Hacking the PSP Blog

PSXP: Playstation Portable PSX Emulation "Proof of Concept"?

Here are two videos from YouTube showing a "working" PlayStation (PSOne) emulator for the PSP. We traced back the source of these videos and we stumbled upon an article posted by magixien over at PSP-Generation. It seems a team of programmers have announced as early as August 4 that they are working on a PlayStation emulator for the PSP called PSXP (portable PSX).

Based on the small progress report, the team is looking at 25-30 fps. They are still mum about the other features of the emulator, but they did say that an early version of the emulator works fine even if the frame rate is only at 14 fps.

Well, several days later, the team posted the videos for your viewing pleasure. It's said to be a "proof of concept", perhaps to silence the unbelievers. Of course, the PSP community would be divided (those who'd say it's real vs. those who'd say it's fake) upon seeing the emulator in action, but that's expected. Interesting videos, but we're still wary of its authenticity. So, until the final version is released, we'd treat this as a "potential" PSX emulator.

By the way, you have to brush up on your French to better appreciate the videos. From what we've gathered, the first video shows an Elite demo, an Amiga demo ported to PSX. If you look closely, you'd see a framerate close to 60. On the other hand, the second video shows a PSX homebrew game called Wargate. Nothing much to see but a spaceship. But that's ok, after all, it's just a proof of concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I22eqT1W4M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRajb2NbTUs

Source: PSPUpdates and PSP-Generation

SEGA Partners with Planet Moon for PSP project

 SEGA of America, Inc., SEGA Europe, Ltd., and San Francisco-based Planet Moon Studios today announced a partnership to create game content for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system based on a classic SEGA brand. The award-winning independent developer is critically acclaimed for original titles including Giants: Citizen Kabuto for PC and Armed & Dangerous for PC and the Xbox video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

"SEGA's vast library of properties allows for unlimited possibilities in revitalizing fan-favorites on the PSP," said Bob Stevenson, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet Moon Studios. "Our passion for Sega's classic brands combined with our extensive background in crafting original games will help us create a compelling new chapter in this fan-favorite franchise."

"With an incredible archive of established franchises, SEGA is always seeking strategic partnerships with top development talent to revitalize our vintage titles," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "Planet Moon's reputation of creating critically acclaimed games makes them the perfect choice to inject originality and ingenuity to our classic IPs."

This partnership represents SEGA's strategy to reinvigorate its popular classic franchises by developing brand new content and gameplay on current and next-gen platforms, and allowing gamers of today to enjoy vintage SEGA titles once again. Previously, SEGA announced a partnership with Totally Games on an upcoming SEGA franchise that has not yet been announced, as well as the 2007 release of Golden Axe developed by SEGA-owned development studio, The Secret Level, Inc.

Jim Cordeira
August 15, 2006

Source:  Gaming Age via PSPUpdates

Learn how to code on the go with ProgramLua

Access_Denied and Appleseed629 have unveiled a brand new Lua tutorial system that you can study on your PSP, meaning that you can learn to code in the popular PSP coding format with no experience necessary at any time in any place! ProgramLua has a whole host of Lua programming tutorials packed into a 6MB WinRaR archive just waiting to be sent to your PSP. It's all you need to get started and have your coding skills honed to perfection; who knows, your veins may be tinged with the blood of Dark_Alex, Fanjita, NJ, zx-81 and the rest of the more popular developers out there.

And it doesn't stop there, Access_Denied and Appleseed629 will continue to release upcoming add-ons and expansion packs for the program, enabling you to have a text editor and read downloaded tutorials from within the program. They will also upload new tutorials so that you can continue reading through series of tutorials so you're never short of reading material. ProgramLua has been made into 1.0 and 1.5 EBOOTS so you don't even have to have Lua Player installed on your PSP to run it.

No need to pierce your skin and look for the coder's blood, just give this program and go and start learnin'.

Download HERE

Source: PSPUpdates

Official Name for the Untitled Naughty Dog Project?

Big- Of considerable size, number, quantity, magnitude, or extent; large.; Of great force; Mature or grown-up; Of great significance; Official name for the Untitled Naughty Dog Project?

We don't know about you, but we have never heard of a game titled Big for the PS3. But apparently, voice actor Robin Atkin Downes has. The voice actor who had given voice to The Prophet of Regret in Halo 2 recently updated his curriculum vitae which isn't really a big deal, except for two items.

He apparently lent his voice as Navarro for a game called Big developed by Naughty Dog. Another item that could catch your attention is his gig for a PSP game called Jak PSP, another Naughty Dog development, wherein he was the voice of Captain Phoenix. Could Big be the unnamed Naughty Dog project for the PS3? What is Jak PSP? Could it be a PSP version of the also-rumored Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier for PS3?

Either the guy is lying or Naughty Dog has a lot up its sleeves, whatever is on your mind about it, share it with us through your comments.

Source: PSPUpdates and Robin Atkin Downes

Official PSP Store Opens its Doors

Fancy a free demo of LocoRoco? Or how about bagging an exclusive remix of Fat Boy Slim's latest track, all for absolutely nothing? Head on over to YourPSP.com and, for a limited time, the shelves of Sony's virtual store are ripe for the picking, with game demos, videos, music and pictures all available without forking out a penny.

The store, which is hidden under the site's PSP Downloads menu, is accessible directly via your handheld's wi-fi connection or by visiting the site on a PC. Interestingly, content cannot be saved onto hard drive - only the PSP's memory stick by connecting it to a computer via the USB cable.

Download highlights include previously available playable demos of World Tour Soccer 2 and the aforementioned LocoRoco, as well as an extra two levels for Lemmings and new weapons and magic items for Key of Heaven. A new videos section features trailers for each of the forthcoming Passport To… city guides, including London, Barcelona and Paris, plus there are over 30 music tracks to throw some dastardly shapes to, from classic game themes to a load of other songs by artists we've never heard of.

Although every download is free, for the time being at least, freeloaders will need to register their details before they can access the good stuff. And while the range of demos and extras is limited to a few titles at the moment, additions are expected in the coming weeks and months.

Interestingly, the launch of a download store on YourPSP.com seemingly conflicts with Sony's attempt to drive digital downloads via it's own iTunes style service, Sony Connect.

There's no word from Sony as to when the site will switch to pay-per-download but we'll be sure to give you the heads-up when it does. In the meantime, leech away.

Alex Simmons
August 15, 2006

Source: IGN

UMD Movies Buy 1 Get 1 Free From EB Games

EB Games has all new Sony UMD movie titles on sale for two for the price of one. This sale is limited to titles that are in-stock so not all stores may have all of the titles listed available.  Check out the EB Games site for more details and a list of titles included in this sale.

Source: EB Games via PSPUpdates