'We are in a kind of sick market for old-school gaming'...

It looks like Greg Zeschuk is pessimistic about the next generation of consoles...

In an interview with GI.biz, former BioWare boss Greg Zeschuk said that he is pessimistic about the next generation of consoles.

According to him, neither the PlayStation 4 or the new Xbox can cure the "sick market for old-school gaming"...

"We are in a kind of sick market for old-school gaming - the traditional retail-based gaming - and as much as EA has moved into digital, the boxed stuff is not as robust. While digital is coming up fast it's not filling in the gaps. I think it's an easy target or oversimplification for folks who don't understand the business adequately; they don't really look at the big picture.

"Also, right now, there is this sort of classic innovator's dilemma where we see a new market emerging, but it's not really that great - with the mobile business, certain people make a lot of money but on the whole it's not generating as much revenue as the console business.

"Everyone's kind of holding out hope for the new consoles, but I honestly don't think they're going to be that big a deal. I worry a lot that unless Microsoft or Sony pull something magically out of a hat, it's pretty much the same old, same old repackaged and I don't think they're going to change the dynamic of the retail market. I don't see how they can - the market is what it is."

The industry is hoping that the forthcoming consoles will see a revival of traditional game sales over the shift towards digital...

As you may know, Zeschuk left BioWare with co-founder Ray Muzyka in September 2012 to retire from the industry.

You can check out the full interview on the GI.biz link below!

NEWS SOURCE #1: The doctor is out Greg Zeschuk on Bioware EA and the uncertain console future (via) GamesIndustry
NEWS SOURCE #2: Former Bioware boss PS4 new Xbox won't revive old school gaming (via) DigitalSpy

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

1. Obtain PSP game in PKG format and put it in this directory.
(Only for DEX users - you need also make_edata_npdrm.exe - put in tools dir)

================================================== ===
IF YOU WANT TO USE ISO INSTEAD OF EBOOT.PBP
- Copy ISO file here
- RUN ISO2EBOOT (name output PBP as EBOOT.PBP)
- GO TO STEP 3

IF ERROR APPEARS THAT ISO IS TOO BIG TOO FAKE THEN TRY TO DELETE FROM ISO UPDATE DIRECTORY IN PSP_GAME/SYSDIR USING UMDGEN

IF ERROR APPEARS THAT EBOOT ISN'T SIGNED THEN UNPACK ISO WITH UMDGEN, DELETE FILE OPNSSMP.BIN FROM ISODIR/PSP_GAME/SYSDIR/
(THIS FILE COULD NOT EXIST SOMETIMES).
COPY EBOOT.BIN TO PSP2PS3 DIR AND RUN SIGN_EBOOT. REPACK ISO USING UMDGEN WITH SIGNED EBOOT.BIN (OVERWRITE OLD ONE)

WORKS ONLY IF GAME HAVE SIGNED MODULES
(SIGNEM MODULES STARTS WITH "~SCE")
================================================== ===

2. Put pkg in PSP2PS3 dir and run EXTRACT_PKG

3. Run MAKE_EDATS_[CEX/DEX]

4. Run MAKE_PACKAGE (after packaged is created script will ask to tranfer pkg to PS3 via FTP)

(IMPORTANT FOR DEX USERS! If you have "Package Manager" [eg in Rebug FW] and you want to install package you'll see only "Please Wait" message.
Wait till message dissappear then go to Package Manager -> Playstation Network Content and install your package from there).

Tested on Rebug 4.30.2 CEX/DEX

Changelog:
v1.7.3
-MAKE_EDATS_CEX:
---FIXED: Starting EDAT Tool when user chooses to unpack iso
-MAKE_PACKAGE:
---FIXED: Issue when function sleep doesn't exist in system - pause will be used insted of it.
-ISO2EBOOT:
---Extension in output filename is now required
---DONOR.PBP isn't required anymore. Replaced fake_np with one which doesn't need DONOR //thanks to Aldo (aka aldostools)

v1.7.2
-Couple bugfixes
-Added check for exist load_tmp/save_tmp/open_tmp directories in placeholder
-Replaced old EBOOT.BIN signing tool with new one (BIG THX to RikuKH3)

v1.7.1
-Few modifications by Aldo (aka aldostools)
---Added a default placeholder folder (created from tools\PSPP00000.7z) and fixed a couple of errors.

v1.7
-SIGN_EBOOT:
---Old (unsigned EBOOT) will be kept as EBOOT.OLD
-Replaced EDAT Tool GUI with new one - only 2 clicks to make EDATs (new version of pink1's tool)
-Replaced old npdpc tool with new one (mongoose) which doesn't need Open-SSL and other tools (swapper/minis_bin) //thanks to Doobz
-Replaced make_package_npdrm with psn_package_npdrm
-Added UMDGEN to PSP2PS3 package (in tools directory)
-FIXED: Generating package with proper CID (based on GameID)
-FIXED: few minor bugs

v1.6
-MAKE_PACKAGE:
---Added ability to change GameID (eg when user want to make few packages using one placeholder)
---Added ability to use PIC1/ICON0/SND from source (original ISO or ISO generated by MAKE_EDATS_[CEX/DEX])

v1.5
-Added compatibility with CEX FW (EDAT Tool GUI included)
-Added make_package_npdrm from Aldo's Tools
-Added ability to transfer package created by MAKE_PACKAGE via FTP to PS3
(package will be transferred to dev_hdd0:/packages)
-Added ability to extract PKG and copying eboot from it to PSP2PS3 dir
-Auto generating correct PARAM.SFO
-Added ability to enable/disable compression in ISO2EBOOT
-ISO2EBOOT will ask that EBOOT.PBP could be used as DONOR

v1.0-1.4
-Initial/Test releases
__________________________________________________ _____

Download: PSP 2 PS3 v1.7.3 - Ps3SceneFiles

Additional Info: PSP ISO Homebrew as Minis on the PS3

After long time, an update for this project.

Project member 'Raptor399' has released a new version of 'PS3 Media Server', featuring tons of improvements and fixes.

If you didn't know, PS3 Media Server (PMS) is a DLNA-compliant UPnP Media Server.

Originally written to support the PS3, it has been expanded to support a range of other media renderers, including smartphones, televisions, music players and more...

Well, after 5 months since the last update, project member 'Raptor399' has made available a new version of it, featuring the following (and huge) list of improvements:

• Regressions:
- Re-allow all transcode engines to be disabled

• PMS.conf:
- FFmpeg has been renamed ffmpeg_video_custom_options and now defaults to null

• Renderers:
- Document TranscodeVideo and TranscodeAudio profiles
- Panasonic TVs: Add "exclusive" option to SeekByTime to work around a transcoding issue
- PS3: Restore seek-by-time support for streaming
- Android: allowing chunked transfer
- AirPlayer & iPad/iPhone: transcoding to WMV format gives better results
- Improved support for Sony Bravia HX (thanks, mazey!)
- Improved streaming support for some renderers (thanks, ExSport!)

• Engines:
- FFmpeg Video and FFmpeg Web Video:
• Support all three TranscodeVideo profiles: WMV, MPEGTSAC3 and MPEGPSAC3
• Preserve source video quality
- FFmpeg Video:
• Custom FFmpeg options are now read before each transcode rather than only at startup
• (parity with custom MEncoder options)
• Rescale videos larger than the renderer's max height/width
• Updated to use "wmav2" codec (#1583)
- FFmpeg Audio: support all TranscodeAudio profiles
- VLC:
• Added support for VLC as engine (thanks, LordQuackstar!)

• Language updates:
- Updated Brazilian translation (thanks, Bruno Arueira!)
- Updated Catalan translation (thanks, oscaroe!)
- Updated simplified Chinese translation (thanks, lovenemesis!)
- Updated Italian translation (thanks, nocciola82!)

• Misc:
- Fixed bug that prevents PMS running multiple profiles concurrently
- Fixed NPE when responding to DLNA subtitle requests
- Fixed NPE for empty soapactions
- Image thumbnailer:
• Added thumbnail support for TIFF and other formats
• Trapped exception when handling unsupported formats
- Fixed response to M-SEARCH "ssdp:all" message (thanks, ler0y!)
- Fixed fontconfig configuration for Mac OSX, improving subtitle quality
- Moved several transcoding settings from MEncoder to Common transcoding settings
- Layout improvements to remove scroll bars where possible
- Help is now context sensitive

You can grab the latest versions for Windows, Mac OS and Linux from the official project Google Code page HERE!

Download Mirror - Ps3SceneFiles

NEWS SOURCE #1: Viewtopic #16571 (via) PS3MediaServer
NEWS SOURCE #2: PmS PS3 Media Server 1.80.0 released (via) PSX-Scene

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

More updates for the open code manager.

That's right, a new version of Iris Manager is now available for you to try, fixing issues with the recent CFW 4.40, and more!

Iris Manager by 'Estwald' & 'D_Skywalk' is a "completly legal" open code manager made with Homebrew tools. It is a port of HermesManager based on PSLIGHT, Tiny3D, PS3Soundlib and OpenPS3FTP.

A new version is now available. Take a look at the changelog for v2.30, and since v2.20:

New: in version 2.30

- Fixed problems with recent CFW 4.40 (/app_home on Rogero v1.03)

- Added some cosmetic changes to the GUI and full UTF8 support (now support Arabic characters, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Greek, Korean, etc. using system fonts)

An example of using these fonts you can see it by pressing START on the main screen to enter the "Global Settings" and then pressing SELECT there.

The default Iris Manager uses 4 internal sources, which will function if used in the representation of the character located or not.

In this regard, it provides the possibility of adding a custom font, adding "font.ttf" folder Iris installation IMANAGER4 Manager, which replaces the main source used.

Changelog 2.25

- Added support for installation. PKG over 4GB and from HDD0 (in / dev_hdd0/IMANAGER4/PKG).

Example: copying to a USB device in the x:\iris\PKG, the fragmented PKG (.666xx files generated by split4G.exe, for example). From Iris Manager, go to “Tools” use “Copy from /dev_usb/iris to Iris folder” and in the “Install .PKG” option unplugging USB storage devices, to show the PKG files in /dev_hdd0/IMANAGER4/PKG. Install normally.

- Added “Archive Manager/ Manejador de Archivos” (under “Tools/Herramientas“), with ability to create folders, delete, copy, move from file / folder or by group selection.

It also has the ability to mount / unmount "/ dev_rewrite" (device / dev_flash with writing), make dumps of LV1 (CFW that support only LV1 peek / poke) and LV2, hex editor, launch. SELF and install PKG.

Hold Start for one second to access help and know the function of the various buttons

Changelog 2.22B
- Fixed offset in the payload strcpy lv2 MLT 4.40 (major bug)

- Patcher explore_plugin modified to show disc icon and MLT 4.40 error while patching which includes Miralatijera

Changelog 2.22 (bugfix)
- Bugfix from Miralatijera for 4.40 CFW CEX with Core 3.0.1

Off-Site Download Links:

- IrisManager v2.30 (ElOtroLado)
- IrisManager v2.30 (Brewology)
- IrisManager v2.30 (PS3SceneFiles)

NEWS SOURCE #1: The updates keep rolling in Iris Manager v230 (via) DashHacks
NEWS SOURCE #2: Downloads #9915 = IrisManager_v2.30 (via) EurAsia

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

According to PC Magazine sources.

PCMag says we should expect another PlayStation 4 event from Sony in April/May, ahead of the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June...

PC Magazine says we should expect another "big" announcement from Sony about its next-gen PlayStation 4 console this month or possibly in early May. This according to "a source familiar with the company's marketing strategy".

This one should act as Sony's final venue for PS4 discussion before the E3 in June...

Sony already revealed some PlayStation 4 specs at a February event in which the company unveiled the console's controller (pictured) and a stereo camera with motion capture capabilities, but not, to the chagrin of gamers everywhere, the PS4 itself.

But Sony may be parceling out information about its coming game console to build up buzz, according to the source.

GDC was probably the last big stage for the company to talk up the successor to the PlayStation 3 before the E3 gaming conference in June, unless Sony manufactures its own event. That's precisely what Sony plans to do, according to the source, who said late April/early May will be the likeliest timeframe for a full-blown launch of the PS4.

Microsoft, which is playing its cards much closer to the vest with regards to its own next-generation console, has also been rumored to be planning an April event to lift the curtain on what many are calling the Xbox 720. The source had no knowledge of such plans but guessed that an E3 reveal would be more likely given Redmond's recent history—Microsoft unveiled Kinect (then dubbed Project Natal) at the 2009 show and announced both the availability of Kinect and its redesigned Xbox 360 at the expo the following year.

For now, keep in mind that this is just a rumor, so take it with a grain of salt!

NEWS SOURCE #1: Article #2417397 (via) PCMag
NEWS SOURCE #2: Rumor Sony planning April May Playstation 4 event (via) Gematsu

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!