240°

PlayStation 3 GPU Accessed though Linux?

QJ.net reports that "some hackers have announced that they've discovered a way to access the 3D contexts on the Graphics Processor Unit of the PlayStation 3. If what they say is true, then this will allow homebrew developers to create their own 3D applications for the console.

CNLohr posted a video on YouTube of the PlayStation 3 running some code in Linux. Allegedly, the hypervisor is talking with the nVidia RSX video card of the console to render the three animated quads in the foreground and the triangles in the background.

According to CNLohr, the demo being used is a modified version of IronPeter's libps3rsx from ps3dev.org. For those who want to try replicating his setup, the PS3 is running using a patched 2.6.24 experimental, unofficial kernel on Gentoo Linux".

radzy6028d ago

if that happens then the ps3 will sell into the roof and the ratio of games bought to console sold is gonna get very interesting.
ps3 already struggling on that ratio already. hmmm

Ru6028d ago

the ratio of games STOLE

illizit6028d ago

Just because the GPU can be accessed through linux does not mean the PS3 can now Load ISO's, etc nor has it made it easier. We are far away from that. The only thing this means for now is we can play some homebrew games included N64 emulators, etc. Can't Wait!

QuackPot6027d ago

Nearing the end of the Ps3's life cycle Sony will release its own optimized version of Linux for their machine.

This will test the water for a dual boot system for the Ps4 and will also extend the life of the Ps3 a couple of more years as you'll get a gaming machine with a huge library of games, media center & PC for < US$150.

Let's wait and see around 2012

But for the time being, Ubuntu's my favourite Distro on the Ps3.

Muppetmeat6028d ago

Homebrew development kicks ass... What you saw on the PS2 is only a fraction of what they can do with the PS3 now.

Ahmadinejad6028d ago

Whatever happens, these hacks always help ps3 sales and finally there is some good sales figures to look forward too

Bladestar6028d ago

it depends.. what... hackers help sell hardware not software. As matter of fact it hurts game sells.. not only because people can download the games for free.. but because people running modded boxes will most likely not connect online with the box or buy any new game because they include firmware updates that may risk unmodding the box. Like the PSP... ohh yeah.. and remember.. SOny loses money on each console sold.. that means they would lose money... a PS3 sold that does not sell games is a move backwards for Sony.

EZCheez6028d ago

No firmware update will ever effect how Linux runs on your PS3 because it creates it's own partition on the hard drive. Firmware updates for the PS3 are completely harmless to the Linux OS.

Also, you're giving this news a negative spin. Seriously, how many people do you know of that actually use Linux? I mean KNOW how to use Linux? This will not effect PS3 software sales because hardly anyone knows how to use it to begin with.

This is great news though because now better emulators and other programs will be able to work for the first time with Linux. Linux is a great untapped resource and I for one believe that Sony messed up by not having it already preinstalled (It only takes 10Gb and its well worth it) which I believe was an option before it launched. Have you seen some programs that people have created for Linux? Some of them are downright amazing, especially Wine, which essentially turns Linux into Windows. THAT's when access to the RSX will really show it's advantages and potential.

And did I mention it's all FREE? Fun stuff for a nerd such as myself.

Ahmadinejad6028d ago

WEll i do think some people after they modded their console will stop buying games but a lot still do so, i think in general the install base will increase and if they add measures for online play being only availible to legit systems it should help a bit. also sony makes a lot of money on accessories so if people are buyign the console for copied games they will need to buy extra controllers and wires...

for 360 i know a lot of people that have 2 boxes, one for offline games which they download and one for online ones which they buy legit and use the unmodded box so if sony does that it might help.

personally i dont go into the whole "your stealing softwrare" argument becuase i think paying £50 for a game is legal thiefing and only allowed cause there is not other option availible.

DongHungLong6028d ago

@EZCheez

Wrong, updated firmware can change the way the hypervisor functions and therefore make this RSX fix all but null. Pretty sure someone even mentions this on the original thread @ps2dev site where this is coming from.

EZCheez6027d ago

Okay. That's the RSX but I wasn't talking about that. I said it doesn't affect the Linux OS, which is doesn't.

So I won't say you're wrong, you're just off topic.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 6027d ago
Bladestar6028d ago

that would be great.. can't wait until the PS3 becomes the home ground for homebrew like the PSP is... I would buy a PS3 on day 1... imagine playing all the old Nes, Snes, PSP, N64...

EZCheez6028d ago

Have you heard of SNES9X? It's an easy install into the Yellow Dog Linux OS and it allows you to play old Nintendo and Super Nintendo games. I have about 100 installed right now including Castlevania, Chrono Trigger, Mario Kart, Super Mario World, and every other Super Nintendo game ever made. It's funny looking at the file size of these games in comparison to the ones out now because there only a few Mb a piece. And there a lot more and like I said in my previous post now that they have even more power to mess around with eventually someone will come up with better emulators.

Could you imagine a 360 emulator running on the PS3? Probably impossible because of RAM constraints, but you never know. Nerds are good like that.

socomnick6027d ago

A xbox 360 emulator on the ps3 would be like having a n64 emulator on a super nintendo it wouldn't run well.

DongHungLong6028d ago

Seriously this will have no affect on PS3 ISO loading x_x. Thats a completely different animal for those who are saying that. This will simply mean GPU support in Linux nothing more nothing less. So emulators will work but it will have no affect on the actual PS3 OS...

Show all comments (27)
170°

The Status of Every PlayStation Franchise

Sony owns a fair few iconic franchises - many dating right back to the original PlayStation. But while we’re pretty familiar with the likes of ongoing series such as God of War, Horizon, and Gran Turismo, there are plenty of PlayStation franchises that haven’t seen the light of day in a long time. So in this video, we’re going to be taking a look at the status of PlayStation’s many IPs, and checking in on when we last heard from them.

Read Full Story >>
gamespot.com
Skuletor7h ago

A 20+ minute video? Just include the written list in the article.

DarXyde3h ago

Status in one word:

Underutilized.

The end.

anast2h ago

Which ones should they utilize more?

BehindTheRows2h ago

Indeed. We hear this “underutilized” talk as if every old franchise should have a comeback or reboot.

I_am_Batman52m ago(Edited 51m ago)

When new IPs start looking like Concord, you can't blame people for wanting another Resistance or Killzone instead.

anast42m ago(Edited 42m ago)

J&D and Resistance are good ones. As much as I love these, though, I'm not sure they would payoff without an enormous marketing push. Younger gamers today do not have taste and the older gamers that would appreciate these might not be enough. But yeah, I would day 1 Resistance.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 42m ago
Abear211h ago

Here lies The Infamous Series; once a shining beacon of free flying, lighting bolt sniping, and wire riding amazing gameplay, it has been laid to rest and be forgotten for what seems like forever despite being loved by millions. Plot next to Wipeout across from NBA Jam.

90°

All Call of Duty Black Ops Games Ranked

The Nerd Stash: "Developed by Treyarch Studios, Call of Duty: Black Ops games are some of the best in the series in terms of gameplay, story, and -- of course -- Zombies."

Read Full Story >>
thenerdstash.com
Rynxie2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Black ops 4, because it was the last cod of duty I was able to dominate with a +2 k/d ratio. Before all the freaking cheating started to happen. It was nice catching people off guard and shooting at them first and getting the kill. Unlike now, where I shoot people first, but they gun me down with less hits, less time, literally feels like they can kill me in a split second. At times, they are able to run away after me shooting them way more than necessary, yet, the second I'm spotted, I'm dead, there's no me running away to cover. They can do cartwheels, summersaults, backflips and gun you down perfectly. They can shoot you across the map with perfect accuracy. They can jump around like morons and gun you down without even having to correct their aim. They have superman split second perfect reactions. That's the best way to describe it, everything they do is spot on perfect. They can spam and spray (no praying) their gun from far away, because they have no recoil or bullet spread. It always feels like I have to aim and also correct my aim when moving around, while these pricks don't have to do the same.

And yes, I know how to play fps games. I dominated many fps games like: Resistance 1&2, kz 2&3, Socom, MAG, Crysis, Gotham City Impostors, blitz brigade etc. all with 2-4 k/d ratio. Kz2 (lag input controls) and resistance (no aim assist in resistance) being the hardest and were the games I reached either close to a 3 k/d ratio or above.

I truly got to enjoy blacks ops 4 and got my money's worth out of it. Afterwords, I would either stop playing cod games after a while, because of the cheating, or would skip buying cod games for a year or two before buying another.

90°

10 Underrated PS3 Games That Are Hidden Gems

With these hidden gems to add to your backlog, it’s time to give some bangers the shine they deserve.

Read Full Story >>
culturedvultures.com
DarXyde3d ago

Numbers 6-9 were some of my absolute favorite early gen PS3 games. I'm still bitter about Incognito and Japan Studio.

Goodguy013d ago

The white knight chronicles and infamous games really need to come to modern platforms. MAG I really miss...poor zipper. The ps3 was definitely a unique console despite it being the worst home console of PlayStation.