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New Wii Menu Update Targets Homebrew Again
Nintendo has tried to block homebrew during firmware updates in the past, often unsuccessfully. Now, as it rolls out version 4.3 of the Wii System Menu, stopping homebrew modifications once again seems to be its primary goal. From Nintendo's support site: "Because unauthorized channels or firmware may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.3 will check for and automatically remove such unauthorized files." Since it's hard to bill that as an upgrade, they vaguely add, "In addition, there are some behind the scenes enhancements that do not affect any prominently-used features or menus but will improve system performance."
I am disaapointed that Nintendo is doing this.
I quit enjoy my Wii, and have played a bit with the homebrew channel.
Because unauthorized channels or firmware may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.3 will check for and automatically remove such unauthorized files. There are some behind the scenes enhancements that do not affect any prominently-used features or menus but will improve system performance.
Oh no, I said the quiet bit loud and the loud bit quiet!
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just don't update, I'm still using 3.3 or 3.4(can't remember) and I can play all offline and online(yeah all two of them) games without any problem.
here on slashdot many people criticized sony for removing otheros, but nintendo is trying to do the same with every update and they aren't giving anything valuable in return, at least sony usually adds new functionality with each ps3 update, I can't speak for microsoft since I don't have a 360, but I think they are adding new features like sony
I updated the Wii Shop yesterday evening (I'm located in the UK) and the final part of the message ran something along the lines of "If you install this update and have third party modifications to your system, it may render your console inoperable."
The store part is not even necessary to use - one can own a Wii and never need to access it, however for those who enjoy classic games and aren't keen on PC emulation the shop is fairly useful, and a gamecube pad works well with most (all?) of the old console titles.
I was thinking about the implications for homebrew as Nintendo rolls out these updates periodically just as it prompted me to install; a lot of people fond of old games will no doubt be more inclined to use USB-compatable old-style pads on a computer using emulation software and adapted games; the software is easy to find via Google. If anything Nintendo is cutting off a subsection of trade here; but causing inconvenience for a small minority is apparently okay as long as their interface and channels are updated every so often. But one thing that homebrewers may have to do without are the independent 'Wiiware' titles that aren't as widely emulated as the console games of the past. A few of these titles are pretty good; would it be possible to mail the creators of these titles to request a release for PC and Mac?
I know of one game (World of Goo) that has had a Windows release for awhile now priced a lot cheaper than it is on the Wii shop.
Wii may be dead but the scene isn't, even if you want to update (why would you).
some scenery
"Just tell em Large Marge sent ya." -Large Marge, (the Ghost)
"In addition, there are some behind the scenes enhancements that do not affect any prominently-used features or menus but will improve system performance."
So system performance is not a prominently used feature... At least Nintendo realizes it now.
Fear is the mind killer.
I, as a WII-owner, understand the risk of installing unauthorized applications on my WII. Why not leave me, the rightful owner of the device, the choice to install said third party applications on my device?
You sold it to me, why are you trying to claim ownership over MY devices?
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Sadly for Nintendo there are already two exploits known to work on 4.3U, this one (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Smash_Stack) and this one (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Indiana_Pwns). Granted you have to have a copy of the game to use them but for most people that is not a problem.
The main thing they blocked are bannerbomb (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Bannerbomb) the exploit used by most everyone to "softmod" a Wii which allowed you to place a file on the SD card and run it via the system menu and the hackmii installer (http://hackmii.com/2009/08/hackmii-installer-v0-3/) which installed the Homebrew channel and bootmii. The hackmii installer should be updated in the coming days as they've been stockpiling exploits and not releasing them to the public in case the one they currently used was ever blocked.
All that said there is no reason to update anyway if you already have homebrew. The shopping channel can always be updated with a homebrew tool and accessed on any version of the system menu. They didn't add anything new to the System menu this time around it was just aimed at removing homebrew just like the last update (4.2).
... truth is that a large part of any console's cost is recovered by content, and without that cash innovation will die and/or consoles will become more expensive. Nintendo always owns a part of the Wii - they paid for it...
Not true, not in this case. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Nintendo has never sold Wii consoles at a loss, not at launch and not now.
e.g. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6157690.html
Nintendo warns you about what they are going to do before they do it and give you the option to ignore the update. I think this is a fair compromise.
It's a good thing he publishes the source code then. But yeah, using that type of software will void your warranty and wreck the BIOS
It's a good thing he publishes the source code then. But yeah, using that type of software will void your warranty and overheat the system
It's a good thing he publishes the source code then. But yeah, using that type of software will void your warranty and remove the security on your WIFI hub
It's a good thing he publishes the source code then. But yeah, using that type of software will void your warranty and flag you as a terrorist
It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
"Because unauthorized channels or firmware may impair game play or the Wii console"
My unauthorized channels don't impair shit. They actually make my Wii more useful (emulators, homebrew apps, etc)
Nintendo are quite user-friendly in this respect. With every Update they explicitly warn you that it deletes Homebrew software and could brick your Wii. And apart from deleting the channels, they don't purposely attempt to do more damage. Microsoft OTOH don't give you any warning, brick your console, and block your account.
If you're that worried about losing the ability to load games from an external hard drive, just buy a Wode. It fully emulates the Wii's optical drive and is oblivious to any updates Nintendo does to the console. That's what I use and it's amazing, it even rips your discs to the hard drive for you. My kids haven't had to touch a game DVD in months. WODE
Whether your games (IP) are pirated or not, once you get used to the speed and convenience of running them off a hard drive or SD card, why would anyone want to go back to swapping discs (that, in a household with a 3-year-old, often get lost)?
-Rich
It's amusing to me the back and forth between Nintendo and homebrew, and homebrew just about always tends to come ahead in the end. Every time an exploit is patched, a work around is usually available in the next few days.
The sad part of the story is that Homebrew was never about piracy, but about giving the ability for people to play around with the Wii architecture. In the beginning some of the Homebrew developers even offered to help patch/expose certain exploits only to be completely snubbed by Nintendo. Now the developers don't even really care about disabling piracy given Nintendo's smug attitude.
When you bought your Wii, you were actually buying a license to use Nintendo's hardware. You agreed to this license when you first powered the device on.
From the EULA
Chapter II: Unauthorized Software, Services, or Devices or Unlicensed Accessories
Your Wii Console and the Wii Network Service are not designed for use with unauthorized software, services, or devices or non-licensed accessories, and you may not use any of these with your Wii Console or the Wii Network Service. Such use may be illegal, voids any warranty, and is a breach of this agreement. Such use may also lead to injury to you or others or cause performance issues or damage to your Wii Console or the Wii Network Service. We (and our licensees and distributors) are not responsible for damage or loss caused by unauthorized software, services or devices or non-licensed accessories. We may take steps to disable or delete any unauthorized software, services or device installed in your Wii Console, for example, by detecting and disabling them through the Wii Network Service and/or game software. If we detect unauthorized software, services, or devices, your access to the Wii Network Service may be disabled and/or the Wii Console or games may be unplayable.
Chapter III: Updates/Changes
You understand that the Wii Console specifications and the Wii Network Service are constantly evolving and that we may update or change your Wii Console or the Wii Network Service in whole or in part, without notice to you. Such updates may be required for you to play new Wii games or continue to access the Wii Network Service. We may also upgrade, change, or terminate the Content or game software or may discontinue offering Products without notice to you.
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You suffer from the fallacy that 80% of the eopel know the logical and safe speed for a road, as well as how the road was designed.
There is a road near my house with a blind corner. at least 80%* of the people come around that corner over the speed limit. I know this is hardly the only place like this.
You want to talk about flat open roads? then you might have a point.
This is just like the 'everyone is an expert' fallacy. Just because you drive doesn't mean you know shit about proper speeds, safety, road engineering, or what's around a blind corner.
Grow the fuck up.
*based on 4 three day surveys.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Newer games bundle the update on the disc and require you to install them before playing.
Homebrew's practically ignored as it is. Since the Wii came out there have been EIGHT Menu updates.
Eight.
Let's think about this: 3 years, 8 updates.
With an always on connection, you'd think (if Nintendo was venemently anti-homebrew) they'd push patches out every time there was a new crack. They clearly have not. It almost seems more like token breaking: "Oh, well, we broke it now. See? We're doing our part, other publishers. We'll come back in another 5 months and break it again in an utterly trivial matter like last time."
I am arguing that they should leave homebrew alone because they should pay their engineers to ADD features to the Wii instead of wasting their time trying to stop the unstoppable.
Course, we don't know what happens behind the scenes. Perhaps they have to show token attempts to stop homebrew to make other publishers and developers happy, and perhaps that's why, when they do these updates, they make the attacks targeted and weak.
Face the facts, the hackers have done more to empower the Wii than Nintendo's own engineers. And that's just sad.
In your opinion.
I'm perfectly happy letting my Wii just play the games I get for it.
*and the reason it's a Netflix disc is to get around Netflix's contract with Microsoft. The PS3 needs a disc as well. I've used it, but I'd be fine without it. It still doesn't feel like a media center.