PlayStation News Message Board older than one year ago

It has begun. With iPhone hacker George Hotz (the kids call him GeoHot) releasing his PlayStation 3 exploit to the world today, he's kicked off what's sure to be a non-stop game of cat-and-mouse between the global hacking community and the Japanese consumer electronics giant. "This is the coveted PS3 exploit," Hotz writes on his blog, linking to the exploit while noting that it "gives full memory access and therefore ring 0 access from OtherOS." Okay, we really only understood that first part but we're sure "full memory access" is synonymous with "bad news" for Sony's engineers. When first revealing his progress last Friday, Hotz wrote, "I have read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV level access to the processor. In other words, I have hacked the PS3." Of course, we've seen this very same game played out on the PSP front with a constant stream of firmware updates designed to patch up the portable's porous security and, yes, even add some new features now and again. With the PS3 already the victim of an onerous amount of updates, we worry the hack may result in a glut of mandatory security patches. But who knows what wonders (no, we don't count the inevitable piracy amongst those wonders) this hack holds for PS3 owners - since the hack "is known to work with version 2.4.2 only" we suspect most people reading this won't even be able to tinker. Caveat emptor! [Via Engadget]

It has begun. With iPhone hacker George Hotz (the kids call him GeoHot) releasing his PlayStation 3 exploit to the world today, he's kicked off what's sure to be a non-stop game of cat-and-mouse between the global hacking community and the Japanese consumer electronics giant. "This is the coveted PS3 exploit," Hotz writes on his blog, linking to the exploit while noting that it "gives full memory access and therefore ring 0 access from OtherOS." Okay, we really only understood that first part but we're sure "full memory access" is synonymous with "bad news" for Sony's engineers. When first revealing his progress last Friday, Hotz wrote, "I have read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV level access to the processor. In other words, I have hacked the PS3." Of course, we've seen this very same game played out on the PSP front with a constant stream of firmware updates designed to patch up the portable's porous security and, yes, even add some new features now and again. With the PS3 already the victim of an onerous amount of updates, we worry the hack may result in a glut of mandatory security patches. But who knows what wonders (no, we don't count the inevitable piracy amongst those wonders) this hack holds for PS3 owners - since the hack "is known to work with version 2.4.2 only" we suspect most people reading this won't even be able to tinker. Caveat emptor! [Via Engadget]

It has begun. With iPhone hacker George Hotz (the kids call him GeoHot) releasing his PlayStation 3 exploit to the world today, he's kicked off what's sure to be a non-stop game of cat-and-mouse between the global hacking community and the Japanese consumer electronics giant. "This is the coveted PS3 exploit," Hotz writes on his blog, linking to the exploit while noting that it "gives full memory access and therefore ring 0 access from OtherOS." Okay, we really only understood that first part but we're sure "full memory access" is synonymous with "bad news" for Sony's engineers. When first revealing his progress last Friday, Hotz wrote, "I have read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV level access to the processor. In other words, I have hacked the PS3." Of course, we've seen this very same game played out on the PSP front with a constant stream of firmware updates designed to patch up the portable's porous security and, yes, even add some new features now and again. With the PS3 already the victim of an onerous amount of updates, we worry the hack may result in a glut of mandatory security patches. But who knows what wonders (no, we don't count the inevitable piracy amongst those wonders) this hack holds for PS3 owners - since the hack "is known to work with version 2.4.2 only" we suspect most people reading this won't even be able to tinker. Caveat emptor! [Via Engadget]

God of War II was almost a PS3 game (at least, before it did become a PS3 game). In an interview with Game Informer, Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida remembered the internal debate over whether to release God of War II as one of the last big games for PS2 or as a headline title for the PS3 launch. "Many people, including marketing, suggested that maybe it should be moved to PS3," Yoshida recalled. Certainly, God of War II would've bolstered an exclusive launch lineup that was limited to Resistance: Fall of Man and very little else. "We had a lot of debates about it, actually. I always firmly stood by keeping it on PS2," Yoshida continued, noting that "the end of a platform is when you see really great games, after developers really begin to understand the hardware." Yoshida's "gamble" paid off, both critically and financially. If God of War II had been a PS3 launch title, more systems would probably have been pushed at launch, but software sales would've undoubtedly suffered compared to the game's success as a PS2 title. Besides, PS3 owners weren't excluded from the action! Back then, PS3s used to have this magical "backwards compatibility" thingy.

Keiji Inafune promises first person elements in directorial debut.

Nine out of ten film experts agree that Zombieland was the best movie to come out last year, and expect it to make a strong showing at the Academy Awards. It should already be a no-brainer that you're going to purchase the film when it's released next Tuesday, Feb. 2 -- however, the Blu-ray version of Zombieland includes an unadvertised bonus that might influence you to drop the extra cash for the HD iteration. According to High Def Digest, if you pop the Zombieland Blu-ray into your PS3, you'll have the option to download a dynamic theme based on the film through the XMB's Game tab. The theme turns the browser's icons red, and changes the background into a rotating gallery of promotional art for the movie. It sounds like a really neat feature -- one that might influence us to purchase more Blu-rays should it become more popular.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that sales of the PlayStation 3 have eclipsed three million units in the United Kingdom. Speaking to MCV, an SCEE spokesperson noted that the company is "delighted" by the news. Pointing to a strong lineup of software, including God of War III and Heavy Rain -- both rumored to be receiving PS3 bundles in Europe -- as well as the upcoming PS3 motion controller, the rep added that the three million milestone is "a great way to start the year." So, once again, the price cut seems like it was probably a pretty good idea. Assuming Sony can keep up the momentum and deliver on a few promises, 2010 just might be a banner year for the PlayStation 3.

Pirated software may soon be possible on Sony's system.

Just in time for Australia Day, too. Convenient!

Prominent game developers discuss how gaming has changed over the last ten years, and clue us into their favourite games and systems.

Man, if you thought the premise for Nippon Ichi's upcoming game, a dungeon-crawler titled Zettai Hero Kaizou Keikaku (or Absolute Hero Modding Project), was bizarre, wait until you see the trailer we've posted after the jump. Featured in that four-minute video is footage of the following: The player's frequent death at the hands of various enemies The game's beefy character customization system At least three different types of turn-based combat A cameo by Disgaea's Prinny Sadly, there's no reference to a North American port of the game. Don't stop believin'! [Via Siliconera]

Please make this game for me.

Help us build the ultimate collection of fake videogames from movies and TV.

Join us in raising money for the victims of the earthquake.

PSP and latest Kingdom Hearts remain atop the Media Create sales charts.

An ESRB rating has enlightened us about the existence of a Ubisoft title called 20 All-Time Favorites; a "collection of 20 card and board games that include Chinese Checkers, Backgammon, Chess, Go, Solitaire, and Mancala." According to the rating, players will also be able to "wager virtual money on their card hands" while playing Blackjack and Poker. Despite the appearance of gambling, the game retained an E rating -- provided that players do not splash ze pot. (Link NSFW, and totally awesome.)

From the makers of Astro Tripper comes a frantic Minis release.

Are you ready to ride again?

This Saturday, January 23, the PlayStation Store will be updated with a free pilot episode of the new Battlestar Galactica spin-off, Caprica. It's a great way to catch up, in case you miss the first broadcast tonight on SyFy at 9PM. (Of course, you could just watch it right now on SyFy.com.) While you're downloading Caprica, you might want to consider some of the other free TV offerings on the PlayStation Store. Pilot episodes of The Deep End, a new ABC law drama, and The Buried Life, a new MTV reality series, can be downloaded right now. There are also seven free webisodes of the Crackle original series The Bannen Way. Remember that SD content will play on both your PS3 and PSP, while HD content can only be played on the PS3.

With a host that's "crazy for RPG" and a model, plus guest appearances by the "legendary" David Jaffe, upcoming PSN reality show, The Tester, has already locked up the celebs. But what about the unknowns -- those everyday, real folk -- vying for an entry-level job in the industry? Today, we're introduced to these eleven strangers, picked to work for Sony, to test games and have their lives taped, to hopefully get smashed and hook up and puke and then start some real drama if the video editors are any good, 'cause, boy, game testing is really kinda boring and ... hey, did we mention there's still an unannounced celebrity that's gonna show up? Stay tuned! [Via PlayStation.Blog]

If given one adjective to describe Metal Gear Solid's eyepatched protagonist, Solid Snake, most people would probably use the word "stealthy." While appropriate, we prefer to think of him as "efficient" -- after all, if he wastes his precious rations, tranquilizer darts or porno mags, he's just as good as dead. If you want to be like Snake in every aspect of your life, we suggest adopting his efficiency when purchasing video games. You could start with the Metal Gear Solid PSP bundle which includes Portable Ops, Portable Ops Plus and MGS: Digital Graphic Novel for the reasonable price of $29.99. With that, you won't waste any time adding a bunch of games to an intangible check-out cart. Just one thing -- boom -- and then you're ready to do other Snake-ish things. Like blowing up tankers! Or swallowing gravel.

More topics than you'll know what to do with.

Gaming's star-studded web series is back.

Producer says fighting game is Wii exclusive.

Once again, the weekly PSN update isn't exactly chock-full of new releases -- however, you'll want to hop onto the PSN storefront once this baby goes live. Sony's offering free entry to the ModNation Racers beta to the first 100,000 people who download the title, at which point it will be forever removed! Keep an eye out for the store to get updated later this afternoon. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 to ship this June.

A very elegant Uncharted box set will be released in Japan on February 18 for ¥7,980 (about $87). The Uncharted Twin Pack contains both Uncharted 2 and the "PlayStation 3 the Best" Edition of Uncharted, in a lovely gold box that, thankfully, hides Japan's Uncharted 2 box from view. Along with this announcement comes the reveal of a demo bound for the Japanese PlayStation Store on January 28, plus a bunch of exciting DLC, which we can assume will arrive outside of Japan at some point. The first content pack will be free and in the Store on January 28 -- and it's kinda weird. It contains multiplayer character models for Resistance 2's Nathan Hale and a Chimera, InFamous' Cole (in both "good" and "evil" forms) and Zeke, and Killzone 2's Tomas Sevchenko and a Helghast soldier. The second DLC pack, dated February 25, adds two maps, one of which is based on the first Uncharted's "Ruins" area, and multiplayer models of the first game's Nate, Elena, Atoq Navarro, Eddy Raja, Roman Gabriel, and a mercenary. This pack won't be free, but no price has been announced. The third DLC pack, available April 15 and also premium, adds a new co-op multiplayer mode, along with four new maps and five new character skins. Check out the crossover character skins in our gallery below:

Hayden Panettiere desperately trying to get off her show. Surely, you deserve some award for sitting through a season, nay, an episode, of Heroes. Torne, a new DVR service for Japanese PS3s, may do just that. A new report in Famitsu (via 1UP) suggests that Torne will offer viewers Trophies. "It's compatible with the PS3 trophy system, and you can get trophies for things like watching final episodes from a lot of TV series, for example," SCE's Kiyoto Shibuya told the magazine. Being able to unlock Trophies should make the Sony's DVR offering a "uniquely PlayStation product." We've already brainstormed a few possible Trophy selections. How about a Gold "Otaku" Trophy for watching all 366 (and counting) episodes of Naruto? Here's an idea that could save network TV: a Bronze Trophy every time you refuse to hit fast-forward through the commercials?

The biggest year for gaming on record.