The New Years Roundup (PlayStation 3 Hacked - 07/01/2011)

PlayStation 3 Gets Hacked... Again
New PlayStation 3 firmware incoming

Hacker team 'fail0verflow' claims to have opened PlayStation 3's front door, saying they have decrypted and reconstructed the tools needed to sign code. Simply put, signing the code makes unlicensed software appear completely legitimate to the PS3 hardware. This would allow users to develop and install custom firmware - one such custom firmware is already available. According to the developer KaKaRoTo, their custom firmware "is really meant for future homebrew installation", and "will not allow piracy." However, the root exploit itself will likely allow for pirated games - even on unmodified consoles. As the exploit is rooted at a hardware level, Sony won't be able to patch it with a new firmware - although it seems reasonable to expect that future revisions of the hardware itself will address the issue.

- CVG


New Soul Calibur in Development
The stage is being set again!

If a tweet by Soul Calibur IV designer Daishi Odashima is anything to go by, the stage is set for Namco Bandai's weapons-based fighter to return. Odashima tweeted "SC is BACK! Get ready, fans!" along with this picture of himself drawing the soul swords.

With Tekken vs Street Fighter among various other Namco fighters already on the radar, 2011 is looking to be a hot year for fighting fans.

- Joystiq


Viacom Sells Harmonix
Rock Band devs go indie

Viacom has sold off Rock Band developer Harmonix - although not to the companies previously suggested as potential buyers. Investment firm Columbus Nova purchased the developer for a reported USD$50. Harmonix issued the following statement on the Rock Band forums: "We’re excited to be returning to our roots as an independent and privately owned studio." Harmonix noted that they will continue to support their previous titles and has a few new projects coming - "we’re hard at work on some unannounced projects that we think you’re going to be pumped about." Judging by comments made earlier this month, those unannounced titles will likely be published by long-time Rock Band distributor, EA.

- Harmonix Forums