Hacking the PSP Blog

Flash on PS3/PSP and Sony's PS2 Revolution?

Flash content site Razoric.com posted two interesting rumors regarding plans by Sony to challenge the unique features of both Microsoft and Nintendo's next-gen consoles. The rumors came by way of somebody claiming to be an employee of Macromedia (now integrated into Adobe). First, Sony is allegedly licensing Flash Lite, the scaled down mobile devices version of Flash, for its PS3 and PSP. Intended to compete with Xbox Live Arcade, Sony would have a system by which PS3 and PSP owners could download Flash Lite games directly to the consoles. The source claims Sony chose the platform due to its ease and low cost of development as well as built in DRM.

The other rumor details a direct response to Nintendo's Revolution controller. Sony, the source claims, is working on creating a controller with similar functionality to Revolution's. It will allegedly be bundled with the EyeToy PS2 camera peripheral and sold alongside a $99 PS2 as a "Revolution Killer." Since developers are already familiar with the PS2 hardware, games utilizing the new controller would presumably come easily. The email indicates that, with the price cut and added functionality, Sony is hoping to add another 50M units to its current 100M worldwide PS2 install base.

Both rumors are theoretically plausible, but there are many holes in the story. In terms of the first rumor, it would seem a bit odd to be using Flash Lite--rather than full Flash or simply a PS3-specific format--on PS3. The standard is generally used for mobile devices with very small screens and very basic technical capabilities, such as cell phones and media players. Even the PSP seems a bit overpowered for Flash Lite. There was that recent rumor about an 8GB PSP, but as Flash Lite games tend to be measured in kilobytes, a Memory Stick would seem to be more than sufficient.

The second rumor is a surprising one. It's certainly well within the realms of possibility that Sony plans to support its current console long after PS3 goes live. After all, new PS1 games were still shipping as late as last year. That said, legacy PS1 development was mainly comprised of ports of PS2 games (frequently sports games, movie tie-ins, and so on), and has generally been targeted at specific markets known to have very low PS2 install bases. Actually mobilizing developers to work on completely new titles for PS2 while PS3 is being heavily marketed might be a bit of a challenge, especially if the games are intended for use with a controller that the vast majority of PS2 owners do not have. Sony would have to manage both consoles actively, instead of simply allowing existing support of a legacy console to continue, as with PS1. That's along with Nintendo focusing all of its home console marketing attention on Revolution, whose spacial controller comes standard.

It's also worth wondering why an Adobe employee would be familiar with Sony's long-term (and in this case probably very confidential) home console plans.

Source: Late Night Consoling

Homebrew Releases for March 4, 2006

Almost one from every popular category today - rock on! Don't forget to check the GTA launcher for Firmware 1.5!

Games
NTrok for PSP - Like the "End of Line" game.

Applications
Ace Dictionary Preview Edition

Firmware Launchers
MPH 2.0 Game Loader v1.1.0 - Launch games that require firmware 2.0 on 1.5 PSPs.

Software Development
netlib Instant Messenger v0.2

PSP Magazines
Footy in a Week Issue #4 - Football (soccer) magazine.

Tons of New PSP Releases Today

Source: PSPNews

SuccessHK have on their site posted quite a few new commercial releases for the PSP, one or two we may have covered before but most are new, heres the lot of em:

Blade Dancer Sennen no Yakusoku Jap ver.



Blade Dancer: Sennen no Yakusoku (also known as Blade Dancer: Lineage of Light) is a fantasy RPG featuring anime-style characters, animated movie sequences, 3D visuals and network play. You are taking the role as Shane, who is heading off to an island as part of your training. There you will meet Ferris, a girl who is in the midst of great trouble and needs help.
Blade Dancer includes fully 3D fields, with a battle system slightly different from normal random encounter systems -- strike a beast, and you'll end up entering battle. One of the main elements of the game is the "Crafting System," where you combine items that you have collected into new items. The game stores recipes for you, although the more adventurous will want to try out their own creations. The game also features networking systems for up to four players to connect together.



Pursuit Force Jap ver.



Sony Computer Entertainment puts you in the middle of high-speed chases as you race through city streets in dangerous pursuit of the criminal element. As a highway cop, you seize cars or motorbikes and engage in gun battles while in hot pursuit, jumping between vehicles and latching onto crook's cars while racing across the pavement at over 100 miles per hour! The first project from BigBig Studios (staffed by former members of Codemasters' TOCA and Colin McRae teams, and funded by coding house Evolution Studios), this project is an original title for the PlayStation Portable, combining character-based action and high-octane action on the road. Set across five distinct environments, Pursuit Force presents a variety of gameplay elements for each criminal case, including collect and follow assignments, high-speed pursuit, on-foot action, and aerial attacks.



FIFA Street 2 US ver.



Prove you have what it takes in four on four gameplay action. Humiliate your opponents with over-the-top juggling moves and all-new gamebreakers that allow you to win a game like never before. Beat the best in the world by traveling to new International locations ranging from the famous Westway Leisure Centre in London to the beautiful beachside of Brazil. Featuring all new authentic tricks, FIFA Street 2 provides new gameplay experiences by making over the top moves and skills even bigger in this fast paced sequel. Take to the streets, unleash your tricks, and humble your rivals with or without the ball.



Valkyrie Profile Lenneth Jap ver



As the two major god factions war, the main god Odin sneds the female god of war, Valkyrie, to find human souls to fuel the conflict. Valkyrie collects many human souls and trains them. But her sealed memories begin to return and she now has doubts about Odin’s true intentions. How will the conflict develop?
This production is the port of “Valkyrie Profile?released on the PS in 1999. The sotry is based on Scandinavian myth, allowing the player to play as the female god of war Valkyrie. The players ponders the meaning of gods?will and humanity.



Derby Time 2006 Jap ver.



The second of Sony's portable horse racing simulation, including real horses and riders who appear under their actual names. Derby Time 2006 adds a number of new features over the original. You can now interact more closely with your horse, massaging it and giving it special food. The original allowed you to equip items to your horse; in 2006, you can equip up to three items from an expanded list. The game's scenario mode has seen some big changes, as you now select the scenario you'd like to play next. Included are "VS Scenarios," which take you through the storyline and "Free Scenarios," which have nothing to do with the main story.



Street Supremacy US ver.



Street Supremacy is designed to bring the super-charged world of street racing to life on PSP. In the game's unique "Team Battle" mode, players win the race by depleting their rival's Spirit Points (SP), which are decreased by contact with walls, cars and by falling behind other racers. Divided into 15 areas, two teams compete to dominate the game map through individual races between the different players. In addition to Street Supremacy's stunning racing action, the cars in the game can also be modified to add an edge to the duels.
Street Supremacy was released in Japan as part of Genki's Shutokou Battle (Tokyo Xtreme Racer) series. The North American version improves on the first PSP release with the addition of two-player wireless multiplayer racing.



MX vs. ATV Unleashed: On the Edge US ver.



This portable entry in the series continues THQ's long-line of motocross games, which have included the Ricky Carmichael series, MX Superfly, and the most recent MX vs. ATV Unleashed. MX vs. ATV Unleashed: On the Edge allows gamers to explore immense free-world areas, compete with an array of vehicle types and vie for off-road supremacy in a multitude of racing modes. The franchise's Rhythm Racing physics engine returns for realistic riding. PSP system multiplayer will allow four players to challenge each other wirelessly.



Ys The Ark of Napishtim US ver.



Washed ashore on an uncharted island, Adol Christin begins a new journey in Ys: The Ark of Napishtim. Our red-headed hero must fight deadly monsters and menacing bosses with a variety of sword combinations, special attacks and magical spells to uncover the secrets that lie in Canaan's mysterious whirlpools.
The first Ys on the PSP system, gamers-on-the-go can experience the sights, sounds, and storytelling that sets Ys apart from other action RPGs. Additionally, players can unlock new mini-games and databases revealing the secrets of Ys, as well as listen to the game's complete soundtrack as well as view movies and trailers in the Ys Media Player.



Generation of Chaos US ver.



Battles for world domination have been dragging on for generations. Now Allen of Zodia rises to end all wars and bring peace to the world. After the opening story, the player uses the strategy mode to build and strengthen the kingdom. In the beginning, the kingdom is small and weak. However, as you progress through the game, the player can conquer neighboring kingdoms and stretch its ruling powers throughout the land of Duke. Unlike other RPGs for the PSP(TM), Generation of Chaos features massive, sixty-character battles as well as sneaky espionage tactics.



Thats the lot and thats a mass of PSP Commercial Releases, new to the region (US or Japan), more info on them all at SuccessHK

MPH 2.0 UMD Game Loader - Run 2.0 Firmware UMDs on 1.5 PSPs!

Yesterday MPH announced that he had successfully loaded the Grand Theft Auto UMD on a 1.50, and now he has released this groundbreaking application to the public. This program is the first steps in allowing 1.50 PSP owners the ability to play UMD games that require 2.0+ firmware. GTA is known to work as are a few other games such as SOCOM, but some may suffer from limitations such as the inability to save.

Download it here.

Source: PSPUpdates