16w ago - Recently a Sony patent was uncovered which may be used to detect pirated software though tracking video game load times.

Below are the details, to quote: "Sony has filed a new patent which may be useful in combating piracy.

The patent was filed by them way back in August 2011, and according to it, if the load times are not within the range they have set, the software could be flagged.

For the tech to be effective, a standard average load time has to be set–specific or range–and if any software that exceeds the time set, it will be easy to block it. This way of blocking games is a little impractical because sometimes drives may not function as expected due to wear and tear.

You can check out the description of the patent below.

For example, if an authentic game title is distributed exclusively on BDs having a total benchmark load time of 45 seconds on a game console BD drive, the acceptable range of load times could be from 40 to 50 seconds. Thus, a total measured title load time of 4 seconds would be outside of the acceptable range of total load times for a legitimate media type.

Seek time: In another example, if an authentic game title is distributed exclusively on flash drives...

24w ago - Previously it was rumored that Sony was planning to combat PS3 piracy with Blu-ray disc serial keys, and today gofreak uncovered a patent (PDF File) which may suppress second-hand game sales on PS4 as well.

Below are the details, to quote: So I believe this is interesting in light of a prior rumor about Sony limiting second hand game sales on PS4. Sony has been working on new technology for limiting used game sales, and has applied for a patent. The patent was filed 09/12/2012 by SCEJ.

Perhaps this work is where the rumor came from. Or perhaps it independently corroborates the rumor. Anyway, here's some of the relevant detail:

"According to the present embodiment, realized is the electronic content processing system that reliably restricts the use of electronic content dealt in the second-hand markets. As a result, the dealing of electronic content in the second-hand markets is suppressed, which in turn supports the redistribution of part of proceeds from sales of the electronic content to the developers. Though in the following description a game application...

30w ago - Following up on the Wii U Specifications with the US launch being today, NeoGAF user Trike has already uncovered what appears to be a Wii U Miiverse Debug Menu with details below.

Also of note, a Nintendo Wii U Teardown Guide is now available followed by a second Nintendo Wii U Teardown Tutorial and Geoff Keighley of GameTrailers TV has Tweeted that: The Wii U Firmware update is apparently about 5 gigs. No wonder it takes about an hour+ to download.

Additionally, the Wii U is able to run Nintendo Wii homebrew at launch (WiiXplorer ELF) and run Wii U games Off an SD Card, as demonstrated in the videos below!








From Rodger Combs: Let me...

77w ago - Following up on his previous update, today PlayStation Vita hacker SKFU reports that he may have uncovered a PS Vita encryption flaw.

To quote from his page: Since I finally have access to a retail PS VITA, today I started with some basic tests.

After a complete freeze of the system within the first 5 minutes after unboxing (*always happens to new consoles 4 me rofl*), I went on and noticed that there is a problem with the VITA's encryption functions and was able to decrypt some test files directly via the system.

I will post updates as soon as I have news

- SKFU

102w ago - Update: Sony has now confirmed PSN Pass to IGN, stating the program requires customers to input a one-time use code to access a game's online capabilities similar to EA's Online Pass.

Today Darko on German site Konsolentreff.net (linked above) has shared an image uncovering Sony's PSN Pass on a Resistance 3 PS3 bundle box.

The text in the image reads as following: "PSN Pass. Network features only available in countries that have PlayStation Store."

While there is currently no official announcement on what PSN Pass is from Sony, Kotaku reports that it may be similar to EA's Online Pass which provides online access to those who either purchase a new copy of a game or those who pay the extra ten bucks to buy their way into networked features.

To quote: "Sony has employed the practice before, selling "Online Entitlement" passes for PSP games SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 and ModNation Racers.

We don't yet know if PSN Pass is real, whether...