Just a small note, this is just a simple thing I wrote up during my lunch break. Sorry if its not have proper grammar and depth. It’s just some things that have been floating in my head since yesterday.

As I sit here during my lunch break eating a salad and listen to some music, I start visualizing how I could make a game based entirely off the music I am listening to. It makes me think back to a discussion I had with a friend recently as well as other discussions with the sound engineer at my previous job. Sometimes people don’t take audio in video games seriously. They think of it as an after thought or like a movie where the music forms around the game and not the other way around. Yet in the case where a game is entirely made based on music (and I’m not talking DDR here people). Great games that push this point are Loco Roco and Lumines (for example); games that just are not the same with the audio on mute. Also one that might not be the case but where the music just fits so well that imagining a different song would change the entire game is the LittleBigPlanet demo from GDC (Which features the song “Get it Together” by “The Go! Team”).

So referring back to my friend, we had a small discussion regarding gaming built around pieces of music. We both checked deeper into music by “The Go! Team” and already could just visualize the blocks to an entire game by just using their music alone. We already could see the first world in our game using Bottle Rocket, A cheerful level full of color (on the level of the Green Hill Zone in Sonic games). We could see the Hot Chip Remix of Ladyflash making a wicked song during tutorials and information menus. Not mention many places we could fit songs like “Junior Kickstart” & “The Ice Storm”.

During our discussions we ran into one major roadblock, what type of game do we make from this? We easily could see something like sonic using music like this (See Sonic Rush to hear great music by Hideki Naganuma & Teruhiko Nakagawa). We also could see a puzzle game resulting from this. Ultimately we settled on the idea of trying to somehow combine the two. A 2D puzzle game yet that give you a sense of urgency and speed to fly though the puzzles continuously with no disconnect between puzzle boards yet also be a challenge like playing checkers (not going to BS and say deep though provoking chess here).

So what does this have a connection to homebrew? It does to some extent. See the thing is, PSP homebrew does not have a lot of creativity going around. It’s just game clones and half baked lua ideas. I am not trying to look down on homebrew coders but I would like to see more creative ideas come out of the scene. Homebrew is probably the most perfect place to see creative, original, & innovative ideas to come together in a small game. Remember that some of our favorite games came out of simple ideas that teams pushed together with no commercial intent. flOw was done as a concept in flash, Portals was originally an idea put together by digi-pen students, Katamari Damacy was a creative idea by a Japanese student before graduating, Every Extend Extra was based on a small pc homebrew game called Every Extend, as well as many others floating out there. So why are we not seeing more of this creativity in psp homebrew?

Sorry running out of time here so I will simply wrap this up for now.

What was the whole point of this write up? Well somewhat boredom, somewhat me wanting to rant about the lack of creativity in the homebrew scene, somewhat me wanting to shoot out ideas and see what others think. Will anything come of me and my friends’ discussion? Well that is up for him to decide and so far he wants to keep toying with the idea mentally for a little longer.

Anybody have their two cents they would like to add to this? ...

New update of the PlayStation emulator for PC ...

Since the death of Lik Sang last year it is now virtually impossible to import games into the UK and Europe from companies like Play Asia, Play Asia are obviously scared of lawsuits from Sony for selling PSP & PS3 games to the UK after Sony went after UK firms and eventually claimed the scalp of Lik Sang who were easily the biggest importer of games and consoles worldwide.

I suppose you can understand Sonys point that hardware brought from Japan may not work or with stepdown power issues not last long but people who import know this anyway. But with systems like the PSP, Nintendo DS and Playstation 3 all being region free systems it seems stupid that we cant buy games (and consoles) from anywhere in the world.

Also in this day and age of technology its mad that any system is not region free, the PSP, PS3, Nintendo DS are all region free and all selling extremely well, even the Xbox 360 is region free on some games.

Come on people lets show that the Gaming Public want Region Free and the ability to buy games and consoles from anywhere.

Give your views via Comments

Help DIGG THIS and get everyone to respond to this issue

...

Heres the full listing from the Worlds Leading selling of Import games Play Asia:

Xbox360™:
Call of Duty 3 (Gold Edition) ASIA US$ 49.90
Culdcept Saga ASIA US$ 39.90
Culdcept Saga (Updated Version) JPN US$ 64.90
Rayman Raving Rabbids ASIA US$ 44.90

Playstation 3
NBA Street Homecourt ASIA US$ 49.90
Pro Yakyuu Spirits 4 JPN US$ 64.90
The Godfather: The Don's Edition ASIA US$ 49.90

Nintendo Wii™:
Barnyard JPN US$ 59.90

PlayStation2™:
Harukanaru Jikuu no Kade 3: Izayoiki (Koei the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Medal of Honor: Vanguard ASIA US$ 39.90
Naruto Shippuuden: Narutimate Accel JPN US$ 64.90
Neo Angelique (Koei the Best) JPN US$ 34.90
Netsu Chu! Pro Baseball 2007 JPN US$ 64.90
Nobunaga no Yabou: Soutensoku with Power-Up Kit (Koei Selection) JPN US$ 24.90
Pro Yakyuu Spirits 4 JPN US$ 64.90
Rakushou! Pachi-Slot Sengen 5 JPN US$ 59.90

Nintendo DS™:
Detective Conan: Tantei Ryoku Trainer JPN US$ 48.90
Harlem Globetrotters: World Tour US US$ 24.90
Kageyama Method - Dennou Hanpuku: Tadashii Kanji Kaki to Rikun JPN US$ 34.90
Major League Baseball 2K7 US US$ 24.90
Mario Kart DS KOR US$ 49.90
POGO Island US US$ 34.90
Shin Sangoku Musou DS: Fighter's Battle JPN US$ 48.90
Touch Pen Attachment DS Lite (black) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen Attachment DS Lite (pink) US$ 5.99
Touch Pen Attachment DS Lite (white) US$ 5.99
Watashi no Happy Manner Book JPN US$ 39.90

Sony PSP™:
DJ Max Portable 2 KOR US$ 49.90
DJ Max Portable 2 Orpheus Package ~Metallic Silver~ [Limited Edition] KOR N/A
DJ Max Portable 2 Orpheus Package ~Night Black~ [Limited Edition] KOR N/A
Daikoukai Jidai IV: Rota Nova (Koei the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai Another Road US US$ 39.90
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 2 JPN US$ 48.90
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. Portable JPN US$ 48.90
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. Portable KOR US$ 49.90
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Rengou vs. Z.A.F.T. Portable ASIA US$ 42.90
Nobunaga no Yabou: Reppuuden with Power Pack (Koei the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
Sangokushi VII / Romance of the Three Kingdoms VII (Koei the Best) JPN US$ 29.90
UEFA Championships League 2006-2007 ASIA US$ 42.90

Magazines:
Arcadia Extra Vol. 42: Arcana Heart Heartmatic Collection JPN US$ 19.90
Arcadia Magazine [May 2007] JPN US$ 12.90
Famitsu Wave DVD [May 2007] JPN US$ 16.50

Toys & Misc:
DJ Max Portable 2 Poster US$ 8.90
Super Mario Super DX Die Cut 12" Seat Cushion: Goomba JPN US$ 19.90
Super Mario Super DX Die Cut 12" Seat Cushion: Power Mushroom JPN N/A
Super Mario Super DX Die Cut 12" Seat Cushion: Super Mario Star Coin JPN US$ 19.90
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Mikuru Asahina (Waitress - Black Ver.) JPN US$ 67.90
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Mikuru Asahina (Waitress - Pink Ver.) JPN US$ 64.90
Tokimeki Memorial Only Love 1/6 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Sayuri Amamiya JPN US$ 61.90
Yakitate Japan 1/8 Scale Pre-painted PVC Figure - Tsukino in Pantasia Baker Uniform JPN N/A

Video Game Soundtracks:
Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni Character CD Collection Vol.3 JPN US$ 15.90
Itsuka, Todoku, Ano Sora ni Character CD Collection Vol.4 JPN US$ 15.90
King Street Sounds/Nite Grooves Presents Ridge Racer 7 Original Sound Track JPN US$ 25.90
Miracle Straight (Gakuen Utopia - Manabi Straight! KiraKira Happy Festa! Theme Song) JPN US$ 14.90
The Idolm@ster Master Box 2 [CD+DVD Limited Edition] JPN US$ 57.90 ...

Via 2alien


Download and Give feedback Via Comments ...

kgsws has released a new app called New Recovery:

Heres the details:


Download and Give Feedback Via Comments ...

via pspfanboy



Doesn't that Monster Hunter bracelet look hot? In celebration of the Korean release of the insanely popular RPG, one random purchaser of the game was treated to one of the sexiest pieces of swag we've seen. According to Ruliweb, ten others were treated to some impressive action figures.

However, no one walked away empty-handed. Like the Japanese, Koreans were treated to other swag items for pre-ordering. Early adopters received some premium posters.

Capcom hasn't announced any incentives for the impending US release. But, if we're lucky enough, we'll also be able to get our hands on some swag of this caliber. ...

New release of the Video Converter for the PSP by Winnydows:

Heres a description:

Video converter
for PSP, iPOD and PC

Easy use and high quality program for converting videos for PSP, iPOD and PC.

Import formats:
AVI DIVX ASF MPG MPE MPEG VOB TS M2P D2V MOV QT 3GP HDMOV RM RAM RMVB RPX SMI SMIL MKV OGM WMV DVR-MS PMP FLV.

Export formats:
PMP AVC, MP4 PSP 2.80, MP4 PSP 480, MP4 iPod, MP4 iPod 640, MP4 PS3, MP4, AVI, AVI DV PAL, AVI DV NTSC, MPG, MPEG-2 PAL, MPEG-2 NTSC, FLV.

Heres whats new:

4.111 changes:

Fixed many old and new bugs.
ForceFilm work again.
Now possible select subtitles from MKV and OGM.
Sound extraction from MKV and OGM now work correct.
Now possible fix aspect with changing window size.

Download Here ...

Via this is london

A teenager who was crazed by high-strength cannabis butchered a grandmother after 'voices in his head' told him to stab a woman.

Ezekiel Maxwell, a paranoid schizophrenic, launched the horrific attack after years of smoking super-strength 'skunk weed'.

The 17-year-old claimed 'gangster voices' from the ultra-violent computer game Grand Theft Auto had set him on a mission to stab a black woman.

He is the second teenage cannabis addict in a month to be found guilty of killing others after smoking the substance. Thomas Palmer, 18, was jailed for life for murdering his two friends with a hunting knife near their homes in Wokingham, Berkshire.

Maxwell prowled the streets with a kitchen knife until he came across Carmelita Tulloch

Maxwell prowled the streets with a kitchen knife until he came across Carmelita Tulloch as she walked to her job at a photocopying firm.

He stabbed her seven times, leaving her to die in a pool of blood as he fled home to his family. The case highlights the dangers of the highly potent 'skunk'.

The number of under-18s treated for smoking the drug has doubled to nearly 10,000 in a year and medical experts said the link between it and mental health problems is now impossible to ignore.

Maxwell attacked 51-year-old Mrs Tulloch on September 5 last year after a night smoking skunk and playing Grand Theft Auto.

He believed he was one of the principal characters called Carl Johnson, who carries a knife in the Playstation game, Croydon Crown Court was told.

Judge Warwick McKinnon said it was "a vile and quite senseless killing of an entirely innocent woman".

Simon Denison, prosecuting, told the court: "Maxwell had been planning to stab a woman for seven days, it had to be a black Afro-Caribbean woman. He didn't know why he had done it, he just had to do it."

"He described the voices as taking over his thoughts and his body. They made him do things like cut his hair so he looked more like a gangster.

"Maxwell said in the months before the killing he was playing Grand Theft Auto to the exclusion of anything else.

"He had smoked cannabis the night before, he took a knife from the kitchen and went out to stab someone. After he stabbed Mrs Tulloch he ran home and told his mother what he had done.

"The psychiatric assessment is that he is a great risk to others and will be for many years."

Maxwell lived 500 yards away from Mrs Tulloch on the same housing estate in Kennington, South London. He attacked her within five minutes walk of her home.

The youngster started smoking cannabis and skunk as well as taking cocaine at 14. He had previously been given cautions for possessing cannabis and has two convictions for mugging and assault.

Maxwell said he started hearing voices after smoking the drug and was referred to a psychiatric team by his GP in June last year.

He was prescribed anti-psychotic drugs and his case was reviewed four times. It was due to be considered again the day after he attacked Mrs Tulloch.

Instead, Maxwell went to a police station with his uncle and solicitor and handed himself in. He told officers: "I am given medication for my head and eyes, I don't know why I have been told to take this medication. I have not taken it for two weeks.

"On September 4 I played Grand Theft Auto until late. When I got up I felt a bit unhappy and aggressive. "I went out of the house at about 10am."

"I have a knife with me. I didn't know why I had a knife, I saw a woman, I stabbed her with the knife, I stabbed her three times, there was a lot of blood. After I stabbed the woman I ran home."

Inspiration: Maxwell was obsessed with violent computer game Grand Theft Auto

Maxwell has since been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Yesterday he was detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act after pleading guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Paul Jenkins, chief executive of mental health charity Rethink, said: 'While there can be several triggers for mental illness, we know that if used by people under 18, cannabis doubles the risk of psychosis.

Professor John Henry, a clinical toxicologist, said: "People are beginning to realise that cannabis is not the puff and relax substance that people used to use."

Studies show there is an increased instance of schizophrenia in cannabis users, in some people as much as a ten-Marjorie Wallace, Chief Executive of mental health charity SANE, said: "This has all the hallmarks of similar stories where a paranoid schizophrenic has not taken medication but has used cannabis.

"Cannabis, especially skunk, can act as a trigger to psychotic relapse in which someone may lose touch with reality and become a serious risk to himself and others.

"We expect the inquiry into this case will reveal the same faultlines underlying many of the 55 homicides involving mental illness each year."

Mrs Tulloch, a receptionist, was married to Prince, 42, ...