German homebrew developer ValleDalle just came up with a game inspired by the classic desktop title Tower Defense. It's aptly called PSP Tower Defense and is currently on version 1.31. This particular creation should not be mistaken with TacticalPenguin's PSP Tower Defense released during the recent NeoFlash Coding Competition.

Anyway, you all know how these games go - a battlefield is set and it's up to you to strategically surround it with towers to protect it from enemy AIs. The objective of the game is to score as many points as possible by blowing up moving targets. ValleDalle provided the following information about this build (translated):

• Several opponent types (unfortunately so far only opponent those continue to increase, but with two surprises in the waves)
• More stages of development of the towers
• Exact in-game guidance
• Difficulty stages (thus options at all)
• The sounds improve (I had futile tried, but LUA seems to come with this play anyway to the borders and has unfortunately no more power over also still sound to play clearly)

PSP Tower Defense doesn't come with a documentation but the menus provided in the game should provide you with all necessary information such as enemy type, tower type, and key map among others.

Download: PSP Tower Defense v1.31

Another entry to the ongoing NeoFlash Summer Coding Competition 2007 just came in, titled PSP Tower Defense by TacticalPenguin. Like you would've guessed, it's a PSP version of the favorite desktop game complete with a level maker and other nifty features.

Unlike most tower defense games, TacticalPenguin has gone through all the trouble to allow players to customize their own challenge. Here are some gameplay factoids you'd want to know:

• creeps walk along the path trying to get to the other side
• they have a bar above them showing how much health they have left
• turrets can be built, sold (for half back), and upgraded to do more damage per shot
• info about the current wave is displayed at the bottom of the screen
• information about the turret the cursor is over and the turret type to build is displayed at the side of the screen
• the range of turrets is displayed by a circle around them
• money is used to buy turrets and upgrades for them
• when a creep gets through a life is lost; when all lives are lost the game is over
• everything can be customized to one's likings

The game itself is quite intuitive, though checking out the Readme file can do wonders. You may actually find something more interesting, and learn other sweet stuff you can do with the game.

Download: PSP Tower Defense

Remember the PSPRobots homebrew game that developer TacticalPenguin released last month? The game, in case you're a first-timer, is actually a clone of the classic Robots game, and challenges players to dodge the incoming robots on-screen. Players can destroy the robots by causing them to run into each other.

TacticalPenguin dropped us a line earlier stating that he's just updated the game to version 0.2. This latest release will carry over some new features and bug fixes, including a fix for the problem of only one robot dying after two collide:

• Option to use safe mode at the game start. If used, you will not be allowed to move into range of a bot except by bad luck teleporting.
• Robots not dying bug fixed
• Made crashes disappear after each round
• Made player not able to go on top of crashes

Download: PSPRobots v0.2

 

TacticalPenguin informed us about a new homebrew game the dev made while taking a break from the Luanux project. (FYI, Luanux is a windowing system for the PSP). So what's the fun game all about? The homebrew developer describes this little project as a clone of a simple game known as Robots. All you need to do is to dodge all the robots while at the same time making those robots run into each other. You can also teleport away when the robots get too close to you. Take note that you should only teleport when you really need to, as you might end up landing beside another robot.

Controls for this homebrew game are simple: you just use the D-pad to move around and the X button to teleport. The developer said that PSPRobots still has a couple of small bugs, but they aren't major ones. TP's still trying to find out why sometimes only one robot dies when two robots collide.

So, if you want to have a little fun yourself, download the game below. You can also discuss the game with the other members of the homebrew community by going to the QJ.Net Forums. Oh, and TacticalPenguin's also posted a challenge: Try to beat 191 robots! That's the dev's highscore.

Download: PSPRobots
View: QJ's PSP Development Forum

 

Luanux Alpha R2 is a windowing system created by Tactical Penguin for the PSP. The windowing system, while not complete, will still allow you to make multiple windows anywhere on the PSP's screen.

Here are the features and effects currently implemented on Luanux since Alpha R1:

• Implemented coroutines
• Added startbar with filebrowser, soon to become application launcher
• Rewrote menu bar for better efficiency, now blits one image for the menu bar no matter how many windows are open instead of an image for each open window (didn't help as much as hoped but is still an improvement)

There's not a lot yet to talk about regarding the application, but Tactical Penguin did mention in our forums that he hopes to make an OS-like shell based on what he's created. We're hoping him the best in that, because it certainly looks nifty from our end. In any case, give it a try, and feel free to add comments and suggestions on our bulletin board for Tactical Penguin to read. Enjoy!

Download: Luanux Alpha R2
Visit: PSP Development Forums

Tacticalpenguin (TacticalPenguin, Tactical Penguin, TacticalPinguin) has just released the LMV-Lua Magazine Viewer homebrew application. This app is "a customizeable magazine viewing application which PSP magazine makers can use to distribute their magazines for easier viewing." At the moment, LMV-Lua Magazine Viewer comes with the following features:

• Allows users to cycle through all the images inside the pages folder with the name page#.png/jpg
• Allows users to see what page number they're on and to jump to a page number
• Allows users or magazine makers to change the following settings:
• Go-to-page/pagenumber menu bar color
• Go-to-page/pagenumber text color
• Whether to use jpg or png pages
• Whether to use a jpg or png splash screen
• Allows users or magazine makers to have unlimited pages
• Displays a splash screen on startup (splash.jpg/png)
  

To accomodate people's preferences, Tacticalpenguin has also made two versions of this application, with one version having an eboot, and the other having none. Also (and as always), make sure to go through the readme file that the developer has included, BEFORE you try placing this application into your PSP.

Besides containing further instructions on how to use LMV-Lua Magazine Viewer, the readme also contains instructions on how to create your own magazine with this application, as well as instructions on how to contact TP, in case you run into any errors along the way.

Considering the fact that the PSP also doubles as a web browser and media player/viewer, this application has the potential to become particularly useful as there are many downloadable magazines out there which are formatted to be viewed on a PSP. Plus, who knows, if people find this app to be easy enough to use, maybe more people out there will be inspired enough to start PSP magazines for the community to enjoy.

Download: LMV-Lua Magazine Viewer
Download: LMV-Lua Magazine Viewer (no eboot version)
Visit: PSP Development Forums

At the QJ forums, Tactical Penguin has released the latest beta of his L3D 3D Modeler app. This Lua-based homebrew app actually lets users draw, save, and load 3D models using their PSPs. Perfect for creating 3D models for your own homebrew games and applications.

 

So, what's changed since the last release? Here's the changelog:

• Can now save in OpenGL format (but not load) (thanks to SG57 on help with this)
• Can now take screenshots (unlimited number too)
• Can now make and use custom grids; new default grid is 3 lines intersecting at 0,0,0 rather than a full grid.
• Can now change "snap interval" or how far the cursor moves each press when you use d-pad, as low as 0.01, as high as you want.

If you'll notice, there are two download links below. The first one, L3DB2KX, is kxploited for 1.5. The second, L3DB2OE is for OE/1.0/2.0+. Just download the version appropriate for your PSP. For usage and installation instructions, please read the readme file included in the downloads. For bug reports and comments, click on the "discuss" link below. You can also point your inquiries towards the official L3D 3D Modeler website.

Download: [L3DB2KX - kxploited for 1.5]
Download: [L3DB2OE - for OE/1.0/2.0+]
Discuss: [Forum release link]

Tactical Penguin must be really into 3D. There's Chase the Pyramid 3D, and now this, L3D 3d Modeler Beta 1. This Lua-based app will draw, save, and load rudimentary 3D models, right on your PSP. The models themselves can be used in Lua games or for conversion to other formats, says Tactical Penguin.

Think of it as the Lua version Raptor3D. You can draw 3D models with an easy-to-understand three-dimensional grid coordinate system. The camera can be rotated so you can observe what you're trying to do within that 3D workspace.

All the details you need to know, from installation to important notes to remember, are at the Readme. We tested the program, and it works fine - except that I can't draw 3D models to save my life, but the program works. I'm not going to be joining Pixar any time soon, though.

Download: [L3D 3d modeler Beta 1 1.0/2.0+/OE]
Download: [L3D 3d modeler Beta 1 1.5 kxploit]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

It takes a lot of work to have a team of programmers working together to combine their talents. That's why it gives us great pleasure to see another version of the PSPLua Game Pack, now known as G-Pack v0.2

Let's go over the list of this crack tactical squad and their operations today. Squad Leader SuperbatXS and squad vets Tactical Penguin, Ninjax, Xploren, and Yoyomacy have recruited new roughnecks to their cause: Freshmilk, BlackShark, EminentJonFrost, SG57, YongoBongo, and Savagefreak.

Their mission: to expand their coding abilities and entertain the PSP-loving masses.

Contrary to their readme, they've got eight games in this new pack, including betas for Be Thou for the People and Drag-Star. They've also got the HazedMirror dev team's Hedgehog Apocalypse game in this pack, as well as a new version of PvP Pong that comes with online play. The G-Pack's shell also comes with an mp3 player, image viewer, and game loader, among other things. Needless to say, there's a reason why it's 12 MB, and that's because they've packed this little gem with a lot of content.

Before installing this app, be sure you check their readme. It's got installation instructions, notes and issues you'll need to remember while using the game, as well as a list of a lot of people to thank. Don't hesitate to go into our forums to ask them some questions about their games or give them props for a job well done. Enjoy!

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UPDATE: After some talking on the forums, SuperbatXS informed me that they've made an update to G-Pack v0.2. This new version updates the eboot and the readme. You'll be pleased to know that this new version has some added pictures and, more importantly, allows G-Pack v0.2 to run on OE firmwares.

It's still 13 MB though, so for those with slow connections, you may want to make some popcorn and watch a movie in the meantime. You'll probably get the download when you finish watching "Titanic" or something. We hope.

Download: [G-Pack v0.2 (updated for OE Support)]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

TacticalPenguin has today released a homebrew game that involves you (the humble PSP gamer), your PSP, and Sony firmware updates.

The homebrew scene and the minds of brilliant coders such as Dark_AleX have managed to conquer Sony's firmware updates this year, with DAX releasing the amazing 3.03 OE-B custom firmware, which not only allows you to use the PSX emulator but also enables the viewing of full resolution 480x272 high quality AVC video. With this "success" in mind, TacticalPenguin has created Defend your PSP that revolves around you being able to stop Sony firmware updates.

You control a cursor and there is a homebrew-capable PSP on the screen. There are system updates coming towards the PSP which you must shoot so that your PSP isn't updated. As the game progresses, the updates come faster. The game has a Highscore system - and eventhough you eventually may be forced to update with the amount of updates coming towards you, the longer you can keep your PSP homebrew capable, the higher the score you receive.

Here's the feature list:

• Cursor which shoots updates
• Updates which come at PSP
• Gameover if an update reaches the PSP
• Score
• Highscore
• Speed increases as you go

Future possible updates to this game include multiplayer, but this is quite unlikely as it requires extensive work. Anything suggested in the forum release thread or in the comments section of this article will be considered, so get thinking. The QJ office has been rife with discussion and we all seem to agree that some kind of custom OE firmware icon which gives you a powerup such as immunity to the firmware updates for a period of time or gives you double the shooting power would be nice. We can't wait for another update!

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UPDATE: Bugs invariably turn up as a program is run more and more. Same here: after this article was posted, TacticalPenguin was informed of a bug in the program. The updated, bug-corrected Defend Your PSP is now in the DL, and the Download Link has been changed to reflect this. Now, back to keeping your firmwares golden...

Download: [Defend your PSP v0.1 (bug-corrected)]
Discuss: [Forum release thread]