Slasher has joined the ongoing NeoFlash Spring Coding Competition with the flOw-like creation Orbid. Aside from polishing the game, the coder also introduced a multiplayer mode in version 2 of the game. Know more about this by clicking the "read more" link below.


Download: Orbid v2

 

PSP homebrew developer Youresam dropped by the QJ.Net Forums earlier to announce that Netlib 2.03 is ready for use. This app, in case you weren't around since its last release, is a developer's library for Lua Player, and has been used in the online code of homebrew games like PvP Pong.

This latest release comes with a rewritten HTTP server that allows users to view the logs. youresam's also revised netlib so that netsend's 3rd argument is optional. Just be sure to be extra careful in using this release, and to report any bugs you may run into upon use.

That's the latest we've got on this dev tool - guys interested in more info are invited to drop by youresam's release thread over at the QJ.Net Forums, while netlib is accessible via the read link below.

Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

 

If you're an avid reader of our PSP blog, you probably have stumbled across BlackShark's homebrew game, PvP Pong. The game got really good responses which made another coder by the name of Ricz make a football version of the game. So anyway, if you liked the Background Changer in v3, you'll be glad to know that BlackShark has added yet another cool feature to the game...online multiplayer!

Oh yes, v4 now comes packed with NetPlay, along with a bunch of new themes. Just a few notes on the online play though, BlackShark says that he hasn't implemented an online settings "chooser" yet so the only way you'll be able to connect is via the first router that appears on your WiFi settings. Not to worry though, he says that this should be fixed in his v5 release.

Changelog:

• Added ONLINE MULTIPLAYER
• Added more backgrounds and Themes
  
• fixed menu up a bit
• Better Credits page
• and as BlackShark says, "some other stuff im sure"
  

BlackShark also wants to give a shout out to the following people who helped him in PvP Pong v4: PinkTank and pspfreak9 for the graphics, Evil-Dog (for the eboot music), the Mod Archive (for the Background Music) and Doom 2 (for the menu music), AI for right paddle in single player mode, courtesy of GuitarGod1134, and pspgamer81 for getting him started in Lua. Also, Youresam for most of the Online code and NetLib 2.02 and to Zack Attack for the ideas and suggestions, without whom BlackShark says he might not have updated PvP Pong. And as usual, make sure you check out the readme, alrighty?

Download: [PvP Pong v4]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

An iPod on the PSP? We're kind of iffy about posting this video from youresam called iPodMock, we didn't spot iPodMock introductions nor descriptions of the notable Netlib developer in our forums. But coming from one of the 'brewers, the video may just spark your light bulb and inspire you to tweak your PSP again. Youresam didn't provide exact instructions on how to install the interface he created in this video but he did show that it's practically possible to transform your PSP into an iPod, so to speak.

Youresam uses the analog button to navigate from the menus to the main interface to select play, pause, or any option. He also shows the Status, Clock, Now Playing, and Battery bar on the top of the PSP screen. The video is actually an update of the last one he made a little while ago, but go check out the latest here.

You may have thought that with the release of iR Shell v2.2 final a few days ago, the program would no longer be updated, thus leaving us with no iR Shell features to look forward to. Well, if you did you were wrong. Kajo5 from the iR Shell forums has released an iR Shell plugin for Lua scripts to launch directly from within iR shell. This means that you no longer have to launch a separate program in order to run Lua games/applications. Here's what Kajo5 said:

"This is my first try to post something so hello everybody.  I created an external EBOOT that loads LUAPLAYER.PBP and automatically launches the lua script selected in iR Shell. I made an external EBOOT and didn't modify the Lua code itself because I think updating and changing Lua versions should be a lot easier now."

This plugin uses Lua Player v0.16 with netlib support which is probably the most stable version of Lua player out at the moment. Just make sure you remember to add the plugin suffix '.lua' and application slot 8 in using iR Shell configurator (press R+Start to run). With so many options, plugins and features why would you ever want to return to the PSPs XMB?

Download: [Lua Player iR Shell Plugin]

If Youresam can read this, thanks for upgrading netlib!

So, what is Netlib? Simply put, it's a library you can use to make your own Lua Player games for your PSP, and Youresam just made a couple of tweaks. Most notable of the changes to Netlib is the server and the IP, as Youresam is now hosting it. Anyway, you can read the main differences of the 2.0 Netlib from previous versions in the file itself, so here are the changes specific to Netlib 2.02:

• Fixed crash after 100 IDs
• Changed values of IDs and AMWs allowed
• New output interface: 
• Has datestamps
• When you run the program, it prompts what information to output.
• Colored text

In any case, enjoy the download, and send a thank you note to the developer on our forums, alright?

Download: [Netlib 2.02]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Last time we mentioned Cools, we said that his game Drag Mini v.2 was his final release of the game. Guess we lied, then, which is a good thing!

With help from some other programmers, Cools has just come out with Drag Mini v.3 which he calls his "(probably) last version" of his racing game. Drag Mini is actually the engine for the game he's really trying to get out called Drag, but for a final test version, it's fun to play!

Oh, and did we mention that version .3 supports WiFi? Here's the changelog and the download for you, with both a standalone and non-standalone version for you to try out. If you're lucky, you may just see us online for a match. Enjoy!

From the changelog:

Features:
(+)Wifi, Go ahead! Play online!
(+)Tells you if you win or lose (or tie...)
(F)Blown Engine, so it is more accurate
(+)Menu
(F)No more constant Memory Stick light flashing during car select

Controls:
Start to quit
X to accelerate
Triangle to Brake
R to increase Gear
L to decrease Gear

Since this is using netLib you will either need the custom netlib luaplayer by me or youresam. Or you could use the standalone eboot.
Thanks to: youresam, xigency, PTPTaylor (name change?), and anyone else I forgot to mention for testing this. And also Major thanks to youresam for making netlib and helping me get all the bugs out!
If you find a bug or error, please send an email to coolsdev [ at ] gmail [ dot ] com
If the game crashes from line 1 - 129, it just means that you have not connected to netlib properly, just reset the wifi switch and try again.
If "Getting room data...done, value: empty" shows up on screen that means there is nobody online. Just wait a little for someone to get on.

Download: [Drag Mini v.3 (Standalone)]
Download: [Drag Mini v.3 (Non-Standalone)]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Branin and LMelior from the QJ Forums have updated their latest homebrew memo application for the PSP geared to help the more forgetful PSP owners out there. Remonics is an application which you can use in order to save short memos or thoughts up to 33 characters long, on your memory stick for remembering later. This character limit was present in the previous release, but there have been many improvements in this new version including the ability to delete your memos!

Here's th changelog:

• Added the option for deleting your memos
• Added sidescrolling for the memo list so there is no limit to how many memos you can have
• Note: 33 character limit is still in place
• Bug fix has been added for when X was pressed and there were no memos 
  
• Clocks the psp speed to 200 so it doesn't take up as much battery

This program is coming on nicely and both Branin and LMeloir have bigger plans for this miniature portable memo application. The ability to add full memo lengths instead of the 33 character limit is on its way, as well as netlib functions to allow your PSP to email memos!

Download: [Remonics v1.1]
View: [Forum Release Thread]

Grimfate126">Grimfate126 from our forums has released version 0.3 beta of his Assault homebrew game for the PSP. The code was a little sloppy in the first beta which was released on our forums, and so Grimfate126 has taken it upon himself to rewrite most of the game's code, removing mistakes, making things much clearer and making the game run more smoothly. Here's the changelog:

• More efficient code thanks to head_54us
  
• Three weapons: pistol, RPG (rocketlauncher), and flamethrower (no animation, just an image of a "flame")
• Player 1 moves the analog stick GENTLY UP (or when holding sideways, left) to change weapons, and player two presses start to change.

This release is an early beta, so go easy on the developer please. Possibly more important than what Grimfate has already released is what's upcoming, with many new features including online support to boot. Here's what you will find in upcoming versions:

• Multiplayer using Youresam's netlib - coming in the next release
• Main menu - The least important feature and will be the last thing Grimfate will do
• Background: Mr.Game is working on it
• Overload and rapidfire-  50% done, there are some issues with them which should be sorted out soon.

My two picks from the upcoming list are online gameplay (I can't wait to thrash the rest of the QJ bloggers at this) and a background because I think that the 'emulsion white' is damaging my eyes.

Download: [Assault Beta v0.3]
View: [Forum release thread]

Racer_S from our forums has released a new application that works both on your PSP and PC. It allows you to use your PSP as a gamepad on your PC using your WiFi router. This is Racer_S's first PSP application, titled PSP Gamepad for PC, and judging by the comments in our forums, it works perfectly! It requires a bit of knowledge to get to work, especially if you know a bit about Lua coding or have previous experience working with Youresam's amazing Netlib. However, if you follow the instructions correctly, you should be fine.

The only slight hitch at the moment is that the Analog nub cannot be used. The video above shows Racer_S using the PSP gamepad on his PC. Here's how to install this nifty piece of homebrew:

1. Download and install Netlib 2.0.
2. Extract pspgamepad folder from this archive to PSPGAMEluaplayerApplications folder.
3. Edit PSPGAMEluaplayerApplicationspspgamepadindex.lua with notepad or similar program and change [pc_ip = "XXX.XXX.X.X"] to your target computer ip and save the file.
4. Start LUAPlayer on your PSP Game list and then select pspgamepad from the list and press circle.
5. Run the receiver.exe on the target computer.
6. After the socket is opened, press some buttons on the psp and you should see the activity light blink on the receiver program, if not the connection is not working.
7. Start a game and configure the keys as you normally would, play and enjoy!

The avid homebrewers amongst you may know that there have been applications in the past that do this, but this small VB6 application requires no installation; however you will need the VB6 runtime files.

Download: [PSP Gamepad for PC v1.0]
Download: [Netlib v2.0]
View: [Forum release thread]