Pandora’s Xbox: The changing community of the modern console

[xiaNaix]

News Source: The Horrible Fanfare

The Horrible Fanfare has posted an interesting article on console hacking, which includes a look at the PS2.

To read the complete article, click HERE

Over Skype one evening, Hector Martin tells a story of the Playstation 2.

A group of hackers discovered a serious exploit that allowed unofficial — or, homebrew — software, to be run on the console. Unlike previous hacks, a memory unit and some software trickery was all that was required to make it happen. It wasn’t long before the pirates could do the same as well.

Sony, of course, was not amused. Due to the system’s design, the problem remained for months, unresolved until a new hardware revision could be pushed out the door.

But that was then.

This generation, there is no Playstation 2. Gone are the days when a device was hacked, and stayed that way for good. Instead, we live in a world where online updates are routine — where hackers hack, and exploits are found, but holes are plugged with ease.

Martin — now known by his online handle, Marcan — has since moved on. Administrator of Wiibrew.org, a repository of homebrew software and a development wiki for the Nintendo Wii, the computer science student has become a prominent hacker in the console’s community.

But compared to the Playstation, it’s clear that times have changed; in the war on piracy, a bug used by hackers is just as easily used by pirates.

Piracy’s wanton disregard for gaming copyright is an attitude absent in the homebrew community. It is instead replaced by the fierce creativity of its developers, and the curious minds of its hardware engineers – a sure sign that, while their methods may be similar, their intentions are most certainly not.

After all, homebrew by itself does little to hurt the console market — but with profits on the line, no hole remains unplugged. The constant battle with pirates to keep game consoles secure has left hackers and developers caught in the crossfire. And in the corporate world, it has become increasingly hard to tell the two groups apart.

But, as some point out, it is not impossible.

As consoles have changed, so too have the communities that surround them. According to one hacker I spoke with, there aren’t more gamers, and there aren’t more gaming consoles — but there are more hackers. It’s a changing dynamic, and one that has altered the way we think of our systems.

And if gaming companies listened, they might just learn something.

[garyopa]

Nice good read.

Problem is it needs to be updated, this article was written before PS3 lost the "Other OS", so no more open "HomeBrew" on the PS3, so that changes some of the author's debating points on the various consoles.

And I agree with one point the author makes, that console makers, paint "homebrew" with the same brush as "piracy".

I would have to said, based on my direct fight with ESA and the big "N" themselves, that "homebrew" is more of a knife in their back then "piracy", and they take more efforts to remove possible new "homebrew" then just plain "un-changed" copies of their licensed content.

Just my two cents.

[noetikos]

that was indeed a good reading. thanks

[xboxmods2977]

And I agree with one point the author makes, that console makers, paint "homebrew" with the same brush as "piracy".

It will remain this way until someone comes up with another way to allow homebrew but still prevent piracy. Sony tried with OtherOS but people didn't play nice with it, so it was removed (Sony was really left with no other choice) and now, such a concept probably won't ever be embraced again, by any game console company.

That said, this gives hackers all the more reason to prod, because as time goes on, the "If you want features, add them yourself" method will forever be the only way.

Upside to this is the learning experience that one company (M$) used to it's advantage. They actually listened and added a few features to the Xbox 360 taken from us and our modified Xboxes. So in more ways than one, Hacking is good!

[_zaphod_]

Not a bad article, but I have the following issues with what people have said.

1) It actually took quite a while for the ps2 hack to be used for easy piracy (hdloader). Until then, Sony thought it was cute that they were running little programs off the memory cards. But as soon as hdloader.elf showed up, they went "No more Mr. Nice Sony!"

2) OtherOs has now been stripped, but Sony threw the first stone, by removing it from the slims. This kicked the homebrew guys into high gear, as they decided that meant the truce was off.