Doc Marks discusses evolution of the PlayStation motion controller

August 1st, 2009, 10:56 Posted By: wraggster

Doctor Richard Marks, known among gamers as the PhD behind the EyeToy, discussed the evolution of the Playstation motion controller technology -- revealed by Sony during E3 2009 -- with PC World. Marks said that experience with the EyeToy, along with other data, showed Sony that, while gamers did have fun experiences with the physical movement of the original peripheral, they still desired the precision and complete control in a fast, effective way. Upon this realization, Sony opted to leave the concept of control-free gaming behind and advanced to the dual-wand prototype showcased at E3 2009. "We designed our new control system to accomplish all of this. We believe the path we have chosen is an ideal combination of both spatial and action/button input," Marks told PC World.

When prodded about comments made by Shigeru Miyamoto, who said he was "flattered" by Sony and Microsoft's motion-control direction, Marks respectfully agreed that -- while the EyeToy predates Nintendo's new console -- the Ninendo Wii was an important advancement that "broadened the gaming market and enabled new experiences." As for camera-only control, Marks says the tech can work but it's difficult to resonate with players who get more gratification out of using a tactile device. Attempts to uncover release details or the price-point of PlayStation's yet-to-be officially named motion controllers proved futile, but Marks promises the device to hit stores by Spring 2010.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/31/do...tion-controll/

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Lifetime Sales Figures For The PlayStation 3

August 1st, 2009, 11:00 Posted By: wraggster

Every time Sony releases their quarterly earnings, they update their records to show exactly how many consoles and games have been sold to the public over the past few months. Let's take a look at the PS3 figures then, eh?

In 2006, Sony decided to start tracking how many consoles and games they sold all the way through to customers, not just to retailers (which is how most other companies record "sales"). It's an admirable practice, and one which gives us a very accurate picture of how the PS3 (and its games) are faring, since these figures have been available for the entirety of the machine's lifespan.

Anyway, here are the numbers, which cover the period from launch until June 30, 2009:

PS3 consoles: 23.8 million
PS3 software: 189.7 million (all publishers, includes both retail and PSN titles)

http://kotaku.com/5327502/lifetime-s...-playstation-3

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PSPKVM 0.5.3 - Java Mobile Games Emulator for PSP

August 1st, 2009, 11:19 Posted By: wraggster

M@x and Sleeper have released a new version of the Java Mobile Games Emulator for PSP, heres whats new:

- Bugfix for 'Default CPU speed setting doesn't work' (tracker ID 2812036);
- Bugfix for Sony Ericsson 480x272 profile issue (tracker ID 2812032);
- Bugfix for 'QWERTY board opens allcaps' (tracker ID 2806367);
- Bugfix makes available missing top half of Unicode page 0 in built-in font (Adds common accents incl. acute, grave, circumflex, umlaut over Roman characters);
- Added most of Unicode page 1 (Latin Extended 1) to built-in font (Adds less common accents and characters for most languages using Roman alphabets);
- Added clipboard/text selection support to the virtual keyboards;
- Added interface so MIDlets can request and receive events signalling raw PSP control state;
- Added a semichordal virtual keyboard implementation (fast input, diacritics support);
- Improved alpha blending for TrueType font rendering--smoother blends.
- Support multi-language in Sony OSK input method.

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Thanks to W00fer for the email of the news

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PSP Tool v1.00

August 1st, 2009, 11:51 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

The coder raing3 releases version 1.00 of PSP Tool, Multi homebrew that will allow you to install a version of the Despertar del Cementerio available, pandorizzare / normalize the battery and more.
More to follow.


Changelog v1.00:

Quote:

- It is now recognized how HEN
- Then the mother recognized the tabs TA-088v3, TA-090 and TA-090v2
- Improved extraction dell'IPL
- Fixato a bug that caused a crash if the program was set as the key Enter
- The menu options on the battery is no longer accessible for the PSP does not allow pandorizzazione
- Changed the style of the waves in the program
- Decreased use of RAM

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PSP Action Replay Converter 0.30

August 1st, 2009, 11:56 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from raing3

PSP Action Replay converter is a simple application designed to convert the code file of PSP Action Replay into CWCheat or nitePR format. This application is currently only capable of converting ~80% of codes correctly to CWCheat format so I need as much help as possible as I am stuck with some of the more complicated codes. Any help would be much appreciated through the forums, a private message or an e-mail.

The latest PSP Action Replay file can always be downloaded from here if any of you do not know where to get it.

The changes made in version 0.30 are

Added: Windows based conversion application, only CWCheat conversion.
Fixed: Issue returning from the PSPAR to nitePR menu.
Fixed: Crash if circle is enter.



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The PSP Show #100: Looking Back Over The PSP Show

August 1st, 2009, 11:58 Posted By: wraggster

TPN have released a new Podcast for the PSP, heres the details:

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PSP Homebrew Release: Button Masher v0.2

August 1st, 2009, 12:11 Posted By: Thomly

Hi all,

Here is version 0.2 of Button Masher.

what's new in v0.2:
- now possible to keep playing the game without needing to restart.
- (ugly) eboot background and icon.
- added credits.

ToDo:
- highscore system.
- make interface prettier.

Reminder: This is my first homebrew game/app, so don't bash it

Greetz,

Thomly

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libVSH v0.1

August 3rd, 2009, 00:20 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from mootjeuh

Well, this is my first release of my libVSH. It allows all those devs who do not use the ds pspgu the XMB to use graphics above. I coded purely from pspsdk of pspgu then, it is not so great that the SDL, etc..

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LibGE Sample version 0.4

August 3rd, 2009, 00:25 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from Zer01ne

Here I release a sample that I made a quick, I wanted to add audio file playing but is not included in the Lib.

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PSN License Manager 0.30

August 3rd, 2009, 00:28 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

The coder Light_Alex publish a new release of its PSN License Manager, which allows homebrew to do a backup / restore their licenses PSN in PSP for personal use only. The 0:30 version was added support for the Custom Firmware 5.50GEN and have made some minor modifications.
A changelog and follow the link to download.

Notes:

Changelog:
Quote:

- Support to Custom Firmware 5.50GEN
- Added option to reboot the PSP
- After the program, the console will be restarted in order to "clean" the memory

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PCE for PSP v0.82a1 - PC Engine Emulator for PSP

August 3rd, 2009, 00:31 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

New update for PCE for PSP, PC Engine emulator developed by an unknown Japanese coder, which leads to version 0.82a1.

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Homebrew Shortcuts Plugin Beta 2

August 3rd, 2009, 00:35 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

The coder junkfactory releases a new version of Homebrew Shortcuts, plugins compatible with Custom Firmware 5.00M33 which will let you set a key combination to start the homebrew and games that you use most often.
A note and follow the link to download.

Changelog:

Added support of the analogy, now you can use in combination:

AUP: analogue on
ADOWN: Analog Jun
ALEFT: analogue to the left
ARIGHT: analogue to the right

Installation:

- Copy the file homebrew_shortcuts in seplugins folder
- Copy the file text string VSH.txt the ms0: / seplugins / homebrew_shortcuts.prx 1
- Configure the shortcuts at will, following the notes in the file shortcuts.conf

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Uberjack News - Atari800 update

August 3rd, 2009, 00:37 Posted By: wraggster

Some news from Uberjack:

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CSPortable 0.8B2

August 3rd, 2009, 00:41 Posted By: wraggster

Stealthkill has released a new version of the Counterstrike game for the PSP, heres whats new:

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LPHMv3

August 3rd, 2009, 00:44 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from homemister91

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PlayStation 3 install base reaches 23 million worldwide

August 3rd, 2009, 16:29 Posted By: wraggster

The PlayStation 3 has sold 23.8 million units from launch until June 30 2009, according to lifetime sales figures released by Sony.

Software sales - which include all publishers, and PSN titles as well as retail ones - reached a total of 189.7 million during the same period.

The numbers follow Sony's first quarterly financials, released last week, which showed sales of both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable were down on last year. Sales for the overall PlayStation business, which includes Viao PCs, were down 37.4 per cent year-on-year, resulting in a JPY 37.1 billion loss compared to a profit of JPY 35 billion seen during the same three months the year prior.

Shipments of Microsoft's Xbox 360 have now surpassed 30 million, according to the company, while worldwide Wii shipments had reached 50 million on March 25 2009.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...lion-worldwide

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Sony Says Girlz Play Too

August 3rd, 2009, 16:38 Posted By: wraggster



OMG! And they use the letter "z" at the end of their words, rather wordz. The website also lists PSP games, er gamez, for girlz, we mean girls.

http://kotaku.com/5328457/sony-says-girlz-play-too

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Sony's early plans for motion controllers involved superheroes, magic, and... Teletub

August 3rd, 2009, 21:03 Posted By: wraggster



It's no secret that Sony's motion controllers were in the works for quite a long time before finally being unveiled at E3 2009. Still, it's fun to look back into the past and see how the whole project evolved. Our buddies at Joystiq have cleverly dug up some slides from a 2001 Richard Marks presentation which describes, among other things, a game called Misho the Witch -- which made use of a ball-and-stick controller to train a virtual pet -- much in the vein of Sony's just unveiled EyePet. Some other ideas being tossed around were an X-Men branded game based on "superhero properties" and one based around the Teletubbies. Remember them? Yes, this presentation is that old. Oh, the olden days. There's no evidence that any of these ideas went too far beyond the talking-phase, but we'll have to wait and see for sure when the PS3 Motion Controller debuts next year. One more shot after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/03/s...d-superheroes/

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Despertar del Cementerio v8 Mod by Red Bull PSP

August 3rd, 2009, 22:40 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from Navarrito

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Homebrew Sorter Plugin 0.5

August 3rd, 2009, 22:43 Posted By: wraggster

News via PSpita

Tired of scrolling the list of your homebrew down to start one used more frequently? Homebrew Sorter Plugin is a simple plugin that solves this problem by ordering the icons based on the frequency of use, this version does not yet support the backups in ISO / CSO games or PSX, which could be added in the next release.
A note and follow the link to download.

Notes:

Quote:

Installation:
- Copy the file "homebrewsort.prx" in folder "ms0: / seplugins /"
- Add the following line to file "vsh.txt" (creandolo if not exist):
"ms0: / seplugins / homebrewsort.prx 1" without quotes

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Open Menu PSP

August 3rd, 2009, 22:47 Posted By: wraggster

News via psphacks

For the developers… Easily debug, create and optimize your homebrew menu to the fullest leaving behind the smallest of footprints. Any homebrew you have in the works or have released previously, this may be of use… It’s NoEffex’s Open Menu PSP. The source code and up-to-date binaries should always be available at the Google Code project page.

Download Here

http://code.google.com/p/openmenupsp/

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Fat Princess fix coming

August 3rd, 2009, 23:08 Posted By: Shrygue

via Computer and Video Games


Titan Studios has issued a response to calls for its recently released Fat Princess PSN title to be fixed. As well it should.

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PS3 Slim/price drop rumour round-up

August 4th, 2009, 19:46 Posted By: wraggster

The rumour mill is about to burn itself out thanks to re-occurring PS3 price drop rumours and word on PS3 Slim's arrival.

According to DigiTimes Sony has placed enough component orders to double quarterly PS3 manufacturing rates. Apparently it's ordered enough parts to knock together one million PS3 units during the third quarter of this year - double that of the last three months.

This has lead to speculation over a possible price cut, as Sony could be preparing for a surge in sales.

Elsewhere, a listing for a "PlayStation 3 Konsole Slim" appeared on Amazon's German website over the weekend before quickly being removed.

The Telegraph says that the new SKU will likely come in 40GB and 80GB versions, starting from around £260.

Official confirmation of all of this could come from Sony's Gamescom press conference in Germany on August 18. It might not either. We'll let you know.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com....php?id=220741

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Sony's PlayStation 3 Slim to debut August 18th at Cologne gamescom?

August 4th, 2009, 19:51 Posted By: wraggster

Whoa, Nelly! No sooner than we hear that Sony is informing Japanese retailers that the 80GB PS3 model won't be shipping any longer after August 8th, along comes this to stoke the raging rumor fires once more. In a one-two punch that just can't be coincidental, Sony has also hacked $50 off of its 160GB PlayStation 3 bundle from Amazon. But really, it's the report from RTLinfo that has us most excited. According to it, the Sony elite are informing European retailers of an impending €100 price slashing on the 80GB console, which will dovetail nicely into the sudden and not-at-all unexpected debut of the PS3 Slim at the gamescom expo in Cologne, Germany. Reportedly, the willowy unit -- which shouldn't differ much in terms of specifications and features -- will be properly introduced to the world during Sony's pre-event press conference on August 18th. Obviously we've no way to confirm or deny just yet, but given everything else that has transpired over the past few months, we'd say an official reveal is definitely due. What say you, rumormongers?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/04/s...ologne-gamesc/

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Sony doubles PS3 production, fuelling price drop speculation

August 4th, 2009, 19:57 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has ordered enough parts to make one million PlayStation 3 consoles in the third quarter of this year, according to reports from the Far East where the majority of the console's components are manufactured.

The figure is double the number made in the last three months, said The Telegraph, picking up on a story reported by DigiTimes. A fact that has prompted further speculation Sony is about to launch a cheaper, slimmer version of the PlayStation 3.

Some industry watchers predict Sony will make an announcement at this year's GamesCom event in Cologne, at which the company has confirmed it will hold a three-hour press conference.

The news follows the revelation PlayStation 3 manufacturing costs have dropped 70 per cent since the console was first launched - a figure confirmed by Sony Corp CEO and executive vice president Nobuyuki Oneda during an investor call late last week.

Earlier today, it was also noted online retailer Amazon has cut the price of the PlayStation 3 160GB bundle by USD 50 for its US consumers.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...op-speculation

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Xebra 04-08-2009

August 4th, 2009, 21:14 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://emu-russia.net/en/

Japanese Sony Playstation emulator has been updated. Changes:
- GPU:MoveImage was fixed.

http://members.at.infoseek.co.jp/DrHell/ps1/index.html

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PS3 Slim to Cost 260 GBP?

August 4th, 2009, 22:35 Posted By: wraggster

You might have thought you'd heard the last of the PS3 Slim stories – well tough luck, because the torrent of rumours is unlikely to cease until this year's GamesCom.

UK broadsheet The Telegraph is rumouring that the slim-line SKU is to be announced at the Cologne show later this month – and is as bold as to detail some of the console's specifics.

The PS3 Slim, according to the report, is to come in 40 GB and 80 GB flavours, with a price point starting at around 260 GBP (which translates as 440 USD at the current exchange rate – though with the unique exchange system employed by the videogame industry, expect it to come in well below that figure if The Telegraph's musings are true).

That would mean that the new system would undercut the existing PS3 model, which currently carries a 299.99 GBP price tag.

The Telegraph cites the ramping up of production of PlayStation components in the Far East as potential evidence for the new console. If you're sick of all the PS3 Slim rumours, you'd be well advised to stick your fingers in your ears and keep them there for the next two weeks.

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/101/1010513p1.html

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Jpcsp v0.3 rev.1128 - PSP Emulator for Windows

August 4th, 2009, 22:44 Posted By: wraggster

The Jpcsp Team have released a new version of the Java PSP Emulator for Windows, heres whats new:

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Wipeout HD Loading Ads Scrapped After Uproar

August 5th, 2009, 16:56 Posted By: wraggster

After Monday's story about intrusive, loading-screen ads being retroactively added to the PSN racing title Wipeout HD, the popular uproar has indeed succeeded in getting Sony to pull them. You can put your pitchforks down; your voice has been heard! A Sony spokesman said, 'The ad has been removed from Wipeout HD and we are investigating the situation to ensure that any in-game advertising does not affect gameplay.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/0...d-After-Uproar

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Riccitiello: EA will support Natal and PS3 motion tech

August 5th, 2009, 17:05 Posted By: wraggster

Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello has said the company is "positive" on the opportunities offered by both Microsoft's Natal and Sony's motion controller, stating the company will support both.

"We're really positive on both," said the exec during a call to investors following the release of EA's Q1 financials.

"Our view is that motion-based gaming is something that is both going to drive install base, drive interest and drive growth. We’re positive overall."

He added: "We’re planning to support both. We haven’t yet announced our plans to do so, but we shall do so in the right time-frame for that, which is likely to be early-to-mid-2010."

Riccitiello's comments, reported by VG247, follow recent rumours Natal will be released towards the end of 2010. Sony's motion controller is scheduled for spring 2010.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...s3-motion-tech

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Sony announces specs for 2TB Memory Stick XC

August 5th, 2009, 17:07 Posted By: wraggster



Looks like those Sony 2TB memory sicks we warned you about way back in January are finally coming to pass, and Sony Insider has dug up the details. As appearing on Sony's oss-formats.org site, the Memory Stick XC keeps the current form factor for memory sticks (most likely these guys will be backwards compatible) with the XC series (XC Duo, XC-HG Duo, XC Micro (M2 XC), XC-HG Micro (M2 XC-HG)) using the exFAT file system, and the PRO series (including the PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo, Micro (M2), HG Micro (M2-HG)) using the tried and true FAT12/16/32. Memory freaks can thrill to the specifications for the new class after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/s...mory-stick-xc/

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Trademark Claims Sony Is Working On A PlayStation Rewards Program

August 5th, 2009, 17:30 Posted By: wraggster

According to a recent trademark for P.S. Thanks, probably short for PlayStation Thanks, it seems that way. The trademark filed by Sony Computer Entertainment is for use with an “incentive rewards program” which identifies and motivates the top consumer base.

There are a number of ways Sony could incentivize their customer base. They could hand out points for each item purchased and reward frequent buyers with PlayStation products sort of like Club Nintendo. Or they could quantify top players by skill via trophies and reward them. The latter seems less likely since they’re targeting the “top consumer base” or in other words top purchasers.

What kind of prizes could Sony offer? Games seem likely, but if such a program exists Sony will probably throw in a few mega prizes. Last year Sony rewarded their fans in Southern California by passing out E3 invites at their PlayStation Blog meet up.

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/08/05...wards-program/

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Trademark Claims Sony Is Working On A PlayStation Rewards Program

August 5th, 2009, 17:30 Posted By: wraggster

According to a recent trademark for P.S. Thanks, probably short for PlayStation Thanks, it seems that way. The trademark filed by Sony Computer Entertainment is for use with an “incentive rewards program” which identifies and motivates the top consumer base.

There are a number of ways Sony could incentivize their customer base. They could hand out points for each item purchased and reward frequent buyers with PlayStation products sort of like Club Nintendo. Or they could quantify top players by skill via trophies and reward them. The latter seems less likely since they’re targeting the “top consumer base” or in other words top purchasers.

What kind of prizes could Sony offer? Games seem likely, but if such a program exists Sony will probably throw in a few mega prizes. Last year Sony rewarded their fans in Southern California by passing out E3 invites at their PlayStation Blog meet up.

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/08/05...wards-program/

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PCSX Rerecording 0.1.1

August 5th, 2009, 19:24 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://emu-russia.net/en/

Sony Playstation emulator for Windows has been updated. Changes:
- Lua scripting.
- Fixed a possible cause of desync in GPU_writeDataMem; only seen when frameskip was enabled (for ex. with Fast Forward). As a side effect of this, - - Fast Forward is now ~25% slower.
- Screenshots are now taken correctly and they get saved as PNG.
- Added "-lua" command line option.
- Added "Maximum Speed", "Run Lua Script", "Stop Lua Script" and "Reload Lua Script" hotkeys. They will need to be remapped if you've used previous versions of PCSX-RR.
- Various minor improvements in the "-RR" code.
- My computer gets 10% slower due to the "pcsx.exe.manifest" file, so it doesn't come within the release archive anymore. You may want to remove it from your PCSX-RR folder too if you have a slow system.

http://code.google.com/p/pcsxrr/

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SCEA Announces Limited Edition Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack

August 5th, 2009, 21:19 Posted By: wraggster

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced the availability of the new Limited Edition Hannah Montana PSP (PlayStation Portable) Entertainment Pack. Specifically designed for the fashion-forward "tween," the Limited Edition Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack includes the new "Lilac" PSP-3000 system, Disney Interactive's Hannah Montana: Rock Out The Show video game, three Hannah Montana episodes on UMD (Universal Media Disc), a 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, and fashionable vinyl stickers to customize the PSP system for $199.99 (MSRP).

"The gaming world has traditionally been a male domain, but today we're seeing more and more female gamers, particularly on portable devices," says John Koller, SCEA's Director of Hardware Marketing. "While SCEA has a broad range of PSP owners from under 12 to over 45 years old, we saw a tremendous opportunity for us to connect with the female and 'tween' demographic and create a PSP system that girls will love. The new Limited Edition Hannah Montana PSP Entertainment Pack plays a central role in SCEA's larger 'Girlz Play Too' initiative and we're committed to bringing a steady stream of female-friendly content to consumers."

As part of SCEA's "Girlz Play Too" marketing initiative, a highly targeted television, print and digital campaign focused on female gaming will appear throughout the fall. In addition, SCEA has launched a "Girlz Play Too" specific Web destination (www.girlzplaytoo.com) in which girls can discover and explore all of the multimedia features available on the PSP system.

With PSP games such as Ubisoft's Petz line, MTV Games' Rock Band Unplugged, LittleBigPlanet PSP and Buzz! Quiz World making their way to shelves this year, girls and women alike can enjoy a broad range of fun, pick-up-and-play games on the PSP system. The PlayStation Network offers more than 200 downloadable games, such as Patapon 2, Flow and Echochrome, which appeal to female gamers with more on the way. In addition, the PlayStation Network's video delivery service enables PSP owners to choose from 2,000 movies and 10,500 TV shows for everyone in the family, giving PSP users access to download their favorite video content directly onto their PSP system.

http://uk.psp.ign.com/articles/101/1010716p1.html

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PSARDumper 5.50 - Decrypts a part of the 5.50 firmware

August 5th, 2009, 21:25 Posted By: wraggster

News via redbullPSP

The PSARDumper of Dark_AleX has been updated so that decrypts files from 5.50 firmware. However, not all decrypts, because we did not reverse engineer the files containing the keys of the firmware, the truth, we do not believe that what we will do and we understand that there are websites, people, ... that have already completely decoded.

Download Here --> http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XHOL5VFW

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G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra UMD Includes & Requires PSP Firmware 5.55

August 5th, 2009, 21:30 Posted By: wraggster

News via psphacks

Perhaps this update will never see the light of day, whether that be from Sony’s website or via Network Update; however, G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra UMD comes pressed with firmware 5.55, much like IdolM@ster SP and 5.05. Currently, as confirmed in the below video, 5.55 is required to run G.I. Joe. But really, we all know that’ll be hacked/bypassed in due time.

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PSP Go to include voucher for Rock Band Unplugged demo

August 6th, 2009, 19:53 Posted By: wraggster

Do you like Rock Band Unplugged? Do you like ... buying a new PSP? If so, you'll be pleased to hear this. According to Destructoid, Best Buy's PSP Go listing mentioned a free voucher for a download of Rock Band Unplugged. If it was in the listing, it has since been removed. We've contacted Sony to determine the truth of this rumor.

If this turns out to be true, then the PSP Go won't cost $80 more than a PSP -- it'll just cost $50 more than a PSP Rock Band Unplugged Entertainment Pack, which sounds better. The existence of a current PSP/Rock Band bundle makes this more plausible, as well.

Update: Looks like the PSP Go will only be bundled with a Rock Band Unplugged demo -- not the full game, as seen by this image from thatgamecompany's forums.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/06/ru...and-unplugged/

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PCSX Rerecording 0.1.1a

August 6th, 2009, 20:38 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://emu-russia.net/en/

Sony Playstation emulator for Windows has been updated. Changes:
- Fixed the Lua scripting function "joypad.set".

http://code.google.com/p/pcsxrr/

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Jpcsp v0.3 rev.1129 - PSP Emulator for Windows

August 6th, 2009, 22:20 Posted By: wraggster

The Jpcsp Team have released a new version of the Java PSP Emulator for Windows that plays some commercial games for the PSP, heres whats new:

Rev 1129: Avoid "ArithmeticException: / by zero" when packetSize is 0

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[Release] Chicken Invaders by Kairus101 06/08/2009

August 7th, 2009, 00:37 Posted By: kairus101

[Release] Chicken Invaders by Kairus101 06/08/2009



Chicken Invaders
Version 1
Release Date 06/08/2009
By Kairus101




Summary:
This is very close to the original chicken invaders for computer, im trying to make an exact clone.


Requirements:
you NEED custom firm ware.

Installation:
Place the Chicken Invaders folder under X:/PSP/GAME/

Download:
ZIP: DOWNLOAD( 1.37 mb )

Kairus101

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Konami reissuing old PlayStation 2 games

August 7th, 2009, 21:53 Posted By: wraggster

Konami has confirmed to Eurogamer that it is reissuing old PlayStation 2 games to shops, as suspected by one of its readers.

"They are proper reissues," a spokesperson told our sister site. "Konami has put them out at budget price because of demand. They are re-manufactured. They are ours."

Those PS2 games are Suikoden Tactics, Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner, Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. And they will soon be joined by Silent Hill 2, 3 and 4.

"We've manufactured certain amounts depending on the title," the spokesperson added, "and they're being bought by wholesalers so will likely pop up in independent rather than chain stores."

The games will be priced between GBP 10 and GBP 20, according to the source.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...tation-2-games

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Sharp's AQUOS DX2 HDTVs don't need any help to burn Blu-ray discs

August 8th, 2009, 10:19 Posted By: wraggster



So, Sharp, you introduced the world's first HDTV line with integrated Blu-ray players last year, what are you going to do next? Only naturally, the Japanese lineup of DX2 series one-ups the original DX by adding Blu-ray recording as well. It doesn't appear that these pack the LED backlighting of the new X-Gen based displays headed our way this fall, so for now buyers will have to make do with the 15,000:1 contrast ratio shared with the other D-series televisions. Still, the big deal here is that the 1080p (52-, 46- and 40-inch) and 720p (32- and 26-inch) displays will burn up to 30 hours of HD video on dual-layer Blu-ray discs, by way of transcoding and compressing to MPEG-4 format without any messy external boxes or wires. The price range from ¥170,000 ($1,740) at the low end to ¥480,000 for the largest size when these ship September 15 but don't count on seeing them on this side of the Pacific (or the Atlantic.)

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/07/s...-blu-ray-disc/

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Looks Like Sony Is Going To Roll Out PSP Firmware 5.55 Soon

August 8th, 2009, 10:26 Posted By: wraggster

Just got a build of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona and it came with brand spankin’ new firmware. The disc had a mandatory update to PSP Firmware 5.55.

The last public update was PSP Firmware 5.51, which came out in June. Shin Megami Tensei: Persona comes out in September, which probably means Sony has plans to release new firmware in North America real soon.

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/08/07...ware-555-soon/

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Will all PS3's stop working?

August 8th, 2009, 16:53 Posted By: wraggster

As a user of games, I was already worried about what I'm going to tell you, but since Friday July 31, and I'm not worried, because my PS3 to death, and I collected information from the last 2 weeks over 14 cases equal to mine.

The all powerful Japanese company Sony has sinned, and not for the first time, to build and sell hardware with an expiration date.


Because if once the first units of PlaySation 1 killed by an error in the power supplies, and PlaySation 2 stopped reading discs, now the new PlaySation 3 suffer a design error that condemns that sooner or later all PlaysSation 3 will be stop of work.

This bug has a name YLOD (Yellow Light of Death), the name given by the community of Internet users to an error that is roughly the same error that occurred in the Microsoft Xbox 360 (in this case known as RROD, acronyms Red Ring of Death in Spain known as the 3 red lights).

As we said, this error is the same as that of Microsoft, both in cause and effect, whether the machine that Microsoft error occurred by a mistake coming to overheat leading to the death of the system after short-circuiting desoldarse partially integrated into the system from Sony is about the same result, although there are differences as they occur.

The death of the system in the X360 could produce (and this was in a high percentage of the occasions on which it was presented), after continued use of the system, and in poorly ventilated places, bringing temperatures climb to the temperature critical error, which usually occurred within the warranty period of the system, as Microsoft discovered its error, in addition to assuming his guilt, served with an unusual sense, and should be common practice, increasing the security of system to 3 years which cover a large percentage of these RROD and compensating those who had to pay to repair your money back from repair, and as I said the error is no longer present in new models of Microsoft (at least for those causes).

The demise of the PS3 has a different way that seems almost deliberately to stay out of warranty. Apparently, the cooling system of the PS3 is far better than the Microsft, which limits the sudden death by a high number of hours of gameplay, but does not eliminate the problem, but merely delay it.

In the PS3 to reach a certain temperature, make a slight curvature of motherboard of the system, and make a slight separating what would be the cooling system of the processor (the appointed as Cell BE) and graphics card, it's come to this point where the PS3 has the hours, then finish with the same error as the X360

The main difference is that the best system of ventilation, the most compelling PS3 takes about 2 years to experience this error, with a average use of the system (2 years and 4 months, with 10 hours of game viewing or video a week in my case), and then the PS3 system are outside the warranty .

What Sony has yet to assume his guilt and isn´t providing an extended warranty, because that clearly is an error in the design and manufacture of the system (the Internet community is large and includes engineers, technicians and experts that they arrive at this conclusion, i don´t say source, you only look at your favorite Internet browser to find it).

And what is even worse, if Sony not recognize this error, and they have not announced yet whether this problem has been corrected in later models, it's likely that all PlayStation 3 that are being sold will have the same problem.

I hope that these paragraphs discharges here to make Sony take their share of guilt and to stop these errors, which in my particular case I have to buy another system (in Spain leaves the repair of 230 € with 1 years warranty PS3 now costs € 330 with 2 year warranty, of course I prefer to take a further year by paying € 100 more), and in the past I payed over 600 euros for PS3, and since then I bought about 50 games for her and 10 Blue-Ray movies, which otherwise would no longer enjoy.


Sincerely, Allen Schezard, PSN Id: Schezard.

NOTE: This text is based on personal research conducted, and browsing through hundreds of websites or speaking English or Spanish to find a solution to the failure of my PS3, which has guided me to the view that there is definitely a design problem .

http://streetskaterfu.blogspot.com/2...p-working.html

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Sony Producing New PS3 Hardware, Slim Appears Likely

August 9th, 2009, 12:23 Posted By: wraggster

The Opposable Thumbs blog reports on a confluence of rumors and information leaks that suggest Sony will be unveiling a PS3 Slim sooner rather than later. Despite waning console sales, orders for PS3-related hardware have risen sharply. There's evidence to suggest that Sony is phasing out its 80GB model, which would help clear the way for a hardware revision. Some expect the official announcement to come as early as August 18th, during the gamescom expo in Germany.

http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/0...Appears-Likely

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PCSX Rerecording 0.1.2

August 9th, 2009, 22:54 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://emu-russia.net/en/

Sony Playstation emulator for Windows has been updated. Changes:
- Eliminated the major cause of desyncs that could occur when rerecording.
- Added a few hotkeys for Ram Search.
- Fixed the dialog title for WIN32_LuaRunScript().

http://code.google.com/p/pcsxrr/

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GSdx v.0.1.15 SVN R.1611 07.08.09

August 9th, 2009, 22:57 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://www.aep-emu.de/

Gabest has released a new version of GSdx.

GSdx is a great GPU plugin for PCSX2 and PSone Emus. It supports DirectX 9 and DirectX 10.

http://forums.pcsx2.net/thread-3031-page-1.html

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Jpcsp v0.3 rev.1131 - PSP Emulator for Windows

August 10th, 2009, 00:40 Posted By: wraggster

The Jpcsp Team have released a new version of the Java PSP Emulator for Windows that plays some commercial games as well as homebrew.

Heres whats new:

r1131: Implemented screen rotation
r1130: Added discId to State class.

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Nanodesktop: Corona Installer 1.5.0.132

August 10th, 2009, 00:43 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

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Medal of Honour Exploit on Firmware 5.55

August 10th, 2009, 00:44 Posted By: wraggster

Take a looky at this:

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LedOff v1

August 10th, 2009, 00:49 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

darkpuma user of our forum, issues a useful plugin to automatically turn off the LED power supply, loading and Memory Stick Wi-Fi.
LedOff without using shortcuts, simply activate the Recovery Menu.
A note and follow the link to download.

Notes:

Quote:

Installation:
- Connect your PSP via USB.
- Go into the folder "seplugins" (If there is no createla)
- Copy the file Led_Off.prx
- Add the line

ms0: / seplugins / LED_Off.prx

VSH.txt the file if you want the LED goes off in XMB.
GAME.txt the file if you want the LED goes off while you play.
GAME150.txt the file if you want the LED goes off and run homebrew on 1.50.
POPS.txt the file if you want the LED goes off while using PSX games.

Note: You can also activate the plugin in more than one mode.

- Turn off the PSP
- Riaccendetela hold down R to enter the Recovery Menu
- Go in the "Plugins"
- Activate all entries "LED_Off.prx" (Enabled = Enabled, Disabled = Off)
- Go to Back
- Go to Exit to return to dashboard

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PCE for PSP v0.82a2 - PC Engine Emulator for PSP

August 10th, 2009, 00:52 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

New update for PCE for PSP, the PC Engine emulator for PSP was developed by an unknown Japanese coder. The program comes as the version 0.82a2.

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STuning V1

August 10th, 2009, 01:15 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from EsTuArT

Hi everyone =). Today I bring you my first homebrew. It is nothing of the other world, is just for flashing the psp resources. (Waves, battery icon, volume bar ...) It works only in the CF 5.50 MHU / Gen
This homebrew is involved in the SceneryBeta 2009. I hope their support if he is pleased this application. More information in the README.

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Turn!it

August 10th, 2009, 01:21 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from Preyker

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PSP Action Replay Converter 0.31

August 10th, 2009, 01:26 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from raing3

PSP Action Replay converter is a simple application designed to convert the code file of PSP Action Replay into CWCheat or nitePR format. This application is currently only capable of converting ~80% of codes correctly to CWCheat format so I need as much help as possible as I am stuck with some of the more complicated codes. Any help would be much appreciated through the forums, a private message or an e-mail.

The changes made in version 0.31 are
Added: PSPAR to nitePR conversion to PC application.
Fixed: Side-by-side configuration error in

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DaedalusX64 Alpha Revision 427 - Nintendo 64 Emulator for PSP

August 10th, 2009, 01:42 Posted By: wraggster

Kreationz has posted a new alpha version of the Nintendo 64 Emulator for PSP, heres the release notes:

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New GPS Application - AVEC

August 10th, 2009, 15:53 Posted By: Art

Hi Guys,
This is an announcement/teaser type thread for an upcoming release.
It's a vector mapping GPS application for the PSP.
It uses a readily available map format which I'll keep quiet about for now.

Obligatory screenshots:







The above screenshots are topography of Mt Barney National Park (Australia).
Street maps are also supported:





The above are two screenshots above Canberra (Australia) at different zoom levels.

I also hope to have a ??Playable?? demo released very soon with biult in map for testing.
Cheers, Art.

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Toshiba applies for BDA admission, Blu-ray players and laptops coming soon

August 10th, 2009, 16:44 Posted By: wraggster

We'd already heard that Toshiba -- the outfit best known for solidly backing HD DVD during the two-year format war of the early 21st century -- was preparing to swallow its pride and kick out a Blu-ray player by the year's end, but now it's official. The outfit just announced moments ago that it has "applied for membership of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and plans to introduce products that support the Blu-ray format." Sadly, Tosh doesn't bother to mention exactly what kinds of BD-capable wares it hopes to produce, nor is it ready to disclose product launch time frames. We'd tell you exactly how it wants us to just be patient and all, but you're probably better off hearing it directly from the horse's trap:
"In light of recent growth in digital devices supporting the Blu-ray format, combined with market demand from consumers and retailers alike, Toshiba has decided to join the BDA. Toshiba aims to introduce digital products that support the Blu-ray format, including BD players and notebook PCs integrating BD drives, in the course of this year. Details of the products, including the timing of regional launches, are now under consideration. We will make announcements in due course."

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/t...and-laptops-c/

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French retailer claims PS3 Slim is real, will be €100 cheaper

August 10th, 2009, 18:59 Posted By: wraggster

French media site JVN contacted an anonymous retailer, revealing supposed details of the most-likely-real PS3 Slim. According to the source, the PS3 Slim is very real, and is planned to launch in Europe next month for €300, a discount of €100 over the current Phat model. The source then says the console may be officially announced at Gamescom, taking place a little over a week from now.

While the authenticity of the source's information can't be verified, it seems increasingly likely that the PS3 Slim is real. Considering Gamescom is the European equivalent of E3, we're certain Sony will be making some kind of big announcement -- but will it be a price-reduced PS3 Slim? Stay tuned for more.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/fr...e-100-cheaper/

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SingStar Queen

August 10th, 2009, 19:11 Posted By: wraggster

Newly released today



features
Featuring over 20 iconic tracks such as, ‘Another One Bites the Dust’, ‘We Are The Champions’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Under Pressure’ and many more hits by rock legend Queen
Including Solo and Freestyle, plus several multiplayer modes including Pass the Mic, Battle and Duet. Compete against your friends and family to see who has the best chance at singing stardom

track listing
Another One Bites The Dust
Bohemian Rhapsody
Breakthru
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Don’t Stop Me Now
Fat Bottomed Girls
I Want It All
I Want To Break Free
Innuendo
One Vision
Play The Game
Save Me
Somebody To Love
These Are The Days Of Our Lives
Tie Your Mother Down
Under Pressure
We Are The Champions
We Will Rock You
Who Wants To Live Forever
You’re My Best Friend

description
Grab a mic and put your spin on some of the greatest rock hits of all time with SingStar Queen! With over 20 authentic music videos, you and your friends can perform like musical rock stars. Get the party going with songs, such as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘We Are The Champions’ and many more.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3hlf.html

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SingStar Queen

August 10th, 2009, 19:12 Posted By: wraggster

Newly released today



features
Featuring over 20 iconic tracks such as, ‘Another One Bites the Dust’, ‘We Are The Champions’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Under Pressure’ and many more hits by rock legend Queen
Including Solo and Freestyle, plus several multiplayer modes including Pass the Mic, Battle and Duet. Compete against your friends and family to see who has the best chance at singing stardom

track listing
Another One Bites The Dust
Bohemian Rhapsody
Breakthru
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Don’t Stop Me Now
Fat Bottomed Girls
I Want It All
I Want To Break Free
Innuendo
One Vision
Play The Game
Save Me
Somebody To Love
These Are The Days Of Our Lives
Tie Your Mother Down
Under Pressure
We Are The Champions
We Will Rock You
Who Wants To Live Forever
You’re My Best Friend

description
Grab a mic and put your spin on some of the greatest rock hits of all time with SingStar Queen! With over 20 authentic music videos, you and your friends can perform like musical rock stars. Get the party going with songs, such as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘We Are The Champions’ and many more.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3det.html

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Battletoads Double Dragon: The Revenge (Version 3)

August 10th, 2009, 20:25 Posted By: wraggster

MadGear has posted a new beats of rage mod for the PSP, heres the release details:



Here's the final version of Battletoads Double Dragon: The Revenge. It's still not playable on the Dreamcast. You can play it on the PSP though.


Version 3 has many new features:


- Choose from the Battletoads(Rash, Zitz and Pimple) and the Double Dragons(Billy and Jimmy)
- Boss Rush
- Stage Select
- Altered title screen
- Altered 'Character Select' screen
- New 'Stage Complete' screen
- New 'High Score' screen
- Added a part in Mission 2 with new music
- Including the soundtrack as a separate file
- And many more.

There's no blood in this game. The "comical" things are still there and the guns too.

Enjoy.


MadGear

Download over at lavalit --> http://lavalit.com:8080/index.php?ac...pmod;dl=get289

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edgbla's cdrBlade 0.10

August 10th, 2009, 20:30 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://emu-russia.net/en/

First version of CDR plugin for Sony Playstation emulators by Russian author has been released. Main features:
- nice cd image selection dialog;
- subchannels support (sub/sbi/m3s);
- ppf support;
- CDDA support;
First version lacks mds files support.

http://forum.emu-russia.net/viewforum.php?f=28

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Yabause 0.9.10 (PSP) - Sega Saturn Emulator for PSP

August 10th, 2009, 20:41 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://emu-russia.net/en/

Yabause's authors released a Sony PSP port of their Sega Saturn emulator.

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Origins Player Episode 10

August 10th, 2009, 21:19 Posted By: wraggster

News via devfr

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Red and Blue PS3 Controllers Hitting Next Month?

August 10th, 2009, 23:36 Posted By: wraggster



It looks like those red and blue Playstation 3 controllers may be arriving a bit earlier than expected.

The two controllers were said to be arriving sometime in October when we caught a gander at them, but a photo from Gamestop seems to show that the two will be hitting on Sept. 22.

And just in case you forgot, Sept. 22 is two days before the official start of the Tokyo Game Show. Sounds like perfect timing for a press conference.

http://kotaku.com/5334165/red-and-bl...ing-next-month

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AVEC Demo Release - Vector Map GPS Navigator

August 11th, 2009, 12:18 Posted By: Art

AVEC Demo Release



Hi Guys,
Here is the demo release of AVEC GPS Vector Map Navigator,
although GPS navigation is not supported in this demo version,
the user can zoom and pan the map with the Dpad and analogue joystick.

YouTube Video Demonstration:


YouTube Demo Video (GPS Version In Development) :


Please read documentation, and intro screen instructions.
Demo program comes with two open source maps to test the program with.
Cheers, Art.

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£10k grants on offer for PSN projects

August 11th, 2009, 18:49 Posted By: wraggster

Digital developers are being offered the opportunity to compete for grants of GBP 10,000 to create content for Sony's PlayStation Network.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe will host a three-day pitching event in October, in conjunction with Pixel-Lab and Northwest Vision, with successful companies awarded the grant, executive production and mentoring with SCEE, as well as the chance to take the project further and pitch to XDev Studio Europe.

It's the second year of the Get in the Game commissioning project. Two of last year's successful pitches are currently in consideration at Sony.

"It was reassuring to see a commitment of public funding like this from Northwest Vision & Media and it's clearly helped the teams involved strengthen their skills in many areas," offered Phil Gaskell, senior producer at XDev Studio Europe. "I'm confident we'll be taking some of the ideas generated through this initiative to market."

Toby Barnes, managing director of Pixel-Lab added: "We were really pleased with the final quality of the pitches last year, the teams had made huge leaps in terms of understanding the commissioning process, their audiences, and what was expected of them.

"We are really looking forward to this year’s new entrants and are expecting the bar to be even higher."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...r-psn-projects

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£10k grants on offer for PSN projects

August 11th, 2009, 18:49 Posted By: wraggster

Digital developers are being offered the opportunity to compete for grants of GBP 10,000 to create content for Sony's PlayStation Network.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe will host a three-day pitching event in October, in conjunction with Pixel-Lab and Northwest Vision, with successful companies awarded the grant, executive production and mentoring with SCEE, as well as the chance to take the project further and pitch to XDev Studio Europe.

It's the second year of the Get in the Game commissioning project. Two of last year's successful pitches are currently in consideration at Sony.

"It was reassuring to see a commitment of public funding like this from Northwest Vision & Media and it's clearly helped the teams involved strengthen their skills in many areas," offered Phil Gaskell, senior producer at XDev Studio Europe. "I'm confident we'll be taking some of the ideas generated through this initiative to market."

Toby Barnes, managing director of Pixel-Lab added: "We were really pleased with the final quality of the pitches last year, the teams had made huge leaps in terms of understanding the commissioning process, their audiences, and what was expected of them.

"We are really looking forward to this year’s new entrants and are expecting the bar to be even higher."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...r-psn-projects

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downPSP v2.18

August 11th, 2009, 23:33 Posted By: Unicorn



Via SceneBeta.com.

carlosgs has just released a new version of downPSP, which is coded in C now. With this awesome application, you will be able to download (and install) into your PSP hundreds of homebrews, without using a PC. And dont worry, you can use the integrated search engine to look for the Homebrew that you need. You will also be able to explore your Memory Stick (rename or detele files, view PNG images, txt files...) and in the future we could even check our Gmail account...And even more: downPSP autoupdates itself from the Internet every time that a new version is released.

downPSP uses psp.scenebeta.com's database to download and install the Homebrews. Despite you see that the picture is in Spanish, downPSP has been translated into English.

Controls:

• X select/view/change (only in the config menu)
• O back
• Triangle search (in homebrew list and in filebrowser)
• Square rename file (in filebrowser)

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PSP Rubik's Cube v2.2

August 12th, 2009, 00:46 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

The coder EXTER releases an update for the PSP Rubik's Cube, homebrew game that will bring your PSP on the classic Rubik's cube. The program comes as version 2.2
More to follow.

Changelog v2.2:

Quote:

- The vision of 36 ° is now the default
- Fixato a bug that caused a freeze of the game when the PSP was put on standby while the menu was shown for the new cube
- New cubic

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European PS3 Video Store details to be revealed at GamesCom

August 12th, 2009, 16:28 Posted By: wraggster

Details of the European PlayStation 3 Video Store will be revealed at next week's GamesCom, SCEE has confirmed on its PlayStation blog.

Responding to user enquires in a post, European PlayStation Store manager Angela Madronero stated: "We will be making an official announcement regarding our forthcoming Video Store next week, at GamesCom!"

The promised announcement will be the first Sony has made on the Video Store since the Games Convention in Leipzig last year, when it said the European version of the US Movie Store would launch this year.

"At Games Convention in August last year, we announced that we had a long-term plan to launch a video on demand service for some countries in the SCEE region," Madronero said.

"This is still our plan, and as soon as we have all the details locked down, one of my colleagues who is working on the programme will give you an update on when and what will be available."

GamesCom will take place in Cologne from August 19 to 23 at which Sony is set to hold a three hour press conference.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ed-at-gamescom

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PS3 awaits price cut as stock is suspended

August 12th, 2009, 16:30 Posted By: wraggster

Rumours and speculation have been rife for many weeks now, but MCV can reveal that Sony is clearing PS3 hardware stock from the UK ahead of what is expected to be a new price point introduced from early September.
A press conference at the Gamescom event in Cologne next Tuesday (August 18th) is expected to provide details of the price cut – and possibly the launch of the rumoured redesigned PS3 Slim.



http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...k-is-suspended

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UK retailers report PS3 shipment cutoff

August 12th, 2009, 19:15 Posted By: wraggster

Two anonymous retail spokespeople in the UK have reported that PlayStation 3 supplies from Sony have dried up, possibly in anticipation of this month's GamesCom and a future announcement therein. "Sourcing PS3 stock has been a challenge for the last two to three weeks," one source told MCV. Evidently, the retailers have been told that further shipments would not be coming until late August or early September.

We can only speculate about the reason -- you may expect the next shipment of PS3 systems to make it to retail to be Slim, or a cheaper model; however, given recent history, we're going to conjecture that Sony is planning to release a new model with a higher price, and doesn't want to waste any more time building the "cheap" systems.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/12/uk...ipment-cutoff/

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If Only There Were PS2 Games On The PSN...

August 12th, 2009, 19:34 Posted By: wraggster

Do you dream about things? We don't. Dreaming is for dreamers. We prefer to spend our spare time thinking merely of things that should be, but are not.

Which is where these new kind of Kotaku posts come in. If you see a post tagged "Let's Fantasy", that's exactly what it is: fantasy. An idea, a mock-up of something that we think should exist, but for whatever reason, does not.

Today? Today it's PlayStation 2 games on the PlayStation Store. With the launch of a new dashboard yesterday, we're reminded that Xbox 360 owners have at their fingertips not just a catalogue of current generation games, but a selection of downloadable games from the previous hardware generation as well.

And while there are some good ones on the list, playing old Xbox games via download isn't that big a priority, since most of the original discs still work in the 360. But the PlayStation 2, well, take a look at that selection up there. With most PS3's lacking backwards compatibility - and packing at least 60GB of hard drive space - a store selling classic, downloadable PS2 games would turn Sony a tidy profit.

http://kotaku.com/5335524/if-only-th...mes-on-the-psn

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PSN Game Delays

August 12th, 2009, 19:36 Posted By: wraggster

PAL customers often have a hard time of it. Delays, higher prices, that sort of thing. So Sony Europe have taken the time to pull up a chair, have a little chat, try and explain some of that stuff.

On the topic of delayed games - particularly those on the PSN - Sony's Angela Madronero says that when it comes to first-party titles, "We know how important this is to you, and I hope that you've seen an improvement in synchronised, worldwide releases over the past six months".

A fair point. But a lot of user rage isn't directed at first-party titles, it's focused on third party titles, Super Street Fighter II HD's agonising delay being a great example. On that topic, Madronero has a refreshingly honest, up-front explanation:

The decision about whether and when to release a game for sale is in the hands of the individual publisher (companies like Capcom, EA, Konami, Ubisoft, etc.).

In the same way that the publisher decides when to launch the disc version of a game, they also decide if and when PlayStation Network content is made available.

There are many reasons why our third party partners may not be able to launch content in one region on a particular time/date; this may be due to technical glitches, digital rights issues, localisation requirements etc. So the issues are a little more complex than may first appear.

We know that there is a lot of frustration when content is released on one store but not another. I can confirm that from a PlayStation Store point of view, we are committed to supporting our third party partners in bringing as much content as possible to the European Store.

In other words, you got a problem with a PSN game delay, you take it up with the publisher. That or the fact there are so many languages in Europe. But, yeah, probably best to start with the publisher.

http://kotaku.com/5335373/sony-europ...blishers-fault

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PSN Game Delays

August 12th, 2009, 19:36 Posted By: wraggster

PAL customers often have a hard time of it. Delays, higher prices, that sort of thing. So Sony Europe have taken the time to pull up a chair, have a little chat, try and explain some of that stuff.

On the topic of delayed games - particularly those on the PSN - Sony's Angela Madronero says that when it comes to first-party titles, "We know how important this is to you, and I hope that you've seen an improvement in synchronised, worldwide releases over the past six months".

A fair point. But a lot of user rage isn't directed at first-party titles, it's focused on third party titles, Super Street Fighter II HD's agonising delay being a great example. On that topic, Madronero has a refreshingly honest, up-front explanation:

The decision about whether and when to release a game for sale is in the hands of the individual publisher (companies like Capcom, EA, Konami, Ubisoft, etc.).

In the same way that the publisher decides when to launch the disc version of a game, they also decide if and when PlayStation Network content is made available.

There are many reasons why our third party partners may not be able to launch content in one region on a particular time/date; this may be due to technical glitches, digital rights issues, localisation requirements etc. So the issues are a little more complex than may first appear.

We know that there is a lot of frustration when content is released on one store but not another. I can confirm that from a PlayStation Store point of view, we are committed to supporting our third party partners in bringing as much content as possible to the European Store.

In other words, you got a problem with a PSN game delay, you take it up with the publisher. That or the fact there are so many languages in Europe. But, yeah, probably best to start with the publisher.

http://kotaku.com/5335373/sony-europ...blishers-fault

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Hong Kong Game Mag Puts "PS3 Slim" On Cover

August 12th, 2009, 19:59 Posted By: wraggster



The upcoming issue of Chinese publication Game Wave features an image of a very "slim" looking PS3, along with a blurb that says the console is debuting at the end of next month.

http://kotaku.com/5335562/hong-kong-...slim-on-cover-[update]

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Crytek: We've Not Seen the Best of PS3

August 12th, 2009, 20:32 Posted By: wraggster

Former Free Radical developer - now MD at Crytek UK- Karl Hilton has been speaking to Develop about the failings of Haze and the future of PS3.

One of the main things (if you exclude dull game-play and rather obvious story) that lead to the failure of the game were, "technical issues. The PS3 is a powerful machine but a difficult one to get the best out of", this meant that the developers "spent more time trying get the game running properly and less time to design the game properly".

So, will Crytek ever touch the PS3 again? Sure it will. "I don’t think we’ve seen the best out of the PS3 at all,” added Hilton, “and I definitely think one of the best things about Crytek and the CryEngine is that we’re now in the best position to get the most out of the Hardware.

http://news.spong.com/article/18888/...he-Best-of-PS3

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eLoader through the exploits of Medal of Honor Heroes?

August 12th, 2009, 20:57 Posted By: wraggster

News from PSPita

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Atari800 PSP version 2.1.0.1 released - Atari 800 Emulator for PSP

August 12th, 2009, 21:00 Posted By: wraggster

Uberjack has released a new version of the Atari 800 Emulator for PSP:

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Daedalus X64 rev.428 - Nintendo 64 Emulator for PSP

August 12th, 2009, 21:41 Posted By: wraggster



Kreationz has posted a new alpha version of the Nintendo 64 emulator for the PSP:

Heres whats new:

- Around 10 games more will use DoubleDisplay
- Implemented custom microcode: DLParser_TexRect_Last_Legion
- Moved S2DEX defines to gspS2DEX.h
- Minor changes

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M.A.G Beta Test Application Invites Sent Out

August 13th, 2009, 05:26 Posted By: DPyro

Looks like Zipper Interactive is readying their next PS3 game for launch, as they have sent out emails to various people inviting them to apply for the beta. Here's a sneak peak at the application form.

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Sony understands "frustration" of Euro PS Store delays

August 13th, 2009, 16:11 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has said that it understands the frustration of consumers in Europe who have to wait for titles already released digitally in the US and Japan via the PlayStation Store.

However, the staggered releases of games from third-party publishers is not something Sony has any control over, said Angela Madronero, European PlayStation Store manager.

"The decision about whether and when to release a game for sale is in the hands of the individual publisher. In the same way that the publisher decides when to launch the disc version of a game, they also decide if and when PlayStation Network content is made available," she wrote on the official PS blog.

"We know that there is a lot of frustration when content is released on one store but not another. I can confirm that from a PlayStation Store point of view, we are committed to supporting our third party partners in bringing as much content as possible to the European Store."

Madronero added that there are multiple reasons for delaying content in different regions, including technical glitches, digital rights issues and localisation requirements.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...s-store-delays

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Future Publishing closes PlayStation World magazine

August 13th, 2009, 16:12 Posted By: wraggster

Future Publishing has confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that it has closed PlayStation World magazine.

The title, produced in Future's London office, was launched in September 1999 and formed part of Future's acquisition of Computec Media in 2003. ABC results published in February this year put sales figures for the magazine at 24,118 - which was a rise from 21,826 over the six month period.

However, the title had long been in competition with Future's other unofficial PlayStation magazine, PSM3, which recorded an ABC of 26,202 during the same period.

James Binns, publishing director of Future’s games portfolio said: "It’s always incredibly sad when we close a title as established as PSW, but the decision was taken in response to decreasing demand.

"By focusing our efforts on Official PlayStation Magazine and a single independent PlayStation title in PSM3, we can strengthen our position in delivering the number one and number two print titles in the sector.

"We continue to invest in our traditional print brands, but games is a rapidly changing sector, so our portfolio needs to constantly evolve to meet the needs of consumers in a vibrant and diverse market."

A statement from Future confirmed that one member of the magazine's team has already been redeployed within the business, while it is in consultation with four other staff affected by the closure and looking for opportunities to reposition them within roles across its Bath and London offices.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...world-magazine

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Modder hacks PSP for DualShock 2 control, proves kids aren't worthless

August 13th, 2009, 17:29 Posted By: wraggster



Okay, so there's at least a sliver of a chance French modder Flasheur got his inspiration from an eerily similar mod last year that involved Sony's PlayStation Portable and an original DualShock controller, but hey, progress is progress. This time around, we're looking at a rather dashing blue PSP and a DualShock 2, and while the actual modding process looks to have taken a different route (three connections on the rear versus one on the side), the end result is the same. Bliss. Pure bliss. Hop on past the break for an entirely-too-lengthy video demonstrating the hack in action, and hang tight for a DualShock 3 iteration to surface in 5, 4, 3...

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/13/m...ids-arent-wor/

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PSPgo: New firmware, new connections

August 13th, 2009, 18:38 Posted By: wraggster

Sony's PSPgo is set to launch with a firmware upgrade featuring new options and tweakables. Expect a full video reveal in a forthcoming Eurogamer TV show, along with fuller hands-on, but in the meantime, check out this complete technical readout of the new, fully armed and operational PlayStation Portable. The pre-release sample of the new hardware arrived with an unreleased firmware revision: 5.70. This may or may not be the system software that ships with the retail unit coming on 1st October, but either way it seems certain new firmware is part of the launch. Regardless, 5.70 does feature a number of changes over the current 5.51 operating system, albeit somewhat slight. Not surprisingly, it's the Settings area of the XMB that gets the lion's share of the changes:
Network Update is now listed as System Update, but, curiously, has the same options.
Video Settings obviously doesn't have the first four UMD-related toggles.
System Settings now has a "Your Birth Date" option (second from top), and a "Display Panel Close Option" toggle, which allows you to set it to either "Standard" (goes to a clock graphic) or "Enter Sleep Mode". Also "Battery Information" seems to be gone, as do UMD-related options, but there's a "Format System Storage" option in addition to the usual Memory Stick format option.
Power Save Settings loses the "Backlight Auto-Adjust" option for some reason.
There's a new "Bluetooth Device Settings" entry, which consists of a toggle for switching Bluetooth on and off and a "Manage Bluetooth Devices" entry.
All other elements of the XMB are identical to the current 5.51 firmware, aside from a new "System Storage" folder similar to the "Memory Stick" one, which, as you might imagine, allows access to the PSPgo's internal flash storage. Hooking up the PSPgo to a Mac via USB, we find that the total available storage available to the user is 14.74GB, formatted in the FAT32 configuration (hence introducing a 4GB file-size limit - unlikely to be a concern to any PSP user). All this gives the PSPgo a marginal memory edge over a 16GB iPod Touch (mine comes in at 14.64GB total capacity). We also measured file transfer times via USB, to the internal flash memory and also to the M2 memory card, using a 699MB file (715,647KB). The M2 transfer came in at 93 seconds, while the copy to the internal flash drive took 95 seconds, so effectively there's next to nothing in it. What is intriguing is that Sony has opted out of using a conventional USB cable format on the new handheld. The PSPgo itself uses a wider, thinner connector for the console, terminating in the standard USB connector. So, similar to the iPhone and iPod Touch, it's proprietary cable time. It also appears as though Sony has moved away from the old AV port that debuted on the PSP-2000 - there's a common-or-garden 3.5mm stereo jack connection for headphones only, not the more traditional extended interface with its support for external remotes and the like. Since the video output settings are still on the XMB, our guess is that Sony is indeed following Apple's lead by consolidating all connections into that new wider, thinner interface, which we strongly suspect will form the basis for an iPod-style dock. All very nice, but it once again emphasises that this is something of a clean break from the old PSP hardware - not only will your UMDs not work, but your component cables are now obsolete in the new order, as are your Memory Sticks: PSPgo uses the newer, smaller, M2 format as found in a number of the Sony Ericsson mobile phones. In terms of other interesting information we picked up... well, we're going to assume that the final production PSPgo hardware won't allow you to flash the firmware with a system update designed for the older handhelds. Bizarrely, the sample apparently does, which resulted in a rather snazzy-looking brick once the PSPgo's previous trustees (who shall remain nameless) had finished with it - a side effect of which is that the rather intriguing-looking Gran Turismo demo included on the flash drive didn't work by the time the unit arrived in our possession, which - as you can imagine - we were really happy about... On the plus side, the hard disk was loaded with a number of other demos, including office favourites WipEout Pulse and Ridge Racer 2, and we'll be commenting on how those feel on the new hardware, and doing our usual tour around and impressions of its exterior and how it works, in next week's hands-on and EGTV Show.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/di...out-blog-entry

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Latest Harbingers Of The Impending PS3 Slimpocalypse: British Retail

August 13th, 2009, 18:44 Posted By: wraggster

Boy, these PS3 Slim rumours are really building up a good head of steam, no? We're averaging one good rumour a day on them, the latest being a fairly sensible one, courtesy of British retailers.

According to trade site MCV, British retailers are currently in the process of "clearing PS3 hardware stock from the channel", with two "leading national retailers" telling the site that there'll be no more PS3 shipments until September.

When, presumably, there will be new shipments. Shipments of a newer, slimmer PS3.

If you're wondering when we'll stop posting these rumours, Sony's GamesCom press conference is next week, and it's widely expected the new machine will be unveiled there. That's when we'll stop.

http://kotaku.com/5336180/latest-har...british-retail

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Haze Developers Say PS3 Technical Issues Impacted Game Design

August 13th, 2009, 18:46 Posted By: wraggster

Free Radical Design's Haze was not a good game. After being delayed multiple times, the futuristic first-person shooter landed with a thud. Part of that can be attributed to the developer's struggle coming to grips with PlayStation 3 hardware.

It's not an unfamiliar story, but one that may explain why the former TimeSplitters devs faltered with Haze. Free Radical co-founder Karl Hilton, now at new home Crytek UK, explains to Develop how "technical issues" affected the final product.

"We hit a few stumbling blocks on it that meant we spent more time trying get the game running properly and less time to design the game properly," Hilton says, lamenting that Haze "wasn't the game it should have been."

Hilton's still up on the PS3, though, despite Haze's critical and commercial performance. He calls Sony's platform a "powerful machine but a difficult one to get the best out of."

And believe it or not, his new employers will get the best out of it, Hilton says.

"We know the PS3 can do amazing things, and no one has pushed it as far as it can go, but I think the CryEngine gives us a great head start on it," he says.

Blame the hardware, if you want. Blame the developer if that makes you feel any better. Me? I'm blaming Korn.

http://kotaku.com/5336188/haze-devel...ed-game-design

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Sony Enhancing PSN Trophy Bragging Online

August 13th, 2009, 18:47 Posted By: wraggster

PlayStation 3 owners with a thirst for Trophy collecting are likely familiar with the above. It's the old way of seeing your PS3 e-accomplishments online, something Sony is planning to update with enhanced PlayStation Network Trophies feature on PlayStation.com.

What's changing? The ability to view more detailed info on your Trophy collection online for one thing. Sorting, Trophies comparison against friends and enemies, and a better PlayStation Network Portable ID for three more things.

Eric Lempel, director of PlayStation Network Operations, lays it all out for you.

My Trophies collection is nothing to brag about, so don't expect to see me flaunting my PSN Portable ID around the web.

When can we expect all this? Later this week, according to Lempel.

http://kotaku.com/5336125/sony-enhan...ragging-online

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Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny Bundled With Hannah Montana PSP

August 13th, 2009, 19:04 Posted By: wraggster

Sony Computer Entertainment Korea made a PSP bundle pack specifically for Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny. Out of all the colors in the PSP rainbow they could have picked SCEK went with… lilac purple.

Yes, that’s the same PSP color Sony selected for the Hannah Montana PSP pack which came out here a few weeks ago. Maybe there was excess stock. Maybe lilac is Ivy’s color. Who knows?

Either way, it’s a pretty absurd choice. Siegfried Silver, Nightmare Black, even the God of War PSP would have been more fitting since Kratos is a guest character. This soon to be obscure collectable costs 285,000 won ($230).

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/08/13...h-montana-psp/

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Hold+ v4.0

August 13th, 2009, 22:06 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

The coder Torch Releases Update to Hold + plugin useful to preserve battery life, which leads to version 4.0
More to follow.

Changelog v4.0:

Quote:

- This release is a fix for those who have broken the Hold button. Now when the Hold switch is enabled, the PSP is in Hold mode until the switch is not turned off.
- Removed the Display OFF mode

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PS3 stock drying up in UK and Japan

August 14th, 2009, 16:06 Posted By: wraggster

A lack of PlayStation 3 stock in retail channels is more evidence that Sony intends to reveal a redesigned console and possible price cuts, according to analyst Michael Pachter.

Speaking to VG247, Pachter said that Japanese and UK channels are drying up, with orders on hold until the end of the month.

"The retail commentary I’ve seen has come out of the UK. We heard Japanese retail a few weeks ago say they weren’t going to be getting any more PS3s after August 8, and now we’re starting to hear UK retail say they cannot re-order PS3s until month-end," detailed Pachter.

"And that suggest there’ll be a model change."

Joining other industry watchers, Pachter points to next week's Gamecom event as the likely location for a big reveal from Sony, during its press conference to be held on Tuesday evening. As well as price cuts, a 'PS3 Slim' is also expected.

He added: "If Sony’s practice is the same as it was in the past, and the Slim is more of a redesign of the components to drive down cost, then I think we will get a price cut."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...n-uk-and-japan

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PSPgo games could be cheaper than iPhone titles

August 14th, 2009, 16:09 Posted By: wraggster

Sony is planning to set the price of PSPgo games at a similar level to iPhone titles - at one, two and five euros.

That's according to a report by Pocket Gamer, suggesting that the low pricing could provide consumers with an incentive to buy the new EUR 249 hardware, which has been derided by some industry watchers as too expensive.

It would also lower the entry barrier for developers, allowing smaller studios scope for releasing games onto the Sony console.

Indeed, the site also reports Sony has been actively encouraging iPhone developers to port their existing titles to PSN, although it will still be imposing formal requirements as well as a two week QA testing period on games submitted before they are allowed for release.

These stringent checks would fit with comments previously made by SCEA director of PSN operations, Eric Lempel who recently spoke out to say that PSN wouldn't be going down the same route as the App Store.

"I want to make sure we uphold the quality of games on PSN; that doesn't mean they can't be shorter or quirky but we don't want to see a bunch of little things that don't quite make sense or provide a good experience," he stated, saying that users would expect a higher quality experience on a games focused device like PSPgo than they do on something that is primarily a mobile phone.

Sony will actively control the release schedule for games too, said the report - an involvement that should prevent the network flooding with too many titles.

Over 50 developers have so far been signed up to produce content for digital distribution via PSN ahead of the new PSPgo's launch on October 1, said the site.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...er-than-iphone

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Valve continues to snub ‘complex’ PS3

August 14th, 2009, 16:14 Posted By: wraggster

Gabe Newell insists the developer is not trying to break the ice with Sony’s powerhouse
Washington-based indie giants Valve has confirmed it will not be developing for the PS3 in the near future, continuing the company’s long-established disagreement with Sony.
Two years ago Valve co-founder Gabe Newell criticised the PS3, claiming that development investment in the hardware offers “no long-term benefits”.
“You're not going to gain anything except a hatred of the architecture they've created,” he said at the time.


It seems that Newell is persisting with this view. A Kotaku report unearths Newell’s interview with GTTV, in which he is asked whether the developer is trying to make strides with PS3 development.


“No. Not in any real way,” replied Newell.

Back in July, Valve’s Left 4 Dead 2 project lead Tom Leonard explained why the group continues to focus on the PC and Xbox 360:


“The PC and the 360 are just more straightforward,” he said. “We can focus on what we want to do, which is make game experiences, instead of sweating bullets over obscure architectural decisions they make with [Sony’s] platform.”

http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...ub-complex-PS3

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European retailer hacks €100 from PlayStation 3 in run-up to gamescom

August 14th, 2009, 17:32 Posted By: wraggster

f you know anything about European retailer Fnac, you know it's not the go-to place for bargains. However, it's this very outlet that's now selling an 80GB PlayStation 3 bundle (which includes the console, a single controller and inFamous) for €100 less than its "everyday low price" as of yesterday. Of course, one major French retailer slashing the price on a system that's long overdue for a break isn't reason in and of itself reason to believe anything's on the horizon, but pair this up with everything else we've heard over the past few weeks, and we'd say all the vague omens are pointing to a leaner, cheaper and altogether more dashing PS3 on August 18th. In our magical fantasy land, anyway.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/14/e...run-up-to-gam/

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[RELEASE] Little Big Folders Animated CTF Theme (5.00/5.03/5.50)

August 14th, 2009, 21:32 Posted By: Mr. Shizzy

OK. I was going to update another one of my old themes, and decided instead to create something all new. I was surfing the net and found a beautiful MAC theme called Little Big Folders. After figuring out how to extract the icons from a ".icontainer" file on Windows; Little Big Folders on the PSP was born.

Then upon nearly finishing the theme ZiNgA gave me a chance to pre-alpha test a new .rco tool that's being developed called "rcomage". (It's not released yet, so please don't bug him for it...) I knew right then and there, that the new abilities this tool allowed - was going to have to be included. So I went back to the drawing board on theme that already was maxing out PSP memory, and somehow squeezed more into it.

CREDITS:
* busy signal & clicksounds - Schmilk
* battery - j64 and dmise
* volumebar - Vegetano1
* 5.50 visualizers - Vegetano1
* Photo Album Icon - 8t8love
* Little Big Folder Icons - Maximilian Larsson
* RCO Edit & rcomage - ZiNgA BuRgA

* You can view these credits, and additional Thanks in the "About PSP" in XMB
* You can find the original Little Big Folders Theme for MAC here: CLICK HERE

Well, that's it for now. Hope people enjoy this theme.

EDIT - A couple of quick notes:
- You can switch the waves completely off, in xmb theme settings, by switching xmb background to "classic"

- The 5.00 M33 & 5.03 GEN versions do have PHOTO/MUSIC sub folder support.
No video sub folder support though, because it causes freezing for people who use certain .MP4 videos...

~ Shizzy

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Patent says: PS3 just wants to see you laugh

August 15th, 2009, 10:51 Posted By: wraggster



Like any self-learning sentient world-destroying super-computer, PS3 just wants to understand human emotion. One of the crazier patents discovered by Siliconera reveals Sony's plans to put a real emotion engine into the PS3. The example above highlights the system's ability to detect laughter, but that wouldn't be all the PS3 would be able to feel. The patent notes other emotions: sadness, excitement, anger, joy, interest, and boredom.

We're not entirely sure the gaming applications of a system like this (and clearly, neither does Nintendo). We can hypothesize a few scenarios. Perhaps if a game detects boredom, it can increase the number of enemies on screen. If it detects anger, the difficulty can go down. And finally, if it detects sadness, it'll tell you to just please stop playing Lair.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/15/pa...see-you-laugh/

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PCEP 0.82a3 - PC Engine Emulator for PSP Released

August 15th, 2009, 15:59 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://emu-russia.net/en/

TurboGrafx-16/PCEngine/CD emulator for Sony PSP has been updated. Changes:
- fixed bug which prevented screen magnification.

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GSdx v.0.1.15 SVN R.1617 13.08.09

August 15th, 2009, 16:00 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://www.aep-emu.de/

Gabest has released a new version of GSdx.

GSdx is a great GPU plugin for PCSX2 and PSone Emus. It supports DirectX 9 and DirectX 10.

http://pcsx2.dyndns.org/index.php#GSdx

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[WIZ] [GP2X] [GP32] [etc] 10 Day Craptastic Coding Competition

August 15th, 2009, 16:09 Posted By: wraggster

News from Nova

Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to introduce the openXile 10-Day-Craptastic-Coding-Contest. (Or the 10DCCC if you wanna be smart about it)

Featuring fabulous prizes, your task is to code the most interesting game or application in the ten day time slot. We aren't looking for a work of art, just something that can keep our attention for more than a few minutes.
Platforms include, but aren't limited to:

Wiz, GP2x, GP32, DC, PSP, GBA, etc

Find out more at http://openxile.co.uk/crap

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Unencrypted SPU Binary Found

August 15th, 2009, 17:05 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://streetskaterfu.blogspot.com/2...ary-found.html

When I was bored yesterday I dealed with HDD decryption again and looked through the game folders on the decrypted HDD. The Def Jam: Icon USA Demo seemed interesting as it only works on US consoles. While looking for the answer I noticed a folder dj3-ps3-opt in /USRDIR/spu/. In there are several files like elf_sputhreads_apply.bin. I opened some files in a simple HEX editor and noticed that the files are not encrypted.

Aswell it looks like a binary. It does not have the default binary header used by SPU .self files compiled with the SONY PS3 SDK. It may be compiled with a third party compiler or with the IBM Cell SDK. I did not check that, yet. Well, come back to check for updates regarding the research!

- SKFU

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Compix Games

August 15th, 2009, 18:04 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from benja135

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ExtremeLink v1.6.2

August 15th, 2009, 18:07 Posted By: wraggster

News via PSPita

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Wagic, The Homebrew v0.8.1

August 15th, 2009, 18:10 Posted By: wraggster

News via PSPita

The coder wololo release an update to Wagic, ported to the PSP known card game Magic The Gathering, which brings us to version 0.8.1.
Then the full changelog and download link.

Changelog v0.8.1:

Quote:

- Over 1,000 new cards. The total exceeds 3100 hours
- Wagic now supports the rules of Magic 2010
- Some improvements related to the rules of the game
- Two new game modes to unlock: Evil Twin and Random Mode
- The expansion must now be released first so that then are available in the shop
- Improvements related to the player's deck: remove the limit of five decks, you can also rename the deck so that it is easier to find
- Added a deck for those who want to begin playing without your deck
- Improvements to I and a new deck: Soldiers
- Improved the shop
- Fixati some bugs related to cards
- Improved memory usage and some bugs fixati

Download Here --> http://wololo.net/wagic/

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Preview Contents Hidder v1

August 15th, 2009, 18:13 Posted By: wraggster

News via PSPita

The coder Total_Noob releases the first version of Preview Contents Hidder, plugin that allows you to not see the files in the XMB ICON0.PNG, ICON1.PMF, PIC0.PNG, PIC1.PNG and SND0.AT3 of UMD, ISO, Homebrew and saves the order to speed up loading the dashboard.
More to follow.

Installation:

Quote:

- Copy the file hidder.prx in ms0: / Seplugins
- Add the string ms0: / Seplugins / hidder.prx 1 to the text file VSH.txt
- The file hidder.txt you can configure to your liking the plugin

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PCSX2 v.0.9.6 SVN R.1637 VC10 Beta 16.08.09 - PS2 Emulator for Windows

August 16th, 2009, 22:22 Posted By: wraggster

News via http://www.aep-emu.de/

Gabest has released a new version of PCSX2 VC10. This version was compiled with Visual C++ 2010 Beta 1.

All changes there are, as always in the extended text.


Quote:
Changelog:
GSdx: corrected recording code.

r1633
pcsx2: fixed some msvc++ compiler warnings

r1632
microVU: - Fixed a bug from r1630 (it was breaking SO3 and probably some other games)

r1631
microVU: minor cleanups

r1630
microVU: Implemented some undocumented stuff which lets Champions Return to Arms get in-game. The game still looks ugly, I´m not sure if its problems are gsdx or pcsx2. zeroGS just renders a black screen which it no help xD Note: I still need to optimize this fix.

r1629
microVU: minor changes

r1628
wxgui: Begin work on some missing panels for the pcsx2 config dialog.

r1627
Fix a silly mistake I made in naming functions in Tags.h.

r1626
Disable vsync when going from "limit" to "skip" framelimit mode.

r1625
A bunch of IPU.cpp now uses Tags.h. Ironed out a few things in Tags.h.

r1624
wxgui: * Major cleanups and improvements to the Threading namespace. * Created CoreEmuThread class framework, which currently runs the EEcore, IOP, and VUs with threadsafe suspension, reset, and resume features.

r1623
Link in Tags.h, use one of my new enums in various places, and move some code in IPU.h to a new function of it´s own.

r1622
Added some tag code in I was fiddling with. (Nothing uses it yet. I mainly wanted a backup of what I was working on.)

r1621
microVU: - Cleaned up microVU_Compile - Added file microVU_Branch

r1620
forgot to set function level linking..., that trims more unused code and dlls deps, any good revision number ahead to reach?

r1619
doh, so many missing files

r1618
missing project files

r1617
vs2010 project files for pcsx2 (plugins later)

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Jpcsp v0.3 rev.1142 - PSP Emulator for Windows

August 16th, 2009, 22:59 Posted By: wraggster

The Jpcsp Team have released a new version of their Java PSP Emulator for Windows

Heres whats new:

Rev1132-1138: callback branch
Rev1139: SasCore: moved some messages to DEBUG level
Rev1140: Added file header.
Rev1141: Implemented Java Native code for some Allegrex code patterns
Rev1142: Performance improvement for games storing compressed textures in VRAM

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Report: PSP apps for €5 and under

August 17th, 2009, 11:21 Posted By: wraggster

Sony's price points for the upcoming PSP app store are lower than those used on iTunes, according to a report.

Pocket Gamer claims that games and applications will go on sale for €1, €2 or €5.

The app store, confirmed and detailed last month, will have "no concept, approval, cheaper tools, shorter QA processes and lower available prices" according to Sony developer relations man Zeno Colaço.

Pocket Gamer reckons the quality assurance process will take just two weeks.

Speaking behind closed doors at E3, Sony said that it was approaching developers about bringing their games to the service, and that one of the first to get involved is Subatomic Studios, which is producing a version of its iPhone tower defence game Fieldrunners for the PSP.

The platform holder is set to introduce the app store to the press at gamescom in Cologne later this week, and it may also feature during tomorrow's Sony press conference, which starts at 5.30pm BST / 6.30pm CET.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/re...or-5-and-under

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PS3 Slimpocalypse Advances into Sweden

August 17th, 2009, 11:24 Posted By: wraggster

The PS3 Slimpocalypse continues to play out like an establishing sequence from V: The Final Battle or something. "The world trembles at rumors retailers are told to clear off stock. Sightings are reported in the U.K., Germany, and now Sweden."

That Video Game Blog notes that the PS3 Slim has shown up on Swedish online retailer Discshop's site. It carries the following notation:

Efter många rykten verkar det nu som att det verkligen kommer en liten version av Playstation 3 i höst. Informationen kopierad från discshop.se! Beställ före 16.00. Leverans nästa dag. Passa på att bevaka nu så att du inte blir utan när vi öppnar upp bokningen!

Mer information kommer så fort vi fått mer bekräftat om den nya mindre Playstation 3 maskinen.

Which means:

After many rumors, it appears now that that is really a small version of the Playstation 3 this autumn. Take the opportunity to watch now, so you will not be without when we open up the booking! Information is taken from the disc shop.

More information will be as soon as we got more confirmation on the new smaller PlayStation 3 machine.

As I've said, I wish Sony would hurry up and put this thing out so we can get done with the PS3 Slim fakes and half-assed rumors. Of course, then we'll be on to XBox 360 Slim fakes and half-assed rumors. Or more fakes and rumors about console price drops.

But I do think Sony should give a free console to the GAFfer who provided that fake user-made image. It's done more than its share to tee up hype for this product.

http://kotaku.com/5338530/ps3-slimpo...es-into-sweden

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VidZone: PS3 beating online and broadcast music rivals

August 17th, 2009, 11:25 Posted By: wraggster

The PlayStation 3 music video on demand service, VidZone, is proving more popular than online and broadcast TV rivals, claims its co-founders, with music labels flocking to the service to see their artists covered by the growing format.

And speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz, VidZone Digital Media has revealed that part of an aggressive expansion will involve adding commerce to the service and rolling it out into new territories.

"In terms of the music we're receiving for the service we're getting offered a number of world premiers of music videos ahead of MTV, MSN or Yahoo," said Louisa Jackson, director of marketing for VidZone.

"We had to approach the major record labels to begin with but now it's a case of labels coming back to us and saying 'okay, how can you lead the music video strategy for the new music release of our artists?'. Which is really exciting because we've gone from watching a music video on TV to watching online, to a console where you're watching both online and in a broadcast environment simultaneously."

"By both gaming and music industry standards it's been a phenomenal success," she added.

The videogame business is once again taking the music industry into new, profitable markets, something that started with real artists featured on game soundtracks, and lead to projects like DJ Hero, which features an entirely exclusive soundtrack of remixes and mash-ups from producers and DJs.

"That's a key point with exclusives because the record labels have really seen the success of the VidZone platform and the scale of it," added Michael Russo, director of new business development. "And it's proving itself by the number of exclusives that we're being offered over other platforms, including TV."

Latest figures from VidZone put the number of music videos at 13,000, with over one hundred million views, and Russo admits the company is pushing to grow those numbers rapidly. "We have quite an aggressive roll-out strategy and we would expect the numbers to increase quite rapidly over the next six to twelve months," he said.

Although keeping plans under wraps, it's likely there will be commerce elements added to the service, although watching videos on demand will remain a free service on the PlayStation 3.

"We'll make some announcements in the near future about a number of different services and elements we're going to be adding. Some of which revolve around more paid for items associated with music," confirmed Russo. "We are exploring opportunities about interacting with other music related products around the music video. Whether they are available free or are charged is still being debated."

Although VidZone is operated by an external company, Sony still has close involvement in the service. An update in September will add new features, including viewing videos in 16 x 9 format, improved search functions and remote keyboard support – all of which have been requested by users.

Sony would eventually like to grow the service around the PlayStation 3 consumer, in a similar way to its thriving online SingStar and Buzz communities.

"It would be great to built the whole community aspect, if you look at SingStar and Buzz, it would be great if we could harness that within VidZone," offered Clare Sandford, European product manager for VidZone at Sony. "Whether it's the ability to share playlists with your friends or watch videos with your friends and make comments, there's plans to enhance it."

The success of the service caught Sony by surprise, admits Sandford, but it was always a project that was going have difficult comparisons compared to more traditional videogames.

"It was difficult to have expectations because it's kind of unprecedented," she said. "It's our first real music service so it's difficult to benchmark against other things. We've had other non-game music initiatives on a smaller scale but largely the only other thing we looked at which is a free application and service was Home. It was difficult to assess how well it would do.

"On the one hand it was interesting see what the reaction would be from the community by producing a non-game service and whether we should be actually putting money more into games rather than these features. But on the other hand with a free application there's that expectation that if it's free people will download it for at least a look. We're really happy with how it's done."

While the service is only currently available in a handful of European countries and Australia, expansion to other regions is a priority for VidZone.

"We will make some announcements shortly about territory expansion. There are plans to do that, but I can't comment any further," concluded Russo.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...t-music-rivals

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Sony patents reveal emotion recognition software

August 17th, 2009, 11:26 Posted By: wraggster

Sony Computer Entertainment America has filed patents for software which is able to recognise emotions, including, laughter, sadness, joy, anger and boredom.

Uncovered by Siliconera, the patents are not limited to home consoles, although artwork filed by Sony depicts a PlayStation 3 and Bravia TV.

The patents may be related to Sony's PlayStation 3 motion-tacking technology, first revealed at E3 this year, which follows player movement and can detect facial expressions as well as spatial recognition.

The technology also sounds similar to Microsoft's Project Natal, and in particular Lionhead's demo of Milo and Kate – software that as well as following movement, can detect emotional responses through facial and voice recognition.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ition-software

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C-Intro for 5.50 GEN

August 17th, 2009, 20:13 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

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RESIDENT EVIL 2 - The Last Survivor (in stereoscope 3D)

August 17th, 2009, 20:24 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from rpgfaker

Well after 2 weeks of working on this I thought some of you might like to mess around with this little Alpha Build I put together. If you don't have the Solid Eye from Metal Gear AC!D 2 you will not be able to play in 3D. Hope you enjoy this little sample.

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DimTheLights v.55

August 17th, 2009, 20:25 Posted By: wraggster

News/release from Jake

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PSP/DS Coders - Get Your Neoflash Entries in, Only 3 days to Go

August 17th, 2009, 22:29 Posted By: wraggster

To all those PSP and DS Coders you have 3 days to get your submissions into the coding competition over at Neoflash and have the chance of winning some prizes, hopefully some coders who come from DCEmu will enter and win

Get posting your entries here --> http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index....ard,126.0.html

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PS3 price drops begin

August 17th, 2009, 22:47 Posted By: wraggster

Asda leads the charge with £250 offer for 80GB machine and two games in-store
Ahead of the anticipated PS3 price cut (and/or the possible unveiling of a PS3 Slim) announcement at Sony’s Gamescom conference tomorrow, the discounting of PS3 hardware on the UK High Street has begun thanks to national supermarket Asda.
As of today the retailer is offering what is described as a ‘limited promotion’ on 80GB machines, which offers the hardware plus two games for just £250 – that’s £50 less than the current UK RRP.
The store contacted by MCV was offering a bundle including recent game Terminator: Salvation and inFamous, though others are claiming that a number of mix-and-match titles are available as part of the promotion including Ghostbusters, LittleBigPlanet, Killzone 2 and Resistance 2.
Whether this is a discount in-line with Sony’s announcement tomorrow or an effort to clear stock ahead of the possible release of the PS3 Slim is yet to be seen.
MCV will be covering Sony’s Gamescom briefing as it happens – make sure you’re here from 18:00 tomorrow night.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/35420/PS3-price-drops-begin

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DSonPSP v0.2C beta by Yoshihiro

August 17th, 2009, 23:43 Posted By: Sektor

Yoshihiro has released an updated port of a Nintendo DS emulator for Sony PSP. It's still too slow to be playable and won't run all games but it's better than the previous attempts. It is based on DeSmuME v9 core. It has a file browser, frame skip, vertical/horizontal display option and a few other settings.

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Link: gtamp.com/PSP

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MacroFire v3.0.4

August 18th, 2009, 00:37 Posted By: wraggster

News via pspita

The coder ClassG updates its plugin macrophytes, prx that lets you store more keys combos and execute them by pressing just one of them. Macrophytes can also modify the sensitivity of analogue and set the autofire for a key.

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Slim Pickings: The story of the fabled PS3 Slim (so far)

August 18th, 2009, 03:13 Posted By: wraggster

Judging by the hundreds of reader-submitted tips we've received in August pointing to "totally conclusive evidence" of the existence of a slimmer, sexier version of Sony's home console, we think it's safe to say that PS3 Slim pontification has reached a fever pitch. As video game news conduits, we've frequently been forced to gaze into this swirling maw of speculation in an attempt to gin the might-be-reals out of the most-assuredly-fakes.

One of the prevailing pieces of gossip regarding the hardware is the moment of its unveiling: Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. EST, during Sony's GamesCom press conference. Before we arrive at that potentially auspicious hour, we're going to look through the brief annals of the PS3 Slim's history, analyzing the big pieces of evidence, debunking the obvious mockups, and interpreting data from a poll we conducted over this past weekend.

If you're looking for a "final word" on the subject, you'll find none here. That's for tomorrow's Sony presentation to determine -- or depending on which way the tides of fate turn, to obfuscate even further.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/17/sl...3-slim-so-far/

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AVEC V1 - GPS Vector Map Viewer

August 18th, 2009, 05:02 Posted By: Art

Hi Guys,
Here is my application entry for the Neoflash coding competition.
Since there are no other entries yet, it looks like I'm first so far.
If you like it, please do whatever crap you gotta do to vote here:
http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index....ard,126.0.html

AVEC V1 GPS Vector Map Viewer for PSP (1.50 Kernel Version)





AVEC is a Vector map viewer capable of displaying and navigating maps
in the common Polish format maps.
This 1.50 kernel version can also receive location from a GPS device and
display your location on the map.
If the map file has street information, the program tells you what street
you are in, or lookup the name of a street selected with the crosshair.

YouTube Videos:



See my personal AVEC webpage:
http://www.freewebs.com/defxev/AVEC.htm

The download link in this post is for the 1.50 kernel mode version with GPS functionality.

Cheers, Art.

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PS3 price cuts appear in print, must be real

August 18th, 2009, 10:35 Posted By: wraggster



As the story goes, a Kotaku reader just received these PS3 posters into the FYE shop where he works. You'll notice that the "new low price" is augmented with a "while supplies last" disclaimer indicating what could be a close-out on the 80GB (soon $300, reduced from $400) and 160GB ($400, reduced from $500) PlayStation 3 models. More evidence, perhaps, that a PS3 Slim announcement is imminent -- even as soon as today's Sony presser at the Cologne Gamescon Expo that kicks off at 12 noon ET or 1800 for those of you on Central Europe time.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/p...-must-be-real/

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PlayStation Network conveniently down for maintenance during Sony's press conference

August 18th, 2009, 10:36 Posted By: wraggster

There's something very peculiar about Sony bringing down the PlayStation Network for "maintenance" today from noon until 2:00PM ET. Not only is that timeframe somewhat prime gaming hours for North America and Europe -- and arguably Asia, too -- but it also happens to coincide perfectly with the company's press conference at the gamescom expo in Cologne, Germany, the rumored site for the PS3 Slim's official debut and a price cut for the original. We've no doubt that Sony's got a handful of major announcements lined up for the event, revised console or no, and we wouldn't be surprised if the online store played into that somehow. Of course, the timing of the maintenance could all be some big coincidence, but if you ask us, the chances of that are pretty, well, slim. If we're really lucky, maybe Sir Howard Stringer will come out and explain that laughter-tracking patent.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/18/p...ce-during-son/

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ASDA drops 80GB PlayStation 3 price to £250

August 18th, 2009, 10:40 Posted By: wraggster

ASDA has begun offering the PlayStation 3 at a new low price - a move that adds further credence to reports an official price drop will be announced by Sony at its Gamescom press conference being held this evening.

The retailer is now offering the 80GB console, with the film Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines on Blu-ray and the game Terminator Salvation, as well as either Ghostbusters The Game or Infamous, for GBP 250. A spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz this morning that the offer would continue until stock ran out as Sony was thought to be discontinuing the model.

Several European retailers - in France and Sweden - have also dropped their PlayStation 3 prices over the last week.

Speculation has been mounting over an official price drop for the console, as well as the unveiling of a new slim PlayStation 3 model. Announcements are expected at a press conference being held by Sony in Cologne this evening, which also - it has been revealed - coincides with the PlayStation Network being taken offline for maintenance between 5-7pm BST.

With Sony also expected to make announcements about its improved PSP store at the conference, speculation is mounting an update could be put into place as the conference happens.

Sony also unveiled a Game of the Year edition of LittleBigPlanet today, which will launch across North America on September 8. The game will include 18 user-created levels commissioned especially for the pack, as well as interviews with their makers.

Currently there's no news on a European release for the game.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...3-price-to-250

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Portable Bubble v2.0.0

August 18th, 2009, 11:41 Posted By: wraggster

Gefa has posted an entry into the Neoflash Summer 2009 Coding Contest:



Nickname: Gefa
Project name : Portable Bubble
From : Italia (Italy)
Division : PSP GAME
Original entry : YES
Support Motion : NO
In last NEO Compo this project have won in the top 10 : NO

Description:
Portable Bubble is a Puzzle Bobble clone for PSP.
It has some interesting features, like the possibility to create new levels. Besides, you can download new level set connecting your PSP online. Simply, from the main menu go to "Download", select an access point where to connect and then with the D-pad select the level set you want to download.

By default, Portable Bubble contains three level sets, for a total of 120 levels.
The first, "default_levels", is directly taken from Frozen Bubble.

Little explanation of the main menu:
Start Level Set: From here, after to have choosen the level set, you select the level you want playing
Random Here: Play a randomly generated level!
Download: Download new level sets from the Internet
Exit: Exit from the game.

## Portable Bubble changelog

v1.0.0
- First public release.

v2.0.0
- Added two background musics (thanks to sakya);
- Now the game use oslib (thanks to sakya);
- Frame rate is stabilized;
- Added a system of record for each level;
- First to play a level, is now possible to see a preview of that;
- Added two new level sets;
- Added the possibility to download new level sets from you PSP;
- Solved some bugs;

Download Here

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a shooter

August 18th, 2009, 15:36 Posted By: wraggster

sigutis has posted an entry into the Neoflash Summer 2009 Coding Contest:

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IrShell Patch - btcnfpatch.prx for CFW 5.50

August 18th, 2009, 17:13 Posted By: bosshunter

So here it is..
For those who don't know what it is, this is the patch that you need to install in order to play ISOS and specially to improve stability to IrShell on CFW 5.50.

Note 1: PSX games will only work with flash POP Ver (won't work on PSP's 2000 with MHU though). With Popsloader you'll get an error.
Note 2: It is only for firmwares 5.50 MHU or 5.50 GEN-A on PSP 1000 or 2000. -Tested on both. (It will not work with GEN-B.)
Note 3: This utility touches a file in flash0 so USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Make sure you have:
- IrShell 5.0 installed.
- Plugins in game.txt are disabled (If not you'll probably get a black screen when running the prx. Just do a hard reset if this happens. Then try the patch again after disabling the game.txt plugins. Kinda looks like a pain but.. You only need to run this once!).
- Replaced the provided IRSHELL folder in your memory stick.

Instructions: (same as the old IrShell patches)
- Run IrShell
- Open Directory View and go to ms0:/IRSHELL/PATCH/5.50/
- Run btcnfpatch.prx
- Press X to start patching
- Wait a few seconds and you're done (you should see the following screenshot on your PSP if the update is successful).
- You can now re-enable your plugins in game.txt.

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Seen@GamesCom: Hating expensive Sony products

August 18th, 2009, 17:59 Posted By: wraggster



In the shadow of Sony's hotel in Cologne, Germany, a street ad displays a rather good deal. Electronics retailer Saturn is urging passersby to pick up a PS3 and a PSP for €399 -- not a bad deal, considering the PS3 costs that much on its own. Now we understand Saturn's tag line! "Wir hassen teuer," as in, "We hate expensive."

Of course, who knows if that deal will remain as hot within the next few hours, when Sony has its press conference on the eve of GamesCom. It's widely speculated that the company will announce a PS3 Slim and a possible price drop.

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/se...sony-products/

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Sony video store to launch in UK this November

August 18th, 2009, 19:59 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has announced its European version of the US Movie Store will launch in the UK, France, Germany and Spain in November this year.

Film companies Lionsgate, Paramount, MGM, Walt Disney, Fox, Universal and Warner Bros have been signed up by Sony, which will result in the delivery of "hundreds of movies straight to your PS3 and PSP," Sony's Andrew House has confirmed at the Gamescom Sony press conference in Cologne. These films will be purchasable using the usual wallet system, and the store will be rolled out in other territories throughout 2010.

In addition, further PSN updates have been announced - including the introduction of PSN voucher cards in denominations of EUR 20 and EUR 50, which will mean users no longer need a credit card in order to make online purchases.

"We will be implementing a host of new features that will make PSN even better from September 1" House confirmed, which will improve "both navigation and aesthetics."

A new area called What's New will be added to the online service, allowing PlayStation 3 users to view recently updated content, as well as offer direct shortcuts to TV websites such as BBC iPlayer.

PlayStation Home will also see some additions - including a new Singstar game space and Audi TV content in the Home cinema - a result of a new partnership between the companies.

Home has been downloaded 7.5 million times globally, 3.5m times in PAL territories, House confirmed. The overall PSN user base stands at over 27 million, including 11 million in SCEE alone - which is a "connection rate" of 60 per cent of PlayStation 3 owners.

The number of global downloads has now passed 560 million, generating over USD 260 million in revenue. "PS fans are using PlayStation Home in the same way people use other social media," said House.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-this-november

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Sony video store to launch in UK this November

August 18th, 2009, 19:59 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has announced its European version of the US Movie Store will launch in the UK, France, Germany and Spain in November this year.

Film companies Lionsgate, Paramount, MGM, Walt Disney, Fox, Universal and Warner Bros have been signed up by Sony, which will result in the delivery of "hundreds of movies straight to your PS3 and PSP," Sony's Andrew House has confirmed at the Gamescom Sony press conference in Cologne. These films will be purchasable using the usual wallet system, and the store will be rolled out in other territories throughout 2010.

In addition, further PSN updates have been announced - including the introduction of PSN voucher cards in denominations of EUR 20 and EUR 50, which will mean users no longer need a credit card in order to make online purchases.

"We will be implementing a host of new features that will make PSN even better from September 1" House confirmed, which will improve "both navigation and aesthetics."

A new area called What's New will be added to the online service, allowing PlayStation 3 users to view recently updated content, as well as offer direct shortcuts to TV websites such as BBC iPlayer.

PlayStation Home will also see some additions - including a new Singstar game space and Audi TV content in the Home cinema - a result of a new partnership between the companies.

Home has been downloaded 7.5 million times globally, 3.5m times in PAL territories, House confirmed. The overall PSN user base stands at over 27 million, including 11 million in SCEE alone - which is a "connection rate" of 60 per cent of PlayStation 3 owners.

The number of global downloads has now passed 560 million, generating over USD 260 million in revenue. "PS fans are using PlayStation Home in the same way people use other social media," said House.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-this-november

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PSP to get 100MB Minis games

August 18th, 2009, 20:00 Posted By: wraggster

Sony has unveiled a new initiative for PlayStation Portable games to attract new talent to the system.

PSP Minis will be small digital games for the handheld and be limited to 100MB in size, and retail for a lower price than normal titles.

"Minis allow many developers who have never developed for PSP before to do so for the first time. They offer smaller, downloadable games at low prices," confirmed Andrew House, European president on Sony, at Gamescom today.

15 Minis games will launch on the PlayStation Network on October 1, with 50 titles promised before the end of the year.

As well as publishers such as Electronic Arts, studios including Gamehasta in India and Halfbrick in Australia are also developing titles.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...mb-minis-games