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Open Source PS2 Site Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

Posted by simoniker on from the candle-candle-candle dept.

Ooobles writes "The main Open Source Playstation 2 developer site, ps2dev.org, is now three years old. And much like a three year old, it wants attention - it's now promoting its achievements, and asking, what next? Having never been recognized by Sony, it's wondering if or when Sony will allow commercial games developers to join the community." The site explains that "...the ps2dev community have created open source tools which allow developers to use nearly every aspect of the Playstation 2", and also mentions there's a major multi-part PS2 demo in progress for the Breakpoint 2004 demo party to be held later this week in Germany.

21 comments

  1. Sure lets all join the party! by Mike+Hawk · · Score: 1

    SCEA/SCEE/SCEI would have to be retarded, literally, to recognize this. Letting (well, being forced by a judge to let) every Tom, Dick, and Harry develop for the Atari Personal Computer played a big part in its demise. The system was bombarded by crapware. That's why since the NES game consoles are sold as set-top boxes and not personal computers and one needs a license to develop commercial software for them.

    I'm sure these people worked hard and their achievement is noteworthy. I'm just familiar with history and that whole learning from other's mistakes thing. I'm sorry but Sony would have to be retarded to sanction or acknowledge this beyond a glorified "Good for you".

    1. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Xaymot · · Score: 1, Informative

      You're an elitist ass bag. Time and time again creative diversity has shown to perpetuate and drive an industry forward. Letting people home brew their titles is just what this overly corporate and homogenized industry needs to shake off the reigns of crappy sequels (except for Nintendo games) and movie licenses.

      The Macintosh was made in a garage and maybe the next best video game RPG/FPS/ whatever game will come from a garage as well. But we'll never know until we try.

    2. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by MBCook · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Huh? Sony let amatures develop for the PS 1 with the Net Yahorzee (probably spelled wrong). Sony lets amatures develop for the PS 2 with the Linux kit. It's in Sony's interests to get people familiar with programming their systems so they'll have more tallent to make more games.

      As for the "crapware" argument, there is tons of it for the PS1 and 2, you just don't see it at most major stores (unless it was released by EA, Activision, or some other big name). Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it's not there. It's just that companies (both retailers and the console makers like Sony) have learned how to controll these problems better than the Atari days (which had nothing to learn from on such issues as it was the first "modern" console in many ways).

      --
      Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
    3. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Mike+Hawk · · Score: 1

      You don't read very well do you?

      and one needs a license to develop commercial software for them.

      Of course you can spend money to buy their linux kit and jerk off to the results. Good luck publishing that though. Jeez man, if you are going to reply at least read carefully.

      It's just that companies (both retailers and the console makers like Sony) have learned how to controll these problems better than the Atari days (which had nothing to learn from on such issues as it was the first "modern" console in many ways).

      MMMMkay, yeah, that's the whole license thing of which I'm speaking. Atari didn't have this process. They tried to prevent Activision (breakaway Atari d00ds) from publishing for Atari systems but because they were selling "personal computers" instead of "game consoles" the judge ruled they couldn't stop them.

      C'mon nephew, this is game history 101.

    4. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      I think YOU read wrong. This is talking about letting commercial developers support this (They are bound by NDA to not disclose anything which includes joining such organizations as ps2dev). It does not say what recognized means. I would take it as being: Sony does not look down on those who use a mod or a kit to run Homebrew stuff.

      The latter part wouldn't really make a difference but the first part would be great help... and is very unlikely to happen.

      Yes I must admit I have a linux kit but that just give me more authority than a flamer like you to say what would benefit and what would not.

      I think homebrew inspires innovation in a lot of ways... some game devs have started out that way. Please really think before you claim all knowlegde about something you have nothing to do with (in a more direct sense).

      PS. you sound like a guy who is anti-sony... do you own a GC? ... I just get sick of complainers who say all big companies are out to get them. And I have nothing against GC or XBOX... in fact I own them... I just wish there was open documentation for those two!

    5. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by TrickFred · · Score: 2

      The 'Net Yaroze' machines could facilitate making games, sure, but it had limited development tools [unless you were a coding master and/or had the extra few hundred bucks for CodeWarrior], and only other people with the +$800 US Net Yaroze systems could play the games, noone else could.

      Side note, one of the reasons for selling those systems was the hope that they would get some good game ideas from them, but as far as I can remember, they only got one idea they exploited commercially - Devil Dice. They used the author's original idea, but then put professional polish on the game.

    6. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Mike+Hawk · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      I don't claim to have all "knowlegde", but I am in the industry. That means I know enough that they pay me to work on commmercial products and gives me a helluva lot more authority than you. Your authority comes from being an AC on slashdot? You have fun with that linux kit. Hey, can you even make software that will run on my unmodded retail PS2? No? Then shut up and fuck off. This is just another thread about open source literally copying closed source then literally begging for recognition. Why dont we all gather round in a circle and jerk off onto this cookie?

    7. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Mike+Hawk · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      Ass bag? Listen here you triple douche, cunt flow, Off the Wall buying mother fucker. I love Nintendo as much as you do, but that doesn't mean that these open source guys are going to save the day. Every night I touch myself and think of a naked cheat for Metroid and still it doesn't come. I have to cry myself to sleep. Where is your precious open source then? Fuck this place. Until I can play naked Metroid Prime its worthless and dead to me.

    8. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Who cares about commercial experience... as far as I am concerned homebrew is a diff. story... ugh .. and who would want to pay you. You have no imagination what-so-ever! And saying that you are a professional in an industry that regards that as a GOOD quality I would say your chances of success are either lucky ones or grim.

      I post as AC becuase:
      1- I dont usually post enough to get an account (only about once a month)
      2- I dont really care if someone sees my nick or not.. how is AC really that much diff?? other than karma?
      3- I guess it comes down to the fact that i am too lazy ;)

      Please, lighten up and open your mind to others and their possibly usefull ideas. Nobody on slashdot about an individual... it comes down to their ideas and their ideals. Well flamewaring is over for me at least. If you want to continue the fight that is OK... I wont force you to have my opinion (any opinion is better than none, I guess).

      Anyway I want to thank all those in the community that help to make ps2 -- in any form -- development fun.

    9. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow, an AC defending himself. Like a monkey on a treadmill. Sure its funny to watch, but it doesn't really do anything.

    10. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Xaymot · · Score: 0

      A naked Samus code? I don't know, I always thought she would kind of have softball thighs. You know, be a bit butchy or something.

      And as a counter arguement... STEVE JOBS

    11. Re:Sure lets all join the party! by Prior+Restraint · · Score: 1

      I am in the industry.

      So? Publicists are "in the industry;" that doesn't mean their opinions count for anything. You'll need to be a little more specific if you want any credibility.

  2. Anyone have more information? by Cthefuture · · Score: 1

    The site seems kinda bare to me. The "About" page doesn't really have anything about the project at all.

    Do you have to have a mod-chip or something to develop? Do you need the official PS2 developers disc? Linux PS2 stuff? Or what?

    --
    The ratio of people to cake is too big
    1. Re:Anyone have more information? by noselasd · · Score: 3, Informative

      Some info at http://ps2dev.org/kb.x?T=691
      Basically, you need a modchip, or use the PSO Exploit, or
      get a memory card with some special files on it.

      You have to realize this is made by "l337" people who
      have noe clue whatsoever on how to write docs.

    2. Re:Anyone have more information? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      You can also use a linux kit ... the memcard stuff + an RTE DVD is the easiest but it costs $100... and are not being made anymore (are there any left? check playstation.com)

  3. Alternatives... by Lord+Graga · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ... If you don't like PS2Dev.org then there's allways GBADev.org :)

  4. Community? by MMaestro · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Having never been recognized by Sony, it's wondering if or when Sony will allow commercial games developers to join the community.

    Community? I thought Sony and the PS2 were in the business of making money, not the business of joining the currently unproven open source business.

    If the ps2dev.org community can pool together resources, money, and support to develop and publish a game, THEN Sony should start taking them seriously. Otherwise, no way. Its like trying to use a resume with no previous job experience and no coding experience listed on it to get a job as a lead programmer for Apple/Microsoft/IBM/the government/etc.

    1. Re:Community? by Superliminal · · Score: 1
      If the ps2dev.org community can pool together resources, money, and support to develop and publish a game, THEN Sony should start taking them seriously.

      Ooo.. ooo.. How about "Custer's Revenge 2000"?

      Seriously, if the ps2dev.org community pulls together enough resources to develop and publish a game, I bet they'll get a serious response, alright... from Sony's lawyers. I'm guessing the guys at/nee ps2dev.org don't exercise "clean room" procedures, if you know what I mean.

      I think they(Sony) only barely tolerate Datel (the GameShark guys) because of all the bad luck Nintendo had against the Game Genie. (Perhaps it is telling that the CD Pressing company Datel uses is a subsidiary named "Thin Ice Media.")

      2c., etc.,

      - Superliminal

    2. Re:Community? by noselasd · · Score: 1

      Since Sony have the uber all control over publishing(only legal way
      you can make a CD/DVD "boot" on PS2 is for Sony to produce it) I have
      a hard time seeing the ps2dev.org community do that.
      Lets not also forget that Sony has their own community
      with the ps2 linux kit.