Posts filed under ‘PS3’

This newest addition to the Marvel Pinball series was released at the beginning of the month and with the PlayStation Store finally back up I was finally able to review it. I’m always excited to see the newest Marvel tables as it always seems to relive a certain part of my childhood. Those wondrous moments spent on Saturday morning watching cartoons were a highlight of the week. Even though Spiderman is spectacular, a certain group of heroes has always held a special place in my heart. That group, of course, is the Fantastic 4. Now when you see this name put out for this table, it seems to be written Fantastic Four, but for me that word must always, ALWAYS, be written as an actual number 4.

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If you’re reading this then it means that the PSN Store FINALLY came back up.  Consumers can bitch and moan all they want about their information possibly being stolen.  Regardless, I feel that Sony doesn’t owe you a thing save the offer of 1 year of identity protection. What about a poor (in the loosest sense of the word) company like ZEN Studios? Here they are with a new table for ZEN Pinball and the PSN service, with which they use to earn a living, drops out from under their feet. Now that it is back up both you, the consumer, and I can take a closer look at Sorcerer’s Lair.  Once due to be release on April 26th, now available simply due to services being restored. This means I was finally able to get my grimy hands on a controller and play this new table.

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Gaming Claw, a term which I am only able to find references of it on Urban Dictionary and spattering of it in reference to XtendPlay, is foretold to us as a bane to the gamer’s existence.  Perhaps you’ve heard of it and maybe even experienced it?  It’s “The sensation one feels in their hand or hands after extensive play on video games. The hand feels cramped and strained and jokingly takes on the appearance of a claw.”  As with any item our hands use, our hands will eventually become fatigued.  However, Xwerx has created a new accessory to help gamers combat this form of repetitive stress during your extended gaming sessions.  Their invention is a molded foam holder for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers.

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ZEN Studios amazingly gained access to the intellectual property of Marvel Studios.  They’ve drawn a few super heroes out and have transformed them into some high speed pinball tables.  Available both as DLC for Pinball FX 2 on Xbox 360 and as a standalone game for the PS3 (They didn’t want you to have to buy Pinball FX 2 to play these on the PS3), this title features four prominent comic book creations in a wonderful metal and electronic game.  You’ll have to use your mastery of pinball in order to help these heroes save the world for the evil villains.  Whether playing as Spiderman, Iron Man, Wolverine or even Blade, it’ll take every ounce of skill, focus and determination to rise above and succeed.

Of course, the stakes aren’t as high for you as simply restarting the game takes care of any mistakes.  However, the thrill is still through the roof when you finally set ball on this playable artwork.  Why if I didn’t know better, I’d say that ZEN managed to sneak some artists out with them.

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If you’re like me you’ve been keeping abreast of the recent developments regarding the fail0verflow team’s reverse engineering of Sony’s root signature key. This feat allows the generation of signed homebrew code which can run natively on the PS3 without the need for an existing jailbreak which bypasses the signature check. However, beyond the implications of this feat how did the fail0verflow team accomplish the impossible task of reverse engineering a private key from publicly available data? The answer lies in Sony’s botched implementation of Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA).

All code which executes on the PS3 requires a valid signature in order for the hardware to allow its execution. In the case of SELF (Signed Executable and Linkable Format) executable files Sony requires a signature within the file to be present which is an ECDSA signature of the file’s header utilizing Sony’s root signing key as one of the private variables. Sony’s crucial mistake comes in their implementation of the ECDSA algorithm which requires that all signatures be calculated with some unique random number k. Instead Sony used a fixed value for k across all of their application signatures which in turn has rendered the ECDSA algorithm effectively useless.

In the case of ECDSA when the random seed k is constant across more than one signature ECDSA hashing function can be solved for the private key d in the form d = (s*k – z) / r where s, z, and r are either publicly known values or are calculated as part of the ECDSA algorithm from publicly known values.

With the private key d now known SELFs may be generated which pass the security validation on the PS3 hardware and may run as native code without restriction. Furthermore, with this method duplicated across all levels of the PS3′s security layer less scrupulous members of the community may use the same method to trivially generate the private signing keys for game encryption, firmware validation, and even the system’s bootloader.

So with PS3 custom firmwares and native homebrew already starting to show up where does Sony go from here? Only time will tell. However, looking back you can say that you fully understand how it all began.

Now you know!


[Thanks to Armin Tamzarian]

Well over a year old, ZEN Pinball (a ZEN Studios creation of course) gets yet another timely table addition down-loadable on the PlayStation Network.  Today the Paranormal table is let out of it’s cage and set upon the world.  You may be wondering what horrors await and possible horrified about the wonders as well.  If you’ve played ZEN Pinball, you’ll know that their greatest advantage to other pinball games on the market is that they create their own digital tables.  Not to knock the games who feature classic tables, but not knocking off the oldies lets ZEN create marvelous inventions of wit and ingenuity.  So far in the game my favorite table has been Tesla, a tribute to Nikola Tesla’s works.  Even better is that you end up basically playing a steampunk style pinball game with wood and brass levers powering Nikola’s electric devices.  Of course, this was my favorite until I chewed into the meat of the review, the Paranormal table downloaded of off the PSN.

This table surely was created for this special month known as “The Month containing Halloween”.  (Direct translation of course.)  Paranormal comes jam packed with every spooky creepy thing that has made it way into popular culture over the last few decades.  If pinball tables could tell a story, this is how it would go.  You’re a detective, perhaps in some federal agency, who’s job is to investigate interesting and unusual cases.   Among the table, I recognize several elements such as The Jersey Devil, the Lochness monster and even a ship leading me to think of either the Titanic or perhaps other ghost ships that exist.  The Jersey devil was hard to investigate, but more important is what lies beyond the Jersey Devil.  Beyond is a flipper that leads to three possibility.   Shooting to the dark area above lands eager agents into an attic of flipper bats, 10 to be exact.  While shooting to the side lets you spin a Hellraiser style box around to select a mini-game.  Sinking below leads you back into game play, which suddenly spring into my mind is actually the Bermuda Triangle.  Balls can tend to disappear and re-appear elsewhere.  This mechanism could actually be replicated on a real table which makes this effect even more spectacular.  (Should ZEN Studios actually build a real pinball table, I would certainly be the first standing in line to play it.)  No spooky searches are ever as much fun with out special effects and music to accompany.  The sound track is comprised of groan and grunts hidden behind music and occasionally a whisper coming from the TV puts my on the edge of my seat.

Comparatively speaking, this table is much harder than other tables in the game because as well all know, it is darn tricky to get out of the Bermuda Triangle.  However, with such treasures that await along the ramps, I know you will be back in action.  Eventually, you might have faked your death a few times to get a ball or two saved or maybe you might just started your second, third, or forth game before you know it.  Take a look a the trailer and you might find yourself memorized into picking up this game a table for you own enjoyment.  From one avid pinball player to another, it is most definitely a hoot (and scream).

If you own and play a PS3 you have probably seen, heard, or played Zen Studio’s creation Planet Mini-Golf.  Packed with the same ball physics as their pinball titles, they have created a fun and entertaining game.   Let me go on about the game, before I get to their latest DLC.

You would probably be wondering why you would want to play a mini-golf title instead of a full fledged golfing game.  Well let me tell you, putting is the hardest thing that I know about golfing.  At least I’ve been told such a tale and with this game you get all the hardest parts of golfing plus obstacles, power-ups and challenging shots.  Indeed this is not your ordinary run of the windmill putting game.  Combine real physics with un-real power-ups, this game combines the best of a realist putting game with the fun and enjoyable antics of putt putt golf.

Since this game is close to reaching the year mark of it’s existence, you might be wondering if the ongoing life-span will leave you bored and restless.  The short answer to this question is, NO , you will no be bored for they bring you glorious down-loadable content most commonly known as DLC.  Ready for the long answer?  I thought as much.

Behold to you, consumer of Planet MiniGolf, the Stronghold Island created for you.  Your struggles of ice levels and treacherous pirate caverns have become fruitful as it has readied you for your next battle.  Storm the castle gates of Stronghold Island as you work your way through this medieval fort.  Nor do they call it a stronghold without reason.  You’ll find yourself fighting uphill to make your shots and dodging blades as they swing before you clamber through falling gates.  Do not dawdle in your task nor stare at this beautiful level, for it is fill with clever traps and carefully placed power-ups.

If you like Planet MiniGolf, or like how it sounds, you will most likely enjoy this addition to it’s collection.  Planet MiniGolf is an excellent party game in itself and with the continuation of greens (sometimes reds or blues) to strike your three dimensional circular representation of a ball on, it lends itself to a most enjoyable time!  If that were not enough, a recent patch has made this game compatible with the Playstation Move.  You can only imagine my great discomfort to not currently own the hardware to use motion control to put some effort into my shots.

Nyko sent us a sample of their Core Controller for the PS3 to test.  It looks and feels like the original PS2 dual-shock, but with a USB cord and velcro strap.  The controller is described as being able to “…give your game 200+ degrees of sensitivity for accurate and responsive gameplay.”  Nyko also states that, “…with its trigger styled shoulder buttons your finger will easily stay put with every pedal to the metal moment in your favorite action or racing games.”  I wanted to see if they were true to their advertising, so I gave the controller a test with 3 different styles of games; Tomb Raider: Underworld, Battlefield 1943, and Need For Speed: Pro Street.  Make yourself a note here, that is a third person game, a first person game, and a racing game.

Cracking into Tomb Raider was easy with this controller.  Of course I had to first figure out how to get the controller to turn on.  Pressing the PS button connects it to the console, which I figured out relatively quickly, but it is also in the manual if you end up looking there.  Controlling Lara is quite easy as far as movement and camera controls go.  I am quite glad that there is no need to press down on the thumb sticks as the movement is quite stiff.  It even makes the loudest noise I have heard a controller make when you do manage enough force to depress them, and it takes more than you would think it would. Using the D-pad is not too bad, but it is also lacking a bit.  Honestly I felt glad that I was not using the controller to play Gears of War or any such game like it.

Moving over to Battlefield 1943, I noticed something else quite peculiar about the thumb sticks.  It is very hard to aim properly with them.  The motions do not feel smooth and I did not feel as though I was able to move them accurately in a circle.  To me it felt more like I was moving them left/right and up/down instead of giving me 360 degrees of motion.  I was also nearly able to appreciate the fact that the L2/R2 buttons are actually triggers, something all controllers need.  All the shoulder buttons performed quite well in BF 1943.

When controlling the console itself, I noticed that I felt like I kept hitting buttons more than once to make them work.  Several times I almost accidentally canceled a software update.  Luckily the button didn’t actually depress.  On second though, I wish it had.  The buttons and the d-pad do not seem to be sensitive enough.  Perhaps they suffer the same fate as they thumb sticks in that they require quite a bit of pressure to activate.

Lastly, I tested the controller on Need for Speed.  It was my first time playing this title as I don’t normally delve into racing games.  However, seeing as how Nyko specifically mentions racing games I decided to give it a whirl.   I had high hopes for the thumb sticks this time around giving the fact that I noted their tendencies toward side to side motions, I figured it would be a plus for racing.  Success!  The thumb sticks actually work nicely for steering a race car.  They were in fact sensitive enough that my lack of skills found me over-steering constantly.  That is a good thing, right?  I continued to play and came across a drag race.  The first step in this type of race is apparently to warm my tires by burning out.  The trick to it is to rev the engine only enough to hit the “grip zone”.  However, the trigger just was not sensitive enough to give me the amount of precision control I needed.  It seemed like by the time I was even close to hitting my mark that I almost had the trigger pulled the entire way back.  What is worse is that you also need that control to keep your engine from exploding if you do not shift.  So of course, I blew my motor.  There is no sensitivity in the pull of the trigger and I even brought out my Six-Axis to make sure I could do it right.  (I could.)

At the end of the day, the controller is good for playing games that don’t require precise controlling.  When it comes to the “200+ degrees” of control it just misses the mark.  Shouldn’t it be 360 degrees anyways if I want to rotate the thumb stick completely?  Sure my finger stays put on the trigger and the shoulder buttons, but what good is it if they don’t let me control them completely?  Everything seems a bit off with this controller as far as trying to actually play games goes.  That said, with the price tag attached to it, this would be the controller that I would get to let other people use when they come over.  The fiancé is getting this one when we want to play Wheel of Fortune.

Again, the controller is only good for general game usage, so when it comes down to requiring precision, use your Six-Axis or something else.

On the plus side, at least they did the Velcro cord strap properly, am I right?

A charging base for the PS3 arrived at my house not that long ago.  So I did what any person would do, I plugged it in.

Features:

• Rapidly charges 2 PS3 controllers simultaneously
• Store and charge your controllers in one place
• Includes 2 USB charge adapters for quick and convenient use
• Plug into any wall outlet or place conveniently in an entertainment center
• Powered by a standard wall plug; no USB port required
• Compact design
• Keep your controllers fully charged, organized and ready for use

Pros:

• USB adapters stay firmly on the controller
• USB adapters are clear and allow the controller number indicator light to be seen through it
• Charger AC/DC adapter is removable (For whatever purpose that may have)

Cons:

• Indicator lights are extremely bright
• Extremely bright indicator lights stay on even while no controllers are charging

So this charger does everything it says it does.  The USB adapter they have fits very nicely into the port and is fitted to the curve of the controller.  I was surprised that it did not feel loose at all when it was plugged in.  This is much, much better than plugging into the PS3 itself.  I would say that this device is most definitely worth its price, which itself is an added bonus!