info. Next week sees an important keynote speech by Sony's Phil Harrison at the Game Developers Conference, and Sony will probably also try to keep some of its powder dry to make a maximum impact at E3 in May, when Nintendo's Revolution (or whatever its called by then) will vie for attention-grabbing headlines.

But if our calculations are right, 3pm Tokyo time equates to around 6am tomorrow morning in Great Britainland. Tune into CVG tomorrow to find out if all your big PS3 questions have finally been laid to rest.

Source: CVG

PSP PlayStation Spot in Train Station

Fighting the good fight against that juggernaut known as the Nintendo DS, Sony has installed PlayStation Spots at several train stations around Tokyo, Fukuoka and Sapporo. Unlike the signpost model Sony’s put around the country, the new version looks like a station ad from which commuters can download new titles such as LocoRoco. This is a much better idea than that Oscar Mayer Wienermobilesque, banana-colored PSP bus that drove around Japanese cities last year. Way to go Sony marketing gurus! Hip, hip, hooray!

More Info Here [Watch Impress]

Source: Kotaku

Neopets: Petpet Adventures(tm) - The Nintendogs(tm) Competitor - Lands on PSP

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced today the release of Neopets: Petpet Adventures(TM) -- The Wand of Wishing(TM), available exclusively for the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system. Developed and created by Sony Computer Entertainment America, San Diego Studios and Neopets Inc. (an MTV Networks Company), Neopets: Petpet Adventures -- The Wand of Wishing is an action adventure role playing game served up in "bite-sized" gameplay sessions that entice players to progress through the larger story.

Inspired by the enormously popular virtual pet community at Neopets.com, Neopets: Petpet Adventures -- The Wand of Wishing takes players on a 3D adventure through the unknown land of Petaria to recover the legendary Wand of Wishing in hopes of preserving the way of life in Neopia(R). In main story mode, players choose from one of four playable Petpets to explore 30 mystical realms, encountering more than 100 unique characters, and uncovering more than 700 useful items along the journey. In multiplayer mode, two players can utilize the PSP system's wireless Ad Hoc connectivity to compete head-to-head in more than 30 Neopian-themed Battledome arenas.

"We've taken some of the best-loved aspects of the Neopets online experience and added 3D gameplay with exceptionally detailed environments and rich graphics that reflect the Neopets style," said Susan Nourai, director, online and product marketing, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Neopets: Petpet Adventures -- The Wand of Wishing combines strong character development with bite-sized gaming sessions in an easy to play game, anywhere, anytime."

"Building on the successful release of Neopets(R): The Darkest Faerie(TM) for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system last fall, Sony Computer Entertainment America has crafted another terrific extension of the Neopets universe," said Doug Dohring, chairman and CEO, NeoPets, Inc. "Whether you're a gaming enthusiast or a Neopets fan, the gameplay and features of Neopets: Petpet Adventures -- The Wand of Wishing has great appeal."

Marketing efforts for Neopets: Petpet Adventures -- The Wand of Wishing include a dedicated online marketing campaign with select print insertions. Additionally, major retailers will be supporting with Point-of-Purchase displays and advertising. The campaign will run from February through April 2006 on sites including Neopets.com, Nick.com, and Disney.com.

The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates Neopets: Petpet Adventures(TM) -- The Wand of Wishing(TM) "E" for "Everyone" / Descriptor: Cartoon Violence. For more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org/.

About Neopets.com

With more than 30 million global users, Neopets.com is the fastest growing entertainment youth community in the world. Neopets.com is consistently ranked among the top 10 stickiest sites on the Internet, generating more than seven billion page views worldwide per month.

Neopets is a division of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. , one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(TM) game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system. The PlayStation (Nachrichten) 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era. The PSP system is a new entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

PS3 Delayed Until November (American release date still unknown)

Sony's next gen console gets delayed six months

The Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun has reported that Sony will delay the launch of PlayStation 3 until November of 2006. The North American launch date is still up in the air.

According to the report, issues surrounding copy protection for Blu-ray discs is the reason for the delay. If the reports are true (given the source, they probably are), Sony could miss the key holiday rush in the United States. Official word from Sony is expected tomorrow.

Rumors have been circulating about Asustek Computer securing orders for the Sony PlayStation 3 next-generation console and PlayStation Portable (PSP) game console. Both Asustek and Sony have fervently denied the several rumors that Asustek has secured large orders for "mass shipments" by Christmas 2006. It is possible that this could be another sign that the rumored delay is, indeed, true.

Somewhere in Redmond, Bill Gates is grinning from ear to ear.

Source: Free Republic

Homebrew Releases for March 14, 2006

As usual, a slow Tuesday, but two great game updates!

Games
Beats of Rage v0.9 - The really cool homebrew game you should try.
Wordingo v0.5 - A word puzzle game.

GTA LCS Flight School

I am thoroughly impressed with the work ADePSP, Furm and edisoncarter have done with LCS cheats. Though one can hardly classify the enhancements they are doing as simple cheats at this point. From the start with edisoncarter and his helicopter cheat and subsequent savegame based cheats he created, I have been hooked. It got so bad that for a while, all I did when playing LCS was use his cheats to allow me to plunder and pillage Liberty City with impunity! With a cheatsync cheat builder site and the LCS flying school, it looks like the LCS cheat system has finally reached maturity.

The LCS flying school, for those that haven't already seen it, was posted on the GTA portable forums by ADePSP and it includes all of the code needed so that anyone from beginner to expert can attempt to conquor the sky using a variety of available options. The first lesson is Dodo 101. In this lesson you must pilot the dodo through a simple course made up of rings without missing any, and then complete a sucessful landing in order to pass.

The second lesson focuses on turning skills. This course is somewhat more difficult in that it requires the pilot to bank the plane back and fourth through the course without missing a checkpoint. The third lesson focuses on accuracy and consists of a similar course that requires the pilot to use his maneuvering skills and avoid missing any checkpoints. This course however, adds glass rectangles that the pilot must navigate through without shattering them. This adds considerable difficulty to the lesson.

The fourth and final course currently available (as there are more lessons coming soon) concentrates on speed and combines all of the elements from the previous lessons to complete the training session. As a player that had trouble when first learning to fly myself, I can truly appreciate what this flight school aspires to do. If you are having similar problems learning to fly in LCS or if you just want to try something new within the game, the GTA LCS flight school is for you!

Source: GTA Portable Forums via PSP Updates

PSP Hacking 101 Episode 13

PSP Hacking 101 has put up the 13th episode in their video archive that covers some recent PSP news articles. The episode starts off with a spoof of a PSP commercial with talking squirrels, and after that they get down to business. Topics such as Run UMD v0.01 Experimental and MPH's Game Loader are covered, and there is even an interesting segment that shows how to make your own PSP TV Adapter. You can download Episode 13 in the 62.31 MB 480p or 233.41 MB 720p video formats.

Download it here.