The devkitPro windows installer has been updated. The installer/updater no longer deletes the library directories or msys directory when installing or updating.

For users already using the installer these updates can be obtained by using the update button under devkitpro in your start menu.

http://www.devkitpro.org/ ...

When Microsoft announced the two-tiered pricing structure for its contribution to next-gen gaming, the Xbox 360, the shattering sound heard round the world was the simultaneous smashing of piggy banks. At $299 and $399, many gamers may not be seeing the holiday season's hottest toy under their Christmas trees this year.


However, when hot new gaming systems come out, supply is short, and demand is often so high that retailers can elect to sell the units only as parts of bundles that include accessories and games of the retailer's choosing. EBgames.com unveiled its holiday offerings today, and the prices may make some gamers feel as though they're getting "scrooged."

Like Microsoft, EB Games is offering two bundles, one for gamer's interested in the Core System and one for gamers eyeing the premium package. The Xbox 360 Core Bundle is priced at $599.93, and it includes everything in the standard package, plus an extra wired controller, a 64MB memory unit, and four games: Perfect Dark Zero: Limited Edition, Dead or Alive 4, Project Gotham Racing 3, and Kameo: Elements of Power. Using Microsoft's announced pricing for peripherals and an assumed $59.99 price point for Xbox 360 games, the package unbundled would come to $618.94.

The Xbox 360 Ultimate Bundle weighs in at just under $700. Gamers (or generous parents) willing to shell out $699.92 will get the Xbox 360 "premium" package, plus an extra wireless controller with a Play & Charge Kit, a rechargeable battery back for wireless controllers, and the four games mentioned above. Doing some quick math, the sum of the bundle's pieces would be $720.93, again assuming a $59.99 price point for games.

After choosing one-day shipping and ordering an Ultimate Bundle within California, the total comes to $777.86.

Each bundle is limited to one order per customer. A similar launch strategy was taken by online retailers for the PSP, but the no-frills Value Pack could be found on store shelves shortly after launch.

Gamers who think this is concrete evidence that DOA4, PGR3, Perfect Dark, and Kameo will be available the day the Xbox 360 is launched may want to think again. Though all are leading candidates to be available when the 360 hits store shelves, fine print at the bottom of the page reveals that "Dates and prices have not been confirmed and are subject to change." ...

The Xbox 360 faces an uphill struggle against its rivals in the Far East, according to Nintendo of America VP Perrin Kaplan, who claims that "very few people are aware of or anticipating Xbox 2 at the moment" in Japan.

Speaking in an interview with US website IGN, Kaplan discussed the prospects of Nintendo's next-generation console, Revolution, and its rivals from Microsoft and Sony in the Japanese market.

"Xbox has no recognition at all in Japan," she claimed, "and very few people are aware of or anticipating Xbox 2 at this point."

While Microsoft has inked deals with several high-profile Japanese developers to create Xbox 360 titles, Kaplan believes that those deals are less important than they might seem, since they don't bring major franchises to the table.

"Microsoft has had no success in the Japanese market and they were required to attract such developers in order to have a chance in the market," she said. "Further, those developers won't be making software for that system that are currently known and loved on other systems, such as Kirby."

By contrast, Kaplan expects Japan - the only market where the GameCube comfortably outperformed the Xbox in the last generation, although it also led in several European markets - to remain a successful market for Nintendo.

"[The Japanese market] continues to be a very successful and profitable market for Nintendo," she said, "and we anticipate this to be true for the indefinite future. What might make more sense is to say that it's changing. All companies in Japan are experiencing these changes. Portable play is one additional arena that remains vibrant."

Regarding Nintendo's largest competitor, Sony, Kaplan believes that respect is due to the firm, not only for getting to market first but also for the quality of the offering which it has created with the PS2.

"Launching early in the Japanese market has been the key to success for Sony's PlayStation 2," Kaplan told IGN. "Their early launch date and marketing push along with a solid library of games gave them momentum that they still enjoy today."

However, even though Nintendo won't be launching first with Revolution, Kaplan believes that the firm's offering will be extremely attractive.

"It is too early for Nintendo to discuss our strategy for Revolution," she said, "but I can tell you that we have much experience running a successful global video game company, and Nintendo will come to the dance extremely well dressed." ...

News from Lik Sang

Nintendogs - NDS (US)

They won't wake you up in the morning, demanding to be led outside, totally oblivious to weather status or how much sleep you got the night before. No bite marks on furniture, shoes or your favorite videogame system. Nintendo's fresh flea bag sim, developed by Shigeru Miyamoto, barked up a storm in dog-crazy Japan, and this week takes its innovative twist on the virtual pet concept to the US market. Again there's three different versions available: Chihuahua, Dachshund and Lab. All include their canine friends, and while the later replaces the 'Shiba' title, it does include that breed. In fact in addition to more items to collect than the Japanese originals, which pushes the total over 100, the US releases feature three new breeds, Boxer, Golden Retriever and Husky.

Using the voice recognition feature, you can teach your new puppy its name, then a wide variety of tricks such as sit, shaking its tail, "shake paws", or so many more. You can also take a walk to the park and buy a Frisbee on the way, or meet and play with other dogs. When another Nintendogs owner is close by, the NDS will “bark” an alert, inviting owners to connect with one another and allow their pets some interactive playtime together. Don't forget to give your canine buddy a bath every now and then though, nor forget to take a 'doggy bag' with you on those walks. Each version of Nintendogs arrives this week, at just US$ 39.90.

Advance Wars: Dual Strike - NDS (US)

Advance Dual Wars hit the DS this week, and the turn-based military tactics game is all the better for it, with a new battle system that takes full advantage of both screens. New missions will have you commanding air forces in the sky on the top screen, and ground forces below on the touch screen. There's new Survival, Tag Team and Combat game modes, plus all new Real Time Combat where players lead soldiers into a fast-paced, action-oriented battle against a storm of enemies. In addition to leading your army to victory with any of the original or nine new Commanding Officers (COs), you can also clash with up to eight friends over a wireless connection with just one cartridge!

Getting back to the COs, as the US commercial shows, you now have two at your fingertips instead of one. Separate they are strong, but together they can pull off extremely devastating combination super attacks on your unlucky opponent. Further additions include new units like an Aircraft Carrier, a Stealth Bomber which can cloak, a Megatank that costs the same as a battleship, moves 4 squares and has 4 shots, and many more. Finally you can imagine how much easier map creation is with a touch screen, and naturally you can save your maps and wirelessly send them to friends. Pre-orders of Advance Dual Wars are getting dispatched as we speak, while new orders are welcome.

Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - NDS

Set just a year after the events of Aria of Sorrow on Gameboy Advance, where a cult decided to resurrect the fallen Dracula and the evil that follows, the legendary Castlevania series continues. As either Soma Cruz or later Julius Belmont or Yoko, each with their own individual gameplay styles, you must infiltrate enemy territory and stop the evil of Dracula's resurrection from happening. The upper screen displays a map and character data, while the lower view is where the action is. The touch screen also comes into play with a new ability where gamers can "shatter" weak bricks with their finger or stylus, or learn and draw magical seals to defeat enemy creatures.

Further making use of the NDS, there's two different wireless modes, the first of which lets you trade soul abilities between systems. The second is a multiplayer versus mode, where one gamer builds a level by filling areas of the castle with their enemies of choice, and then race each other through it. With multiple endings, both good and bad, and gameplay additions like Weapon Synthesis mode, where Yoko will combine your weapon with a soul to create new items, get ready to sink your teeth into another Castlevania classic. With an official Japanese release date of Thursday the 25th, we have our copies already, and all pre-orders have been shipped. New purchases are welcome, and ship within 24 hours. ...

Leading video games developer and publisher Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that "PAC’N ROLL(TM)" has shipped to North American retail outlets. "PAC’N ROLL" combines the pellet-chomping action and Ghost-busting madness of classic Pac-Man with an innovative touch screen control system. Developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS(TM), PAC’N ROLL also includes the original "Pac-Man" for a truly classic arcade game experience.

“'PAC’N ROLL' makes full use of the Nintendo DS’s capabilities, while retaining the very essence and qualities of Pac-Man that made him the cultural icon he is today,” said Yoshi Niki, Business Unit Director at Namco Hometek Inc. “Now players can experience Pac-Man like never before through an intuitive touch screen control scheme and an original adventure set in a colorful 3D world.”

In his latest role, Pac-Man must rescue his friends when Pac-Land is magically transformed into Ghost-Land and all the inhabitants have been turned into spheres by the rock’n rolling Ghost Golvis. With fluid track-ball-like controls using the Nintendo DS touch screen, and a host of ability boosting power-up items, players can roll into action against all the obstacles and Ghosts packed into the stages of multiple worlds. Players can dash, dodge, and turn on a dime as they guide Pac-Man on his pellet collecting journey to save Pac-Land.

"PAC’N ROLL" is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. ...

Evilo (great PS2 Coder) posted this news on our PS2 forum:

Just to inform people still motivated to develop on the ps2, that in september we (the froggies @ froggies.ps2dev.org) will launch a little contest, in order to bring some fun after those crazy holidays !

"REMAKE YOUR FAVORITE GAME FROM THE 80's"

There is already a little pre-announce on the site rigth now (in french only for the moment), but it will be updated shortly with full details.

as said before, contest will start beginning of september, the time to prepare the whole thing and to look for some nice prizes.

there is also an freshly opened thread here (http://froggies.ps2dev.org/forum_viewtopic.php?26.498) , if you want to post comments or your wishes for some prize

evilo. ...

Pochi again amazes with some excellent skins, backgrounds and icons, the pick of the bunch being the Nort one.

Check them out here --> http://pochistyle.pspwire.net/ ...

Heres news for those of you who desire the new firmware although not that its any good whatsoever for the Homebrew scene, heres the details of the new firmware for the USA people

Remember if you have a Jap PSP you can not flash it with a USA firmware

From the official 2.0 update release notes:

Network
+ An internet browser has been added

Video
+ 4:3 screen mode has been added (for video saved on Memory Stick Duo media).
+ Go To feature has been added (for UMD Video and UMD Music).
+ A-B Repeat feature has been added (for UMD Video, UMD Music and video saved on Memory Stick Duo media).
+ Audio options have been added (for video saved on Memory Stick Duo media).
+ MP4 (AVC) has been added as a playable file format (for video saved on Memory Stick Duo media).

Music
+ The combination of SonicStage version 3.2 (or later) and PSP system software 2.0 (or later) has made it possible for music files in ATRAC3 plus format to be transferred to a Memory Stock PRO Duo.
+ MP4 (the audio codec for MP4 format audio files is MPEG-4 AAC) and WAV (Linear PCM) have been added as playable file formats (for music saved on Memory Stick Duo media).

Photo
+ Wallpaper feature has been added.
+ Image transfer feature has been added.
+ TIFF, GIF, PNG and BMP have been added as viewable file formats.

Settings
+ Korean has been added as a system language in [System Settings].
+ [Character Set] has been added in [System Settings].
+ [Theme Settings] has been added.
+ [Internet Browser Start Control] has been added as a security mode in [Security Settings].
+ WPA-PSK (TKIP) has been added as a security mode in [Network Settings].
+ Web address shortcut feature has been added as an input mode for the on-screen keyboard.

Just remember this will stop you having the ability to play homebrew and emulators on your PSP, so we wont be linking to downloads for it ...

This was posted in this forum topic --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=9716

Its just been posted in the forums about a new exploit uncovered by Yoshihiro and the wab team, heres some of it:

How To :

!!! HOW use it !!!
Put your two folders on your games folders and run it .your game boot
and freeze your psps on white screen .after your psps shutdown it's
because your second eboot.pbp like on kxploit "From pspsdev team for psp 1.5"
is corrupted juste find teh 02000800 and replace the 08 by 01 for test in
the header of your elf it's easy but it's proof concept the psp 2.0 can read
the elf but in another format .

More info on this news here --> http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=9716 ...