ExultPSP, the homebrew that will let you play Richard Garriott's classic Ultima VII on your PSP, is now on version 2.2. The second part of the original game, Serpent Isle, is now playable. Details in the full article.

Download: ExultPSP v2.2

Thanks to Faceweed for the tip!

 

Thanks to another tip from reader Faceweed, we've picked up word that developer Phantom Fighter has released a new version of ExultPSP. As its name implies, this application is a PSP port of the Exult v1.2 framework. This will allow you to play Ultima VII: The Black Gate (originally created by Richard Garriott), Serpent Isle, Forge of Virtue, and Silver Seed on your handheld. This latest release (v2.1.8) carries these new tweaks since its previous version:

• Fixed Wizard-Eye (telescope) bug, user had no control and couldn't escape it. :)
• Taking suggestions from Ultima fans, inverted Walk and Run controls. Pressing pad now makes your character run, holding Left Trigger + Pad will get you walking.
  

Before you get cracking, we do remind the users that you will need original copies of Black Gate, Forge of Virtue,  and/or Serpent Isle, and Silver Seed. This is because ExultPSP recreates Ultima VII by using the original graphics and data files. Other important information for ExultPSP v2.1.8 can be found via the file bundle's readme, and the application's site (mantained/created by chemical).

Download: ExultPSP v2.1.8

In a recent post on the PlayNC.com Dev Corner, Tabula Rasa creator Richard Garriott let out some tidbits of info about NCSoft's new relationship with Sony.

According to Garriott, the NCSoft-Sony deal will allow the former to develop titles across all of the latter's hardware platforms. The focus will be on the PlayStation 3 home video game console, but the PlayStation Portable handheld gaming system will also be getting its share of loving.

While no titles were revealed in the post, Garriott did mention that NCSoft's first PlayStation console titles will hopefully be out by next year's holiday season. NCSoft will also reportedly be concentrating on putting out titles based on a mix of old and new IPs.

Developing games based on new IPs will take longer, however. Garriott estimates that development for these particular titles will probably take a minimum of two to three years.

It also looks like NCSoft will be sticking to its tried and tested business models for its Sony products. According to Garriott, gamers can expect the usual traditional subscription models, micropayment systems and free-to-play games with membership options. Keep checking back here for more details.

ExultPSP users, this one's for you. Phantom Fighter has released a new version of ExultPSP, bring it up to version 2.1.7.0.

In case you haven't tried out this app yet, it's basically a PlayStation Portable port of the Exult framework. It allows PSP users to play Richard Garriott and Origin Systems' Ultima VII: The Black Gate and Serpent Isle on their beloved handheld systems.

Version 2.1.7.0 brings with it a major revamp of the analog control scheme. Here's the full changelog:

• Significant improvement on analog nub control.
• New scheme has 4 radial zones, floating point mouse coords vector calc for a much smoother experience and a greater range of motion.
• In-game controls also add a new toggle:
• Left Trigger Right Trigger: will toggle an even slower mouse mode allowing those players with less than stellar analog nubs to be able to finely move and grab very small objects (individual coins, rings) with little or no problems, as well as manipulate tiny switches, etc.
• Hitting L R again will go back to normal mouse mode. The toggle works while holding objects as well; grab a ring in the slower/finer mode, toggle while still holding SQUARE (left mouse), and zip it away!

Remember the QJ homebrew mantra before you install this app: read the readme file included in the download first. It'll answer a lot of your questions about ExultPSP.

Download: ExultPSP v2.1.7.0

The cat is out of the bag as NCsoft has given word on its plans for both the PSP and PS3. The fact that NCsoft would be producing games for Sony's PlayStation platforms was first announced during E3 but very little details were revealed then.

NCSoft's executive producer Richard Garriott gave out a few details to CVG in the Develop Conference in Brighton. He maintained that each title they plan on releasing will be "very carefully created for the console experience, not merely a straight port," adding that "unadulterated ports weren't very successful compared to games that you make sure are really crafted correctly for the console experience."

Ever since online play was introduced on consoles, financially viable MMORPGs have yet to grace the systems. Garriott explained the business models and technology have previously prevented most console companies and online game companies. However, he pointed out that gamers don't care about that. They want to just boot up the game and play. So it's up to the developers and console manufacturers to handle that problem.

Yes, I know that you hardcore console folks (I'm looking at you, PSPeeps!) hate seeing this sort of stuff on your blogs, but I'm giving you warning - there's a shameless plug ahead! But we gotta get the word out on two of our newest blogs - and not just any blogs, our first game specific blogs! We all know that MMORPG's are big, and it's the nature of an online beast to have lots of news, updates, patches, mods and upgrades to talk about. These new blogs have been lurking around the QJ network all this week, but it's time to give them the proper introduction they deserve.

Okay, so that one doesn't need much of an introduction. Everyone's heard of a little game called World of Warcraft, right? Yeah, I thought so. It is the MMORPG of our times with millions upon millions of players wandering through the world of Azeroth every single minute of every single day. And that's just the beginning. With the upcoming release of the Burning Crusade expansion, things are about to get even bigger. So it's a perfect time to launch our own WoW blog to keep everyone on top of every single bit of info out there! There's no stopping World of Warcraft from dominating the globe...

...or is there? You see, there's this little gem of a game that's been in the works for over 4 years from the fine folks at NCSoft and Destination Games. At the helm is Ultima Online">Richard Garriott aka Lord British, the mastermind behind the grand-daddy of modern MMORPG's - Ultima Online. With experience and an award winning art team on their side, Tabula Rasa hopes to wipe the slate clean and knock WoW off its high horse. With a unique crossbreeding of 3rd person RPG action with alien-blasting FPS controls and tactics, it might do just that.

TR will soon be hitting the beta stage, and we here at QJ want to be in on the ground floor of what will most likely be the next big thing in the MMORPG universe. This is the place to be if you want to keep up on all the latest news, art renders, screenshots, and developments.

So there you have it - two new blogs to check out, with some pretty snazzy sneak peaks and exclusive content on the way. And a third new blog isn't far behind, and hopefully it will fill the obvious hole in the QJ Network when it comes to gaming news!