Sony looking for a way to safely support homebrew

by Steven Bailey { Jul 25th 2007 at 10:45AM }

IGN PSP had their latest mailbag questions actually answered by Sony reps. The results were fairly interesting, especially when the issue of homebrew came up. IGN user carterman asked "Why not have some homebrew game support?" To which Jack Tretton replied, "I think that is something that is in the works. We certainly see some of the stuff that has been done via homebrew, and it's incredibly creative. And I think we'd like to try and tap into that a little bit more." Dave Karraker added to Jack's answer by stating that Sony is trying to figure out how to support homebrew without putting the PSP in danger. Does this mean that Sony is working on their own PSP answer to XNA? Sounds like it could be.

[Thanks Joe!]

Tags: homebrew

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

txa1265 @ Jul 25th 2007 11:31AM

That sounds like a great move - I could argue that they should have thought of it two years ago, but regardless it is a good thing.

Logan @ Jul 25th 2007 11:35AM

wonder if dark alex has something to do with this...

Wolfie @ Jul 25th 2007 11:40AM

It will be very cool.

There is a market for it for people to create homebrew and distribute it for a cost or as freeware and/or open source.

Though, it's easy to check security (just code check memory flashing); they are more worried about security against the illicit side of homebrewing while keeping the community open.

Ed @ Jul 25th 2007 11:42AM

This is excellent news.

Karl @ Jul 25th 2007 12:22PM

I do like that about Sony: they embrace homebrew.

They did it on the PSOne with the Net Yaroze (which flopped because it was too expensive), on the PS2 with PS2Linux (limited potential, but better than anything Microsoft did), and I believe they also will with the PSP and PS3 (I'm not sure how development is on PS3 Linux).

And XNA is an amazing platform. It supports both the PC and 360, unifying game development as well as enabling community projects. If Sony could create a common open platform for the PSP and PS3, it'll be an effective countermove at XNA. And there's no reason only Microsoft gets to use the PC as a platform.

Thomas @ Jul 25th 2007 1:45PM

give the psp a linux operating system... with the linux operating system, you give people (homebrewers) a space where they can do as they please, and through the operating system you don't have to worry about bootleg games. Sony can control what you can access on the psp via the linux os... could be nice.. imo

Thomas @ Jul 25th 2007 1:52PM

Sony should allow a linux operating system on the psp, and allow homebrew perons to create applications for it. At least this way applications for psp will be compatible with linux applications for the ps3. At least people will use linux in a more mainstream way. The psp does needs basic applications, like a calendar, notepad, or pdf file reader... make it become an ebook reader. Since the industry is about casual games and content, then let the psp become as versatile as it can be.

MasterREAVer @ Jul 25th 2007 2:46PM

pf...Sony should just give up... we already use homebrew.. or at least sell the games and movies cheaper just a bit... in my home country, a good,new game is about 1/6 of an average salary...we simply cant afford that...

pjak @ Aug 29th 2007 7:58PM

Yeah, Linux for PSP...PS2 got Linux and so did the PS3...Why not repeat this for PSP??

NdFaN1083 @ Jul 25th 2007 4:20PM

hehehe...getting beaten at your own game sony? Well at least you go with the old saying, "If you cant beat 'em, join 'em."

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Jul 25th 2007 4:46PM

Wow. That sounds pretty awesome. I hope they find some way of doing it. (maybe through the PS Store??)

osvico @ Jul 26th 2007 12:20PM

Maybe they could integrate that new PSP application that automatically deletes ISOs and CSOs (and maybe add a few other formats that could be used) and leave the rest of the PSP open.

Also add the ability to rip UMDs (onto the pro duo memory thing) into DRM'd images that can only be played on that specific PSP, for those people concerned about battery life.