PlayStation 3 Homebrewers Face Legal Action
Sony to "aggressively pursue legal action"
Sony Computer Entertainment of America's senior director of corporate communications, Dave Karraker, has come in with the big boots in defending the PlayStation 3 from what some call hackers and others call 'homebrew' creators.
Speaking in a recent interview †, the communicator said, "The best we can do as a company is to make our security that much stronger and aggressively pursue legal action against anyone caught trying to use an exploit in an illegal manner.
"Naturally, any use of an exploit on the system software does void the warranty on the PS3 system... Which could be a costly mistake to see if you can run an old SEGA CD game on it."
While the chances of legal action being carried out are slim, Sony could certainly take a similar course of action with PS3 and the PlayStation Network (and Home), as Microsoft recently did by banning hacked Xbox 360s from LIVE.
Sony's worry is obviously with regard to its forthcoming Home online system and the security implications inherent in nefarious system hacks of its hardware. The company is placing a more than a little emphasis on online (from a gaming and commerce points of view) and therefore needs to make suitable noises in regard to harsh action to protect its non-hacking/homebrewing users, who make up the majority of the PS3 and PSP userbase.
It's a double-edged sword, however, as a healthy homebrew community - such as that which exists for the PSP - can equally add creative input to a format.
What are your thoughts? Tell us in the forum below.
† Source: gamesindustry.biz
Speaking in a recent interview †, the communicator said, "The best we can do as a company is to make our security that much stronger and aggressively pursue legal action against anyone caught trying to use an exploit in an illegal manner.
"Naturally, any use of an exploit on the system software does void the warranty on the PS3 system... Which could be a costly mistake to see if you can run an old SEGA CD game on it."
While the chances of legal action being carried out are slim, Sony could certainly take a similar course of action with PS3 and the PlayStation Network (and Home), as Microsoft recently did by banning hacked Xbox 360s from LIVE.
Sony's worry is obviously with regard to its forthcoming Home online system and the security implications inherent in nefarious system hacks of its hardware. The company is placing a more than a little emphasis on online (from a gaming and commerce points of view) and therefore needs to make suitable noises in regard to harsh action to protect its non-hacking/homebrewing users, who make up the majority of the PS3 and PSP userbase.
It's a double-edged sword, however, as a healthy homebrew community - such as that which exists for the PSP - can equally add creative input to a format.
What are your thoughts? Tell us in the forum below.
† Source: gamesindustry.biz
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
Joji 13 Jun 2007 11:32
1/9
I still find it amazing that Sony, who once released and promoted the Yaroze PS to create your own content is still acting like this. Especially so when PS3 is running Linux.
How was Linux created again? By raging against the established MS machine and pure passion and heart. Aren't these kind of qualities pumped into homebrew games too?
I understand the security issues at stake against normal PS3 titles, but homebrewers wouldn't have to hack PS3, to create their own content, if Sony used their Yaroze concept again, as it would make a good competition for those developing games on XNA. It's so unfortunate Sony still fails to think this way anymore, being more concerned with Blu Ray fortunes.
How was Linux created again? By raging against the established MS machine and pure passion and heart. Aren't these kind of qualities pumped into homebrew games too?
I understand the security issues at stake against normal PS3 titles, but homebrewers wouldn't have to hack PS3, to create their own content, if Sony used their Yaroze concept again, as it would make a good competition for those developing games on XNA. It's so unfortunate Sony still fails to think this way anymore, being more concerned with Blu Ray fortunes.
hollywooda 13 Jun 2007 11:41
2/9
Sony could certainly take a similar course of action with PS3 and the PlayStation Network (and Home), as Microsoft recently did by banning hacked Xbox 360s from LIVE. Problem is most people who'll have there PS3 hacked will be playing copied games (which is why most people would hack a PS3) wont both going on the playstation network it's no big lost to them, where as LIVE is a integral part of owning a 360 & it's games. I can see this being a real problem for Sony as is with the PS2 & is with the PSP.
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tyrion 13 Jun 2007 12:00
3/9
Joji wrote:
I still find it amazing that Sony, who once released and promoted the Yaroze PS to create your own content is still acting like this. Especially so when PS3 is running Linux.
Yaroze was much more expensive than the Playstation - $750 got you the console and the SDK two years after the Playstation launched at £300! Do you really want to pay $1500 or £1062.50 to develop PS3 games? That's what it would take to properly sign your homebrew apps in order to get them to run on the PS3
If you aren't prepared to pony up to properly sign your code, then you have to go with hacks that allow in illegally copied games. That's something that Sony will not just stand back and watch happen.
Sony isn't just out for its self in this, it also has a responsibility to deliver a stable and secure platform for other developers to deploy their software onto. If Sony weren't making best efforts to prevent illegally copied games running on the PSP and PS3, then other publishers wouldn't go near its platforms and they would die. Just look at how many games the GP2X has.
Joji 13 Jun 2007 17:58
4/9
Dear Tyrion, when I mention Yaroze, I mention in the context of the news, as in giving those that want to code games a legal option, through a similar means like XNA, one of software. This would then seperate those tinkering for creating games, from those who want to hack PSN or their PS3. I'm not asking them to release a PS3 Yaroze, PS3 is already expensive enough already (so chances are it wouldn't sell many). To go a similar way to XNA would only benefit Sony and gamers alike. Once these two camps are divided, Sony can then hunt the true ones possibly threatening PSN.
Also when I mention Yaroze, I also mean in the context of creativity of amatuer games, something Sony used to champion back in the PS1 days, whereas now they hate us and dont give a stuff. In contrast at least MS care enough to bother doing XNA.
I can understand Sony protecting their stuff, it just seems to me Sony and MS sometimes go about this thing the wrong way. Legal Action? Has that ever scared these hackers/homebrewers? Piracy will always exist but measures can be taken against it and while I don't condone it, I feel it should be on of the first thing thought about when designing a home console. Nintendo got it right with GC's media (check it's piracy figures compared to others) , but that still didn't stop the developers/publishers jumping ship to PS2, which is more open to piracy than GC, though with a bigger audience (understandable I guess in this respect).
Sony would have to find out why gamers want to hack. If it's about import games then just let Datel create a Freeloader like disc for PS3 to stop them hacking. Due to Freeloader, GC had next to no hacks too, because the disc did the job easier than chipping the thing. I also think that if Sony's stance wasn't so stupidly strong on import gaming, they could eliminate most of the problem with ease, again same way Nintendo did with GC.
Hey I have a GP32, only ever used it for old arcade roms though.
Also when I mention Yaroze, I also mean in the context of creativity of amatuer games, something Sony used to champion back in the PS1 days, whereas now they hate us and dont give a stuff. In contrast at least MS care enough to bother doing XNA.
I can understand Sony protecting their stuff, it just seems to me Sony and MS sometimes go about this thing the wrong way. Legal Action? Has that ever scared these hackers/homebrewers? Piracy will always exist but measures can be taken against it and while I don't condone it, I feel it should be on of the first thing thought about when designing a home console. Nintendo got it right with GC's media (check it's piracy figures compared to others) , but that still didn't stop the developers/publishers jumping ship to PS2, which is more open to piracy than GC, though with a bigger audience (understandable I guess in this respect).
Sony would have to find out why gamers want to hack. If it's about import games then just let Datel create a Freeloader like disc for PS3 to stop them hacking. Due to Freeloader, GC had next to no hacks too, because the disc did the job easier than chipping the thing. I also think that if Sony's stance wasn't so stupidly strong on import gaming, they could eliminate most of the problem with ease, again same way Nintendo did with GC.
Hey I have a GP32, only ever used it for old arcade roms though.
way 13 Jun 2007 20:25
5/9
XNA is an tempting reason for me to buy an Xboxc360, and I don't want to. The lack of Linux, computing ability, xna like compatibility, or multimedia pvr (apart from the GPU) tempts me not to buy it.
way 13 Jun 2007 20:25
6/9
XNA is an tempting reason for me to buy an Xboxc360, and I don't want to. The lack of Linux, computing ability, xna like compatibility, or multimedia pvr (apart from the GPU) tempts me not to buy the PS.
Kazriko 13 Jun 2007 22:37
7/9
To Joji: The PS3 Linux is the same thing as their original NetYaroze and the PS2 linux, a way to experiment with the technology to do a variety of things including games. The PS2 Linux kit actually included everything you needed to make games for the PS2, but they could only be run by another PS2 with the linux kit. The Net Yaroze could only make games that worked on other $750 Yaroze systems as well.
What sony is complaining about is hacking the system in such a way that officially released games can be copied and run, and other games can be run outside of the PS3 Linux environment.
If you want to write and play homebrew games, install the Linux kit. You'll be able to do everything but run pirated games, use the controllers wirelessly and use the GPU. The Cell has enough power to push polygons to the screen in software for homebrew development. I certainly hope they permit the GPU and Wireless controllers in Linux soon, because that'll kick out the only ethical leg the hackers have for cracking the XMB os.
What sony is complaining about is hacking the system in such a way that officially released games can be copied and run, and other games can be run outside of the PS3 Linux environment.
If you want to write and play homebrew games, install the Linux kit. You'll be able to do everything but run pirated games, use the controllers wirelessly and use the GPU. The Cell has enough power to push polygons to the screen in software for homebrew development. I certainly hope they permit the GPU and Wireless controllers in Linux soon, because that'll kick out the only ethical leg the hackers have for cracking the XMB os.
way 14 Jun 2007 03:10
8/9
Kazriko
Is the official Linux kit already available? This is good news, now if they could only introduce an PVR computer version (with an more advanced GPU) for up to the present price, it might just be worth it. I want to run cinelerra video and other editing software and direct capture with twin hard drive.
One thing that stopped me in my tracks about the original PS2 Linux, was the need to change Linux applications to get them to run on it, versus just getting it to run on an normal distribution (at least that is what i remember reading in their forums). The other thing was to be restricted to other PS2 Linux users, with no apparent chance of getting published normally, if you happen to develop something good. Apart from stuff Like xbox live arcade, an on-line store, you should at least, be able to approach established publishers to see if they can take up your item. The GPU is an must also, I want to run some video editing software, with . Now for an cross development software that allowed me to also publish to Windows, and Mac-OS, PSP etc.
Is Linux available fro the PSP.
Is the official Linux kit already available? This is good news, now if they could only introduce an PVR computer version (with an more advanced GPU) for up to the present price, it might just be worth it. I want to run cinelerra video and other editing software and direct capture with twin hard drive.
One thing that stopped me in my tracks about the original PS2 Linux, was the need to change Linux applications to get them to run on it, versus just getting it to run on an normal distribution (at least that is what i remember reading in their forums). The other thing was to be restricted to other PS2 Linux users, with no apparent chance of getting published normally, if you happen to develop something good. Apart from stuff Like xbox live arcade, an on-line store, you should at least, be able to approach established publishers to see if they can take up your item. The GPU is an must also, I want to run some video editing software, with . Now for an cross development software that allowed me to also publish to Windows, and Mac-OS, PSP etc.
Is Linux available fro the PSP.
config 14 Jun 2007 08:44
9/9
Joji wrote:
Hey I have a GP32, only ever used it for old arcade roms though.
Those are ROMs you've legally acquired, of course!