Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[PSN website sign-ins disabled after users identify potential exploit [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/psn-website-sign-ins-disabled-after-users-identify-potential-exp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/psn-website-sign-ins-disabled-after-users-identify-potential-exp/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/18/psn-website-sign-ins-disabled-after-users-identify-potential-exp/#comments Call it another "hiccup" in Sony's bumpy road to getting the PlayStation Network back up and running, securely: The company has disabled PSN sign-in access on its PlayStation-related websites for "essential maintenance" purposes.

"Clarification: this maintenance doesn't affect PSN on consoles," tweeted PlayStation Blog EU this morning, "only the website you click through to from the password change email." A follow-up tweet added, "We'll let you know as soon as the landing page is back online."

Although Sony has yet to specify the reason for the maintenance outage, the action follows users' discovery of a potential exploit of the PSN password change function on Sony's websites. UK gaming news site Nyleveia was the first to sound the alarm when it warned, "A new hack is currently doing the rounds in dark corners of the internet that allows the attacker the ability to change your password using only your account's email and date of birth."

In actuality, it was not so much a "hack" as it was a critical oversight by Sony, which had not changed the PSN password reset method on its websites when it began to partially relaunch the service last weekend. Any website user, nefarious or not, needed only to provide a PSN account's associated email address and the account holder's date of birth to change the password -- information that was stolen by hackers during the PSN breach last month.

Needless to say, if you have received an email confirming your PSN password has been changed (and you didn't change it yourself), you should contact Sony. For now, the password reset function has been disabled on Sony's websites.

"Unfortunately this also means that those who are still trying to change their password via Playstation.com or Qriocity.com will be unable to do so for the time being," Sony said in a statement posted by Eurogamer. "This is due to essential maintenance and at present it is unclear how long this will take."

Update: Sony has issued a statement on PlayStation Blog, describing the issue as "a URL exploit that we have subsequently fixed." The company adds, "Consumers who haven't reset their passwords for PSN are still encouraged to do so directly on their PS3. Otherwise, they can continue to do so via the website as soon as we bring that site back up."

JoystiqPSN website sign-ins disabled after users identify potential exploit [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exploitplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011pspsonyWed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sudoku DSiWare exploit enables homebrew on DSi [update: and it's gone!]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/sudoku-dsiware-exploit-enables-homebrew-on-dsi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/sudoku-dsiware-exploit-enables-homebrew-on-dsi/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/28/sudoku-dsiware-exploit-enables-homebrew-on-dsi/#comments For just 200 DSi Points (that's $2), a whole world of digital sudoku can be yours -- plus DSi homebrew capabilities! The hacking troupe known as "Team Twiizers" has found a hole in EA's Sudoku DSiWare game -- exposed using a false save file -- through which homebrew games and applications can be run on a DSi without a flashcart. Notably, this exploit can not be used to play pirated games or applications, but only enables true homebrew software.

Perhaps most exciting for homebrew developers, this breakthrough brings the DSi's hardware upgrades (over the original DS) into play. "In DSi mode, the DSi SD card slot is accessible, the whole 16MB RAM is available, and the CPU is clocked 2x higher than DS-mode," Twiizers notes in on post on HackMii.

As of publishing, [see below] the Sudoku game is still available in the North American DSiWare store, but has already been removed in Europe. At the very least, it would be an excuse to throw away that ratty copy of Snakes on a Sudoku, right?

Update: Looks like Nintendo has already removed the game from its DSiWare store in North America as well. Sorry homebrewers!

Continue reading Sudoku DSiWare exploit enables homebrew on DSi [update: and it's gone!]

JoystiqSudoku DSiWare exploit enables homebrew on DSi [update: and it's gone!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsdsidsiwareeaelectronic-artsexploithackhomebrewnintendosudokuteam-twiizersFri, 28 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The best of WoW.com: December 22-29, 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/the-best-of-wow-com-december-22-29-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/the-best-of-wow-com-december-22-29-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/31/the-best-of-wow-com-december-22-29-2009/#commentsFiled under:

There have been widespread reports of earthquakes happening around Azeroth, seemingly at random. People believe that these earthquake are the beginning of a very large world event that will usher in WoW's third expansion, Cataclysm. After a bit of digging, WoW.com speculates that they might be coming form invisible mobs roaming around the virtual world. Blizzard has since come out and started slyly commenting on the in-game earthquake, neither denying nor supporting the conclusions drawn.

Of course, there's other things going on in the WoW universe as well, and after the cut we'll take a look at the top stories of the week.

Continue reading The best of WoW.com: December 22-29, 2009

JoystiqThe best of WoW.com: December 22-29, 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exploitlich-kingPCred-rider-air-rifleworld-of-warcraftwow-christmas-giftwow-comwow-dot-comwow-giftwow-magazinewow-tcgwow.comThu, 31 Dec 2009 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Modern Warfare 2 update 1.06 fixes Javelin glitch, infinite care packages, geography exploits]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/modern-warfare-2-update-1-06-fixes-javelin-glitch-infinite-care/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/modern-warfare-2-update-1-06-fixes-javelin-glitch-infinite-care/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/07/modern-warfare-2-update-1-06-fixes-javelin-glitch-infinite-care/#comments If amazingly fast and explosive men have been the bane of your existence in Modern Warfare 2 as of late, then know that Activision's go-to guy, Robert "fourzerotwo" Bowling, has got the hot scoops on a patch in the works to address the despised Javelin glitch. Version 1.06 of the game will not only do away with that awful bit of frustration, but will also address two other notable exploits in the multiplayer experience:
  • Fixes the Javelin glitch (thank the Flying Spaghetti Monster!)
  • Fixes unlimited care packages glitch
  • Fixes areas where players could exploit geography (e.g. hide inside rocks in Afghan)
Bowling says the patch is currently in the hands of Microsoft for certification on Xbox 360 and presumably in Sony's for PS3 certification. We've contacted Bowling for more info and will update the post when we hear back.

Source - 1.06 in Microsoft cert
Source - 1.06 patch notes

JoystiqModern Warfare 2 update 1.06 fixes Javelin glitch, infinite care packages, geography exploits originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-of-dutycall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2exploitglitchinfinity-wardjavelinjavelin-glitchMicrosoftmodern-warfare-2multiplayerpsnXbox-360xbox-liveMon, 07 Dec 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Patch to fix Call of Duty 4 multiplayer exploit 'in the works']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/patch-to-fix-call-of-duty-4-multiplayer-exploit-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/patch-to-fix-call-of-duty-4-multiplayer-exploit-in-the-works/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/03/patch-to-fix-call-of-duty-4-multiplayer-exploit-in-the-works/#comments
There's good news and slightly-less-good news for the many fans of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's multiplayer. The good news comes from Infinity Ward community manager Robert "fourzerotwo" Bowling via his twitter feed: the developer is onto the recently discovered multiplayer exploits that unscrupulous players are using to cheat their way to victory. The slightly-less-good news is that the fix is "in the works," meaning there's no definite ETA for it.

Still, we'd have to imagine Infinity Ward has been hard at work on the patch -- we just hope it comes up with something very special for whoever discovered and used the exploit. We'll keep you updated as we hear more, but hey, Robert, you know how to reach us ...

JoystiqPatch to fix Call of Duty 4 multiplayer exploit 'in the works' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncall-of-dutycall-of-duty-4exploithackinfinity-wardMicrosoftrobert-bowlingXbox-360Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Greg Costikyan slams Epic for 'exploitative' work hours ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/greg-costikyan-slams-epic-for-exploitative-work-hours/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/greg-costikyan-slams-epic-for-exploitative-work-hours/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/10/greg-costikyan-slams-epic-for-exploitative-work-hours/#comments
Game designer Greg Costikyan has come out swinging against Epic president Michael Capps for supporting what the author and Manifesto Games co-founder describes "exploitation of talent." Capps, who lately has made a habit out of putting his foot in his mouth, reportedly told those attending a leadership meeting by the International Game Developers Association that just putting in a 40-hour work week was utterly senseless. Instead, the exec claimed that devs should accept that toiling for 60 or more hours each week was just part of the "corporate culture."

Costikyan points out that such a stance would be plausible coming from an industry exec, were Capps not also a board member of the IGDA, "an organization," Costikyan writes, "the ostensible purpose of which is to support game developers. Not, you know, to support management dickheads."

There is more to the story as well, including nebulous comments by IGDA chair Jen MacLean that only add fuel to the fire. Costikyan notes the kerfluffle has cost the IGDA some members, though he urges current and future members to join in and "vote to replace anyone on the current board who will not take a clear stand in favor of reasonable working conditions." Fight. The. Power.

JoystiqGreg Costikyan slams Epic for 'exploitative' work hours originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesepicgamesexploitexploitationgreg-costikyangregcostikyanmike-cappsFri, 10 Apr 2009 14:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Do Re Me Fa So La Oh No ... Activision trademarking 'Sing Hero']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/do-re-me-fa-so-la-oh-no-activision-trademarking-sing-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/do-re-me-fa-so-la-oh-no-activision-trademarking-sing-hero/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/do-re-me-fa-so-la-oh-no-activision-trademarking-sing-hero/#comments
Activision Blizzard has apparently filed an application to trademark Sing Hero with the US Patent and Trademark Office. IGN speculates that this could be the company's foray into the karaoke market, in an attempt to take on the lord high diva: Sony's SingStar.

Considering how much practice Actilizzard has had with licensing music for Guitar Hero -- and how much potential there is to exploit the franchise -- a pure karaoke game sounds perfectly possible. As the depressing lack of "Drum Villain" constantly reminds us, however, a trademark filing doesn't necessarily guarantee the game's eventual arrival.

[Via IGN]

JoystiqDo Re Me Fa So La Oh No ... Activision trademarking 'Sing Hero' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardexploitguitar-herokaraokemusicrhythmsing-herotrademarkWed, 11 Mar 2009 09:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable 2 Pub Games receives patch, gold exploit fixed ]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/fable-2-pub-games-receives-patch-gold-exploit-fixed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/fable-2-pub-games-receives-patch-gold-exploit-fixed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/fable-2-pub-games-receives-patch-gold-exploit-fixed/#commentsFiled under: ,


It appears that the "intentional" money-grubbing exploit in Fable 2 Pub Games was a limited time offer -- the game's development team has followed through on their promise of an update for the XBLA companion to Lionhead's upcoming action-RPG, removing the gold-garnering glitch and resetting the Fortune's Tower (the aforementioned glitched game mode) leaderboards. Mercifully, they've apparently allowed the title's nefariously wealthy exploiters to keep their piles of loot. We'll see if it was worth it when their Fable 2 characters are mysteriously stricken with an incurable case of dysentery -- provided Molyneux's threat wasn't just a bluff.

JoystiqFable 2 Pub Games receives patch, gold exploit fixed originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Actionexploitfable-2fable-2-pub-gamesfortunes-towerLionheadlionhead-studiosMGSMicrosoft-Game-Studiospatchpeter-molyneuxRPGXbox-360Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Molyneux: Pub Games 'glitch' intentional, with consequences]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/molyneux-pub-games-glitch-intentional-with-consequences/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/molyneux-pub-games-glitch-intentional-with-consequences/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/16/molyneux-pub-games-glitch-intentional-with-consequences/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While we're sure you've already constructed your Scrooge McDuck-esque pool of golden, nefariously-obtained Fable II Pub Games earnings, Peter Molyneux might be preparing to pull off the biggest gamer prank since the anti-Spore Rick Roll.

According to a quick blurb in IGN's Fable II preview, "Just be warned. Molyneux has said that the cheat was no accident and that those who used it to earn their money will be in for a surprise." Something tells us that "surprise" isn't being filthy rich in-game. Is he bluffing? We'll find out soon enough when our sea of coins is quickly drained from under us. Fable 2 is due out October 21.

Need more Fable 2? We can't blame you. Check out our hands-on with the first three hours of the game, as well as our interview with Peter Molyneux, in which he talks about his game, Too Human and Lionhead's "shocking" secret project.

JoystiqMolyneux: Pub Games 'glitch' intentional, with consequences originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carbonated-GamesCardcheatingexploitFable-2-Pub-GamesLionheadLionhead-StudiosMicrosoft-Game-Studiosmolyneuxpeter-molyeuxprankPub-GamespunkdPuzzleXBLAXboxXbox-360Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fable 2 Pub Games exploit will make you very, very rich]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/fable-2-pub-games-exploit-will-make-you-very-very-rich/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/fable-2-pub-games-exploit-will-make-you-very-very-rich/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/15/fable-2-pub-games-exploit-will-make-you-very-very-rich/#commentsFiled under: ,

Let this be a lesson to developers: If you're planning to make a tie-in XBLA game that lets you earn gold in your main title, make sure to vet the game as much as possible for potential exploits. A trick has been found in Fable 2 Pub Games that lets you bet 60 on Tower of Fortune and potentially earn 600 each time. We've embedded the video after the break, should you wish to start Fable 2 with a gazillion trillion gold.

Gallery: Fable 2 Pub Games

Continue reading Fable 2 Pub Games exploit will make you very, very rich

JoystiqFable 2 Pub Games exploit will make you very, very rich originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carbonated-GamesCardcheatexploitFable-2-Pub-GamesLionheadLionhead-StudiosMicrosoft-Game-StudiosPub-GamesPuzzleXBLAXboxXbox-360Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hacker's security concerns elicit response from 'Nin Tendo,' Nintendo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/hackers-security-concerns-elicit-response-from-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/hackers-security-concerns-elicit-response-from-nintendo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/21/hackers-security-concerns-elicit-response-from-nintendo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Last week, while most gamers were off writing screeds about their disappointment with E3, Wii hacker bushing was drafting an open letter to Nintendo stating that he and fellow coders had found an exploit that allows stock Wii consoles to play copied games, and seeking cooperation from Nintendo to patch this hole in such a way that homebrew is left alone.

He quickly received a response from Nintendo -- or, rather, a Gmail address for "Nin Tendo." "Tyson Green" (also the name of the Halo 3 Multiplayer Design Lead) sent a curt message stating that while Nintendo didn't approve of people messing around with their console, he wanted to talk about this piracy issue.

Of course, that one is a fake, as are many of the responses posted. But bushing indicated that, while most of the emails he received and posted were fake, he did in fact receive correspondence from the for-real Nintendo.

[Via DCEmu]

JoystiqHacker's security concerns elicit response from 'Nin Tendo,' Nintendo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exploithackmiipiracyMon, 21 Jul 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twilight Princess exploit leads to explosion of Wii hacks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/twilight-princess-exploit-leads-to-explosion-of-wii-hacks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/twilight-princess-exploit-leads-to-explosion-of-wii-hacks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/25/twilight-princess-exploit-leads-to-explosion-of-wii-hacks/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hacking your Wii to play Pong is one thing, but the recently-revealed Twilight Princess exploit allows all sorts of unsigned code to run natively on the Wii. Homebrew developers are already starting to take advantage, releasing a bunch of interesting and/or useful unauthorized programs for Nintendo's little white box. Among them:
Still no public announcement from Nintendo in reaction to the exploit, though given their recent aggressive pursuit of game pirates, you can expect a PSP-style battle of the firmwares to start any day now.
[Thanks to reader Craig for many of these links]

JoystiqTwilight Princess exploit leads to explosion of Wii hacks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exploitfirmwareNintendoTP exploitTpExploittwilight princessTwilightPrincessWiiwii hacksWiiHacksMon, 25 Feb 2008 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Super Glitch Bros. Brawl]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/super-glitch-bros-brawl/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/super-glitch-bros-brawl/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/13/super-glitch-bros-brawl/#commentsFiled under:


Well, that was fast.

Turns out, some have already found a pretty big glitch in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. While we'll say it involves a certain character (not the one pictured above) on a certain stage, we won't ruin anything else for you. Those looking to stay pure from all of the spoilers that are on the net for Super Smash Bros. Brawl might want to avoid the area past the break.

You've been warned.

Continue reading Super Glitch Bros. Brawl

JoystiqSuper Glitch Bros. Brawl originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exploitglitchjigglypuffsmash-bros-brawlWed, 13 Feb 2008 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP firmware hack drives Lumines sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/psp-firmware-hack-drives-lumines-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/psp-firmware-hack-drives-lumines-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/psp-firmware-hack-drives-lumines-sales/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Well that was fast. It was just Saturday that hackers at Noobz found a buffer overflow exploit in the puzzle classic Lumines that allowed hackers to run a simple Hello World program on any PSP firmware, including the recently released version 3.5. By Sunday, our blogging brethren at PSPFanboy caught the above screengrab of Amazon's Movers and Shakers page showing the game's sales jumping a ludicrous 5900 percent in just one day. As of this posting Monday morning, the same page shows a more moderate 750 percent rise pushing the two-year-old title to the second-highest spot on Amazon's video game sales charts.

We understand that there are a lot of people out there that want to exploit this new, uh, exploit to run homebrew code on their PSPs. What we don't understand is how there can be so many PSP owners out there that don't already own Lumines. How do you buy a PSP and not immediately pick up this hauntingly beautiful musical puzzler? We suppose there could be some PSP owners out there who eschew UMDs altogether for legally questionable emulators, but really, if you need a firmware hack to justify shelling out a few bucks for such sublime puzzle goodness then we don't want to be your friend anymore.

JoystiqPSP firmware hack drives Lumines sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buffer overflowBufferOverflowemulationemulatorexploitfirmwarefirmware 3.5Firmware3.5hackhackerluminesPSPMon, 25 Jun 2007 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Lumines sales up nearly 6000 percent since exploit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/lumines-sales-up-nearly-6000-percent-since-exploit/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/lumines-sales-up-nearly-6000-percent-since-exploit/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/lumines-sales-up-nearly-6000-percent-since-exploit/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Many modern PSP owners do not have homebrew-capable PSP systems. Therefore, when an exploit was found in Lumines that defeats protection in 3.50 firmware, many leaped at an opportunity to purchase the beloved PSP music/puzzle game. Sales on amazon.com have jumped up a whopping 5,900% percent, making it the tenth best selling video game on the retailer's site. Until there's an alternative solution for those clamoring for homebrew on their systems, Lumines looks like it will be experiencing quite an incredible new revival in sales.

[Thanks, ben!]

JoystiqLumines sales up nearly 6000 percent since exploit originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.comexploithomebrewluminesSun, 24 Jun 2007 18:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Lumines unlocks homebrew on firmware 3.50]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/lumines-unlocks-homebrew-on-firmware-3-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/lumines-unlocks-homebrew-on-firmware-3-50/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/23/lumines-unlocks-homebrew-on-firmware-3-50/#commentsFiled under:

Homebrew on PSP systems with firmware 3.50 was thought to be impossible ... until now. An exploit was found in the classic puzzle game, Lumines, that allows a Hello World application to run on the system. Users must download a special program, and install it on the Memory Stick. When launching Lumines, the exploit will be taken advantage of.

This is a huge win for the homebrew community. Most likely, downgraders will be created to take advantage of this exploit, which will allow all modern PSP owners to revert to a homebrew-capable firmware. Most likely, Sony has already heard about this exploit, and is working on a new firmware to ensure too many people won't be able to take advantage of this flaw.

[Update: Now included a video, via MAXCONSOLE]
[Thanks, Merc25!]

JoystiqLumines unlocks homebrew on firmware 3.50 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3.50exploitfirmwarehomebrewluminesnoobzSat, 23 Jun 2007 22:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/27/ask-psp-fanboy-volume-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/27/ask-psp-fanboy-volume-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/27/ask-psp-fanboy-volume-4/#commentsFiled under:


Every Saturday, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to andrew @ pspfanboy.com with the subject "Ask PSP Fanboy."

Q: With news of the recent "Hello World" N00bz exploit for 2.81-3.03 PSPs, word is that an un-patched version of GTA: Liberty City Stories will be required for the future downgrader. How can I explicitly tell an un-patched GTA:LCS from a patched one?
A: Hope this image from DCEmu helps:


The unpatched version seems to feature different pictures. As a general rule of thumb, you'll have to look for the oldest copies you can find, so they'll most likely be used. When you pop in the disc, make sure the game offers a 2.0 firmware upgrade, not anything higher. Good luck.

See more questions after the break.

Continue reading Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 4

JoystiqAsk PSP Fanboy: Volume 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Jan 2007 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askexploitgrand theft autoGrandTheftAutogtalcsliberty city storiesLibertyCityStoriespatchunpatchedSat, 27 Jan 2007 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stop asking if you can downgrade your 3.03 system [Update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/24/stop-asking-if-you-can-downgrade-your-3-03-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/24/stop-asking-if-you-can-downgrade-your-3-03-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/24/stop-asking-if-you-can-downgrade-your-3-03-system/#commentsFiled under:

A public message announcement from the PSP Fanboy team: Stop asking if you can downgrade your system. Currently, downgraders only work for PSPs with firmware 2.80 or below. Constantly leaving comments about downgrading from 3.03 will not get responses.

So, what are you supposed to do then? N00bz, "homebrew without a clue," answers some of your burning questions. They note a few key points: there is a "kernel mode exploit" in all PSPs, up to version 3.03, that seems to be unchanged. Once a "user-mode exploit" can be found, it will be theoretically possible to run homebrew on all PSPs--even downgraders should work.

But when will this happen? Who knows. Certainly, there are hard-working homebrew coders trying to find exploits in all of Sony's latest. However, N00bz recommends that if you're ever serious about switching over to homebrew, you should stop upgrading your PSP altogether. 3.04 or whatever future firmware upgrade Sony releases will most likely address these exploits; and it should be much easier to run exploits on 2.81 versus 3.03. There's no guide as to when the homebrew community will release something, but we advise you: please be patient. Personally, I'll keep upgrading to Sony's official firmware because I actually like playing legal games.

[Update 1: Looks like I offended a few of you with my overly bitter comment. I'd like to apologize to those of you that do actually use your homebrew PSPs in a legit manner. As an acknowledgement of the harsh tone I took, I will not delete the comment. Sorry to those that were offended: you are clearly upstanding in an industry where many people take game developers for granted.]

JoystiqStop asking if you can downgrade your 3.03 system [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>downgradedowngraderexploithomebrewn00bzWed, 24 Jan 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii runs GameCube homebrew]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/04/wii-runs-gamecube-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/04/wii-runs-gamecube-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/04/wii-runs-gamecube-homebrew/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Using a variety of exploits, the homebrew community has finally struck gold and figured out how to get it all going on the Wii. With a SD card, Action Replay for the GameCube and SD card adapter for the GameCube, one can plug in their card into a computer, use some of that homebrew magic and get GameCube homebrew running on the console. Of course, this could very well be a problem for Nintendo if folks use this exploit to run emulators (they will and, more than likely, are), bypassing the Virtual Console to play any ROM they wish.

[Thanks Pieter!]

JoystiqWii runs GameCube homebrew originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cubeexploitgamegamecubehomebrewnintendonintendowiiwiiMon, 04 Dec 2006 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Cosplaying pirate reviews latest exploit in video podcast]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/31/cosplaying-pirate-reviews-latest-exploit-in-video-podcast/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/31/cosplaying-pirate-reviews-latest-exploit-in-video-podcast/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/31/cosplaying-pirate-reviews-latest-exploit-in-video-podcast/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Homebrew can be a little confusing and intimidating. So, I guess it's a little understandable when tons of confused people write comments in the blog, having absolutely no idea what the latest libtiff exploit does. Sure, they could've read the article, or even the helpful comments, but remember: I'm at your service. While I could explain again that the Hello World demo is just a demonstration of the potential of homebrew running on 2.0+ PSPs, I'll let this cosplaying pirate from PSP Hacking 101 explain it all. Arg, everybody likes pirates, matey!

In other news, according to PSP Fanboy reader craig, a downgrader for 2.71 should be coming some time soon today or tomorrow. Check PSP Fanboy regularly to see the latest news!

[Via QJ]

JoystiqCosplaying pirate reviews latest exploit in video podcast originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 Aug 2006 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.71cosplaycraigdowngraderexploithackhello worldHelloWorldhomebrewlibtiffpiratepsp hackingPspHackingThu, 31 Aug 2006 20:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony fights back: their battle against homebrew]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/04/sony-fights-back-their-battle-against-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/04/sony-fights-back-their-battle-against-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/08/04/sony-fights-back-their-battle-against-homebrew/#commentsFiled under:

The battle between the homebrew community and Sony has been a long, bloody fight. With Sony finally playing the legal card against homebrewers, PSP 3D takes a retrospective look at the history of Sony's struggle. They claim that Sony has been getting more desperate, and a bit angrier, as seen by this quote from a Sony programmer: "Overall it's [homebrew] frowned on. Our tech guys have gotten madder and madder lately, and it does void your warranty."

The complete article has tons of interesting tidbits. Of particular interest is the infamous GTA exploit which allowed for homebrew to be run even with the most recent firmware release during that time:
"The GTA hack operated in a way which utilized the game's in-game SYSCALLs (system calls) in order to run arbitrary code. This is why kernal (full PSP hardware/software IO access) mode via the hack was impossible; you are only allowed to code as much as the SYSCALLs availability, therefore, advanced SYSCALLs, like those for VSH (update mode) or kernal mode were unavailable for use, simply because GTA: LCS didn't utilize them. This fact brought upon the problem of concern for Sony's engineers. They'd have to release a firmware update which jumbles up the method of loading SYSCALLs in order to prevent homebrew from being loaded. Not easy stuff, really, especially when you need to maintain the working status of all the retail UMD games already released and sold."
[Via PlayStation.com boards]

JoystiqSony fights back: their battle against homebrew originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Aug 2006 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battleengineerexploitgtahomebrewprogrammerpsp 3dPsp3dFri, 04 Aug 2006 17:10:00 EST