If you're looking for an easy-to-use development library that you can sink your teeth into then look no more. Homebrew developer Fraca7 recently rolled out the 29/06/08 release of PSP-Python, which features a versatile yet simple port of the Python programming language for the PlayStation Portable. More details in our full article.

Download: Python-PSP 29/06/08 release

DS homebrew developer Ant512 has just been able to come up with the latest build of his GUI Development Library, namely Woopsi v0.32. The latest release has a lot of bug fixes and a couple of new features as well. Get to know this application by reading about in the full article.


Download: Woopsie v0.32 Source
Download: Woopsie v.032 Demo

Homebrew developer trevis dropped by our forums to release PyBlast v0.1. The object of the game is to blow up your opponent's tank before it blows you up. While this is simple in theory, it takes a certain amount of skill since you have to aim the gun while factoring in for wind and the amount of force you have to put into the shot.

Want to know more about the program? Check out the full article for more details on this application.

Download: PyBlast v0.1
Visit: QJ.Net PSP Development Forums

A few days after releasing PSP Stackless Python 2.5.1, carlosedp announces that a project page has been established for his currently ongoing developer's kit. The page provides for an organized means of keeping tabs on PSP Stackless Python, and currently carries v2.5.1. More details on carlosedp's site are available in the full article.

Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forum

After a few months of being silent, homebrew developer carlosedp finally announced a new build for the PlayStation Portable port of programming language Stackless Python, bumping the program up to version 2.5.1. The last version came out around five months ago.

Anyway, those who are fond of coding for their Sony handheld using Stackless Python should upgrade to the current version as several additions and bug fixes have been provided. The full changelog can be found via the "read more" link below.


Download: Stackless Python for PSP v2.5.1
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forum

 

For every ground-breaking title out there, there exists an unsung hero. They – like soldiers and bad sitcoms of old – are the miserable underdogs who never receive the due credit they deserve for their work. We're not talking about the developers -  we're talking about specialists - the (fictional) guys who work behind the scenes to ensure that the elements in whatever genre you play will always remain in tip-top condition, whether its your resident androgynous antagonist 's script, or your unfriendly neighborhood mook's marksmanship scores.

These guys will be the topic of today's quick list - along with an explanation with that special thing they do just to make the game better for one special individual - you. On to the list!
 
1. Sephiroth's acting coach
Let's be honest - Sephiroth isn't that original. More than one anime, manga, and J-RPG can boast its own brew of silver-haired, bad-ass sword-wielding bishie hotness, with Sephie being just a part of this popular trend. What sets him apart, however, is execution (acting, not Aeris…).
 
Sephiroth's dark foreboding lines and steely glare will haunt many a gamer's dreams, and for this, we can thank the man's ever-capable acting coach. We're talking the drama-guru who made Sephiroth walk the walk, talk the talk - the dude who probably taught him captivatingly cheesy one-liners like "Shall I give you despair?"
 
I'm afraid you haven't, Mr. Sephiroth's Acting Coach. You did give plenty of fanboys/girls something to think about for their next few - err - dreams, though...
 
Special accreditation goes to Cloud's hairdresser.

The rest of the list is available in the Full Article

Last month, PSP homebrew developer carlosedp created a PSP port of the Stackless Python 2.4.4 programming code. Now, in case you're one of the guys who picked up on this earlier announcement, and were looking forward to more news from the author, we'll be updating today with some good news.

carlosedp is announcing that he's updated PSP Stackless, with the latest version now carrying OGG, MP3 and SSL support:

• Time function returns correct date based on PSP Timezone
• OGG Vorbis support
• I have added a basic OGG Vorbis support for the port. The API is based on oggplayer from PSPMediaCenter. The problem is that i loads the entire file into memory and playbacks it from there. On MP3 this doesnt happens.. more below.
• The API for the OGG is very simple, a sample application follows at the end of the post.
• MP3 Support
• Its here! With the great help from Ghoti (thanks Rein) the MP3 streaming playback is now available transparently. What streaming means? Your application wont load the entire file into memory for playback. The application creates a buffer and loads small chunks from disk as needed. This leaves a lot of memory to the interpreter and you play with. In my tests, my interpreter have around 18Mb RAM available.
• SSL Support
• This is the latest addition. Since I cant test all its functionality, I need someone to test it for me. I made a small test where a import socket; hasattr(socket, "ssl")returned "True" so I assumed everything was fine.
  

Now, in case you're unsure about how to code using Stackless, the author is also letting the guys know that he's set up a tutorial guide over at his site, which was based on a similar tutorial created by Sakya. Just head on over to the read link, or carlosedp's thread over the the QJ.Net Forums for further information.

Download: PSP Stackless 2.4.4_1  
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

Homebrew developer SappYoda dropped by QJ.net PSP development forums today and released a preview video for his WIP homebrew game, Tennis Battle. Just like what the title implies, this creation concerns the classic game of Pong. It's in 2D but the rather surreal background graphics is definitely worth your while.

Anyway, SappYoda mentioned that the final version of Tennis Battle will look much better than the one previewed in the video. The developer is also currently in the process of adding effects to the ball, weapons, as well as the level and character selection screen. So far, the following features will be included in the upcoming release:

• Four Unique bat colors with different balanced powers.
• An arcade mode that will let you fight against all bats including an evil boss called black pad.
• Surreal environments and engaging non-storyline provide a unique gaming experience that blurs the line between fighting and pong play.
• Powered by PSP-Python.

Visit: QJ PSP Development forum

Aside from Lua and C++, another programming language that's also been used for developing PSP homebrew is Python, originally created by Guido van Rossum in 1991. With regards to Python, we've just picked up word from programmer Carlos Eduardo that he's finished work on a PSP port of the Stackless Python programming code.

Stackless Python, for those asking, is described (by the stackless site) as "an enhanced version of the Python programming language. It allows programmers to reap the benefits of thread-based programming without the performance and complexity problems associated with conventional threads."

The Stackless Python programming code has been successfully used on major projects such as the Eve Online MMORPG.

Getting back on our subject matter, Mr. Eduardo said that he had been inspired by Fraca7's Python-PSP port of Python 2.4.3 - he used its repository, and merged the Stackless 2.4.4 tag to get this Stackless-PSP port we're looking at here.

Eduardo further noted that future updates for this first release include a possible port of Python and Stackless 2.5.1. That's all for the moment - we advise coders inquiring into how to get this release working to head on over to Mr. Eduardo's blog (source link) for further details.

Download: Stackless Python port for the PSP

A couple of days ago, homebrew developer StrmnNrmn updated all of us regarding his Nintendo 64 emulator project for the PSP, Daedalus. There was a bug all right, but it's not in the application itself. The coder reported that the Dynarec bug lies in the rom of video game Super Smash Bros.

Anyway, StrmnNrmn accommodated a number of his readers and supporters today by answering some of their questions posted on his blog. The questions were quite a handful so what we are going to do is post them side by side with StrmnNrmn's answers. Get your pen and paper ready because we're certain this is going to be useful for all of you.

Q: Is Python a good starting point? I've heard that it is.

A: I've never spent much time with Python, but I think it would be a good starting point for a beginner because it seems to have a very active community.

Q: Dynarec + fragment simulation (imprecise interrupt handling); Dynarec + fragment simulation (precise interrupt handling); I do not understand how those can be equivalent(and thus fragment execution equivalent). I am thinking 'imprecise' could change the timing of the interrupt handler. Correct or incorrect?

A: In the case of Daedalus, the timing of interrupts is generally very imprecise anyway - for instance I make the assumption that all instructions execute in 2 cycles which isn't particularly accurate.

Because of this firing the vbl interrupt a few hundred cycles early or late doesn't really affect the execution of most ROMs, so 'precise' and 'imprecise' interrupt handling are essentially equivalent for my purposes. The same assumption probably won't hold for all dynamic code generators/emulators though.

You make a good point about GDB though - it's definitely something I need to take another look at next time I'm trying to debug a problem like this which only reproduces on the PSP.

Click on the "Full Article" link for more answers from StrmnNrmn!