PSP MAME Dreams Shattered as SCE Aggressively Moves Against Hackers
Firmware upgrade seeks to thwart homebrew.
Sony Computer Entertainment has moved aggressively against PSP hackers, launching a new firmware upgrade for its portable wonder-screen aimed at stamping out the use and deployment of homebrew software.
PSPV2.00 is the latest upgrade to the PSP’s digital heart and, as well as prepping the machine for the future deployment of an official web browser and an on-demand television service, securing the platform against non-official software seems to have been made a priority.
With an official explanation expected in the coming weeks, it would appear that Sony has significantly uprated the PSP’s security file. According to reports surfacing from the legal hacking community, any future applications will need to decode this security file in full before a machine will accept non-SCE code. The DNAS system, as seen in PlayStation 2 units, is also buried deep inside the heart of the PSP, and reports suggest that, although it has not yet been used, its 'invisible' presence has been confirmed.
Although Sony’s move is undoubtedly aimed at undoing current attempts to pirate PSP software (with full-game dumps already widely available) it is certain that less dangerous software such as emulators and general homebrew code will be impacted.
However, there is hope for homebrew coders. Rumour seemingly stemming from The PlayStation Meeting held in Tokyo last week offers murmurs of an official homebrew kit being developed, allowing legitimate coders access to portable digital fiddling.
Stay tuned for updates on this and enjoy these grabs of the PSP’s browser.
PSPV2.00 is the latest upgrade to the PSP’s digital heart and, as well as prepping the machine for the future deployment of an official web browser and an on-demand television service, securing the platform against non-official software seems to have been made a priority.
With an official explanation expected in the coming weeks, it would appear that Sony has significantly uprated the PSP’s security file. According to reports surfacing from the legal hacking community, any future applications will need to decode this security file in full before a machine will accept non-SCE code. The DNAS system, as seen in PlayStation 2 units, is also buried deep inside the heart of the PSP, and reports suggest that, although it has not yet been used, its 'invisible' presence has been confirmed.
Although Sony’s move is undoubtedly aimed at undoing current attempts to pirate PSP software (with full-game dumps already widely available) it is certain that less dangerous software such as emulators and general homebrew code will be impacted.
However, there is hope for homebrew coders. Rumour seemingly stemming from The PlayStation Meeting held in Tokyo last week offers murmurs of an official homebrew kit being developed, allowing legitimate coders access to portable digital fiddling.
Stay tuned for updates on this and enjoy these grabs of the PSP’s browser.
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
kid_77 28 Jul 2005 09:35
1/7
Gutted. The only games i've wanted so far are Ridge Racers and Wipeout Pure, and I've completed those. So at the moment I'm emuing it big style. And with future games most likely requiring the upgrade to 2.0 in order to run, it looks like my portable retro gaming will be coming to an end :(
Funky 28 Jul 2005 10:44
2/7
Or you could just use the bypass files to block the auto updates... cough google cough.
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fluffstardx 28 Jul 2005 11:07
3/7
It sounds to me like you need a GP32...
kid_77 28 Jul 2005 11:11
4/7
Funky wrote:
Or you could just use the bypass files to block the auto updates... cough google cough.
That's true. But isn't the bypass method game-specific? I haven't had the need to use one yet, but I'd be happy with that, as long as the file is easily produced per game.
And I can get hold of them no problem *cough* BitTorrent *cough* ;)
TigerUppercut 28 Jul 2005 11:44
5/7
This is rubbish!
Post links to anything that isn't illegal so I know what's going on! Or I'll go out and stab a dog.
Post links to anything that isn't illegal so I know what's going on! Or I'll go out and stab a dog.
kid_77 28 Jul 2005 12:01
6/7
TigerUppercut wrote:
This is rubbish!
Post links to anything that isn't illegal so I know what's going on! Or I'll go out and stab a dog.
Post links to anything that isn't illegal so I know what's going on! Or I'll go out and stab a dog.
Eh? [Isn't illegal] == [Is legal].
So you want me to post anything that's legal?
Me am phiq of sumfin ... ?
If you're after some decent up-to-date PSP homebrew malarky, then click here
Joji 28 Jul 2005 12:51
7/7
So now Sony are trying to shut down homebrew development? How interesting this is, for was it not Sony that once started this ball rolling (in a more mainstream way) back on the PSone Yaroze?
And there I was thinking that they'd encourage us all to make our own games while they seem to be providing more films than actual games to play. LOL.
If you don't want people fiddling with their PSP you can always make each buyer sign a contract that if they do decide to hack it they face hours of interegation by Sony suits in a special Sony boot camp.
Hackers are a clever lot, I have no doubt that they will find a way around this since they thrive on the challenge of getting things how they want them.
Encouraging creativity and such is needed but Sony are going about it the wrong way. And there I was thinking Sony hated 2D games for that's largely what MAME plays, the majority of which isn't their product.
I'm a firm believer that no one should be dictated to (too much) on how to use somthing you buy. It's also interesting how Sony select their self righteous stance. Sony make DVD/CD burners that have their part in piracy then moan about lost music sales due to piracy. Go figure.
Get a life, Sony.
And there I was thinking that they'd encourage us all to make our own games while they seem to be providing more films than actual games to play. LOL.
If you don't want people fiddling with their PSP you can always make each buyer sign a contract that if they do decide to hack it they face hours of interegation by Sony suits in a special Sony boot camp.
Hackers are a clever lot, I have no doubt that they will find a way around this since they thrive on the challenge of getting things how they want them.
Encouraging creativity and such is needed but Sony are going about it the wrong way. And there I was thinking Sony hated 2D games for that's largely what MAME plays, the majority of which isn't their product.
I'm a firm believer that no one should be dictated to (too much) on how to use somthing you buy. It's also interesting how Sony select their self righteous stance. Sony make DVD/CD burners that have their part in piracy then moan about lost music sales due to piracy. Go figure.
Get a life, Sony.