The recent Nintendo Wii update does more than change the name of Wii Points to Nintendo points (in readiness for the DSi) it also puts paid to any fakesigned code, according to a report in engagdet.
What does this mean? Well, effectively it means that the Wii Homebrew Channel (which you can see in action at the foot of this story) is dead. This unofficial channel provided keen users with the ability to run a variety of emulators and unofficial software.
Although the death of a homebrew channel will not impact on the vast majority of Wii owners, what it does indicate for them is that Nintendo is now taking the security of its best-selling home console extremely seriously. Whether this stops the Homebrewers from cooking up a way to get around the update is, as ever, unlikely.
Have you used to Wii Homebrew Channel? Tell us about it in the Forum.
What does this mean? Well, effectively it means that the Wii Homebrew Channel (which you can see in action at the foot of this story) is dead. This unofficial channel provided keen users with the ability to run a variety of emulators and unofficial software.
Although the death of a homebrew channel will not impact on the vast majority of Wii owners, what it does indicate for them is that Nintendo is now taking the security of its best-selling home console extremely seriously. Whether this stops the Homebrewers from cooking up a way to get around the update is, as ever, unlikely.
Have you used to Wii Homebrew Channel? Tell us about it in the Forum.
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Comments
deleted 24 Oct 2008 12:07
1/8
Never used Wii homebrew, simply because i just cant be bothered, its not supported enough and too fiddley, i use my Custom firmware on PSP and my R4 for hombrew on DS, but its not really worth it on home consoles. that is unless your a pirate.
Steviepunk 24 Oct 2008 13:24
2/8
And the custom firmware PSP and R4 have nothing to do with piracy?
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YenRug 24 Oct 2008 14:18
3/8
I've been using the Homebrew Channel on my Wii since the update that killed the Freeloader, simply so that I can play import games. I know that there was a recent release of a pirate hack, to use with it, but I got that particular desire out of my system in my Amiga owning days; I stopped using pirated games when I realised that they made the value of games meaningless, "Oh, here's the latest blockbuster game, I'll just chuck it in the pile so I can spend five minutes on it, in the next month or so."
I'm a gamer and they weren't giving me any pleasure anymore.
That I want to be able to play games that don't get released, or not quickly enough, in my region is something else altogether, a subject of much annoyance and frustration. Instead of alienating customers, even ones who are doing something that Nintendo don't agree with, they should try talking to those involved and stop the actually illegal modules from working in the Homebrew channel, rather than just everything.
I'm a gamer and they weren't giving me any pleasure anymore.
That I want to be able to play games that don't get released, or not quickly enough, in my region is something else altogether, a subject of much annoyance and frustration. Instead of alienating customers, even ones who are doing something that Nintendo don't agree with, they should try talking to those involved and stop the actually illegal modules from working in the Homebrew channel, rather than just everything.
deleted 24 Oct 2008 20:02
4/8
Steviepunk wrote:
And the custom firmware PSP and R4 have nothing to do with piracy?
I never said that of course they have a lot to do with it, but there is a massive homebrew scene for DS and PSP compare to Wii, 360 and PS3.
What i said was, that i felt there was more of need for homebrew on PSP and DS, where as there was less of need on home console unless you want to pirate.
ozfunghi 24 Oct 2008 20:23
5/8
Homebrew is great for importing games! And QuakeWii is great as well. I heard this update doesn't do anything if you already have homebrew installed, but just prevents you from installing it if you haven't yet.
Joji 26 Oct 2008 00:24
6/8
This is my main bugbear with Nintendo, they do nothing to distinguish the homebrew and the pirates, two different camps they tarnish with the same brush.
It also gives mixed messages, in an gae where customer created content is becoming such a big thing. Where MS and Sony harness it, they still seem to do an u turn and shut down homebrew.
Such a shame that those with the power let money ruin the dreams of those with some creative talent. Get Wiiware? Like Nintendo is gonna sell homebrewers that. You aren't established developers are you?
When it comes to the cockblocking of import games, which Nintendo previously had no problem with on GC, I'm sure we'd all like to know what's changed that its now become 'not okay'. Through a Freeloader, a legit alternative was offered but they still blocked it and didn't inform or apologise to gamers as to why. Yet, we are supposed to buy everything else and be happy.
So come on, Nintendo. If PS3 and to an extent 360, can make region free games a possibility, and push actual game (foreign or domestic) sales and help curb piracy, why is it such a problem for Nintendo?
It also gives mixed messages, in an gae where customer created content is becoming such a big thing. Where MS and Sony harness it, they still seem to do an u turn and shut down homebrew.
Such a shame that those with the power let money ruin the dreams of those with some creative talent. Get Wiiware? Like Nintendo is gonna sell homebrewers that. You aren't established developers are you?
When it comes to the cockblocking of import games, which Nintendo previously had no problem with on GC, I'm sure we'd all like to know what's changed that its now become 'not okay'. Through a Freeloader, a legit alternative was offered but they still blocked it and didn't inform or apologise to gamers as to why. Yet, we are supposed to buy everything else and be happy.
So come on, Nintendo. If PS3 and to an extent 360, can make region free games a possibility, and push actual game (foreign or domestic) sales and help curb piracy, why is it such a problem for Nintendo?
deleted 26 Oct 2008 00:52
7/8
bugbear is the secret word
"ALERT ALERT ALERT" WOO WOO WOO WOO WOO, DING DING DING DING ....
"ALERT ALERT ALERT" WOO WOO WOO WOO WOO, DING DING DING DING ....
tyrion 27 Oct 2008 10:19
8/8
Joji wrote:
It also gives mixed messages, in an gae where customer created content is becoming such a big thing. Where MS and Sony harness it, they still seem to do an u turn and shut down homebrew.
Any scheme that enables unsigned (digitally signed that is) content to run on a console enables piracy. Any scheme that makes it free to sign content enables piracy. Any scheme that makes it cheap to sign content enables piracy.
None of the console makers want piracy on their platforms, so you are not going to get any of the above schemes in place.
The only way would be for homebrew developers to submit their code to the platform holder for review and signing. That's a huge job and will never happen. Imagine if every flash game on Kongregate had to be submitted to Adobe for approval to run under Flash.
At least the 360 and PS3 have facilities to enable region-free games, even if many publishers don't want to make use of them on the 360. By removing region imitations, they are removing the excuse for circumvention devices that, you guessed it, enable piracy.