Joystiq

Serious Sam 3 now in Steam Workshop, mods incoming

Mike Suszek — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST

Serious Sam 3 recently received Steam Workshop support, Croteam and Devolver Digital announced. The update gave players the ability to use community-made weapons, character skins, maps and gameplay mods, and the option to subscribe to modders that use the Serious Editor.

The update initially provided users with over 60 mods to play with, some of which can be seen in the gallery below.

Gallery: Serious Sam 3: BFE (Steam Workshop)

Serious Sam 3 now in Steam Workshop, mods incoming originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 04 Nov 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Envision: A portable Gamecube sans disc drive

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST

One of the main problems faced by hackers and modders creating portable versions of home consoles is, well, portability. Making something you can hold in your hands isn't exactly an easy task, but creating something that also fits in your messenger bag is a tall order, especially when hacking together a handheld version of something with a disc drive.

ModRetro member Jonathan Shine's solution to this problem is as ingenious as it is simple: If the disc drive is too thick, don't use it. The Envision, Shine's homemade portable Gamecube, kicks spinning media to the curb in favor of an SD card loaded with what we're sure are completely legal and legitimate backups of games he already owns. The device measures approximately 1.375 by 6.5 by 4.125 inches and will run for 2 to 3 hours on a single charge. Check out this thread at ModRetro for complete build specs and more pictures of the finished product.

[Thanks, Mason!]

The Envision: A portable Gamecube sans disc drive originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Jan 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ben Heck creates automatic Xbox 360 disc changer

Jordan Mallory — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:10:00 EST

Ben Heck is truly a master of manipulating manufactured goods, and nothing proves his mechanical prowess more than his latest creation: an Xbox 360 disc changer. Heck has taken the 360's DVD drive and placed it inside a heavily modified Sony CD changer. He then uses an Arduino microcontroller to control disc selection, and solders the whole kit-and-caboodle onto the 360's motherboard.

For all us lazy slobs at Joystiq, it's a beautiful dream to behold. We doubt we'll ever have the opportunity to actually buy one, but modding community element14 is giving away Ben's prototype, if signing up for forums to win homemade Xbox disc-changers is your scene.

Ben Heck creates automatic Xbox 360 disc changer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Minecraft to enter Beta phase Dec. 20, modder support coming in future updates

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Our little procedurally-generated, co-operative world-building indie gem is growing up so fast -- Minecraft creator Markus Persson has announced on his blog that his super successful title will enter its Beta phase on December 20. The change will be reflected by "a larger focus on polish and content," and will add oft-requested elements like modder support, more late-game goals and "some kind of non-intrusive narrative." Thank goodness -- we've had to create our own narrative up 'til now, and it makes absolutely no sense. (Those pigs -- they have a dark secret.)

Look sharp, though -- Persson explained that when the game goes into its Beta phase, he'll be removing the section in the game's license which "promises all future versions of the game for free." Don't worry: If you purchased the game while still in the Alpha phase, you'll still get future updates on the house. In addition, the game's price will be increased to €14.95 once it enters Beta, so it really pays to get in on the ground floor while you still can.

Minecraft to enter Beta phase Dec. 20, modder support coming in future updates originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox-modder trial underway, no plea bargain offered [update: case dismissed!]

James Ransom-Wiley — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:22:00 EST

The landmark jury trial of Matthew Crippen, indicted on two federal counts last fall for running a side-business in which he modded Xbox 360s at his home, began yesterday with opening statements in a Los Angeles court. Wired's colorful report of U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez's colorful reaction to the prosecution's case suggested that the government could be headed toward a deal with Crippen during an early-afternoon recess.

"I really don't understand what we're doing here," Gutierrez apparently "roared," as he ripped into the prosecution. The judge questioned government prosecutors' use of two witnesses who may have broken the law themselves and prosecutors' instructions to the jury that it was unnecessary to prove Crippen had knowingly breached the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The judge apparently backtracked on an earlier ruling that had prohibited a "fair use" defense (i.e., modding for back-up or homebrew purposes). "The only way to be able to play copied games is to circumvent the technology," Gutierrez said. "How about back-up games and the homebrewed?"

However, prosecutors returned from recess yesterday determined to convict Crippen, 28, on two counts of violating the DMCA (for a maximum sentence of ten years) by proving he knew he was breaking the law. ESA investigator Tony Rosario was called to the stand to recount how he had visited Crippen's Anaheim, Calif. home in 2008 and paid the defendant $60 to mod an Xbox 360. Rosario secretly videotaped the procedure -- which the defense argues is a violation of the state's privacy law -- though he did not capture video evidence of Crippen allegedly playing a pirated game on the modded console (nor did he include this supposed fact in his original report or sworn declarations). Still, the prosecution offered up a pile of a 150 pirated games, apparently seized by authorities from Crippen's home, which it hoped would show jurors that the defendant had a clear understanding that he was involved in illegal activity.

Rosario is expected to return to the stand today, followed by two additional prosecution witnesses: a federal agent, who also allegedly paid Crippen to mod a 360, and a Microsoft employee, a so-called expert on Xbox security (and self-admitted modder in his younger days). The defense is scheduled to begin its case tomorrow.

Follow the drama on Wired's Threat Level blog. Update: Prosecutors dismissed their case today, Wired reports, saying their decision was "based on fairness and justice" (read: they made errors). "It still has not hit me yet," Crippen said outside of the courtroom.

[Pictured: Matthew Crippen; photo credit: David Kravets/Wired.com]

Xbox-modder trial underway, no plea bargain offered [update: case dismissed!] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lil' Wayne apparently has a modded Xbox

Justin McElroy — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:40:00 EST

It must be great to be a celebrity. Take rapper Lil' Wayne for example. In a GTR video clip, he tells about an Xbox he received from a friend that plays "every game from A-Z, Atari, Nintendo, pong, movies & even porn." Can you imagine? We didn't even know Microsoft made an Xbox like that, and here celebrities are getting them as gifts. ... What's that? ... It's a modded Xbox? Oh come on, now you're just being naive.

Kidding aside, you can say what you will about our close personal friend Soulja Boy, but at least he pays for his games before he totally misunderstands them to be about drugs and alcohol.

Lil' Wayne apparently has a modded Xbox originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could this portable SNES look any better?

Justin McElroy — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST

So you're not in suspense, the answer the the question we've presented in the headline is "No." In fact, we'd guess that ancient, primitive cultures given a glimpse of this lovely mod would instantly build an fortified temple around it, taking breaks from worshipping it only to make more progress in ActRaiser.

So, in closing, Darthchris 13, we'll take 30. And try to have them ready by the weekend, OK?

[Via Engadget]

Could this portable SNES look any better? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Modder faces jail time for selling counterfeit games

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Hacks

Ars Technica's Eric Bangeman reports that one Frederick Brown has been arrested for installing mod chips and selling pirated games in the San Diego, California area. After being charged with 10 felonies, Brown was freed after posting a $100,000 bail. The arrest came after he was caught by, uh, CATCH -- the San Diego Computer and Technology Crime High-Tech Response Unit raided his house earlier and discovered over a thousand copies of counterfeit games and numerous mod chips. The unit, in cooperation with the Entertainment Software Association, had followed the trail to the man's home from advertisement posts on Craigslist and other websites.

Though it is unfortunate that the "modder" label is appended to the likes of an accused counterfeiter, modding consoles to run pirated games was very much a part of Brown's reportedly thriving and highly illegal business. The power of mod can be used for less insidious purposes such as homebrew, but its close relationship to piracy will always net it a bad reputation amongst publishers and manufacturers.

Modder faces jail time for selling counterfeit games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Convicted modder must pay or 'pay' (with jail time)

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Hacks, Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox

Convicted console modder Stephen Fitzgerald can avoid jail time if he forks over £5,210 (more than $10,000) owed in legal fees and fines. Fitzgerald made the ill-advised decision to offer a "while you wait" modding service in his booth at a computer fair back in April 2004. Needless to say, his brash criminal activity was not ignored by authorities. In addition to the fees and fines, Fitzgerald has been ordered to serve 120 hours of community service.

Think they ever caught that Patrick Cai guy?

Convicted modder must pay or 'pay' (with jail time) originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Dec 2006 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How-to: Make your PSP shoulder buttons light up

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: How-tos, Hacks

It seems like you guys didn't like Engadget's analog stick makeover. Maybe you'll like this detailed guide to making light-up shoulder buttons instead. Everett, the modder, explains his reasoning quite eloquently: "Sony decided to make the PSP shoulder buttons transparent, leaving modders an excellent opportunity to make the device look way cooler with lighting."

I have to admit, the idea does sound pretty enticing: seeing your PSP shoulder buttons light up every time you press them. Cheesy? Maybe. Cool. Hellz yeah. It won't be easy to get these lights into your system, but Everett does a fantastic job of explaining how to rip open your PSP. If you're a bit too afraid of exposing your system's innards, you can actually request Everett to mod your system for you. For money, of course.

[Via PSP Hacks]

How-to: Make your PSP shoulder buttons light up originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox modder becomes a fugitive, one-armed man stays out of it

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox, Action, Adventure

Jason Jones, the upstanding proprietor of one ACME Game Store, thought he was experiencing just another day in the booming, illegally modded Xbox retail market (and not the coyote-pandering dynamite and rocket shoes market, as you may have incorrectly anticipated). Little did he know that his latest customer, one with suspiciously long arms, had unseen motives that eventually led to the law knocking on the door.

An undercover investigator for the Entertainment Software Association (they have those?) made sure that Mr. Jones and his accomplice, Jonathan Bryant, were rightly punished for selling chipped Xbox consoles, each one loaded with over 50 pirated games and selling for between $225 and $500. In addition to being slapped with a fine of $2,648 by the ESA, Mr. Jones will be equipped with an electronic bracelet and confined to his home. Should he attempt to leave, the bracelet will let out a high-pitched yelp and large men with guns will promptly arrive and shove him back into his room.

A third modder, Pei "Patrick" Cai, evaded this horrendous fate by becoming a full-fledged fugitive. It's not nearly as dramatic as being on the run for murder, but police have nevertheless been advised to keep an eye out for a shifty looking fellow with a chip on his solder. (OOF!)

Xbox modder becomes a fugitive, one-armed man stays out of it originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSP mod chip aims to end firmware woes

James Ransom-Wiley — Fri, 26 May 2006 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Hacks, Sony PSP, Business

Maxconsole.net reports that a new PSP mod, Undiluted Platinum (UP), is being readied for release. The chip has been designed to fit perfectly inside the standard PSP unit and acts as a flash replacement system.

Theoretically, UP will run previous versions of PSP firmware and even custom flash builds, granting users access to both homebrew applications and the latest licensed games. Price and installation procedure have not yet be specified.

PSP mod chip aims to end firmware woes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 May 2006 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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