Best (if you’re into that sort of thing) or worst (if you’re Sony) of all, is that the crack is applied via a simple plug and play USB stick, complete with a GUI installer that doesn’t void warranties, is compatible with any region and model of the PS3 and claims to never brick the console. Other features include backing up games to an internal or external hard drive, which allows them to load faster, and the ability to install homebrew applications.

Oddly enough, the creators of the jailbreak are selling it for a price too exorbitant for something designed for piracy at $130.

Digital Foundry has an excellent article explaining the technical bits of the crack, which essentially boils down to the USB stick installing debug PS3 code into the retail firmware, which allows software “backups” to run from the hard drive:

This attack on PlayStation security consists of both software and hardware. A USB dongle is attached to the PS3, and pressing the eject button on the console while it cold-boots causes the code on the stick to override the console’s typical launch procedure. Based on views of the XMB seen in the now numerous YouTube videos, the dongle appears to inject elements from debug PS3 firmware onto the retail unit. The option to install PKG files, available only on development and test units, now works on the retail machine. From here, the main tool to “backing up” software is added to the machine.

While you may not have heard of a PKG file before, the chances are that you’ve installed plenty of them on your PS3. Just about every kind of program you download from PSN is in the PKG container. Once downloaded, the PS3 decompresses the data and installs it onto your PS3. On development and test/reviewer units, so-called “unsigned code” is routinely distributed on disc, via download or on USB flash drives in PKG format. The only difference between this and a regular PSN download is that the code is not encrypted, allowing for easier distribution of unfinished or review copy games (only Sony’s mastering labs can encrypt, or “sign” code).

The fact that the Install PKG option now appears on a retail unit gives us a strong indication as to how the new “Jailbreak” works as it’s almost certainly not present in the regular firmware. It suggests that elements of the bespoke system updates used on the debug PS3s are being injected into the memory of the retail unit.

“The main reason was the memory. On the PC, they have enormous memory. For the PS3, there’s a restriction. They are adjusting the memory size and customizing it; it took longer than we were expecting. But we’re really working hard to bring it out as soon as possible.”

Specifically, the PS3 only has 256 MB of dedicated XDR RAM. This means that the PS3 has the weakest RAM of any HD platform. The Xbox 360 has 512 MB, and PC systems can be anywhere in the neighborhood of 2GB to 4GB. The Wii doesn’t come into play here, I said HD platform. It’s limited RAM is easily the weakest part of the PS3, and we have mentioned here before at Game Rant about the issues it presents.
This fact brings up two salient points: (1) Every year at E3, SCEA President Jack Tretton starts his panel by stating Sony’s big mantra: all of their consoles will have a ten year life-cycle. Ten years. Why a company would release a current-generation console they expect to last for ten years and only give it 256 MB of RAM at launch is beyond me. Actually, it’s astounding. (2) One rumor going around is that Final Fantasy XIV was initially developed for the PC, and Square Enix is having problems porting it to the PS3. I can’t believe this to be true. For one thing, it’s likely the PC version isn’t fully completed yet. Also, if they are developing the game for a system that only has 256 MB of RAM, they must have taking that into consideration at the very beginning of development.

Which brings us to the potential controversy: there are those that believe the delay is because Square Enix is simply trying to make a deal with Microsoft, in order to port the game to the Xbox 360. I don’t know if I believe this, but it makes sense. That way, they can delay the game further, maybe until next May. In March at E3, they can have their big surprise announcement that FF XIV will be on both big consoles, then have their giant dual release a little later in the Spring. Keep in mind, this is just speculation and we have no information at this time that the game is going to the 360. However, it just makes sense.

Speculation aside, the two things we know for sure are that the PS3 has some memory issues, and we will have to wait a little longer for FF XIV on the PS3. Within the franchise, some titles are better than others, but they are always good. I will have to go with my mantra: take your time with the game, and make it good. At least that’s what I tell myself. Let’s just hope that FF XIV lives up to its heritage on the PS3.

Ranters, chime in and give us your two cents. Are you looking at the PC version of this game, or do you mind waiting a little longer for the MMO glory of Final Fantasy XIV on the PS3?

Final Fantasy XIV is scheduled to be released on September 30th on the PC. As it stands, PS3 owners will have to wait until March of 2011.

It’s out next year. Stay tuned.

The Racing Pack contains a 160 gigabyte PS3 and a copy of the game and a Dual Shock 3 controller.

Everything’s a cool “Titanium Blue,” apparently designed in the image of a muffler (ha…muffler).

The announcement seems very Japan focused with a price of 35,980 (about £271) attached to the bundle, so no word as yet on whether we’ll be seeing blue PS3 consoles over here.

The EU release date for GT5 was also announced as November 3 yesterday at the Sony conference at GamesCom.

BioWare confirmed plans to release Mass Effect 2 on the PS3 today at GDC Europe 2010, implying it’s long been working on a port, and added the PS3 version will include the full version of Mass Effect 2 alongside “hours of bonus content.”

For the announcement teaser (a glorified back-patting fest and no reveals) see the game’s official website.

That’s all we know at this point, and all there is to say about it, really. While the original Mass Effect was a mix of good and bad, Mass Effect 2 was universally acclaimed. As of March 2010, according to the Wall Street Journal, the game had sold 1.6 million copies.

Thanks to its real-time physics engine and many other improvements, NHL 11 won Game Informer’s “Best Sports Game” award at this year’s E3.  For more info on what to expect from NHL 11, visit their site, and be sure to check out the demo on August 17th.

FRONT MISSION 3 is a sprawling strategy sci-fi adventure which gives you giant mechanical battle machines known as “Wanzers” to command in explosive, high-tech, turn-based warfare.

Featuring the Double Feature Scenario System, you can choose from one of two independent stories, each with its own unique characters, situations and environments. Up to 150 hours of engrossing gameplay – complete with a myriad of twists and turns – awaits you. Are you ready to uncover the truth?

Larry Sparks, Vice President Brands PAL Region of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “With the forthcoming release of FRONT MISSION EVOLVED , the FRONT MISSION series is back with a bang. Before the evolution of the series, we think it’s the perfect time to revisit a previous classic instalment with FRONT MISSION 3. We’re very pleased to be able to bring this compelling title to the PlayStation Network.”

FRONT MISSION 3 will be available in all PAL countries where the PlayStation Store is available. The release date and pricing information will be announced soon.

This moves SOCOM 4 away from competing with the likes of Halo: Reach, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Crysis 2 and many other games in the shooter genre for this holiday.  Unfortunately, it potentially moves it in a position to compete with the likes of Killzone 3, Bulletstorm, Brink and Gears of War 3 in the first half of 2011.  SOCOM games generally do appeal to a different niche of shooter fans though.