What REALLY Destroyed The PSP Scene!?

[Samstag]

Good letter, but change all occurances of "well" to "while" in the first two paragraphs (4 total) and it will make more sense.

[IndianCheese]

Believe it or not, I also wrote a letter a while back (that I never mailed because I got a 1.50 PSP that night lol).

To Whom It May Concern:

I would like to inform Sony® of the disappointment that I, and many others have towards Sony®’s decision to provide security updates to the PSP (PlayStation® Portable) to prevent the running of homemade software and games, or as it is known on the internet, “homebrew”.

When the PSP was first released in Japan with version 1.00 installed as the default firmware, ordinary people began to create tools and games specifically to run on the PSP. These applications could make the PSP a system that is more versatile than it already was, such as a local weather provider, a calculator, a text writer-reader, a wireless controller for the PS2, a remote for the Sony® WegaTM Television, and even a guitar tuner. Some also recreated classic arcade games, such as Tetris and Pac-Man, while others created virtual emulations of card and board games like Chess and Solitaire. These programs can be found at <http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/>

When the PSP was imported to the US, it was preinstalled with the 1.5 firmware, which contained a security update that prevented the running of homebrew applications or games. However, a glitch in the security code was recently found, which involved two Memory Sticks, editing the EBOOT.PBP files, and swapping the Memory Sticks while the system displayed the PSP game booting screen. This led to the discovery that a folder exploit could be done, in which a program would automatically modify the PBP files, and place them onto one Memory Stick in two separate folders with the similar names, resulting in the PSP to bypass the security code. Almost every person in the forums on various websites, such as <http://www.dcemu.co.uk/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=79> who purchased their PSP systems in the US with the 1.5 firmware preinstalled claim that they would not update their PSP systems for a web browser and some extra touch-ups on the media controls.
When I purchased my PSP, I was not aware of the possibility of running these programs and games on my PSP, and by the time I updated my software to 1.51, it was too late. Since there were no advantages of keeping my PSP at version 1.51, I again updated to 1.52, and then the Japanese 2.00 update, which is what my PSP system’s current version is. If I would have known of the ability to run homebrew applications and games on my PSP, it would have never crossed my mind to update my PSP. Of course, I enjoy the built-in web browser, but if my PSP version was still 1.5, I would simply purchase Wipeout Pure because of the current glitch in the game which enables the user to run a web browser through the game.

I understand the growing problem of UMD piracy and that it could cost a fortune in lost sales, but this could be solved by a simpler solution, whether it be software activation so the UMD could only be run on one PSP, UMD copy/rip protection, or something similar. Or, each game could come with a unique ID that you must A) type in and submit via WiFi Internet, or B) call a toll-free number to register your ID.

I must honestly say that I am completely against UMD piracy, but I do not think that it should suffocate the creativity of amateur software creators, nor do I think that it should keep people from using their PSP to its full potential. If homebrew was permitted in the next update, you could not only satisfy the public’s want for unique, and not to mention, free applications, but you could open an online service that would sell fun cell-phone-like games, like PopCap’s Bejeweled, and provide free UMD demos, like a one-level preview of THUG 2 Remix, which I now own. This could convince people to purchase the game and a larger capacity Memory Stick. There are so many possibilities that Sony® is not taking advantage of. Sony® could raise the PSP’s versatility and popularity so high that competitors would be no match.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Sony® for taking the time to understand my concerns. Please reply to this letter if it does not take up too much time, and I hope Sony® continues to stay the leader in today’s technology.

Sincerely,

Scott

[Tromedlov]

The reason why Sony is doing this is because you people that use ISO's and the UMD loader! But a great way to persuade sony might be by bringing up the GBA's status. the homebrew scene for the GBA is huge!! Not to mention the piracy scene for GBA; it's gotta be bigger than any other console (besides xbox maybe). But the GBA and it's games is Nintendo's best selling product. And they haven't released anything to stop hackers, piraters and homebrewers. Even the brand new Nintendo DS can be easily hacked.

In Sony's eyes, homebrewing is going to lose them more money (from UMD piraters) than give them more money. That's why they've chosen to get rid of the homebrewing scene by making firmware updates.

but I think the BEST solution to this problem would be a modchip. A modchip that by passes the firmware. I don't know too much about this, but it should be a definite possibility.

[one winged angel]

Sony if you read this could you tell us why you are doing such things to us

[Xan]

"I would simply purchase Wipeout Pure because of the current glitch in the game which enables the user to run a web browser through the game."
Can you give me some link to this exploit.I do have wipeout pure and beeing able to run webbrowser on my 1.5 psp would be great.

The one thing about sony blocking homebrew.PSP is serious thread to all PDA`s , i`v seen project for PSP keyboard <strap on , size of PSP LCD , working also as screen protector when psp is tunred off> .PSP+Keyboard+homebrew=awesome PDA , it has as good cpu as most pda`s on market and its way cheaper.
Here is link to PSP Keyboard http://www.gameseek.co.uk/productdet...aqce6he5x223r/
PS.One Winged ? U play L2 , your forum name seems familiar :?

[zee]

Never thought i'd be playing games on a computer, let alone PSP; but at 55, i'm doing it all! Hot Shots Golf is fun and challenging; aggravating, or relaxing, depending on your mood. Overall a satisfying and challenging game. Gets me in the mood for some racing and shooting!

[yaustar]

The reason why Sony is doing this is because you people that use ISO's and the UMD loader! But a great way to persuade sony might be by bringing up the GBA's status. the homebrew scene for the GBA is huge!! Not to mention the piracy scene for GBA; it's gotta be bigger than any other console (besides xbox maybe). But the GBA and it's games is Nintendo's best selling product. And they haven't released anything to stop hackers, piraters and homebrewers. Even the brand new Nintendo DS can be easily hacked.

In Sony's eyes, homebrewing is going to lose them more money (from UMD piraters) than give them more money. That's why they've chosen to get rid of the homebrewing scene by making firmware updates.

but I think the BEST solution to this problem would be a modchip. A modchip that by passes the firmware. I don't know too much about this, but it should be a definite possibility.

It isn't just piracy, Sony do not want you to buy the console JUST for homebrew, all of their profit comes from software sales and they actually lose money for each console sold. Nintendo actually sell hardware at a 'break even' level or profit, they always have. Also they have changed the firmware on the DS to prevent early hacking and taken action against companies like lik-sang for selling flashcarts.

[CatfishD]

HomeBrew will ALWAYS be playable (unless sony makes a firmware that for some reason doesnt work with GTA)