(And once again we welcome the dawning of a new era... er, QuickPeek issue!)

Game launches, release updates, 10-year plans, hacks, attacks, crackdowns, bomb disposal robots, inter-company business drama, insanely early April Fools' pranks, console-moving games and... magic regenerating powder? All that and more in QuickPeek 40! Let's get it on!

We got word today from Xploren about another one of them cool PSP deals that retail stores have from time to time. According to Xploren, while visiting his local Target he came across a US$ 169.99 PSP that also came bundled with a free copy of Daxter.

Daxter's listed on the Target website as having a US$ 19.99 price tag, so that's a pretty cool bargain. You can just spend the twenty bucks you saved on accessories, another game, or better yet, some food. Hey, a hungry gamer has worse hand-eye coordination than one who is full.

Too bad Xploren wasn't able to snap a picture of the deal. We couldn't find a listing on the Target website either, so it could be a local promo. If you guys are interested, check your local Target for similar deals. Thanks to Xploren for the tip.

 

We got word that Xploren's released a new version of his well-kn own Black32 XMB Theme. It's got some new features, and he does note a fix to the current problem of it disabling PSX emulators.

Here's what he had to say about Black32 XMB Theme - encore 4:

Black32 has been updated to encore4 [Mar.5th]. It now has new Game and Photo menu loading icons, the Small Italics font, choices between no opening/gameboot logo, and new Black Rhizura icons by innercy. More updates are on the way.

The same precautions apply to this version though. Check the readme, remember that this can brick PSPs, and know that you're installing this at your own risk. Note that this also won't work with 3.10 OEs and you should be okay. As for taking care of that PSX emulation problem, you can also visit the second PSP forum below called "Custom Coldboot + PSX Emu" for more information.

Download: Black32 XMB Theme - encore 4
Visit PSP Development Forum
Visit Custom Coldboot + PSX Emu

 

Xploren's back with another reminder for us and the QJ-reading public. He said that there's a new version of their Black32 XMB Theme for people to try out, and it's added some more content that'll match up with their existing theme creations.

According to Xploren, there's more than just a background and battery bar in this iteration. He mentions that there are matching bootwave, font, and XMB sounds to use for this new version, so it'll perfectly mesh with your icons and whatnot.

They do note two things in their readme, however, which we will list verbatim. Remember these when you're installing these apps, alright?

• This will work on all OE firmwares, EXCEPT 3.10 OE.
• This XMB mod collection, along with all other collections and mods, can render your PSP useless by bricking it. INSTALL THIS THEME AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Download: Black32 XMB Theme - encore 3
Visit PSP Development Forum

Xploren's just dropped us a line saying that the black32 XMB theme has been updated to encore 2. This version now includes a custom opening logo and a spiffy new gameboot logo. Xploren also says that more updates are on the way, so keep checking back here on QJ or on the QJ forums for the latest.

Black32 is a collection of custom XMB themes. It includes a custom background, volume bar, battery icons, and a lot more.  Here's a short list of the people who've contributed to black32: innercy (icons), Hooverphonic (MaDSouL) (volume and battery icons), [Unknown] (loading circle), BearColin (original background). The wave as well as the opening and gameboot logos were done by xploren.

This theme will work on all OE firmwares with the exception of 3.10 OE. Remember, read the included readme file closely before you install this theme. If you have suggestions or bug reports, head on over to the QJ forums by clicking on the forum link below.

  

Download: Black32 XMB theme - encore 2
Visit: PSP Mods and Media Forum

 

XMB themes have been flooding us for the past couple of days. Who said one more would hurt? For some of you, checking out new themes on the front page every day is like taking your vitamins - heck, can someone attach an IV on my PSP for these stuff? With that said, what do we have in store today? xploren tipped us of and diverted our attention to his black32 XMB theme package.

Let us emphasize that: package. xploren compiled a collection of various XMB theme elements from his and other people's makings, and has released this for everyone's enjoyment. Currently, black32 is bumped up to version encore1 and includes a custom battery icon and a loading circle. Now, the Academy goes to:

• theme set by xploren
• icons by innercy
• volume and battery icons by Hooverphonic (MaDSouL)
• loading circle by [Unknown]
• background by [Unknown]
• wave by xploren

As with most every homebrew release in our blogs, we have to yet again stress the importance of the README before you do anything to your system. Brickage is just about as welcome as your annoying aunt butting into a conversation between you and your girlfriend.

Download: black32 XMB Theme (version encore1)
Visit: PSP Development Forum

SG57, with help from xploren, has been rather busy working on a PSP Lua version of the Flash-abridging of Call of Duty 2. Let's clarify that: there is a Flash game based on Call of Duty 2, and SG57's been devving that to Lua for the PSP. Of course he's tweaking it a bit, adding a few more features, and as of now, there's a ton of stuff he's accomplished for the game. Quite a ton of stuff - visit the release thread and you'll see what we mean.

Still a few more stuff to do, though, and until then, SG57 has these screens and a YouTube gameplay video up on the forums. You have to admit: relatively clean, pro-looking, quite impressive, this is what is meant by pushing it to the limit. Lots of work remains, but it looks like Call of Duty 2 - PSP Edition (title may change) has come far already.

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!

---

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]

xploren has just informed us via our forums about Access_Denied's latest homebrew game, Magic Squares v1.0.

Magic Squares is a simple logic game where the basic objective is to make all the columns and rows equal to each other without using any number twice. So yeah, it requires logic and it involves numbers, and it's actually quite difficult, but if you're up for the challenge then by all means, feel free to take a crack at it.

Access_Denied (who, by the way, was also the one who brought us TIFF Periodic Table v2) says that this version currently has a 3 x 3 grid, a 4 x 4 grid, and a 5 x 5 grid. He's planning to bump up the grids in the next version to go up to 7 x 7, but he's still not sure because getting through the 5 x 5 is pretty tough already. So anyway, if you wanna prove Access_Denied wrong and show that the 5x5 grid is a breeze, you know what to do; download the game below and tell us about it via the comments, alrighty?

Download: [Magic Squares v1.0]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Earlier, we gave you a preview of Kando's new mod for Piccahoe's CIntro app. Well, it's finally out and ready for your downloading pleasure. Kando's CIntro mod works for both v0.1 and v0.2 of the original CIntro app, but you need 3.02OE-B installed on your PSP for it to work properly.

This app effectively replaces the Sony coldboot screen. Instead of the usual Sony intro, you see a rather cool intro movie from the Death Note anime. According to Kando, his CIntro mod "places all of the CIntro files into FLASH1, modifies the eboot to work in there, and modifies the firmware to autoboot FLASH1:/EBOOT.PBP instead of MS0:/PSP/GAME/BOOT/EBOOT.PBP on startup."

Installation:

IF YOU USE VERSION 0.2 YOU MUST EDIT THE INTROCFG.INI AND CHANGE bootup=ms0:/PSP/GAME/IRSHELL/EBOOT.PBP; TO
bootup=xmb

Extract the 2 folders in this release into whichever folder is your 1.50 kernel (GAME or GAME150)

Once thats done...

1. *REMOVED*
   
2. Place all CIntro files from the ROOT of the zip file to Memory Stick ROOT - MS0:/ (ms0:/EBOOT.PBP ms0:/pmfPlayer.prx ms0:/INTROCFG.INI)
3. Find your favorite PMF file (up to ~3.0 MB when no background is set through photo in xmb) and rename it to INTRO.PMF and stick it in ms0:/
4. now that you have your 4 files in ms0:/, run the "CIntro Modifier" program included in this release.
5. once the installer is done, turn off your psp. turn it back on and go into RECOVERY mode.
6. go into "Configuration"
7. ENABLE "Skip SCE Logo"
8. ENABLE "Autorun program at /PSP/GAME/BOOT/EBOOT.PBP (no u dont have to have that made on ms0)
9. Turn off your psp. Remove your memory card. Turn on PSP. Sit and be amazed!

To change your INTRO.PMF of INTROCGF.INI, run CIntro Flasher (Included in the release) to flash ms0:/INTRO.PMF or ms0:/INTROCFG.INI to FLASH1.

Please check the readme file included in the download before you install this app. If you have any questions or comments, click on the discuss link below to talk about this release on the QJ forums. Kudos to xploren for telling us about this release.

Also, PSP newbies who got PSPs for Christmas might want to check out the FAQs, Guides, and Tutorials at our forums and the Guides: General PSP for general PSP stuff (like figuring out the version of "firmware" you have in your PSP). You can jump into homebrew by reading the threads in the Guides: Hacks, Homebrew and Emulators forum. Recommended reading includes the ULTIMATE Homebrew Guide and the The Ultimate QJ Guide.

Download: [CIntro mod]
Discuss: [Forum release thread]