Ben-DutkaPlug a few leaks in the dam and a new one opens.
But at least two pretty cool games are back on the PlayStation Network, so that's a plus. Some time ago, hacking exploits were discovered in MotorStorm: Arctic Edge and Hot Shots Tennis for the PSP; these exploits allowed the somewhat clever to run unsigned code on the new PlayStation Vita.
As a result, Sony took down both titles to fix the issue and according to The Escapist , both the aforementioned games are back and available for download. Sony has provided us with firmware version 1.67, which effectively closed the exploits. However, while Wololo.net can confirm that Sony has fixed those games, the site has located yet another PSP title that lets hackers into the Vita. Which one? Well, they're not saying right now…
But it did let them get Doom running on the Vita, even after the PSN 1.67 update. Looks like Sony has another hole to plug, and maybe a few others they don't know about.
Slight correction???
Besides that Motorstorm:AE title, I believe the 2nd one also returning to the PSN is actually "Everybody's Tennis", not Hot Shots Tennis.
That's actually the same game. European version and USA version just have different names.
OH OK didn't know that, thanks!
But… but… but… How is that even possible, with those uber special memory cards and all? How DID they do it? 😀
Bah, open'er up and let people write some cool new software and find new usage for it, I say. Breath some life into her.
Last edited by Beamboom on 4/21/2012 11:30:13 AM
As a person who used to hack PSPs, and even written a newbie-friendly tutorial with lots and lots of pictures on how to CFW a PSP-1000, I turned my back on supporting the hacker community. This is (in my own opinion, mind you) because of a strange shift of interest.
Back about 4-5 years ago, the PSP and other devices were cracked because it's a way of playing with your toys and taking them apart to see how and what made them work. Hacking then turned to loading "backups" of UMDs. Despite the good intentions, a lot of people knew where this is going. (Spoiler alert: Piracy)
Now, my interest in the PSP hacking (and console softmodding in general) has truly gone sour. This is because of a strange shift in parts of the community. I felt that no longer is hacking a place to have fun with your stuff, it then turned into a way to "stick it up to the man and revolt against the 1% and kick the balls of the greedy corporations." Sharing games over torrents is then turned into a "freedom of information" and a First Amendment issue. Hell, there was one instance a user who said he was going to pay for his movies/games, and then he got replies describing him as a "complacent sheep."
So yeah, I stopped following the hacking community. Once a place of fun and games, turned into a weird "revolution against the greedy corporations and big government brother."
Now, people's experiences vary, this is mine.
Sorry for the rant.
I've never been a part of the warez/piracy-scene, I belong to the Linux & OSS world. But "hacking" is sort of embedded in the Linux community ever since we *had* to hack new hardware to get it to work on the OS of our choice. The times have changed since then but the lines between "good hackers" and "bad hackers" are quite blurry to say the least.
When I see the Vita, I think, "hmmm, so what have we got here? A camera, a network interface and a battery. Awesome. What if I made the Vita a baby sitter that connected to my mobile phone when audio were registred? Or what if we made a little app that streamed the video to my laptop and strapped my Vita inside my RC car – could I then get a first person view to control the car?".
Sure, you can buy products that already do these things, but why should we have to do that when we essentially already have a thing that could do this and much more – without having to spend a penny more?
Last edited by Beamboom on 4/22/2012 9:36:22 AM
All it let hackers into was the PSP emulator, beyond that they had nothing.
It'll get hacked but not this way.
lol so basically yo could use the VIta to run PSP ISOs? Id consider that "good enough" lol… but yeah the vita isnt even a year old yet.. by that time itll be hacked wide open to the point that Sony will stop caring (just look at the PSP.. they havent released an update for that in over a year)
Instead of trying to fight the horde waves of people trying crack open the Vita…., maybe Sony should start holding quarterly or bi-yearly contests for the best modder minds to make something new, exciting, &/or more innovative apps/programs/functions/retro game emulators/etc, etc, etc, for the Vita.
And then Sony can reward them with some sort of cash royalty or some material gaming rewards &/or accessories for each new Vita their invention is on.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/21/2012 12:26:39 PM
They have a kit for the Vita where you can make your own game. And it's free.
Last edited by Clamedeus on 4/21/2012 2:51:51 PM
Do you know anything more about that kit, Clam? Where is it available?
@Beamboom
http://www.playstation.com/pss/developer/openbeta/index_e.html
Beam, I also put the link in the PSP Forum just in case you read this and the link hasn't been approved yet.
I too agree Sony should do this instead of suing everybody. Google does this regularly to find out exploits in Chrome and it's worked pretty well for them. Just call all theh kule kidz, have them a go at it and give a prize to anyone who can do it. Hackers are happy, Sony is happy. Everybody wins.
Also, they can release the Vita SDK for people eo make apps and let them have a place on the store. These steps I think will keep hackers happy and bring positive results too.
Awesome Clam, I'll check out the forums. Thanks!
Is it just me, or does it feel like people are just doing this to prove that they're somehow better than Sony? Like they're issuing a general Cartman-esque, "Whatevah, I do what I WAWNT!!!"
Why not just play the thing the way it was intended? *shrug*
It's a challenge.
It is undeniable that the PSV has some pretty powerful hardware for a handheld and people want to be able to enjoy it to its fullest.
Although Sony watches over them so closely that it has become Dukes of Hazzard Esque and Sony is the Sheriff
As long as they can keep their PSV game code safe, they'll be alright, but I deffo don't want the platform to be totally open, or it'll likely face huge challenges (prior to Steam, PC gaming had hit a huge wall due to piracy, and we all know what piracy did to the PSP and is doing to Android devs). Unfortunately, because of entitlement culture, something that thrives in gaming circles, there's a _lot_ of gamers that'll pirate if they can get the chance (making up all sorts of stupid hogwash as an excuse).
I always thought it was a bit rough how everyone got up Sony for removing Linux access from the PS3 – as it was damn clear it was done because of pirates. It's like blaming the Government for better security at airports, not the people that are blowing up the planes.
If they could make the platform open but the game platform secure (so open platform, but then a closed app to run the games in) that'd be best for everyone, but it's probably pretty tricky.
Nope, I don't know what piracy is doing to Android devs. Please enlighten me.
*because of entitlement culture*
… More like: Because of the NEW *you own nothing* culture that the stupid companies are coming up with.
The fact that some companies want to restrict my access to things I paid for is enough for me to want to get the hacked version that lets me enjoy my product anywhere anytime. They are not stopping piracy with it. They are just pissing me and alot of people off… Up to the point where I actually BUY the game… Then I figure out I am limited and have to get the free *hacked* version to play while on the move… Disgusting.
Anyway that was more aimed towards the evil PC industry lol but you were talking about other platforms so.
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 4/21/2012 6:24:27 PM
Piracy didn't kill the PSP. Lack of support from devs did. There were very few good games for it until the very end of its life span when some really good stuff came out. The DS was much more pirated than the PSP, yet we know how well it did. So stop blaming piracy for everything an look at the real reason. Not saying piracy didn't hurt. It certainly did. But not as much as to kill a console. If you make good games it will sell. Simple.
Last edited by mehrab2603 on 4/21/2012 10:52:18 PM
People who pirate games wouldn't have bought the game otherwise, so the developers are only missing out on money that they would have never gotten in the first place.
Anyways, this news about these two games is extremely old news and the exploit only allows you to run the Vita half byte loader which is a "sandbox" environment where you run emulators to play 16 bit games and stuff like that. It in no way promotes piracy. In fact, Wololo denounces piracy.
Crazy nazis.
But you know it will never go away World!
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
I dont know why Sony cares so much but, it looks like they are moving in the right direction with this new Playstation Suite Developer Program "Free Beta" period now then eventually $99 yearly. Compatible with all Playstation Certified devices like Vita phones and tabs and im hoping when the PS4 comes out with it's easier SDK it to will be on the list of platforms you can develop games with this program. Sony is starting to make smarter decisions like DL Ghost Recon Beta 2 days before release hope to see more in the future heres link for new program
http://www.playstation.com/pss/developer/index_e.html
Im fucked up right now
how did that get through???
My apologies Ben, I was. Don't know whats up with me and PSX while drunk. You can delete that post. I also have no idea how that got through.
and so it continues… The hackdom will never cease will it? Well, guess it keeps 'em on their toes
I kinda wish they would just open up the platform and use a business model like android has.
i told ya those overpriced proprietary memory cards had NOTHING to do with security!
i wish $ony would leave this alone, i mean come on who does not want to play doom on the vita?
hell, post a competition for who can bring back the best classic!
this is what i really cant understand about $ony.
on their phones they freaking teach you how to hack them!
on psp just look at it funny and they take you to court!
WTF!?
i wish they would leave it alone think of all the cool mods we could get on there!
I don't think it ever had anything to do with cards in the first place!
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Give me a break, If hackers stopped at homebrew apps there wouldn't be a problem now would it?
Sony has every right to defend the security of their products.
How can you folks forget how pirates destoyed the PSP in the west.
I have no problem with Sony patching and closeing holes with the PS Vita.
The exploit allowed people to run vHBL which was a sandboxed environment that did not allow ISO loading. In other words, no "pirating".
There also is no evidence to support your claim that "pirates destroyed the psp". People with money would just purchase a title that they want and not go through the process of pirating psp games and the ones who are pirating would have never had money to give to sony in the first place….This is just common sense.
I bet you think that the PS3 would have bombed if Sony hadn't taken away the Custom OS feature in 2010 huh?
Last edited by Palpatations911 on 4/23/2012 5:17:55 AM
C'mon…Developer indifference brought on by high piracy rate had a devastating effect on the PSP.
No evidence…Google the subject and read the articles.
How can you be so sure that the vHBL exploit is going to stay home brew software only?
Hackers don't stop at home brewed software.
I really can't say much about the custom OS feature…Never really cared about it or missed it.
Ya know, after the PSN and PSP hacking debacles, you'd think people would know why Sony is so serious about any form of hacking. And yet there's all these comments complaining about how Sony is such a hard-ass when it comes to this kind of stuff. It boggles my mind to be honest.
And who cares if its harmless at first, it never stays that way (like taking drugs). And the whole "its a challenge" argument is pretty retarded too. Why continue to do this stupid hacking crap to "get the most out of your system" when you know that an exploit you make may screw everyone over in the future because of someone else's actions with that exploit (or expansions upon that exploit)?