Dark_Alex quits the homebrew scene

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 2nd 2007 at 4:30PM }

The homebrew scene has suffered quite possibly its greatest loss ever: Dark_Alex is quitting development of his popular "open edition" firmware. While others may continue his work, it appears that the famed developer is moving on to other things. On his website, he notes various reasons for his departure: "One of them is the time it consumes, which i'm losing from other things. The other is related to my security. I didn't like Sony menaces to PS3 hackers. I think it is better to leave now rather than end paying the consequences."

Certainly, this is an unexpected twist in PSP development. How will the homebrew scene be affected by this loss?

[Thanks, Sergio and everyone else that sent this in!]

Tags: dark_alex, homebrew

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Drdre74 @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:42PM

this is a very sad day indeed. A very sad day.

Michael @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:43PM

Well - it was fun while it lasted. Just about every release of his OE firmware was better than the 'real thing.' His work will be missed...

Michael

RadioScott @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:43PM

Nnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Derftron @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:48PM

lol. I had a feeling this would happen some day!

TheGuy @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:49PM

"Dark_Alex wakes up in the morning to find the head of a dead in bed with him with a note saying:

You've been warned.

Sony"

Seriously though, this is a sad lose to the homebrew scene. I can't say that I blame him, especially considering he's a university student. Oh well, his legacy will live on.

TheGuy @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:51PM

"Dark_Alex wakes up in the morning to find the head of a dead horse in bed with him with a note saying:

You've been warned.

Sony"

Seriously though, this is a sad lose to the homebrew scene. I can't say that I blame him, especially considering he's a university student. Oh well, his legacy will live on.

*Fixed the typo about the head of a dead horse, but I think it already ruined the joke :S

Shinogu @ Jul 2nd 2007 4:55PM

Who wants to bet he's been hired by Sony?

Ratchet the Lombax @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:02PM

oh well maybe now people will actually BUY PSP games and not pirate them all the time.

DBoy1993 @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:05PM

sigh. now i have to buy another psp. an official one, so i could be on (sad to say it) sony's side once again 3'-(

Derrick N. @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:07PM

sigh

kingofwale @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:09PM

I agree with the person a few post above me. Sounds like he got hired by Sony.

or ubisoft, Funny how it happened JUST when a rumour circulated about an Ubisoft's game is capable of hacking FW. ;)

PSP-Retro @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:15PM

Tis is a sad day for homebrew indeed! Sure Dark Alex reigned supreme, but I would bet 10 others will take up this title. Pirating is an issue on the PSP as with ALL OTHER VIDEO GAME SYSTEMS but pirating games is by far not the only use for homebrew. It does make sense to play games you already OWN off of a memory stick. The game loads faster the battery lasts longer and you can keep your original safe and sound. Dark Alex was working on the the embedded firmware code put out by Sony themseleves that allows for playing games from ISO's. I would not be surprised if he is now in the employ of Sony.

cbroz91 @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:22PM

I was just about to downgrade my psp and install OE firmware but now this makes me nervious. I acutally use my psp for the games...and I worry that i may end up going OE just to have to go back to official in a few months because no1 has updated the OE firmware to be compatible with the newest release. And now i wonder is there any way to take an OE psp and make it official again?

Ken Edwards @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:32PM

* The _PSP_ homebrew scene has suffered quite possibly its greatest loss ever (maybe)

kingofwale @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:32PM

>I worry that i may end up going OE just to have to go back to official in a few months because no1 has updated the OE firmware to be compatible with the newest release

basic economics 101. when a corp goes down, when an market opportunity comes up, there will always be someone there to fill it. Of course, I'm not saying this person (or people) will be as good as Dark Alex right away, but don't think they won't be.

Heck, a PSP without OE is a PSP with potential untapped.

[.sm0ke.] @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:36PM

A programmer by the name of becus has been working on custom firmwares as well, so he may pick up where Dark_AleX left off.

Drdre74 @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:45PM

Would have been nice to at least get the new version he was working on as a good bye present. lol! Some of the new game demos ask for 3.50. I'm gonna be mad if the GOW demo ask for 3.50 and there isnt a OE out to play it.

[.sm0ke.] @ Jul 2nd 2007 5:48PM

Supposedly there was a line of code somewhere in 3.51 that was no more than a threat to him. Something tells me it was in the ISO loader prx.

chris @ Jul 2nd 2007 6:03PM

Haha, this doesn't mean people will start buying anything. DAX left us enough tools to be able to rip UMDS, build ISOS, and hex edit demos. If he's big enough to get noticed on PSP Fanboy multiple times, then he's done enough already. Thanks, DAX.

Saigon @ Jul 2nd 2007 6:06PM

"The other is related to my security. I didn't like Sony menaces to PS3 hackers. I think it is better to leave now rather than end paying the consequences."

Sounds to me like Sony had enough.

Or maybe he was unable to crack 3.51??

Ricochet @ Jul 2nd 2007 6:07PM

Thanks for all you've done Dark Alex, it's because of what you've done that I still actually bother with my psp. It's not going to be the same, I just hope there's someone out there to fill the gap...

Kspraydad @ Jul 2nd 2007 6:45PM

I think its sad that great work like Daxter sells only 300,000 units or Crush sells only 14,000 so far.

Maybe PSP owners will once again think about buying some quality games and supporting their system instead of pirating and driving developers to not bother anymore.

GoBob @ Jul 2nd 2007 6:50PM

@Kspraydad

Daxter is a well-known franchise. Crush is not. Although Crush is amazing, it's incredibly under the radar. Most PSP owners have never even hear of the game. Try to think about stuff like that before you knee jerk and immediately blame piracy. Piracy only makes for a small portion of "lost" sales. Most people who pirate were never going to buy it anyways.

Chaunches @ Jul 2nd 2007 7:04PM

hmm well is there anyway to go back to official firmware just curious

kingofwale @ Jul 2nd 2007 7:26PM

>24. hmm well is there anyway to go back to official firmware just curious

yes, downgrade back to 1.5. and then upgrade via Sony's official FW (although any short of upgrade and downgrade, you might run into problems of bricking your system)

I just don't get how people automatically associate homebrew with piracy. Sure, homebrew enable that, but it's still a very small portion of PSP users. There are bad apples everywhere. It's almost like me accusing people who own a DVD burner of pirating movies.

Tom @ Jul 2nd 2007 7:34PM

I 'one of those who use OE because of homebrews. I'm not a gamer and not play game that much on my psp. However I do own over 10 games just to check 'em out.

I used most of my psp as a pmp media player esp. at the gym and on the plane.

I want to take this chance to Thank Dark Alex for his great effort. Without you, I probably would have sold my psp way long time ago... Thank DA...

Kspraydad @ Jul 2nd 2007 7:40PM

Actually GoBob...

I'm blaming piracy for the low Daxter numbers too...Ratchet and Clank has sold under 200k...it is ridiculous for us PSP owners to cry 'we don't get good games' and then support the good games in such low numbers. I would gather that the OE seen has a lot to do with that.

zoen151 @ Jul 2nd 2007 7:42PM

Supposedly Dark_Alex found a line of code in the offical 3.51 firmware that was actually a threat directed towards him from Sony. Anyone have any info on what it said?

kingofwale @ Jul 2nd 2007 7:47PM

>Ratchet and Clank has sold under 200k...

From my experience of going into NUMEROUS PSP forums, I don't believe R&C can be pirated (it just won't play), in fact, there are even reports claiming it can't even played on OE FW PSP.

in short, R&C's lack of sale has NOTHING to do with OE FW.

So. not sure if you know this, but I'm sick of hearing people whine about things they don't even know about.

whackmushrooms @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:23PM

i think there is a huge coincidence here .. i bet you they finally got to him and hopefully offered him a god damn job!

Noshino @ Jul 2nd 2007 8:07PM

"29. >Ratchet and Clank has sold under 200k...

From my experience of going into NUMEROUS PSP forums, I don't believe R&C can be pirated (it just won't play), in fact, there are even reports claiming it can't even played on OE FW PSP.

in short, R&C's lack of sale has NOTHING to do with OE FW.

So. not sure if you know this, but I'm sick of hearing people whine about things they don't even know about.

Posted at 7:47PM on Jul 2nd 2007 by kingofwale"

ok, one question, can you play R&C on a PSP with OE FW?

if you can't, then the low numbers of units sold of R&C is directly affected by the OE FW, see, as you said, it is not possible to play a pirated version of R&C, that means that people with OE FWs wont eve bother to play it, they would have to decide between playing the game or keeping their OE FW.

Ratchet the Lombax @ Jul 2nd 2007 8:06PM

@kingofwale

Ratchet and Clank CAN be played on Custom Firmware I know this because it is one of the few games that I have on my chip. I bought it and ripped it to my chip mostly for convenience. It just requires that you change the CPU speed in the recovery menu so that it will load.

Shane @ Jul 2nd 2007 8:18PM

Ratchet & Clank UMD online is a b***h if you are on OE firmwares. I've only tried off the UMD but I am pretty sure online doesn't work off of the memory stick either. I have heard that using eLoader works but it was such a hassle.

kingofwale @ Jul 2nd 2007 8:19PM

>Ratchet the Lombax

according to Ratchet, I supposed you can rip it yourself, but you have to buy and rip it that way. so no pirated copy. Although from early reports I've read, you can't even play it on OE.

>, that means that people with OE FWs wont eve bother to play it,

you really think a lot of people have OE? eh? a very liberal estimate probably put it around 5-10% of all owner base. If R&C can't sell, it's mostly likely because of the horrible camera angle. (I would have rented it, but I have no idea how to change CPU speed)

GoBob @ Jul 2nd 2007 8:28PM

Has anyone though of the possibility that people didn't want R&C? I certainly don't want it. Blaming piracy for supposed low sales is foolish. Perhaps there is the possibility that people didn't want it? That's like Eli Roth blaming piracy for low sales for Hostel 2. It wasn't piracy, people didn't want to watch a porn/torture sequel to a bad movie. There wasn't a lot of hype about R&C. Not that many people are into it.

Let me ask you this: how was Tekken 5: DR sales?

[.sm0ke.] @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:43PM

28, Dark_AleX won't say what the threat said, and nobody else knows where it's hidden or how to read it.

Brandon @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:50PM

Although he will be missed by many, there has yet to be anything truly worth switching to custom firmware for, other than emulation and piracy. The vast majority of homebrew is threadbare apps that have little practicle use (the IM apps with the redesigned software keyboard being an exception), or homebrew games that are needless to say substandard compared to full on PSP games.

zoen151 @ Jul 2nd 2007 10:07PM

Thanks for the info. [.sm0ke.]!

merc25 @ Jul 2nd 2007 10:32PM

Well, becus25 is working on his IE(Increasing Edition) CFWs. Note that his current build is at 3.02, which is several steps behind DAX. http://pspupdates.qj.net/3-02-IE-A-Update2/pg/49/aid/96498

A new CFW maker, FreePlay, came on the scene today, with I **** you not a Puzzle Bubble(aka Bust-a-Move) CFW. http://pspupdates.qj.net/New-CFW-preview-Puzzle-Bobble-Custom-Firmware/pg/49/aid/96512

On the supply and demand gig mention by kingofwale: While true that the demand is quite, but supply is very low we have DAX, becus25, and FreePlay. One is now gone, the other two are behind, and if sony gives them the Ultamatium like they did to DAX(allegedly), we can kiss the CFW scene good bye.

On the whole R&C not working on CFW: This very site told the work around. http://playstation.joystiq.com/2007/02/18/play-ratchet-on-custom-firmware/
Someone was saying several days ago how posters on this website had very bad long term, but I know it ain't true.

Side note on the R&C article:
Interesting, I thought Andrew was the only one with OE, maybe Steven switch back to Sony's official firmware some where between now and then.

Daboof @ Jul 2nd 2007 10:43PM

this is very similar to that time when some moron made a fake dax site full of brickers, he said he'd quit when that happened but changed his mind lets hope he does again

upz @ Jul 2nd 2007 11:16PM

Kingofwale, I usually agree with your thoughts and enjoy your insight, but you and I have argued the issue of OE and piracy before, and I still have to disagree with your perspective.

You're right in assuming that a small number of PSP users actually use OE, but to assume that most users who are savvy enough for OE are also too ethical for piracy is a bit naive. It's not that Sony doesn't want you to use homebrew, but until they find a solution that grants PSP users access to homebrew while still preventing piracy, you can bet they'd rather shut both down than allow one at the risk of the other.

Also, getting R&C working on OE is no rocket science, and certainly doesn't require a UMD copy of the game at any point. Thought I'd clear that up for you since you keep on insisting that R&C won't run on OE and it's everyone else that doesn't know what they're talking about.

You also went on to prove Noshino's point through your example about yourself: that you have OE and won't even bother with R&C since it takes a bit of extra effort to get working.

Seriously man, I love my OE as much as you, but we have no real justification in defending it.

upz @ Jul 2nd 2007 11:19PM

^ That said, I do own R&C (won a free copy, in fact). I remember hearing Andrew's stance on piracy, and I wouldn't want to give the wrong idea and get myself banned from one of the few boards I actually comment on.

GoBob @ Jul 3rd 2007 12:00AM

@Brandon

There are people who use CFW for customization. The ability to have custom coldboots and load video, custom icons, etc. is appealing to a lot of people. I use CFW and I am don't pirate. I think we should be allowed to have the option of customization, especially considering that it adds uniqueness to our PSPs that we cannot otherwise have.

kingofwale @ Jul 3rd 2007 12:01AM

>but to assume that most users who are savvy enough for OE are also too ethical for piracy is a bit naive.

Here's the thing, people who are tech savvy enough are definitely not the majority (that is for sure, not only for PSP, but for any tech fanbase).

and the rest is purely speculation. For me, taking time off downloading a game, then having to worry about if it's real (or spyware) and then worrying about if the download engine has spyware. Not only that, worry about if you get caught 'stealing' stuff.

not to mention being throttled by ISP.

All of that is just too much for me to even bother with. I much rather walk to the discount store, and get a game second hand, save me the time and energy I would otherwise waste on stealing something.

Now, that's my reason, I don't question people's ability and mean, I simply question whether people have the time and will power to pirate something.

I don't question whether there are OE users who are actively downloading games, but frankly, I think they are the very small minority. I'd say 3-5% of total PSP ownership base.

To blame a game's bad-sale on PSP OE is just stupid, it's no dumber (is that even a word?) that suggestion movie piracy is what kills the corn market

kingofwale @ Jul 3rd 2007 12:02AM

kingofwale @ Jul 3rd 2007 12:08AM

kingofwale @ Jul 3rd 2007 12:09AM

wow, triple posting, I'm really sorry, can anybody delete two of them for me?

Si_Bates @ Jul 3rd 2007 1:52AM

Has any one even considered the posibility that the low sales figures on PSP releases is down to the fact that the console isn't that good for playing games.

I'll admit there are one or two titles I enjoyed, but the the most part of them are lazy PS2 ports with bad controls, due to a lack of second analogue control.

And the PSP hardware sales had a significant boost, as soon as people found out about custom firmwares.
Because this meant, not only that they could "get games on the cheap", but also play the titles that are doomed to never reach their region. Not to mention the 1000s of homebrew apps that have made the PSP a tool in every day life for some people.
Not to mention it was an exremely easy method of "modding" the console, it didn't involve any physical damage, or voiding of warrenty.
And "chipping" is still an option for most of the people who currently use cusom firmware, which would prevent the need for firmware updates. Although in my case it's a last resort I'm hoping to never resort to.

So consider all factors in "why" the PSPs released titles arent selling, before blaming custom firmware. And don't forget; the PSP has the DS as a rival, over 10 years of hand held experience under Nintendos belt, compared to Sony PlayStations "experiment".

I'm happy with the games I currently own for the PSP, there isn't much on the current or predicted market I want, the only title I'm interesed in is Tomb Raider Aniversary, but I'm not desperate as the PS2 version will play on my PS3.

It is verry sad that Dark_AleX has thrown in the towel. But the brightest stars, always burn out the quickest.
I'm sure there will be another in his wake, it'll just take time. Mainly because there hasn't been any need for anyone else to do it, so no one has. But now there's a "vacancy", so if anyone wants to step up to the plate, they're welcome to.

Sony can't tell you what to do with your hardware once you've paid for it. So why should every one have "locked" consoles that only do what Sony want them to. Surely this is some kind of infringment into freedom rights.

I hardly touched my PSP before I descovered Dark_AleX's OE firmwares. Now it's become part of my console collection, instead of the "novelty gadget" I saw it as before.
So, ladies and gentlemen, let's all raise our glasses and pay tribute to Dark_AleX and his hard work.
Sir, you truely were a prodigy. I salute you.

jim @ Jul 3rd 2007 2:44AM

KingOFWale

you my friend are clueless, "I simply question whether people have the time and will power to pirate something." is the most stupid comment i have ever heard, from reading this i know you are NOT tech savy, because thereis little if any effort involved in downloading anything, as for spyware etc etc, get the right client and you don't have to worry, oh yeah and theres this little thing called anti virus, you may want to look up what that means, although i know how hard that will be for you, as you have so much trouble downloading

as for the 3-5 % whered you pull that number from, remebering that 89% of statistics are made up on the spot.

now the throtling, if my isp throttles me i will complain they have no right to throttle me if i pay for a speed they give me that speed for everything.

when it comes down to it all consoles have piracy issues, it is stupid to say only the psp is affected by it

PSP-Retro @ Jul 3rd 2007 3:26AM

Si_Bates

-48. Has any one even considered the posibility that the low sales figures on PSP releases is down to the fact that the console isn't that good for playing games.

Stupid and foolish statement , you sound like a DS loser in disguise. Yes there have been ports and just because its a port does not mean it is bad, have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe the person who gets this port has never played it on the PS2?
PSP had a significant boost when they lowered the price it was not about custom firmware. People are starting to realize the true potential of the PSP.
PSP's and it's games are selling really well or else you would not see so many games coming out, you would not see sequels coming out from big companies like Lucasarts. If they didn't see a market then they would not release games. 25+ Million strong and growing is awsome. You also claim Nintendo has had 10 years??? Again you spout dribble then Gameboy was out in 1989 thats 18 years. PSP what 2 years and 25 million units? Thats a hell of an accomplishment! Tell me is the DS locked as well??? That is the norm with consoles save the GPX Series...

I bed farwell to Dark_AleX and a huge KUDOS to all that he has done!
The PSP will continue to flourish, homebrew will continue to as well..