Is The PS3 Close To Being Hacked?

Videos on the 'net around the New Year period apparently showed how to crack the previously uncrackable PS3. Of course, rumours immediately sprung up debunking the whole thing, but what would it mean for Sony if it where true?

[n4gn4gn4gn4g]

please F off.

[hay]

As always, it isn't black and white for me.
I'd gladly welcome homebrew on my PS3 as I love neat features it gave my PSP.
I'd definetly boost console sales but unfortunatelly it would also hurt software sales. Which is the biggest drawback here.

[dkblackhawk50]

Homebrew was nice for the PSP. The best part of it was the emulators.

[gaffyh]

The Motorstorm video (i.e. that hack) is a real hack, but still not really viable. It only works on a few games, and you NEED a phat PS3 with Linux capability to make it work. Because you have to rip the games yourself in order for them to work on your system.

On top of that you need a BD-Burner (which are very expensive), and as far as I know, BD-ROMs are still quite expensive (~£6 per 25GB disc).

Not really worth bothering with.

[sikbeta]

It isn't worth, big games to download and a Firmware that can f*ck your console, no thanks

[mikeslemonade]

Right now with stores giving price cuts on games and systems, and also with Gamefly it makes gaming not a very expensive hobby. I own all three systems and I only have a part time job with money to spare. It's just too much headache and hassle to hack. I just want to relax and stay healthy.

[Microsoft Xbox 360]

Remember kids, homebrew leads to actual cheating. I'm not talking about glitches and all that baby stuff. I'm talking about hex editing, memory altering cheating. Gameshark/Codebreaker type stuff. Cheats that give you infinite health/ammo/whatever for any online or offline game. I'm not saying I'm against homebrew, actually I welcome it wholeheartedly for emulators but homebrew completely ruined the PS2's online system and it will do the same for PSN.

[Zeevious]

Every version prior to the latest $299 models support any kind of 'homebrew' and emulators you wanted...through Linux.

Did you use it? Ever?

'Install OtherOS' was built in out of the box for 3 years.
Few used the feature, which supported full OS functions, whatever emulators you liked, full browser & office apps, including keyboards, mice, etc.

Even if Z-Back is true, this just supports piracy & hacking...we already had all the homebrew we ever wanted.

The problem is without a l33t hax0r g@m3 r1pr nobody wanted it.

[rockleex]

Custom dynamic backgrounds!!! >:D

And emulators on the PS3 that use the RSX + Cell.

[Christopher]

As a programmer, the definition of 'hack' has been watered down so much that it includes modifying XML files on the HDD to display a different screen saver or to run a valid, non-hacked app from the HDD. I'm sure there's going to be an eventual way to hack the PS3, but whether it's cost effective and simple to do is an entirely different thing. Right now, though, we just have people who want attention.

Just to note, there's a HUGE difference between illegal distribution of a PS3-capable application, which most programmers with a PS3 dev kit or similar can make, and actually hacking the PS3 to run non-compliant software emulators. The ones that run on the PSP are the former, not the later, and can hardly be called hacks, just illegally distributed PSP applications.

[Chubear]

but it's a b* to run anything remotely significant that's playable. It's not if it'll be hacked but when and I believe Sony's estimate of yr 6-8 is a decent estimate and one they could live with for sure cause by yr7 the PS3 will be grinding down and an even tougher to hack PS4 will be on the rise.

So in essence, instead of losing 10yrs of potential profits, they lose maybe 2or3. This is something the 360fanbase didn't understand back then about the Blu-ray HD DVD battle. Blu-ray ultimately saves companies billions on lost revenue to piracy. HD DVD was dead from the start, it just took sometime to show it.

[Proxy]

First, "hacking" often refers to making quick and dirty changes to the code to accomplish your goal quickly. What we're talking about is "cracking."

Software developers deserve to be payed for their software; piracy is bad. However, I believe that hardware should be under the control of it's owner. The right to tinker is the basis of many hobbies (like amateur radio). My hardware should do what I program it to do.

[sukru]

The last time I tried PS3 linux was more than a year ago. It was a disaster.

PS3 basically leaves ~220MB RAM for linux use. Any modern Linux desktop requires 512MB to run. It always used the swap, making everything crawl.

The situation might have changed, but I no longer have my PS3, and I already am deterred from trying again.

[princejb134]

who cares as if anyone wanna download 25-50gb of data to play a game
but if is for emulators such as snes, genesis, psx, gba, etc. might have to keep a eye out for that

[Zeevious]

...the PS3 has the 512mb needed, but it took a Yellow Dog Linux version to take full advantage of it, using the second 256mb of XDR memory as a swapfile, significantly improving performance.
http://www.yellowdoglinux.c...

Ubuntu is also available with an easy install image & is more than suitable for emulation & homebrew. (this one's your best-bet Prince)
http://gizmodo.com/5143547/...

PS3 use for academic, security or research is still supported by Sony.
http://www.develop-online.n...

For a summary of the details about these Linux changes...
http://www.sonyinsider.com/...

According to Sony the OtherOS function will NEVER be removed from previous hardware versions, so you can purchase an older model or an academic kit, both with Linux support.

I disagree with, but understand the decision to drop system-wide Linux support.

It's a feature few consumers ever used or even knew about...and after it failed to lead to any meaningful exploits...was largely forgotten about.

[vhero]

I don't think its ever gonna get hacked every time hackers get a whiff of something Sony ups the firmware they won't make the same mistake as with PSP twice and there is no battery to mod with this time either.

[vickers500]

"Right now with stores giving price cuts on games and systems, and also with Gamefly it makes gaming not a very expensive hobby."

Well it's nice that you get to live in a city that has a best buy, and other lesser known gaming stores that give a lot of discounts away, but not all of us do. Some of us have to settle getting ripped off by our local gamestop. Sure, I could go to wal mart or hastings, but they do not have any pre order rewards whatsoever.

Those reasons you give do not apply to everybody. That being said, if I had the ability to readily pirate ps3 games, I would. Not every game has a demo for it (only half do) which means I have to put my trust in gameplay trailers and reviews (some of us can't rent games either, you need to have a credit card), so being able to download the game from the internet would be nice. I could play the game, see if I like it, and then if I did like it, I would purchase it. I know most others wouldn't (unless it had online play), but I would, since I would actually want to own the proper game and support the devs.

Another comment I saw here that I would like to dispute "Software developers deserve to be payed for their software; piracy is bad."

Oh really? The developers of wii games that constantly churn out shovelware deserve to be paid? EA deserves the millions and millions they get from the Madden games that are usually just a hair different from their predecessors? If you think that laziness such as that deserves a hefty reward then I don't really know what to say to you. Yeah devs deserve to be paid (the ones that actually try), but don't say that software developers in general deserve payment, because not all of them do.

Piracy is not bad whenever you're pirating a piece of sh*t to determine whether you will be ripped off or not when/if you buy it.

[SilentNegotiator]

....is a Virus-filled website and a guy on Youtube who already removed his video.

[fafoon]

.

[RedDragan]

Is this so called software Z-Back?

If so... LMFAO!!!!!! That was as believable as McDonald's being healthy!

[kewlkat007]

I def would like to run Emulators on there. I don't care about downloading games, don't have the bandwidth.

Emulators + Homebrew would be nice.

[Zeevious]

You can already do all that...for 3 years now.

The fact is, Sony decided to stop wasting dev time and money supporting Linux functions few, if any outside security & research facilities used.

It just didn't make sense to update hardware drivers & rigorously test their Hypervisor security for the fraction of a fraction of a percent that used Linux...

I was surprised to see the option built in from launch but when it turned out OtherOS/Linux didn't lead to the PS3 & games hacked under the guise of 'we need homebrew' hackers lost interest.

Embedded processor serialization & Hypervisor control certainly works, but no one really wanted Homebrew.

Free game copies...yeah.
Homebrew...not so much.
An 'Octipiler'...definitely

http://www.embedded.com/col...
http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

[keysy420]

thats all

[Marty8370]

Next firmware update will patch this. If it is a true hack. Which alot think otherwise.

[THE MAX SPEED 21]

that'd be great

[rezenu]

Why would you wish for a system to be hacked?

[THE MAX SPEED 21]

I dont wish for the console to get hacked or whatever.

but hey if it's possible to do it why wouldnt I? I'll hack the games that arent worth spending money on and buy the good ones. that what I always do.

my PS2 was hacked my PSP is hacked my old xbox was hacked.

[rezenu]

It's stealing.

[LightofDarkness]

If you think about it, it's more akin to counterfeiting than stealing. You aren't depriving the original owner of their property, merely copying it. It results in lost revenue for copyright owners, yes, and so does counterfeiting. But it's generally a less serious crime. But because copyright is big business, they like to bandy about the word "stealing" as it sounds more serious and fundamentally/morally wrong.

[PLAYstar]

This isn't the 90s and the early 2000 where you couldn't try out demos unless its been distributed to you with a hardcopy, and you couldn't get games review unless you subscribe to mags.. We are now living in a much more advance world now. You wanna know a game is good? Just download the demos or readup the reviews around the web! Hacking a console just so you could try the games ain't an excuse any longer.

However I still think that the PS3 should be hack if Sony want their hardware to be sold in poor regions. Its been 3years, the PS3 is becoming the most complex technology ever in history.

[Gun_Senshi]

selling a game like MW2 is stealing

[mfwahwah]

I think it's pathetic to pirate games. I don't have the money for every game I want. I deal with it though, since I'm not a piece of **** scumbag like some of you thieving ass holes out there.

I ****ing hate people who steal video games. It's completely pathetic.

[f789790]

Because playing N64 games like mario kart on the ps3 would be awesome. I can't have every old console connected to my tv which is why I have converted to emulators on my pc.

[ia_studio]

this is a rumor about a posibility, MODS!

[Jellzy]

No!!

This method of playing backups has nothing to do with running unsigned code, and thats not to mention that no one has been successful in loading backups by following this.

I'm all for homebrew and emulators etc... But in reality most only care about playing illegal copies (note: not backups!), and it's for this reason that the PSP doesn't recieve as much love from games developers as it would have. I'd factor in that the 360 loses tons of sales down to piracy and this is something I'd like Sony to avoid.

[DigitalAnalog]

I keep seeing these "so-called" hacking videos and they're always presented in the worst environment. Is it that hard to present it like the PS3/360/Wii Laptop?

-Go Figure?

[mushroomwig]

I'd rather this didn't happen, the last thing Sony need right now is their console to be hacked and allowing gamers to download whatever games they wished for free.

[bartkuz]

God thank you for the miracle that is called Blu-ray

[megatama]

PS3 hacked again....NOT.

[thehitman]

I think would be the time the ps3 should be getting hacked and would actually not be so bad. Right now when the economy struggling that is the worse thing Sony could hear that some guy found a way to run free games off their ps3s.

[no_more_trolling]

that will be the day i finally give in and buy a ps3

[Vitalogy]

One thing is for sure, xbox only sold what they sold because of the console being hacked.

Homebrew could push sony to do better things for the XMB and 3rd party apps but I still rather have oficial software, something I can rant for if its broken on the buy.

Hackers would not spend their time finding ways to hack consoles to play backups if the games were cheaper, and believe me they can have even more profits if they lower the prices, they just need to stop being greedy.

[PS3GamerFix]

this makes no sense whatsoever really... it would somewhat cool to add more functionality but in terms of playing backups its ridiculous... did any of these guys see the price of a blank blu-ray disc? better off buying the game used if you ask me.

[no_more_trolling]

u dont have to burn

just a get a 2 tb hard drive and u good to go :D

[BaSeBaLlKiD721]

After reading the steps on how to do the Motorstorm hack( http://www.ps3news.com/PS3-...

Seems like you need to run linux to be able to do the hack and the PS3 slim does not support linux. Therefore this hack will be pretty much useless for most people in the future...

[TheDudeAbides]

Most ppl who have hacked consoles bought 360 to play for free, if they could do it on PS3, there is one only good choice.

[jjesso1993]

even id could download 25-50gb a game i will nether pirate ps3 or pc games yes will download 360 games as Microsoft do not deserve penny from me charging me to much hdd wifi sony give me all that for free plus extras they respect there customers i respect them and pc games are runined by piracy and some developers go so far out of there way to make pc gaming enhjoyable

[kraze07]

I don't condone piracy, but why wouldn't you want the PS3 to be hacked. It opens up new opportunities and allows you to do more with your console. Unless you're that dedicated to supporting Sony then I don't see how this can be a bad thing for people that own a PS3. I didn't really bother with homebrew or anything like that on my phat model which I sold and used the loot to buy a slim model. It'd be kool to be able to run custom firmware on a PS3 later on down the road.

[RedDragan]

It allows your PS3 to be banned from the PSN...

If a hack does come, I will happily let you do it to YOUR PS3.... but I would not be stupid enough to do it to MY PS3.

I prefer to play games online than see the banned account message, and unless you can change MAC addresses, which I doubt any hack can do, then that hacked PS3 will never again play online.

[LightofDarkness]

If you run your hacked PS3 online you're already an idiot (if you're worried about bheing banned, that is).

@kraze:

In case you haven't noticed, this site is full of corporate cheerleaders who have some strange emotional investment in the company that made their games console (they certainly don't have financial investments), purely to one up the other cheerleaders who may have called them or their beloved plastic box names in the past. I mean, how can you know who won without revenue figures, right? Winning is the most important thing, RIGHT?

[kraze07]

Yeah, I don't get them. I love my consoles and all, but I don't see where all the company allegiances come into the picture.

"It allows your PS3 to be banned from the PSN..."

Only people dumb enough to use a hacked ps3 on PSN will be banned. I don't game online on my PS3 much anyways, but if I ever use a hacked PS3 it would be a spare one that I never sign-in to PSN with.

[ULTIMATE_REVENGE]

360 was hacked on day one LOL!!

[Barbapapa]

sadly thats a buying point for the 360 in other countries:(

[dragonelite]

When console population increases.
Demand for hacked consoles increases.
When demand grow supply will too.
And there are a lot of people who can see a nice option to earn some extra money flashing and cracking consoles.

[BYE]

Sony - making hackers look stupid since 2006.

[Marty8370]

The on chip protection against unsigned code works spot on.

[sashimi]

"but why wouldn't you want the PS3 to be hacked. It opens up new opportunities and allows you to do more with your console." What would i wanted my console to do that my PC can't? i mean handhelds are one thing since we're on the Go...but all having a hack consoles will lead to is 99% pirated games and 1% for the increase functionality.

[Hakimy]

a hacked ps3 will give it a boost in sales more than a price cut,and I'm talking about world wide sales where there are people who see 60$ as expensive price compared to 3$ they used to pay for ps2 games.oh and most of these people don't care playing online.I even doubt that they know about this XD

[R3DD]

This would be sweet. Can't wait till this happens. It will make the PS3 more fun, imagine with all the endless possiblities.

[chisox100]

nobody has blu-ray burners so this would be minor if it was hacked to read burnt games

[maniacmayhem]

But you could download the game to the hard drive. I wouldnt see the need to have a BR burner.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

but it was never a matter of if but when..

[Ma1nframe]

Costs THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS and you need a 60 gig backwards compatable model, and you need to load a bunch of special pirated software and do a bunch of convoluted procedures just to play a copied game lol.

Id rather go out and pay the $50.00 ANYDAY

PS3 will never be cracked unlike the xbot and Wii