Homebrew development is getting easier for newbies to get in; and I really mean it. At first, there wasn't even a toolchain to integrate everything. Then came the toolchain and it pretty much revolutionised homebrew development. This was the case with homebrew games.

Until about a month ago, there wasn't any easy way to make really good games. All the people could do is use Lua and animate a few sprites. Don't get me wrong, some of the games were really nice, but overall, the quality was lacking. Enter two new homebrew 3D engines! The Raptor and LTE engines have made game development a lot easier for people. And since they're coded and used in C++, there will always be a significant speed difference between these games and Lua games, since the fact that Lua is an interpreted language, and C++ is native.

Anyways, on with the news. Kojima has updated his great homebrew 3D engine to alpha 3. I'll remind you that this is still before beta stages, so it will not be perfect, but Kojima must be given full marks for trying and actually accomplishing this feat alone, unlike the LTE engine guys.

The latest alpha contains a lot of new features. I'll quote Kojima here:

"Most notable new feature is full boned animation support. including finally, 100% support for the b3d file format which has exporters for many apps including 3dsmax/milkshape/ultimate unwrap etc.

Included is a already compiled demo with test b3d. press select to exit cleanly back to the os.

Also includes many bug fixes and cleaned up code. No more memory leaks etc."

Now that we have that out of the way, the download link is below. C'mon guys, start making some games!

Download Link: [Raptor 3D Engine Alpha 3]

Hoshizora's (thanks for the tip!) uo_OGRaniser could be considered an obsessive compulsive's bestfriend. It functions much like how a regular organizer would, except that instead of appointments, it manages your PSP/GAME folder allowing you to choose priority of homebrew applications/games that you would view in the XMB and remove/hide corrupted icons. Pretty neat huh?

In honor of the application's purpose, I'll divide the recent updates made on three categories: New, Changes, Bugfix and To do.

New:

• The following KXploit folder name schemes are updated and supported in this version:

    1. foldername
       foldername%
    2. __sce__foldername
       %__sce__foldername
    3. folde                          1
       folde1~1%
    4. folde                          _
       folde_~1%
    5. foldername_____________________1
       folder~1%
    6. foldername                     1
       folder~1%
    7. foldername                     _
       folder~1%
    8. foldername______________________
       folder~1%

• Add support to iR Shell compatible folder name scheme! This version uses a modified version of scheme #6 (as shown above) to hide the corrupted data icons in the XMB menu.
• The following folder name schemes are supported:

    1. __SCE & %__SCE      (corrupted data icons will not show in XMB menu)
    2. iR Shell Compatible (corrupted data icons will not show in XMB menu)
        3. FOLDER & FOLDER%    (corrupted data icons will show in XMB menu)

• The following folder name scheme conversions are supported:

        1. __SCE & %__SCE      -=> FOLDER & FOLDER%
        2. __SCE & %__SCE      -=> iR Shell Compatible
        3. iR Shell Compatible -=> FOLDER & FOLDER%
        4. iR Shell Compatible -=> __SCE & %__SCE
        5. FOLDER & FOLDER%    -=> __SCE & %__SCE
        6. FOLDER & FOLDER%    -=> iR Shell Compatible

• Ignore toggle gives flexibility to omit title(s) in the repair list that are known not to work if the folder names are changed
• Folder names are automatically checked and repaired so they will display in the XMB menu
• Exit program via analog-stick [<] in Splash screen
• On-screen Error Codes quick reference guide (accessible from the Summary Report screen)
• Screen capture utility now supports multiple screen shots

Download: [uo_Ograniser v0.9.1]

The complete lists of New, Changes, Bugfix and To do await after the jump!

Zx-81 from our forums has released a new version of the PSPWeather homebrew application for the PSP. PSPWeather is a simple piece of network software that allows you to view the local weather conditions on your PSP. It was developed by McDongle a year ago, but since then Zx-81 has worked his magic on it, adding new features and bug fixes. Nuclear fallout couldn't stop Zx-81, he's even moving out of emulator territory now! Don't worry, he can multi-task and is still working on his amazing PSPVBA GameBoy Advance Emulator for the PSP. Back to PSPWeather, here's the changelog:

• Ported to new SDK
• Fixed DHCP issue (work fine on 1.5FW now!)
• Many bug fixes including code cleaning, memory leak fix etc ...
• Added a simple startup icon

These new additions bring this year-old piece of homebrew back into the homebrew scene of 2006. Zx likes to make programs that let people reminisce over the past, and this is one of them. You can easily tell - it had issues with DHCP working on firmware 1.5 - I haven't seen bug issues specific for 1.5 in ages! The original release thread for McDongle's PSPWeather v1.05 can be found here.

A firmware 1.5 binary version and the source code is included in the download.

Download: [PSPWeather v1.06]
View: [Forum release thread]

The newest version of the ambitious PSP music program has been released. In case you didn't know about the application before - PSP Rhythm is essentially a step sequencer that lets you easily create your own rhythms and loops. By using the parameter feature, you can change the pitch, volume, balance, start, end times, cutoff and resonance in each step, creating whole melody lines and harmonies! The application's website has a handful of newbie-friendly tutorials, so that you will quickly learn how to use PSP Rhythm.

As usual, it comes with a handful of cool new features and improvements. They are the following:

- New user interface with programming grid, graphical knobs for parameters, oscilloscope.
- Sample Loading from Pattern Mode with up to 1000 sample folders with 1000 samples each.
- New skin format and support for up to 1000 skins.
- Mute/Solo function.
- Export Pattern and load it back as a sample.
- Bass Line synth reprogrammed.
- Time Stretch Effect.
- High Pass Filter Effect.
- Lots of bug fixes and performance enhancements.

PSP Rhythm is getting better and better with each version, now it's your turn to pick it up and start making music! Both archives contain a manual and a quick-start guide to get you up to speed.

Use the "Windows Installer" if you don't have much experience with installing PSP homebrew. Then simply start "setup.exe", choose your firmware and PSP drive and you're done! The "Manual Install" simply provides two appropriate folders for 1.0 and 1.5 users each. Note that if you have Firmware 2.0, 2.5 or 2.6, you'll either need to obtain a copy of the first edition GTA: Liberty City stores and use Fanjita's eLoader, or downgrade your firmware to 1.5. Enjoy!

Download: [PSP Rhythm 6.0 Windows Installer]
Download: [PSP Rhythm 6.0 Manual Install]

uberOne from our forums (thanks for the tip) has updated his PSP Homepage Customizer to version 1.5 today for all those who use the PSPs integrated firmware browser. This program requires Windows to run, but can create a personalized homepage for your PSP web browser. To use this program, first enter the drive letter of your PSP using the drop down box. Then you enter the site title, followed by the URL. By Clicking "Add Link" the program will add the link to an index.htm. Then all you have to do is set your homepage to file:/home.html and you're all set with a customized homepage.

This program has grown in leaps and bounds since the last release, with the addition of many bug fixes and the ability to add a background color. As with everything, there's a downside to this new and improved version: no Easter egg. Anyway, the addition of colour support is good for those that don't know any from of HTML code to spruce up their homepage a bit. To add a background color, input a color in the form of RGB code or the raw color code into the background color field. A list of RGB colors can be found here, with raw color codes here.

This release may seem like the be-all and end-all of new PSP Homepage Customizer versions with color support and link addition, but uberOne still has plans for this funky little application. Features on uberOne's to do list include:

• Colored text links (most likely in the next version)
• Ability to have a background picture
• Will detect links from last input and not delete them every time program is used

You will need Windows and the .NET framework v2 installed, but other than that you can use this in collaboration with any PSP firmware that has a web browser - even emulated DevHook firmwares!

Download: [PSP Homepage Customizer v1.5]
View: [Forum release thread]

Cpasjuste has updated his PSP shell - My PSP Shell - to version 2 bringing with it a lot of changes and improvements. The great thing about My PSP Shell is that while it isn't the prettiest shell around, it does use effectively the the power of PSPLINK and that allows you to do some pretty nifty things such as change cpu speed on the fly, load/start prx, take screenshots, debug psp and much more!

New in Version2:

• Pslink USB Shell now fully working in usbhost mode. You are now able to connect your PSP via USB while still in your homebrew game or application.
• Launch your own Psplink scripts from the GUI.
• Load and Start .prx modules files.
• Through the use of 'Direct Start' and 'Kill My PSP Shell' you are now able to launch your homebrew in two different ways.
• Easier installation for all custom or non-custom firmware PSP.
• Resolved a big memory stick corruption bug on 1.50 PSPs without custom firmware.
• Some bug fixes including the SceKernelExitGame bug.
  

Installation instructions are included with the readme within the download archive (so be sure to read them!) and Cpasjuste welcomes any bug reports from 1.50 non-custom firmware PSP users.

Download: [My PSP Shell v2]

Ric has released another version of his PSPUAE Amiga 500 emulator for the PSP today, updating it to version 0.52. PSPUAE is one of the old time emulators, and has been around the PSP scene since June 2005! This version is simply a maintenance release for PSPUAE v0.51b, so don't expect to see any new features just yet; but do expect bug fixes and improved stability. Here's the changelog:

- Corrected 0 byte memory bug when loading/saving options
- Renamed the SAVESTATE folder to STATE
- Added 5 additional savestate slots
- Corrected some text strings

PSPUAE only works with firmware 1.5, so don't even bother trying it on any other!

Download: [PSPUAE v0.52]

Freshmilk from our forums has updated his Table Top Rally car-dodging homebrew game for the PSP to version 0.2 today, adding a whole host of new features and bug fixes for fans of this genre. TTR v0.2 has been coded in Lua, and has a very good 'feel' to it. The graphics are good, and the fully functional garage from this release adds a nice touch, with over 20 different cars to choose from! Here's a complete list of new features for TTR v0.2:

• Features over 20 different cars!
• A fully working garage
• Credits screen
  
• Erase high Score (that actually works!)
• Theme Music
• Minor Bug Fixes

Todo:

• Improve Graphics
• Better Name and Slogan
• More Driveable Cars
• Better Theme Music
• Better/More Realistic Engine Sounds

Freshmilk is also working on getting better sound quality for the game as well as a new name/slogan, so if anybody can help him on this please post in the official release thread. As Freshmilk said: "Have Fun, but remember...Post Your Comments and suggestions, They're Always Appreciated!"

The download comes packaged as a KXploit firmware 1.5 Eboot so there's no need to worry about having Lua Player installed.

Download: [Table Top Rally v0.2]

UPDATE: NJ has fixed the support for the 2.50/2.60 eLoader. The new downloadable file  reflects this update.


The hard-working NJ has once again updated his NeoGeo Emulator for the PSP today, bringing it up to version 0.2.2. As always, this version adds new bug fixes and features to the emulator, so here's the changelog as translated by QJ's very own Jeff Chen:

• Raster effects will always be enabled when running the BIOS.
• The raster effect setting will still take effect when in-game.(Changed to improved the running of uni-bios v2.0/v2.1/v2.2)
• Extra drawing clipping process removed.

Now, I've left the bad news till the end. Although NJ has been working very hard on this, and we've had a new release at least once a day for the past few weeks, NJ has now announced that this emulator will be put on hold. He says that it is at a milestone, and the date when he will resume work on this emulator is unknown. Thanks for all of you hard work on this NJ, we appreciate it!

Download: [NeoGeo PSP v0.2.2]
Download: [NeoGeo PSP v0.2.2 (Updated)]

After a couple of quick and timely bug fixes to v0.42, Booster has now released version 0.43 of his very popular and useful device hook. Now this version allows you to launch another firmware version, up to 2.60, and use almost all of its features, including use of the web browser and LocationFree player, and the ability to run UMDs that require firmware version 2.60. The firmware remains loaded in the PSP's RAM, so after a simple reboot of your PSP, it will return to firmware version 1.5 like magic.

With that, we come to what this post is really all about, the V0.42b -> V0.43 changelog (courtesy of QJ.Net's trusty Jeff C.):

- FW2.60 reboot supported (A part of the installer is not supported yet).
- It is now possible for users to specify the load address for rebooting.
- UMD read callback changed from 1 sector to multiple sectors.
- The return value of dhGetVersion() changed from 0x00420002 to 0x00430000.
- Now DevHook will be started when starting the launcher.
- Launcher modified, 0.42b/0.43 new settings, menu construction, display layout.
- Plain20.prx and plain25.prx now unified into plain2x.prx.
- Append to stack when performing flashEMU.
- Added a shortcut key for exiting DevHook when rebooted.
- Fixed a bug in v0.42b that you cannot set the clock.

Of course, Devhook, like every homebrew projects around, is a work in progress. The evolution of this awesome piece of work can be seen by clicking here. Here's a list of issues Booster is looking into fixing come Devhook's next release:

- NO-UMD for FW2.00
- NAND driver emulation

I don't think I really need to reiterate the importance of this post, a quick look will give you that. But for the sake of the new owners of FW 1.50 (those who just downgraded their 2.50/2.60 PSPs), this version will now give you the full enjoyment of playing UMDs that require 2.60, browse the web, and run homebrew applications, games, and emulators on your PSP!

Update: There indeed was a fix for Devhook 0.43 released. This update provides WiFi in 333mhz mode. the features of the web browser AND RSS. Let's not forget the addition of a working home button. We have updated the download provided below. Thanks to CoBrA2168 and others for the tip. ;)

Download: [Devhook v0.43 Source Code] (fix)

Note: For those of you who were quick enough to catch a brief glimpse of an update (not the fix), the file was indeed fake and a copy of BookR - check out the on going thread in our forums for more details.


Update 2: There has been some concerns from various users that the latest devhook version damages some files loaded on the memory stick; well as always, Booster has a quick fix to that. In this latest release, a countermeasure was created to prevent that from happening. (Thanks to TrueCrisis for the heads up.) There are other changes which are:

- Carried out a countermeasure to prevent damaging the files on memory stick.
- Return value of dhGetVersion() changed from 0x00430000 to 0x00430100.
- Source code cleanup.

Download: [Devhook v04.31]

UPDATE 3: Booster is once again releasing a quick update to his devhook app, this time he aims to fix the browser freeze experienced by quite a good number of people who tried the previous releases. Here's the list of the changes for this version:

- Increase stack number when accessing files > The countermeasure for browser freeze under FW2.60-333MHz.
- Clock changes will take effect after 5 seconds > The countermeasure for the problem that cannot return to XMB at 333MHz.
* Version code will be omitted from the future versions.

Download: [Devhook V0.43.0101]