PSP piracy to explode

***wraggster*** · June 7th, 2005, 20:53

Following the illegal release of PSP games, packed as ISO files, on to the internet, someone has now developed and released a utility enabling anyone with a PSP to 'dump' data on inserted UMD discs to their PSP memory sticks.

Previously, a small number of PSP games were released on to the internet by small piracy groups, who specialise in the hacking and copying of numerous different types of digital media.

However, in light of the release of this 'dumper' utility, anyone in possession of an original 1.0 firmware PSP has the ability to copy game files. As such, the number of PSP game files currently doing the rounds on the internet is expected to explode.

Currently one obstacle stands in the way of the pirates: there's no way of playing these raw game ISO files from memory cards. However, hackers are currently working on an ISO player, which, according to some, is merely days away.

The release of such a player would effectively spark a PSP file-sharing revolution, with gamers able to copy UMD games to their memory cards before sharing files with friends or with strangers over peer-to-peer networks.

While the potentially damaging issue of PSP file sharing will no doubt come as a blow to Sony, the company can at least take comfort in the knowledge that copied PSP games won't turn up at boot fairs as a result - currently there is no way for pirates to burn their own UMD discs.

While the main focus of any ISO playing device clearly lies with piracy, there are genuine advantages to playing games from memory card. Potentially, battery life would be longer thanks to the absence of any spinning disc, and loading times would be much improved.