QuickJump QuickPeek 27: Of PSP fireworks, colorful console explosions, and the biggest bang from a test tube

(Editor’s Note: Got that post-Christmas hangover, eh? Let’s take things one at a time though, so here’s QuickJump QuickPeek 27 for all of you who’ve been snowed in since last week.)

Not only are we bringing you this week’s news today. But come next week, we’ll be rolling out a whole slew of QuickJump QuickPeek special editions to cap the whole year off. Better keep an eye out for those updates! For now, issue #27 is sleighing in!

Article originally  posted on Dec. 29, 2007 at 02:59PM.

(Editor’s Note: It’s that lull between Christmas and New Year now. And some of you are probably having that post-Christmas hangover, coupled with anxiety over what might happen next year. Let’s take things one at a time though, so without further delay, let’s roll out QuickJump QuickPeek 27 for all of you who’ve been snowed in since last week.)

It’s the last week of the year. Maybe some of you made like a bear and used the holidays to hibernate. Unfortunately, other key players in the gaming industry seem to have done the same thing, and it’s been pretty tough to scrounge for news this week. That doesn’t mean we’ve been completely devoid of some breaking news.

We’ve been able to hit on some pretty big revelations here and there, so all you honey slurping bears who slept all week might want to start stretching. Rub the sleep off your eyes and get ready for some pre-New Year fireworks.

Not only are we bringing you this week’s news today. But come next week, we’ll be rolling out a whole slew of QuickJump QuickPeek special editions to cap the whole year off. Better keep an eye out for those updates! For now, issue #27 is sleighing in!

The holidays seem to have given our homebrew developers a much needed break and a lot of free time. Which is good, because with all that free time, they’ve been able to give all of us a lot of updates on certain projects. Whether it’s just a progress report on their project or an actual release, we’ve got some PSP updates for everyone!

Right before Christmas hit, Mathieulh squashed the rumors about DAX’s latest CFW supposedly hitting on the 24th. The rumor started when people saw a certain Dark AleX drop by an IRC channel stating that he “will be releasing 3.80 M33 the 24th December.”

Math quite simply stated that this Dark AleX who posted that message was a fake and explained that the real one would never show up in public IRC servers “for obvious reasons.”

Link: Mathieulh: Dark AleX’s 3.80 M33 CFW not coming in December 24

Good thing though, despite DAX himself previously saying that he wouldn’t be updating the Psar Dumper without releasing 3.80 M33 first, Coolj, Ketchup, and by close relations, _HellDashX_ have been able to release a 3.80 PsarDumper with the KL4E/KL3E decompressor.

After running it, some people have already encountered modules relating to the Internet Radio which came with FW 3.80. Only time will tell now how far the Psar Dumper will take homebrew development, and when and if DAX will be releasing their own version.

Thanks to luis5 and exter for the tip!

Link: PSP FW 3.80 PsarDumper with KL4E/KL3E decompressor

There are also some updates on StrmnNrmn’s Nintendo 64 emulator, PSP Daedalus, who dropped by online to post something on his blog for the Yuletide seasons. He’s been working on the audio code, trying to solve one crucial bug invlolving synchronization in audio processing.

The good thing is, he’s almost done. It’s just that one pesky hiccup left to cure, and we just might be able to expect something soon enough.

Link: Daedalus R14 Yuletide update: Be very quiet, we’re hunting audio bugs

If, in the commercial and retail world, we have the term of “going gold,” then what’s to say that we can’ t use it for homebrew as well? RealTechVR just announced that No Gravity: The Plague of Mind has finally finished development.

Coding for No Gravity is 100% done, and all that’s left is prepping up their site for the worldwide release of the much anticipated homebrew game. We’ve been living off of the demo for a few months now, but in just a few more days/hours(?) we can finally get our hands on the full version!

Link: No Gravity: The Plague of Mind complete, getting ready for release

As revealed last week, Auraomega’s XMB brew finally saw the light of day as a public release this week. Yep. Project4 beta has been rolled out, along with its accompanying installation fixes. A lot of other homebrew developers and programmers in general are applauding Auraomega for working on Project4. Some say that it might not be much now (specially since it’s still in beta), but the potential this brew has is pretty huge.

Link: Merry Xmas: Auraomega releases first Project4 beta
Link: Project4 installation fixes

PSPTube has been getting quite a lot of updates during the week too. In fact, we’ve seen three seperate releases. The most recent of which just came in earlier, but throughout the week, we’ve seen changes in SofiyaCat’s homebrew that included an English menu, search tags, and a playlist function to boot.

Thanks to “i would thank sofiyacat” for emailing us!

Link: PSPTube 20071229c: now with playlist function

Another big week for the PSP homebrew community. How’s that for some fireworks, huh? Although some people would rather have actual releases than just hearing progress reports on certain projects, isn’t it rather nice to hearing all these things to get yourselves worked up for the coming year? Booyah!

– QJ.NET’s PSPUpdates Team

Hibernation? Bah, humbug. That’s no good at all. Here’s something to busy yourselves with. Lose some Christmas calories in the process, why don’t you? If you’re not really the type to get your hands dirty, we also have some news to at least get your heart pumping for 2008.

For those without credit cards – or those who aren’t even eligible to acquire one yet – are in luck. It seems that the race for PlayStation Network Cards just started. Or, at least, about to start.

A few days ago, the pre-paid PSN Cards have already been spotted in certain retailers, who had the US$ 20 denomination of the cards. While Sony‘s plan is to release the PSN Cards early on in 2008, there’s no telling if other stores might jump the gun and break street date.

Link: They’re early: North America PSN Cards spotted in stores

Restance: Fall of Man fans might want to start signing up for the next war. Some may alreayd be expecting it, saying that’s it’s nigh impossible it won’t eventually happen. And all we need is confirmation. But here’s something pretty concrete to hold on to: a patent filing for Resistance 2.

Link: Patent-pending: SCEA files to trademark Resistance 2

Jump Festa brought with it a lot of goodies, to say the least. One thing concerning PS3 owners is the bit about Final Fantasy 13 – to be more acurate, that’s both 13 and Versus 13. Apparently, the new trailers that were shown in Square Enix’s closed-door screening revealed some new characters to add up into the roster (suddenly we feel some sort of Brawl going on here…).

Link: New Jump Festa trailer reveals two new characters in FF Versus 13?
Link: New FFXIII, FF Versus XIII characters revealed at Jump Festa ’08

In the latest issue of Famitsu, some new details have surfaced for the PS3 version for Devil May Cry 4. Turns out that you can allocate around 5GB of memory space for installation purposes, thus slashing out a chunk from your DMC 4 load time. Do note, as Yaz and a couple of others in our comments section helpfully point out, that this is merely an option – an option that isn’t just limited to DMC 4, and also available in previous PS3 games.

Famitsu also reveals that some PlayStation Network functionality will be supported in DMC 4. More details about this haven’t come to light, side from it being “varied.”

Link: Devil May Cry 4 PS3 update: 4900MB HDD install, PSN support

Some of you may or may not know this, but you can actually make your PS3 into some sort of hub for media streaming. For those of you with a PSP as well, you can play media files from you PC, through the PS3, and play them on your handheld via Remote Play.

We know that, what with all these devices, it’s pretty hard to keep track of which device can do what, and Eric Lempel of Sony gives us a helpful little how-to tutorial of how to do this.

Link: Stream media from your PC to your PSP via PS3

On to other DiYs, you might be having some problems with space on your hard disk. Ah, what with games these days having an option to install 5GB worth and all (DMC 4, hint hint), maybe that 80GB PS3 unit of yours is hardly enough.

There’s a solution to expand your HDD, and simply, all that matters is finding a compatible replacement that fits into the tray of your console. The good news is that the PS3’s hard disk drive is pretty much compatible with any 2.5-inch SATA notebook drive out there.

Again, we understand that some of you (especially the more veteran PS3 owners) have known about this since day one, but still, we all just want to help out the new PS3 owners, especially those who have gotten a brand spanking new console this Christmas.

Link: DIY tutorial: increase your PS3’s harddisk capacity by replacing it

See you guys next wee – err, next year, we mean. Ha! Watch out for the QuickPeek special edition coming out in a few days!

– QJ.NET’s PlayStation 3 Team

Highs and lows for the Microsoft camp this week. And that’s not counting that extreme little suicide note built using Halo 3‘s forge.

Microsoft is taking a cue from Nintendo by giving Xbox 360 users the ability to spread Christmas cheer. Just like the Wii’s Gifting Feature, Microsoft’s MS Point gifting feature has been launched. As the name of this feature suggests, it allows users to send their XBL friends some MS Points.

Link: Microsoft launches Microsoft Point gifting feature

A whole slew of gamercards from an Xbox Community developer was also released this week. The cool thing is that these gamercards are Silverlight-flavored. Yep, the browser-based media platform of Microsoft is getting pretty popular and, thanks to these gamercards, will definitely expand its reach to other users. Gamercards might not be a big deal to some, but regardless, it’s always better to make your dashboard look a little sleeker with fresh graphics on your information profile.

Link: Silverlight-based Xbox Live gamercards created by community

There’s also been quite of rumbling in the online backbone of the Microsoft network. Lately, there’ve been numerous reports of connection problems in Xbox Live.

Service status messages have been plaguing screens in certain regions, with a quick note saying that “Users may experience intermittent issues when attempting to connect to Xbox Live.”

It’s been suggested that the congestion was probably caused by new Xbox 360 owners (meaning those who most likely received their new console for Christmas) who would have been logging on to XBL and creating new accounts.

Later, Major Nelson was able to give an update, saying that, although they’ve already addressed the issue and have gotten XBL up and running, there have been recent reports that, again, users have been getting connection problems. As of writing, engineers are still looking into the matter.

Link: Xbox Live having connection problems
Link: XBL Christmas downtime possibly caused by new Live users
Link: Xbox Live status: ‘Up and running’ but still experiencing problems

Now on a slightly off topic note, we know how much of a bummer it is to be getting that ouchifying Red Ring of Death. And we know that customer service can be a pain at times. So. Sometimes, just swallowing your pride may work. In fact, you can get creative, even. Somone’s set up his Xbox 360 console-turned-paperweight into something useful.

Through a particular mod, you can actually gut out some of the hardware in your 360 unit and put in some PC hardware. The result: an Xbox 360 housing for your PC. What’s remarkable here is that you can still keep the power button in place, and make use of the USB and other ports of the system.

Link: Modder uses broken Xbox 360 as CPU shell

Oh, right. And happy holidays, from GLADoS and the rest of Aperture Science!

– QJ.NET’s Xbox 360 Team

The Wii’s popularity is one thing, and slowly, it’s starting to open up avenues never before dreamed of. The homebrew scene is starting to get a foot hold on the Wii’s system, either by finding exploitable loopholes or just plan and simple taking advantage of its motion-sensing interactivity.

First up, we have something that totally bowled us over. The sheer ingenuity of it is simply brilliant! Ever hear of Head Tracking technology? It’s a bit tricky to explain, but the long and short of it is that it allows a user to view a visual display as if it were in a virtual environment.

Now take that technology and bring it to the Wii. Using a Wii remote and a sensor bar, a grad student was able to simulate virtual reality in a simple set up. In fact, you can even recreate his work for yourself!

Bringing this technology on the Wii will definitely change the way we’d play games. What with already-immersive gameplay experiences in Prime Corruption and Twilight Princess, we surely echo what Johnny Chung Lee (the guy who presented his Head Tracking idea) said towards the end of his video: we want to see some games with this support!

Link: Grad student creates Head Tracking set up with Wii remote

Another big revolution in the world of Wii innovation is a live demonstration of what could be the beginnings of a full-blown homebrew scene among Nintendo’s growing community. A group was able to present their findings in the 24th Annual Chaos Communication Congress about “The State of the Wii”.

In their demonstration, they show how they were able to find an exploit in the Wii’s system and run homebrew on it in conjunction to its motion-sensing. What the application did was display the Wii remote date pertaining to its on-screen location. Pretty simple, but usually, that’s where it starts…

Thanks to PsPoPPer for the tip!

Link: The Nintendo Wii now fully hacked?

As usual, we can’t have a QuickPeek edition without Super Smash Bros. Brawl updates from the good, old, reliable Dojo. We get to see Sonic’s Final Smash ability. Man, that’s looking neat. As do the trophies. The Share mode was also explained – it’s a feature that allows users to send some SSBB content to their Wii Friends.

Link: Super Smash Bros. Brawl: Super Sonic Final Smash, Angel Island Zone music
Link: Super Smash Bros. Brawl update: Trophy Stands
Link: Super Smash Bros. Brawl update: Wi-Fi goodness through Share mode

Finally, something to just watch and revel in over the weekend: a fanvid to end all fanvids. It’s a 4-ish minute video montaging old (and new) clips for Super Smash Bros. Brawl and it does nothing but impress.

The video is pretty impressive, and takes Brawl to the most epic scale we’ve seen it marketed as. For all intents and purposes, some people have even lauded the video to be way better than most video game ads or trailers. If there’s one video you shouldn’t miss, it’s this. Talk about ending the year with a big bang. Much to say, it’s done nothing to sate our hunger for the game.

Link: Super Smash Bros. Brawl: epic fanvid to end all fanvids

Now did that get your heart racing or what? That’s definitely one to compete with the Wii Adventure Wiiiiind Waker fanvid from last year, now don’t it? Keep tabs on next week/year, guys! Keep them Wiimotes waggling for more!

– QJ.NET’s Nintendo Wii Team

We know that there are politics behind the gaming industry. Who would have thunk though that there were video games behind politics?

In a questionnaire submitted to the 2008 US presidential candidates, a question was asked about video games, the media, and what to about it. With a handful of states passing a legislation on violent video games, the question was begged of the candidates: What other strategies would you support to keep the video game industry and other media companies from marketing and selling inappropriate content to children?

It was none other than Hilary Clinton who gave a remarkable answer, her speech even gave mention to the whole scandal that a mod to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas brought. Hot coffee, anyone?

Link: Hillary Clinton gives her stand on video games and the media

Two decades have passed, and in those twenty years, the Final Fantasy series has remained one of the most influential and widely lauded video game franchises to date. To celebrate this occasion, Square Enix has released a book marking the series’ 20th Anniversary.

In its glossy pages, we get to see some information, images, and even some details we’ve never heard of before. The Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary History book chronicles twenty years’ worth of games in the franchise, spanning major consoles and handhelds. The only downside to this is that it’s in Japanese and there’s no news about an American version coming out.

Link: Square Enix releases Final Fantasy 20th Anniversary History Book

With more news that don’t categorically fit anywhere in particular but are still somewhat relevant to wherever, each edition of Odds-and-Ends seem to be ever-changing. We’re guessing that it all depends on the happenings of the week, and how completely odd (and ended?) they are.

Extending the console and format wars to different industries, even now, the publishing field is affected by the raging battles between Sony and Microsoft. Or is it? While this news came towards the tail end of last week – and unfortunately didn’t make it into the drafting of the previous QuickPeek – it’s still pretty much something you guys might want to hear about.

The Official Xbox Magazine had given an offer to Sony, saying that they wanted to do a review on the Bravia HDTV display. When OXM had bought a unit and hooked it up to their Xbox 360, they were pretty much impressed. This invitation for a review, however, was declined by Sony, replying to OXM that they (Sony) will “pass on this opportunity.”

Link: Sony passes up chance for Official Xbox Magazine to review Bravia

After hearing a few weeks ago about how WoW knowledge could save your life from a rampaging moose, we now hear of how it’s gotten a victim get burned. Some World of Warcraft player from China had inadvertently turned into a real life Fire Mage and turned his friend into a pyre.

The apprehended teen from Beijing had gotten into an arguement with the victim and lost his cool – err, literally. He upended a bottle of gasoline on the victim and set him alight.

Link: WoW China: real-life Fire Mage burns classmate in argument

Here’s some food for thought: video games have often been the subject of a lot of talk, debate, and, of course, academic research. And through the course of months, years, and sporadic JT-related controversies (not to mention the occasional presidential campaign, thank you very much), studies on the effects of video gaming have often yielded varied results – from teaching hand-eye coordination to influencing violent crimes on its players.

This week, we hear of a research conducted by a team in Taipei, whose findings showed that prolonged playing of violent video games may actually damage the brain. This is based on results of an experiment involving a pool of subjects playing a video game for 30 minutes.

This, already, had shown decreased blood flow to the brain. Later however, came in the violent video games, after which, the brain was discovered to have an even bigger drop in blood circulation. It is this drop of circulation which could eventually lead to brain damage, specifically in the frontal lobe and the anterior cingulate gyrus.

Brain damage in these areas are linked to schizophrenia or depression. Well. If you think about it, as long as we’re not turning into brain dead zombies, we’ll probably be fine. Or not.

Link: Study shows playing video games may damage brain

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, that are dreamt of in your philosophy. Too bad Sheakespeare’s Hamlet wasn’t a fan of test tubes. Because in the field of astrophysics, all these things in heaven and earth can be simulated in a test tube.

Of course, we do have to take “simulated” here with a grain of salt; we take the definition of “simulated” here rather loosely. But for all intents and purposes, yes, the cosmos has been similarly re-produced as seen in atoms in a glass tube.

The “superfluid” concocted in the research team’s test tubes (ooh, sounds scandalous) show can simulate particle and cosmic phenomena such as black holes or even the Big Bang itself. This can eventually lead to further investigations into the equation of helium-3, a basis used for what scientists call the “Theory of Everything”.

Link: Search for Theory of Everything continues, cosmos simulated in test tube

We’re sure a lot of you were a bit shocked about the results of the experiment conducted by the research team in Taipei. We ourselves were a bit skeptical about it too. Regardless, pnut78 and ISOHaven raised some valid points.

Article originally  posted on Dec. 29, 2007 at 02:59PM.