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Downloading playable content with PSP is now possible
LocoRoco Indeed, the PSP is capable of downloading playable game content after the latest v2.71 firmware update. Curious as I was, my PSP is not capable of running homebrew software anyways, I tried it out. Just finished to upgrade my PSP to the latest firmware v2.71 and downloaded a cool playable game demo from the official PSP website, prentended to be American and logged onto the US site since the Dutch European site is just plain plain as hell without real content.
Here's a link to the new downloadable demo for all the (European) PSP users.
1. LocoRocoâ„¢ demo at Gamespot
Download Details
LocoRoco is a 2D action game where you control, through gravity, a blob of fluid.
Requires 2.7 updated firmeware! This game can NOT damage your psp
NOTE: This will also require a USB cable and memory stick with about 8mb.
Download the trial and create a folder in psp/game called UCJS10041 (something else might work but site said this) on your memory stick. When you are done this move the file you downloaded (eboot.pbp) into that folder on your memory stick.
- Mark Vergeer's blog
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Comments
I don't quite understand why
I don't quite understand why there would be a security risk involved. The PSP, by design, can run signed programs from either the memory stick or UMD. As long as the executable signing is under Sony's control, they won't have to worry too much about that. Sony DOES have to worry about bugs in the firmware that allow unsigned programs to be run, or that allow the rights structure of the OS to be circumvented.
homebrew devs are not crackers!
Of course homebrew developers aren't crackers by definition. But there's tons of people out there that would take advantage of an open system by attempting to crack hack commercial software. Opening up a system can indeed be a good idea and lots of interesting software could be made available for the PSP, making the device even more desirable. But people could be tempted to write viruses destroying software or rendering hardware useless.
With an open platform come security hazards, users making mistakes deleting files that are not supposed to be deleted. With no way of restoring the system or installing the OS anew this is very undesirable. Of course some sort of 'restore to v2.71' disc - however damaged the OS- would come in handy. But console builders just don't want to open up their systems.
WindowXP as an 'open' mainstream platform needs virus scanners and security hazards treaten daily hassle free use. This sort of thing is a pain in the arse on a open console. The only true open consoles I know are the gp32 and the gp2x, its niche character and loyal following will not make the system prone to viruses on the short term. But if this sort of system becomes a mainstream device it will no doubt attract those nasty characters who have noting better to do than pester people with their sad viral code. The same is happening to Linux and MacOS, as it is becoming main stream it's more prone to viral code.
Perhaps the gp2x will become an example for the big console builders and they might considering opening up at least part of the system and allow some sort of limited, protected homebrew stuff to be executed.
-= Mark Vergeer - Armchair Arcade editor =-
By the way, I've been
By the way, I've been looking forward to Loco Roco, so I'll get to downloading it when I get a chance!
=================================
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[ My collection ]
[ http://www.MythCore.com ]
Sony has historically been
Sony has historically been pretty good with providing tools for hobbyist developers, most notably with their first console, the PS1, where you could get a reasonable development system and create games for people with that same development system. It's possible if the rumors are true that you'll be able to turn the PS3 into a full Linux computer, so that may open up other options. Frankly, the Nintendo handhelds are abused up the wazoo with so-called homebrew enablement devices, but the reality is the majority of these are used for piracy purposes. Unfortunately, between that and cutting into licensed sales of software, it just doesn't make good business sense for these companies to overly embrace "rogue" development. If it's important enough, there's always the PC or any of the defunct consoles to develop for, as well as the GP2X handheld. To me, developing for the latest hot system is just not that "necessary", since there are an embarassment of other options with zero restrictions.
=================================
Bill Loguidice, Managing Director
Armchair Arcade, Inc.
[ My collection ]
[ http://www.MythCore.com ]
Homebrew on the PSP
I wonder why Sony is fighting a war against homebrew developers? I suppose they are worried about people using it to spread commercial software without paying for it, but really, I think it's wrong to conflate homebrew developers with crackers. A better solution would be to work with the homebrewers, perhaps giving them special privileges (basically encoding their works with the same scheme as the commercial ware) and even distributing the better works on their site. This way, everyone wins.
I just don't see how any company could suffer by enabling an eager group of enthusiasts to develop non-commercial games for their system. It just adds to the software library--and, who knows, one of those homebrews could be the next Tetris!
security risk for Sony?
A file you can put on your PSP, even with help of a PC and run it with the PSP.... couldn't that be a security risk? The v2.71 firmware is supposed to be off limits to homebrew software. But those guys creating homebrew software might eventually be able to hack into the file and modify some homebrew stuff to run, or they might not. I think it is absolutely great to be able to download playable demos from games and try out a level. I hope Sony will not be afraid of hacking and put more game demos online. It's good to be able to check out the games before buying them, especially on the PSP. The screen suffers horribly from ghosting and in some games I just cannot stand it. Testing it out with help of a playable demo will make the choice wether or not to buy a game easier. Testing out a game in a gameshop is hardly possible here in the Netherlands.
So when it's available over here, I will definitely buy this little puzzle game! In the short time I played it, it got me hooked. Love those singing little balls. :) And if not, I'll buy an import version, thank god the PSP is region free when it comes to games. If only all consoles could be region free when it comes to games.
I am hoping for a playable demo version of Outrun2006, after playing the demo I might still get it for the PSP despite the fact that I own the Outrun2 on my xbox and the Outrun 2006 on my PS2.
What would be great is downloadable demo packages featuring more games and a nice menu like that found on the demo discs. I hope Sony will continue to put out more demo's. Shite my 1Gb memory stick system might become too small if Sony decides to crank up the demos ;)
-= Mark Vergeer - Armchair Arcade editor =-