Just recently, Birdman ran an article concerning the legality of firmware updates for the Sony PlayStation Portable console. The post by hey u at the Sony forums, generated lots of comments. He argued that updating firmwares can be considered a legal transaction and since minors are not allowed to enter in a contract, the update is void. With this, hey u claimed that Sony has the responsibility to downgrade the minor's PSP firmware to its original conditions.

In his words, hey u said, "Well, it seems I may be on to something. I was thinking, that since a minor may not enter into a contract, which is what an update is, sony would have to restore it to its original condition if a minor updated it. Now the problem is, how do you prove that a minor updated it?  It sux, because I would definately pull this on them if I could prove I updated. Any thoughts, I mean someone should video tape themself with their Photo ID in the pic, and update, thenget sony in court and see if they would comply. They would have to...... Its The Law!!!"

hey u has a point in his post, but then we don't think Sony would honor such a claim. In the first place, you must first prove in court that the person is indeed a minor. Someone even commented, "Homebrew is already completely legal under the Fair Use act. Sony cannot legally bind ANYONE to an illegal contract, which is what they're trying to do when they make you update." But we haven't checked if this is true.

Just a quick tour down memory lane, the 1.00 version of the first launch Japanese-only PSP allows homebrews to run in its system. When it was upgraded to 1.5 firmware, also called the golden firmware, hackers were able to hack the codes to allow homebrews like DevHook to run. DevHook allows PSP users to emulate up to 2.71 firmwares so you could opt not to upgrade your current 1.5 firmware.

Sony has tried to entice PSP users to upgrade their firmwares by adding new features in new firmwares. Take for example the current firmware which is in 2.81. It allows the PSP to download videos and images from RSS content and a 3.0 firmware is already rumored to be on its way which will be able to host PS1 games on your PSP.

Omar_omar2 has released his first Lua game for the PSP called Catch a $. We downloaded it and tried it ourselves, and its actually fun and the controls are very simple. Using the D-pads to control the image of a PSP console located at the bottom of the screen, a dollar sign will fall from the Sony's cash register and it is your goal to deliver these bouncing dollar signs to the Hackers on the other side. Drop it for three times and the game is over. You are given three chances to deliver as many dollar signs as you can from the cash register to the hackers. Obviously, the game is intended for single player mode only.

The game has some hidden meaning attached to it (delivering dollars to hackers) and that's what makes it pretty amusing. Catch a $ is still in its early version and the developer said there are some fixes to be made, so expect a better version sometime in the future. Good job Omar_omar2!

  

Download: [Catch a $ v.1]

This may be one of the questions that PlayStation 3 fans have been asking since Sony announced the delay for the launch of the said console for PAL countries. We already ran an article on this to check if PS3 fans are amenable about the delay. With the comments we got, seems like most of them are not happy about it. But months after the bad news came out, Sony tried to woo back consumers by showcasing playable PS3s at different places like retailer branches. Well, looks like it's paying off as many people are starting to comment that their PS3 gaming experience is unbelievable. Let's try to figure out why.

Looking back, the initial PS3 controller used to be shaped like a boomerang but Sony later on announced that the final PS3 controller will resemble the PS2 controller, minus the wires. SIXAXIS, as it was named, may not have the Rumble that most PS3 fans have been expecting but the tilt functionality allows more control on games like Tony Hawk's Project 8. It may not hold up against the tilt of Nintendo's Wiimote but then we think it's still a good one. Also, nothing beats the familiar feel of the controller, which to us, has been a great trademark of Sony.

Next is the graphics. At the Tokyo Games Show this year, PS3 has received so much attention - and praise - for its breathtaking graphical quality. Of course, you must use a high-definition TV to be able to enjoy PS3's prowess in visuals. In addition to that, the Blu-ray feature of PS3 renders more detailed images and clear crisp sounds.

As for the games, PS3's line up includes Genji: Days of the Blade which, basing from our latest news, will take advantage of the next-gen console's 20/60GB HDD, drastically cutting the loading times. Another is Resistance: Fall of Man which Insomniac Games was able to cut down the software size to 16GB while maintaining a GD of 720p.

Though there are many negative write-ups about Sony after the delay, we are still optimistic that they would be able to deliver a memorable next-gen digital gaming experience to its consumers upon PS3's release. Sony is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world and they have been known to produce world-class technologies. Though they may have some shortcomings concerning the PS3, this doesn't mean that they are not capable to rock the gaming world with a powerful console. Still not convinced enough? Well, the preorder for PS3 consoles even managed to flood big pre-order sites like Amazon Japan. Late as it may be, PS3 is still packed with so many enticing features that is still irresistible to many.

The first Wii promotion we saw for the German market. This video was taken from a German TV show called "50 Jahre Bravo" and it showed Wii Tennis, one of the games for Wii Sports. A title where, utilizing the Wiimote, players must be able to execute the correct swing and stroke to send the ball flying beyond the net. The multiplayer mode of the game supports up to four players simultaneously which makes it an ideal family game.

The video was able to capture two men having a great time checking out the playable version of the Wii Tennis. In case you haven't noticed, the older guy is Peter Maffay, a German musician and actor. Looks like he is hooked to the console too! Both of the gentlemen commented that Wii Tennis is fun and is not a far cry from the real thing.

Germany and the rest of Europe will get their hands on Wii on December 9 this year for the price of 179 Euros (US $225). David Yarnton, Nintendo UK's General Manager has already spilled his thoughts on Wii's European pricing and release. In an interview, Yarnton said that by the time Wii was already released in European territories, there won't be shortages anymore as 4 million units will be sold all over the world after the initial release. Sound promising but let's keep our fingers crossed until then.

We all hate spammers - people who flood our inbox, answering machines and other communication devices with unnecessary information or messages. Now if you are a World of Warcraft player, spams are a big issue concerning your BG channel as you are always interrupted with, as ChaosInc puts it, "flaming and/or buncha whining" from some coplayers. To remedy these sometimes really irritating scenarios, he devised a mod that'll automatically block any BS from any user. It's called XRI Cross Realm Ignore and judging from the feedback from the community, it's really a nifty app.

According to ChaosInc., quiet list should now automatically clear after every BG in XRI Cross Realm Ignore v1.6. Chatbox bug and other minor bugs have already been fixed. He also revealed some of things he is planning to add to this great WoW mod such as:

• GUI list and options (don't expect this anytime soon, no clue how to do this yet)
• add AutoQuiet mode (automatically enter quiet mode when entering a BG)
• automatically add/remove players who join/leave the BG you're in while quiet mode is active

Here's the list of commands:

• help: displays command help
• add : adds to be ignored
• remove: removes from ignored list
• list (quiet): displays list of ignored people (quiet list)
• clear (quiet): clears the ignore list (quiet list)
• verbose: toggle verbose mode
• quiet: ignores and filter all messages in BGs
  

Download: [XRI Cross Realm Ignore v1.6]

Looks like we are into another version of ScummVM DS today as Neil Millstone - a.k.a. AgentQ - has released beta 6 of ScummVM DS v0.9.1. This homebrew game, which is a port of the PC application of the ScummVM, allows DS users to play all LucasArts old point-and-click games, Simon the Sorcerer 2, etc. here's the changelog:

• Fixed held keys not being detected on startup
• Fixed SCSD driver
• Fixed broken icon

Be reminded that this is still on its sixth beta version, so we can still expect more improvements until the final version is released. Basing from the six versions that has already been released, this homebrew looks very promising and we can't wait to see what the next version has to offer. For the meantime, download the newest version and check it out. Comments and suggestions are welcomed here. For more updates of ScummVM DS, stay tuned here at QJ!

Download: [ScummVM DS v0.9.1 Beta 6]

The idea whether aliens are real or just a figment of man's imagination has been debated over and over in our history for a long time now. That is until Tabula Rasa. As far as the universe of the said MMORPG is concerned, the alien existence is very much true and they are capable of erasing humans from Earth with their advanced technologies. We are talking about the ruthless Bane that has suddenly appeared in Earth's territory and waged a war that can totally exterminate the human populace. While it seems that there is no hope for us to match their very advanced technology, light is within our reach.

For a quick history, the Bane used to be member of the alien race Eloh, but due to a series of events that lead to the betrayal by the Thrax, the Bane broke off from the Eloh and swore they will never be fooled again. In their quest to control all the planets and all living things within them, they came across the Blue Planet we know now as Earth.

Invasion ensues and chaos immediately spread all over the planet. But just as it seems that everything's gonna be Bane waste, the Earth's remaining inhabitants were able to discover advanced technology implanted by the Elohims centuries before and used them to create portals called wormholes to escape to other planets. Along with other alien planets who were also ravaged by the Bane, they formed an unusual alliance called Army of the Allied Free Sentients.

And now dear mortal, it is your duty to defeat these monsters and get rid of the universe, evil and greed. Hence the title Tabula Rasa which means clean slate. Yes, a new life is at hand, but only for those who dare raise arms against a race that is threatening to dominate the whole universe.

Ollie, one of the most basic trick that every skateboarder must master if he wants to gain more respect from the prowlers of skateboarding flatlands and parks. Ollie requires a skater to pop his skateboard into the air, making him look like he's jumping with his feet glued to the skateboard. And who is better to show us how to make such dare-devil tricks than pro-skaters like Tony Hawk, or at least a character rendition of him.

This video shows not only an accomplished ollie, but also other insane tricks like nose manual, 50-50, and double heelflip being executed in the game's wide skateboarding environments. From skateparks to the suburban streets, you are free do any daredevil move that you like. Of course, count in the bruises (if you're lucky) and bone-crushes (need we say more?). But don't fret over those nasty bruises and fractures as there are some goals in the game that really calls for breaking a certain number of bones; well be thankful that at least it's not in real life.

Tony Hawk's Project 8 features playable characters of some of the world-renowned skateboarding icons. The game offers a real adrenaline rush in one of the most extreme games ever, with detailed visuals of skateboarding environments and bone-breaking challenges that unleashes the "skateboarder" in every player. The game also offers cool music backgrounds such as "I wanna Live" by The Ramones and "Zoo York City" by Funk Face that heightens your skateboarding experience.

Tony Hawk's Project 8 is also set to be released on the Xbox 360 and PSP on November 7 this year. For more updates on the game, be sure to stay tuned here at QJ.

Buy: [Tony Hawk's Project 8 for Xbox 360]
Buy: [Tony Hawk's Project 8 for PSP]

Check out these Xbox 360 branded fruit-flavored rolls. These fruit rolls have been lurking in grocery shelves for a long time now, and they're offering tips on games like Saints Row and Amped 3 on the back of its packaging. It may be an unusual tie-in but there's nothing like free game tips from your favorite food company. In addition to these fruit rolls, Kellogg's were also able to come up with the idea of having mini Xbox games in every pack of your favorite cereals like Corn Pops and Rice Crispies. Aside from enjoying such mouthwatering treats, you also get to enjoy free Xbox goodies!

These products, which are a result from the Kellogg's-Microsoft team up, have been released for quite some time now and it is very evident that Microsoft is expanding their marketing strategy for Xbox 360. This can be a good sign, especially if one is targeting a global market. Food is one of our basic needs and what great way to reach your target customers than food packages and cartons right? Unless your green and mean machine has taken over food as your most basic need?! O well, at least your mom won't go after you for leaving the green things in your plate untouched.

First of all, allow us to congratulate Xandu on his first Lua program. It's called L:UA (Lua Utility Applications). For now the application is still in beta version but by the looks of it, this application is a very handy tool to organize the Lua files of your beloved handheld. Included in the first version is a PSP Lua counter, a Pix fix and a PSP button tester. The PSP Lua counter keeps track of the total number of Lua files in your PSP but according to the developer, it can only count 30 hits for now. But don't worry, we're sure Xandu will update this.

Next is the Pixel Fixer which we think can be of great help in managing your PSP's image settings. The last feature is the PSP button tester. It's really very promising despite it being in the beta stage; with its cool graphics, this one stays installed in our PSP until the next version comes out.

Anyway, for those who have already downloaded this application, we think Xandu would appreciate your comments and suggestions regarding what needs to be improved on L:UA v1.0 Beta. For more updates on this, be sure to stay tuned here at QJ.

Download: [L:UA (Lua Utility Applications) v1.0 BETA]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

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Update: L:UA (Lua Utility Applications) v1.0.2 (NO LUA PLAYER NEEDED) has been released. Read the my.qj.net article about it, or head on over to the forum to find out more.

Changelog:

• No lua player needed
• Fixed some bugs
• PSP StopWatch
• Improved GUI
• New EBOOT

Download: [L:UA (Lua Utility Applications) v1.0.2 (NO LUA PLAYER NEEDED)]
Disciss" [Forum Release Thread]