General gaming news

[6souls]

the hacker community found this about a month or so ago and Sony has finally got around to announce it.

Sony to disable PlayStation 3 operating system feature

Sony has said it will disable a feature on its PlayStation 3 (PS3) console in a move some consider to be a pre-emptive strike to guard against games piracy.

The firm said that an update to be released on 1 April will prevent people using a function that allows them to install alternative operating systems.

Sony said it had made the decision to address "security concerns".

The move comes after a US hacker released the first code that he claimed bypassed the PS3's security systems.

The exploit, released by hacker Geohot, used a machine running a variant of the Linux operating system.

One gamer, commenting on Sony's blog post, said: "The funny thing about this is that users that legally enjoy this feature will suffer its loss and the hackers will find some way to have the update plus the feature."

Another said: "This is so stupid. I spent $500 on this system to be able to use whatever features it came with. Preventing hackers is one thing, but taking away a feature that I paid for is another."

Geohot, also known as George Hotz, gained notoriety for unlocking Apple's iPhone as a teenager.

He has said that he will work on a method to bypass the new update and allow gamers to retain the ability to install other operating systems.

"This is about more than this feature right now," he wrote in his blog. "It's about whether these companies have the right to take away advertised features from a product you purchased.

"Imagine if an exploit were found in Safari on the iPhone, but instead of fixing it, Apple decides to pull web browsing altogether."

Playback problem

The "Other OS" feature on the PS3 allows gamers to install a version of Linux on their machines. The feature has been used by researchers who want to tap into the PS3's processing power.

The latest update will be rolled out on 1 April, making many gamers think it was an April Fool's joke.

Sony has said the update is optional, but those people that do not install it will no longer have access to features, such as its online games network and the ability to playback certain games or Blu-ray DVDs that require the most up-to-date firmware.

A Sony spokesperson said that gamers would have to "accept" the update before it begins to install.

The update only affects older machines. The newer "slim" models of the PS3 do not have the "other OS" feature.

Sony will not say how many people it believes will be affected by the update, although the figure is thought to be relatively small.

The firm advised people using a machine running another operating system who want to install the update to back up any data on their machine.

The firm has sold more than 33 million consoles worldwide.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8594720.stm

the press release:

The next system software update for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) system will be released on April 1, 2010 (JST), and will disable the "Install Other OS" feature that was available on the PS3 systems prior to the current slimmer models, launched in September 2009.

This feature enabled users to install an operating system, but due to security concerns, Sony Computer Entertainment will remove the functionality through the 3.21 system software update.

In addition, disabling the "Other OS" feature will help ensure that PS3 owners will continue to have access to the broad range of gaming and entertainment content from SCE and its content partners on a more secure system.

Consumers and organizations that currently use the "Other OS" feature can choose not to upgrade their PS3 systems, although the following features will no longer be available;

- Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat
- Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later
- Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings)
- Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later

For those PS3 users who are currently using the "Other OS" feature but choose to install the system software update, to avoid data loss they first need to back-up any data stored within the hard drive partition used by the "Other OS," as they will not be able to access that data following the update.

Additional information about PS3 firmware updates, including v3.21 (once it becomes available), can be found here: http://us.playstation.com/support/sy.../ps3/index.htm

PS3 owners who have further questions should contact Consumer Services: http://us.playstation.com/support/ask/

800-345-7669 (800-345-SONY)

[Akiyama]

Yep, update hit a while ago. Haven't done it yet, and major bullshit.

[Kyo]

Do you use linux on your PS3?

[Kurp]

I have a second PS3 (40 GB fat) that I was using as a media server, but no longer need it. I was going to sell it, but would it be worth it to hold on to it for awhile and sell it with version 3.2?

I've never used other operating systems on a PS3, so I'm not really sure of the value.

[Arnwulf]

The Other OS feature was extremely limited in the first place, I have no idea why people are QQ'ing so hard over it. They removed it because "Geohot" (worst internet name ever), found a way to use it and "hack" the PS3.

Nothing of value was lost.

[Xavier]

Haha. The update is optional, unless, of course, you actually want to use your system again.

[6souls]

http://i40.tinypic.com/2dad9wn.jpg

As scheduled, today the PS3 Firmware 3.21 update is available for download and as Sony previously confirmed it disables the OtherOS functionality in an effort to make the PlayStation 3 entertainment system more secure.

Download: PS3 Firmware 3.21 Update (US) / PS3 Firmware Update 3.21 (EU)

PS3 hacker GeoHot ( http://twitter.com/egohot to http://ps3central.blogspot.com/2010/...ed-advice.html ) has promised a solution to those who hold off updating their console which may include PS3 Custom Firmware alongside a http://nouveau.freedesktop.org/wiki/HonzaHavlicek open-source PS3 RSX driver rumored to be in development.

More details to come as they are available, including a full PS3 Firmware version 3.21 changelog. At the moment, all that is available from the PlayStation Japan site according to http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2010/04/...dden-features/ is the following, to quote: "Firstly it appears the quality of of PlayStation format software from the Store has been improved, presumably referring to the PS1 functionality (FFIX?).

Secondly, it appears that the security of MP4 video playback has been boosted too, removing some vulnerabilities."

http://www.ps3news.com/forums/ps3-on...id-110381.html

I'll post how to bypass the update in a bit

[6souls]

With the release of PS3 Firmware 3.21, many are now planning to hold off updating their PlayStation 3 consoles and use one of the PS3 Proxy applications to bypass the required PS3 Firmware update to connect to PSN.

While most of the applications, guides and videos are quite dated (from 2007-2009), below are links to some to make navigating easier. Special THANKS to ekrboi and themiker for making recent guides as well, also available below.

We will continue to add relevant links as they are dug up, and also links to posts with all new guides that prove useful.

How to Bypass PS3 Firmware 3.21 and Connect to PSN Guides:

- LG5Tool (Logan5) Guide
- PS3.ProxyServer.GUI Guide
- PS3 Firmware Version Check Bypassed Guide
- PS3 Proxy Server GUI Bypass Method Guide
- How to use PS3 Proxy Server Guide
- PS3 Proxi v1.0 is Now Available
- Video: PS3 Proxy Server Demonstrated on Firmware 2.60
- PS3 Firmware 2.35 and PS3 Proxy Guide
- How to Block PSN and Retain PS3 Media Server Usage
- Bypassing the PS3 Firmware Check Guide
- Guide on PSN Links Questions
- How to use PS3 Proxy Server Guide
- Guide: How to Bypass the PS3 Firmware Check
- PSN Firmware Bypass using only PS3 Proxy
- Installing PS3 Demos / Bypassing PS3 Firmware Check Guide
- PS3 Online Without Updating When an Update is Available

Related PS3 Files:

- PS3 Proxi v1.1 R3
- PS3 Proxi v1.1 R2
- PS3 Proxi v1.1
- PS3 Proxi v1.0
- PS3 Proxy/Update Bypass v0.1
- PS3 System Update Bypasser BETA v0.1
- PS3 Proxy
- PS3 ProxyServer Installer (ENGLISH)
- PS3 ProxyServer Installer
- PS3 Firmware Version Check Bypassed Video

http://www.ps3news.com/forums/ps3-ha...sn-110382.html

[Kyo]

The Other OS feature was extremely limited in the first place, I have no idea why people are QQ'ing so hard over it.

Exactly, most of the people bitching about it never used it and its fucking retarded. I posted that on the PSN Blog and the crying ensued, it was magical.

[Xno Kappa]

Okay, my PS3 suddenly refuses to acknowledge any game/dvd/bluray in it's drive. What the fuck is going on? Anyone having any similar issues?

[Arnwulf]

I've had an update break that function before, usually means you have a burned out diode of some sort and need to get it repaired. Not sure what it is about the updates that causes these things to fail, but I've had it happen twice.

[Tyche]

No where else to post this, but LOL...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0puP8nrIU8

Apparently, there's a movement to get this guy to present for Sony at E3 as well. That would be so fucking cool.

[Bartylby]

o wow that was a sick jab(no pun intended) at punch out

but an entirely hilarious commercial

[Kuya]

The ps3 commercials with him are so great.

[BRP]

The fucking picture of the E3 speaker hahahahaha

[Mayareira]

Codemasters VP Says; "PSP is a bollocking useless waste of space, the iPad is brilliant."

Gavin Cheshire, Codemasters Studios vice president, isn't a great believer in the PSP.

"Well, speaking as a person who bought a PSP, the problem was that I always thought - because it was a better screen than iPod's - that I'd be doing more with it. But it was such a bollocking useless waste of space; just getting stuff on it was ridiculous," he told Edge magazine, issue 213.

"That was its downfall. Relatively speaking, [Codemasters] didn't do too badly on F1 PSP. But regarding the future, I think they've got - well... no.

"PSPgo's a lovely device," he added, "really smart - but our senior VP bought one the day it came out and has a great story, because he ended up on some customer support line just trying to do basic stuff. He had to re-download his software, do an immediate firmware update, and that's your user experience.

"Sony just hasn't got it right. Stuff like that will make people leave it alone."

Conversely, Cheshire thinks Apple's new iPad is "brilliant" and believes there's potential despite the App Store being swamped with content.

"The ecosystem's right," he said, "the straight-to-console nature of it."

Some people believe the PSP and iPhone are on a collision course. PopCap's John Vechey told Eurogamer earlier this year that as Apple revised iPhone hardware, graphics would eventually improve and match Sony's machine. What happens then, we'll leave you to speculate.

Quite dissapointing to be honest, Codemasters is pretty awesome and they've developed a handful of solid PSP titles in the past.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/cheshire-psp-is-a-bollocking-useless-waste-of-space

[Don Katsu]

They may look the same, but the developers say the PS3 is handling Crysis 2 a bit better than the Xbox 360.

Crysis 2 is going to look the best on the PC, without any doubt. But if you're not up to spending hundreds more for a PC that can play it at the visual quality you want, then the next best option is a console. Crytek promises awesome graphics even for those playing on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, but if you have the choice between the two platforms, the latter could be the stronger one.

Typically, developers get better results from the Xbox 360 when making a multiplatform game, thanks to Microsoft's friendlier development platform. Crytek, however, hasn't been seeing the same sort of thing that most other developers do.

"We haven't found it more difficult to develop for PS3," Crytek's business development boss Carl Jones told PSM3, according to CVG. "We're lucky in the fact that we've come to the generation slightly later than other people - the ones who were trying to build the first technology and games were surprised at how different the PS3 was. We took our time and worked out the right way to approach it."

"At the moment, we're getting slightly more performance from PS3 compared to 360," Jones said. "I'm very confident that products using CryEngine 3 are going to come out as the best looking, or at least in the top three, on every platform."

Visually, however, those who have seen it say that the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions look virtually identical; but no doubt that there will be comparisons galore once the game hits stores.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/crysis-c...news-6478.html

I see how this can make sense given the PS3's cell proccesor. Wasn't the original Crysis a multi threaded game? I'm assuming PC wise it's probably going to require 2.4 dual core Phenom II/ Core 2 Duo with a recommended Core2Quad/Phenom II x4

I'll probably pick this game up on the PS3, I don't want to purchase another video card (or two -_-) to play it....

[Insanecyclone]

yay

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/ps...and-wednesday/

Do you sometimes get jealous of your Xbox-owning friends that are able to download demos and DLC a day earlier than you? Don't worry, PS3 fans. Sony has a solution: Release content before Microsoft! Both the American and European PlayStation Store updates are moving to new days, starting in May.

Tuesdays become the new day for PSN updates in North America, as recently explained by Pulse's Christina Lee (pictured, above). In Europe, content will be updated on Wednesday, as explained by SCEE's Mike Kebby.

While this may seem like terrific news for PlayStation fans, we're pretty certain this is how the time wars begin. With Sony pushing earlier, Microsoft will have no choice but to retaliate by sending Major Nelson back in time to assassinate the unborn Kevin Butler! Don't worry, though. We're pretty certain he knows how to travel through time as well.

[Hiryo]

Surprised it hasnt always been like that seeing as how the generic media released date for many things is tuesday o.o

[Kaisha]

When did 360 move to Weds? I was always under the assumption they updated on Tuesday.