Hacking the PSP Blog

What should I do with my non-homebrew PSP?

Noobz has a recent post from Fanjita to answer the barrage of requests that they receive for advice on what to do with PSPs that are not currently capable of running homebrew. Hopefully this should satisfy some concerns for any of you running firmware 2.81 or higher. Here's what Fanjita had to say:

Over and over again, we get questions from people asking things like:

• When will there be a 2.81 downgrader?
• Should I sell my 3.03 PSP and buy a 1.5?
• Should I upgrade my 2.81 to 3.03?

This article is an attempt to provide some balanced answers to those questions.

Here are the facts:

• It looks like the Team C+D kernel mode exploit will work all the way up to v3.03 - the relevant code seems to be unchanged.
• It's very likely that Sony will patch that exploit in the next firmware.
• As soon as a user-mode exploit is found for 2.81-3.03, it should be possible to get homebrew running on those firmwares.
• It looks like the current 2.80 downgrader will probably work on v3.03, once we can run homebrew on that firmware.
• Dark_AleX's OE firmwares are the best platform for homebrew users, and it seems likely that it will be possible to keep updating OE for the latest firmwares shortly after they are released.
• It has historically always been easier to downgrade lower firmwares.

So what does all that mean for 2.81-3.03 owners?

• Well, right now things are more hopeful for you than they have been for bleeding edge firmwares for a long time.  We're only 1 step away from being able to downgrade your PSP and move it onto an OE firmware.  It's almost certain that a downgrader will eventually come - but no-one can accurately predict when that might be, so please don't ask!
• Upgrading to the next firmware release would be homebrew suicide.  Don't expect any sympathy if you choose to upgrade as soon as the next firmware is released - if you wait a short time, you can probably have it as an OE version instead.
• Upgrading your firmware even from 2.81 to 3.00 is probably not a great move - you may delay your ability to downgrade when a downgrader finally comes.

One final note - if you have more money than patience, then your best bet for getting homebrew on your non-homebrewable PSP is to simply sell it, and buy a downgradeable PSP.  The difference in price is not very large these days, and so it's not really a hard thing to do if you really can't wait.

Source: Noobz

SCEE Officially Announces £425 March 23rd PS3 Launch (UK)

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has officially unveiled its PlayStation 3 launch date and prices for the UK, revealing a 60GB-only March 23rd launch at £425 ($842).

As previously rumored, the UK launch will only include the 60GB model -- 1 million units of which are being made available the first day -- rather than the choice between the 20GB and 60GB models launched in Japan and the USA.

SCEE says the single model launch is in response to 'retail and consumer demand.' The 20GB model, says SCEE, will be offered later in the year.

SCEE has also announced that 30 games will be available at launch, including Resistance: Fall of Man, MotorStorm, Genji: Days of the Blade, Formula One Championship Edition and Ridge Racer 7.

In addition, SCEE has said that the European PlayStation Network will offer a full selection of downloadable titles, including Gran Turismo HD Concept and a localized version of Tekken: Dark Resurrection, previously only available to Japan and Hong Kong. Go! Sudoku, Go! Puzzle, Blast Factor and flOw are also promised for day one availability.

SCEE has also made available pricing information for peripherals and accessories, as follows: SIXAXIS Wireless Controller - £34.99 ($69), Blu-ray Disc Remote Control - £17.99 ($36), HDMI Cable - £17.99 ($36), AV cable - £17.99 ($36), Component AV cable - £17.99 ($36), and an S Video cable - £12.99 ($26).

SCEUK SVP and MD Ray Maguire commented, “Following the hugely successful launches of PS3 in Japan and North America, we are absolutely delighted to be able to bring significant numbers of PS3 to the UK."

He added, "To be able to launch with over 30 titles including retail versions and great downloadable gaming experiences across every genre shows that this is our strongest launch line-up in the history of PlayStation, and is what PlayStation fans in the UK have been crying out for.”

Brandon Boyer
January 24, 2007

Source: Gamasutra

Rumors: Whispers heard from Sony's direction

A member on PSPCrazy.com has posted some information that he claims came from a discussion with a person at Sony. The post mentions a Non-Disclosure Agreement so I'm not really sure how much of the information is true. Here's some of PSPUpdates' take on it...

• Ready At Dawn devving a new IP, nothing related to Daxter, but something about "riding of (sic) Daxter" (the game's success) which we interpret to mean that it might be a platformer. No other info to confirm our suspicions.
• Sony's plan to make the PlayStation Store accessible on the PSP.
• A comment regarding PSP2 talk which we can't really make out. Begin quote: "Sony by the looks of things will be taking the ipod route every 2 or 3 years maybe longer they will release and improved system not doing away with the name or image of the psp i mean do u really want a psp 2?" Did anyone get what that meant?
• An "in-house" PS3 title in the works.

Check out the original posts via the source links.

Source: PSPCrazy.com via PSPUpdates

Pope condemns video games

VATICAN CITY: Pope Benedict XVI has taken a swipe at violent or sexually explicit video games and animated movies, naming them a "pervasive influence" on children.

The Pope made the statements in a message to mark the church's World Communications Day.

"Any trend to produce programs and products - including animated movies and video games - which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behaviour or the trivilization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive  when these programs are directed at children and adolescents," he said.

"I appeal to the leaders of the media industry to educated and encourage producers to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family."

Benedict also suggested that children should be encouraged to enjoy classic literature, fine arts and "uplifting music".

Lisa Foster
January 24, 2007

Source: MCVUK