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New GameCube Network Loader Runs Homebrew Games
An anonymous reader submits: "Cube Hacker is reporting that a new network loader has been released which allows you to execute retail code by exploiting a known bug in Sega's online game, Phantasy Star Online. Obviously piracy is not condoned but this certainly opens the door for future home-brew development! Linux on GameCube anyone?" Update: 10/13 23:33 GMT by S : Previous update removed, due to it only referencing retail titles.
Article is /. but one thing worthy of note is that the copy protection on Gamecube also involves spinning the CD the wrong way round. To make a Linux distro you are going to need a very special CD burner
Rus
Cheap UK and US VPS
Linux on GameCube anyone?
For the love of god, no. Can't we have a (modern) console that just stays as a gaming machine?
If you want an everything-box that can run Linux, go buy a PS2, Xbox, or just a cheap computer, but leave the Cube. It's designed to be for gaming and gaming only.
I guess that sounds incredibly jealous, narrow-minded, or fanboyish of me, but that's my gut reaction upon seeing this story.
Thinking further on this: This is a security hole that allows remote execution of code on the affected machine. Sure sounds like what's needed to write a worm!
Any bets on how long it'll be until the first ones show up?
"They redundantly repeated themselves over and over again incessantly without end ad infinitum" -- ibid.
The first person to develop a mod chip and learn to press silvers will make cash hand over fist in Hong Kong - the land of piracy.
The various mobs have their hands in street level piracy (silvers, bootlegs) up to their elbows. The top warez groups get huge "donations" in exchange for 0-day access to new cracks and releases.
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
So, you are cheering the circumvention of anti-piracy protection by *claiming* you want to spread Linux to the gamecube. Seems like one of those "wink wink nudge nudge" statement I make about *trying* games out on my GBA emulator.
You are aware that there is a steadily growing number of homebrew dreamcast games, being that its the only other easily "hacked" modern-ish console.
Not only that, but loaders like these allow those of us who look forward to games which will never be released in the US or who want to get their hands on them early play them without voiding warranties or paying twice as much for a second copy of essentially the same hardware, only with the "Japan" bit set instead of "US". And don't come whining to me about the copyright holders wishes to keep sales in a certain region. As a godless money-grubbing company they have no right or grounds to refuse my money, especially since the cost of a game in Japan tends to be much higher than games here.
Will people abuse the hack? Of course. People abuse paint thinner, glue, and many other things that when used properly benefit us all. You don't see people demanding that those of us who use them for their intended purpose give them up, though. Meanwhile I'll continue to use my DC bootloader to play Napple Tale, which I purchased in Japan legally.
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.