Hacking the PSP Blog

Sony to support homebrew with Linux on Playstation 3

It's hard to imagine that Sony, a company that continues to actively block unlicensed applications on the PSP, will welcome the homebrew community with open arms when it ushers in the PlayStation 3. But, according SCE network system development manager Izumi Kawanishi, the console will ship with a built-in Linux OS, complete with compilers and other tools.

It would seem that Sony is indeed inviting homebrew enthusiasts to develop basic applications and game content. Just don't expect Sony to provide technical support or access to SDK libraries, as these privileges are reserved for licensed developers.

Here's the Joystiq article:

It's hard to imagine that Sony, a company that continues to actively block unlicensed applications on the PSP, will welcome the homebrew community with open arms when it ushers in the PlayStation 3. But, according SCE network system development manager Izumi Kawanishi, the console will ship with a built-in Linux OS, complete with compilers and other tools. It would seem that Sony is indeed inviting homebrew enthusiasts to develop basic applications and game content. Just don't expect Sony to provide technical support or access to SDK libraries, as these privileges are reserved for licensed developers.

While Linux support on the PS3 has been known for some time, this latest revelation implies an added value to the console, which in turn could justify the exorbitant price tag for some. The question is, will mainstream consumers ignore this key feature?

[Thanks, Fan]

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PSP E3 showing compares favorably to DS

The Sony PSP won the battle of best E3 showing by a portable, according to Pocket Gamer columnist Jon Jordan. In a three-part breakdown on the showing for both platforms at E3 2006, the PSP edged out the Nintendo DS in two of the three categories ("Games," "Showfloor Buzz") while it lost by just a point in "Hardware innovation." Jordan had this to say in summary:

"As for PSP, E3 2006 saw it bulking up to fill the gap between the declining PlayStation 2 and what will be the expensive and limited-quantity release of PlayStation 3. It just edges its handheld rival in terms of E3 impact."

Read the full article here.

Source: PSPWorld

Sony's Harrison On PS3 SKU Differences, Controller Redesign, PSP/PS3 Functionality

In an interview with video game consumer website GamePro, Sony's president of Worldwide Studios Phil Harrison addressed several topics, including the differences between the 20 and 60 GB PS3 models, the redesign of the PlayStation 3 controller, and how the upcoming next-generation console will utilize Sony's PSP platform.

Regarding the two different SKUs announced by Sony for the upcoming PlayStation 3, Harrison commented: "The main differences are the 60 GB drive and the 20 GB drive in terms of disc storage. The 20 GB has HD component rather than HDMI. The 60 GB machine has additionally memory card slots on it, which are great for archiving photo and other content. But the 20 GB machine has USB ports so you can get all the functionality with external devices."

Turning to the redesign of the PlayStation 3 controller, which now adopts a look much closer to that of the PlayStation 2's Dual Shock controller rather than the previously shown “boomerang” design, Harrison stated: "As you will remember when we showed the [boomerang] controller last year every photograph showed the comment 'This is a design concept subject to change.' Nobody in the world picked that controller up and held it in their hands -- nobody did -- because it was always under glass. But everybody formed an opinion based on what it looked like."

Read the entire article here.

PSP Pro Magazine Issue 5 - E3 edition released

Numbazz has released the latest version of his magazine formatted for the PSP, PSP Pro Issue 4. PSP Pro magazine covers Music, Games, Gadgets, and Movies. Here's what Numbazz said:

"This Issue tracks the E3 Expo experience with coverage through the good peoplel at PSPUPDATES.QJ.NET and IGN.COM so you can always look back to see what happened in 2006!. It has an X-Men 3 feature, some interesting designs on the PS3 controller, and some of the upcoming PS3 games! And we still cover music, comics, gadgets, kickz, and all that other good stuff."

This Issue comprises of 108 pages, which I'm sure is one of the longest PSP formatted magazines.

Download it here (about 12 megs).

Source: PSPUpdates

IGA, Atari: Cruising through In-Game Advertising

Leading independent in-game advertising company, IGA Worldwide, has secured Atari's photorealistic Test Drive Unlimited, for its in-game advertising network. Test Drive, which will be released in September 2006, is set on the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawaii where car and bike enthusiasts can choose from over 100 fully customisable licensed cars and bikes from exclusive manufacturers and race simultaneously with M.O.O.R (Massively Open Online Racing).

Together with Hive Partners, IGA will be incorporating prime billboard locations and interactive branded content within the game. Drivers will be able to see real-world campaigns like Ben Sherman and Marc Ecko clothing across the game's lifespan. It'll be like driving along real streets - in a Ferrari.

“By bringing this title into our Radial network, we will know exactly how often, where and when, as well as how many gamers are exposed to in-game advertising or placements, allowing advertisers to deliver ‘above-the-line’ campaign creative and messaging, but with levels of ROI accountability usually only found with online advertising.” said Justin Townsend, CEO at IGA Worldwide.

But just remember, aside from any ads they throw at us, it is still about the game.

Source: PSPUpdates