Numerical scores are like so last decade ago. So, breaking free from the supposed "one-size-fits-all" checklists of items to add up to a game's "score", we're going to be implementing a new five-star review system. See, we're trying to avoid having to quantify video games into arbitrary numbers. After all, many of us feel that a game isn't just the sum of all its parts (as in a checklist), but rather, the totality of the gaming experience itself! In the full article, we've come up with a handy FAQ to introduce this brand spanking new system to all of you QJ.NET readers. And yes, there're no half-stars about it! Rawr!

It's a rhythm game! No, it's a shooter! Actually, developer Brick's new homebrew PSP game, Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod, is both. Interested? Hit the full article for more details.

Download: Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod

Aside from hospitalized kids, it appears that another demographic is due for some gamer-loving - the U.S. Marines.

This much we know based on the Games For Heroes site, which aims to send donated PSP and DS handhelds to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. More details on this charity movement are available in the full article.

Want a handheld Vista? You can make your Sony PlayStation Portable look like it's running on that system with the Windows Vista Lua version 2, which allows icons to be added to the desktop for easier access. Homebrew developer pspman16 also included an MP3 player to boot, and it's up to you to learn about it by heading over to the full article.

Download: Windows Vista Lua v2
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Homebrew Development Forum

Developer StoneCut dropped us a line earlier to announce that the latest build for the iR Shell homebrew is primed and ready for use. iR Shell version 3.7's biggest feature is its support for the Team M33's Custom Firmware 3.71 on the PSP Phat. It also carries several other new changes since version 3.62:

• Added support for M33 3.71 CFW for PSP Phat.
• Screen redirection via Tyranid's remotejoy. UMD Game compatibility has also been enhanced and save/load dialog boxes will no longer crash. Thanks to Tyranid for making this possible.
• 2 Player PSOne games via usbhostfs/nethostfs keypad direction using 2 PC joysticks/keyboard. Screen redirection via remotejoy is also supported for PSone games.
• Support for M33 popsloader when iR Shell running under M33 3.52 CFW. Only the latest version popsloader is supported (that is, the one for pops from 3.00 to 3.52). All other previous versions of popsloader won't work with iR Shell. If you're running iR Shell under M33 3.71, the "POP Version" setting in iR Configurator is ignored. This is due to popsloader currently doesn't work with M33 3.71 due to changing NIDs by Sony.
• Support for M33 UMD Video ISO feature under iR Shell File Browser. This will also work with USBHostFS & NETHostFS. Again, for legally owned backups only.
• The number of iR Shell EBOOTs for various firmwares have been consolidated into just 2. One for firmware 1.5, and the other for firmware 2.x/3.x. This should make it earier for users.
• A new autoboot seplugin is introduced to replace the old "irsfw30x.prx". This plugin will work under all firmware versions, including 3.71.
  

In case you're wondering, the PSX 2 Player Adhoc that StoneCut and AhMan demonstrated before via video won't be included in this release. The devs explained that it was still in the Alpha phase of development, and hence was still unstable. Users - especially first-timers - are advised to read through iR Shell 3.7's User's guide and FAQ. Both can be found in the file bundle.

Also be sure you download the other tools that StoneCut included - you'll need them to make the most of the application. You may also want to visit StoneCut's release thread over at the QJ.NET forums to get the iR Shell Skin Pack 1, and to say hello to the devs. Enjoy the downloads!

Kudos to Hatter for tipping us off regarding this release!

Download: iR Shell 3.7
Download: Pronto Codes (2000+ infrared devices)
Download: USBhostFS v1.7 incl. RemoteJoy
Download: NetHostFS v1.7
Download: RemoteJoy4iRS Easy GUI
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development forum
Donate:AhMan's Paypal

Homebrew developer weltall dropped by QJ.NET PSP Development Forum and rolled out a new version of pet application CWCheat.

If this is the first time you've heard about this program, note that CWCheat is actually a prx which works under DevHook and can cheat every DevHook-compatible game running on custom firmwares.

Anyway, the latest update brings the program up to version 0.1.9 REV C and aside from the usual bug fixes, the biggest addition to it is the possibility of loading up to 128 text files per game id by easily putting a number after the id for the files 1-127.

Here's the complete changelog for this version as provided by weltall:

• [ALL]
• Now the text reader supports up to 128 text files per id:
• Press L/R to go to the previous/next text file.
• The name is similar to how the cheat.db name works: The first file is named with just the id.txt (just like now), all the others are the id + the number + .txt eg: with SLUS_12345 as id. The first file is SLUS_12345.txt, the next SLUS_123451.txt, SLUS_123452.txt~SLUS_12345127.txt
• [GAME]
• Improved disc id detection runtimes and by putting a 
• New check for the mount status of isofs.
• This improved cwcheat startup speed (were applicable) and compatibility.
• This should also reduce the risk of the cheat list being corrupted.
• [ALL]
  
• Added detection of vsh mode. So now vsh has it's own id different from the one for homebrews.
• Cheats for vsh/vsh homebrews which were previously under the "HOMEBREW" id were moved in the new "VSH" id
• [ALL]
• Removed redundant code from the function which cleared the screen upon entering the cwcheat menu (if enabled)
• This fixed also the brave story crash problem as before, most probably, some data stored in the vram was being overwritten.

As always, read first all the included documentation in the download package below (Readme.txt, FAQ, How To's, etc.) before installing CWCheat v0.1.9 REV C on your PlayStation Portables.

Download: CWCheat v0.1.9 REV C
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forum

Still finding PSPLock a little too complicated for use on your handheld? PSP homebrew developer Auraomega dropped by the QJ.Net Forums to announce that the application has just received a new version update, which includes a complete code rewrite, and increased VSH compatibility. Here's a short version of version 4's changelog:

• PSPLock now appears to be in EBOOT format. This is simply an easy installer that I've lovingly called PEF (PSPLock Easy Flasher), all you have to do is run the program, select the options, and it does the hard work for you.
• Increased security
• Installed differently, which means you MUST read the README_PEF.txt
• The ability to select characters (upper and lower case), punctuation, and numbers.
• Faster load times, and although these are probably un-noticeable, they are there.
• Ability to select a "Button Switch", this allows you to either force-crash the PSP if the buttons are not pressed upon bootup, or, if the buttons are pressed upon bootup, the PSP will switch manual/auto modes (so if you are on auto mode, it will switch to manual, and vise-versa).

For the guys who were wondering about a few extra details on this application - designed to lock your PSP so that only you can use it - Auraomega also set up a short FAQ list. Here's a snippet of it; the rest may be found over at Full Article so be sure to click on that link.

• Q: If I forget my memory card/password, will it brick?
• A: No, it only acts a brick, just insert your card, or type the password in, and it will work again.
• Q: Will I still be able to access recovery?
• A: Yes, recovery is still accessible, PSPLock only loads after recovery.

PSPLock v4 has been successfully tested on custom firmware 3.40 OE-A, although it's expected to work on all versions. Further details (such as app usage) should be available in the file readme. On a last note, Auraomega is requesting the help of Beta testers, preferably available between 8 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. GMT. Interested parties are invited to drop by the PSP Development Forums over at QJ.Net.

Download: PSPLock V4 + PEF V1
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

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Auraomega has just updated his thread at the QJ forums and have given out the warning that this apparently does not work on M33 firmwares. But that won't be for long. He does promise to fix this later, so just hold on tight.

In the meantime, he asks that no one try it from a previous firmware as this may cause semi-bricks for a while. We'll keep you posted on this!

In a move that will surely give gamers in the U.K. more peace of mind when it comes to their Sony video game consoles being damaged due to accidents, Sony has come up with "Continuous Play", an extended warranty service for the PS2, PS3 and PSP.

Continuous Play is, according to the official website's FAQ, a plan to protect gamers should their Sony gaming consoles develop a fault after the warranty expires or if it's damaged by accident. For a few pounds a month, gamers that have signed up for the Continuous Play service can get their problematic or damaged consoles replaced, usually within two working days.

The plan stays in place even after you've already gotten your replacement, so you can get another replacement for as many times as needed. Provided you keep paying the monthly fees, of course. The monthly cost for protecting a PS2 or a PSP is set at UK£ 2.49. If you have a PS3, you can also get it covered for UK£ 4.99 a month.

The Continuous Play service is for the U.K. only, but hopefully it will also become available to gamers outside the U.K. If you want to learn more about it, feel free to click on the "Read" link below.

Developer MániácX passed by the QJ.net Forums today to inform all of us that a new version of SDP Development Studio is now Available. For those who aren't familiar, here's a refresher: CSP Dev Studio is an IDE for PSP programming designed to allow for an easier programming experience. It is intended for beginners and intermediate coders alike.

New in CSP Development Studio Version 1.2 are the following:

• Ability to unpin the debug window and drag it to other sides of the IDE
• Ability to add header and source files to your project easily by clicking on the appropriate link on the bar on the right
• Ability to add custom syntax highlighting and auto-complete tokens by modifying the 'Intellisense.xml' file with a notepad
• Ability to change the comment and other highlighting settings by editing the 'config.xml' file with a notepad
• Ability to create Makefiles with ease now using MakeFile maker
• Ability to hit CTRL+TAB to switch between different open tabs
• Ability to have multiple web browsers open inside the ide (usefull for reading tutorials!)
• Ability to use PSP-Link to debug via USB
• Ability to use the Positioner to get information on where to position objects (x, y, etc...)
• Ability to have a little bit of fun in your coding experience with the easy to use interface!

What's nice is that MániácX promises that there are even more features to this new release than what's listed above. To download the file feel free to click on our download link below. If you're using Internet Explorer, then feel free to visit the original post in the forums via our link below to run the Online Install. There is also a last minute FAQ there if you're really curious.

Good work, MániácX! Any beginner will probably find this very helpful!

Download: CSP Development Studio Version 1.2
Discuss: PSP Development Forums

That's the question being asked by folks at IGN, and it's the same one we're definitely interested in asking you guys. According to a technical FAQ on Sony's upcoming Home service, Sony's thinking about taking some aspects of Home outside of the PS3, perhaps with some of it hitting PSPs as well.

Here's the question asked in the technical FAQ:

Q: Is Home a PS3 specific service? Will users be able to access Home through other devices?

Initially Home will only be accessible via that PlayStation 3, although over time our intention is to enable users to interface certain Home features and services via other networked devices such as PlayStation Portable (PSP) and mobile phones.

Here's our question to you. How much of Home interests you? What functions do you want to be made accessible through your PSP? What Home related functions would you see yourself accessing in the future through the PSP. Let us know.