Zettablade's back on the scene with a new version of his Velocity Library (vLib), a general purpose library for making games. vLib v1.5 is said to be faster and more efficient than previous versions, as well as allowing for the drawing of simple shapes to help you in making games of your very own.

Now, he lists a lot of different bits of documentation (we count at least 10 different text files across the downloadable file's folders), so we're definitely encouraging you to read through them, or at least check his readme file for additional information on how to install the application and use it. In the meantime, below are the listed features of the application. Enjoy your download, and have fun making games!

Features:

• Loads PNG images
• Load image into ram and vram
• Auto-swizzles images upon loading (makes for a much faster blit)
• Draw images
• Rotate images
• Crop images
• Draw an image from a specified center
• Unload images
• Enable/Disable linear filter
• Powerful input checking
• Functions for start and stop library and drawing
• Some benchmarking functions
• Display models
• Primitive display list
• 3rd person camera
• Timed movement

Download: Velocity Library (vLib) v1.5
Visit: PSP Development Forums

Zettablade from the QJ.NET Forums has updated Velocity Library (vLib), a "general purpose library" for quickly making simple 2D games (although some limited 3D features are included in the library). Earlier this month, we reported on vLib v1.0 and vLib v1.1.

Velocity Library v1.2 features include:

• Loads PNG images
• Load image into ram and vram
• Auto-swizzles images upon loading (makes for a much faster blit)
• Draw images
• Rotate images
• Crop images
• Draw an image from a specified center
• Unload images
• Enable/Disable linear filter
• Powerful input checking
• Functions for init/uninit library and drawing
• Set it to draw for 2D or 3D
• And much more (this is only a partial list - please consult the README for more details)

GPL. Zettablade is releasing this homebrew under GPL (General Public License), a common free software license giving all of you the license, copy, and distribute the software. Please consult the gpl.txt file included in the "docs" folder of the vLib.zip file.

Zettablade adds:

If you would like to contribute, please, go right a head. I still have plenty of features to add to it, and any help would be appreciated. If you would like to know more about this, join the #psp-programming channel on irc.freenode.net.

Everything you need to know to use this is in the readme and the included sample, if you need any help or would like to talk more about this, talk to me on the #psp-programming channel or email me. You can also PM me. I would prefer IRC though.

Download: Velocity Library (vLib) v1.2
Visit: PSP Development Forum

Velocity Library, otherwise known as vLib, is a specical library that's meant to aid users in developing their own games. ZettaBlade's just released it for public use, and he's already out and about answering questions about version 1.1.

Here's what he had to say:

So, I've changed a bit of the library since the last release. Now you need to specify the draw mode, 2D or 3D. You should only use 2D atm, so just check out the sample for now to see what needs to be done. Once the model loader is more developed, it'll be much nicer.

I've taken out display lists for images for now. It wouldn't be to much faster then the current code, so I've decided not to use it. Also, I've add in rotations for images, and a lot of other neat ways to display your image. The drawing process for images is a big longer then last time, so there will be a slight performance drop. But I can guarantee you, it's a hell of a lot more flexible then last time, so enjoy

Without further ado, here's the rather lengthy features list for it. He hopes to make a lot of additional fixes and support augmentations in the future, but for now, we think you'l enjoy what ZettaBlade has to offer.

Download: [Velocity Library v1.1]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Features come after the jump!

Zettablade has just released his uber useful homebrew app for the PSP, vLib. vLib, also known as the Velocity library, is a general purpose library which contains all the basic stuff you'll need in making a simple 2D game.

You'll also be glad to know that he's releasing vLib under GNU General Public License, so anyone who's interested on working on it is welcome to do so. As long as you go by the rules, of course. More info about this and other essential details can be found in the readme, so we don't even need to stress how important it is that you check out the readme file.

Here are the current features you'll find in vLib:

• Loads PNG images
• Load image into ram and vram
• auto-swizzles images upon loading (makes for a much faster blit)
• Draw and unload images
• Use a linear filter on an image (to smooth it)
• Custom controller input structure
• Most basic functions needed for initlizing the gu and drawing, as well as vsync and double buffering
• A function that displays the current fps and the current available memory in the upper-left corner of the screen.
• Can also display any extra info you would like.
• Load custom mdl file.
• Display models
• Primitive display list
• 3rd person camera
  

But before you get all excited in tinkering with this app, you should know that it requires the following (and we quote): SDK installed from toolchain (no preinstalled crap), libpng, zlib, and libjpeg. Now if you think you got that covered, then go on and...

Download: [Velocity Library (vLib) v1.0]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Recently, the front page has been dominated with the release of numerous custom firmware modifications, all derivatives of Dark_Alex's original Custom Firmware Proof Of Concept which was released just 3 days ago. Within those 3 days, the amount of Custom firmware modifications that have been released are unbelievable. and frankly, a lot of our readers are confused over which ones to use and why. For this reason I have put together this little guide to help you get through the custom firmware madness. No need to sit there and scratch your head any longer!

Stage 1: The Lingo

There's no need rushing into a custom firmware choice. As we all know, writing to the PSPs flash memory can be dangerous, and if you do not follow all the steps correctly, you could brick your beloved PSP. Knowing the lingo is one of the fundamentals if you hope to choose which custom firmware to go with, and understanding what each one does. Here's the rundown on a few technical terms that you may be unaware of:

• Recovery.elf and Recovery Mode - Recovery.elf is nothing more than a file that will initiate "Recovery mode". Recovery mode is no more than a simple application that will let you to use the USB, and execute a program under ms0:/PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP, that could be, for example, a Sony updater or the 1.50 -> 1.00 downdater by keeping R pressed while starting the psp.
  
• 'Flashing' - Writing to the PSPs Internal memory which holds the firmware information. If you mess up any of the firmware files your PSP could be a brick, although some can be saved by using recovery mode.
• Custom Firmware - Firmwares designed by homebrew coders. They aren't completely new, and only offer simple modifications of firmware 1.5 at the moment. Usually these come in the form of new or replaced "modules" or PRX's that make up the PSP's firmware.
  
• Overclocking - Setting the PSPs CPU clock speed to 333 Mhz. This cannot damage your PSP, although will use more battery life, and has been included in many Custom Firmware mods in order for the PSP to run faster.
• XMB - The PSPs "homepage". It's the menu which houses game, music, video, settings etc.
  

Stage 2: The Mods

All of the mods that you have heard about so far have all been modifications of Dark_Alex's original Custom Firmware POC. Here's all the derivatives and the original, along with their strong points. Many people ask "why should I use custom firmware". From this list you should be able to decide which and/or if Custom Firmware is best for you.rk_Alex's Custom Firmware POC:

If you are incredibly unsure on how to use custom firmware, I would go with Dark_Alex's original release for starters. This granddaddy of Custom Firmwares and has a great Readme. This Custom Firmware features Recovery mode, can execute 1.0 eboots, can hide corrupt icons and can execute any homebrew program you wish on startup.

Download: [Dark_Alex Custom Firmware POC]
View: [Forum Release Thread]

• Zettablade's Custom Firmware All-In-One Mod
  

Has the ability to take screenshots using the note key, an automatic USB function (just plug the USB cable in and it works), and overclocks your PSP's CPU to 333Mhz.

Update: Zettablade has released a new version of his AIO firmware mod today. It includes bug fixes and a config file so that you can disable any of it's features.

Download: [Zettablade's Custom Firmware AIO Mod v0.2]
View: [Forum release thread]

• Harleyg's Custom Firmware mod v0.2
  

Harleyg's Custom Firmware is probably the most feature-packed yet. It has a much nicer looking recovery screen, includes options the option to both change the clock speed and remove the custom firmware completely. Homebrew can be started by holding the L-Trigger and much much more. A full list of features can be found here.

Download: [Harleyg's Custom Firmware mod v0.2]

• PSP Audio Recorder Beta
  

This is one of the older custom firmwares, before the release of Dark_Alex's proof of concept. The mod made by Moonlight It allows you to record audio from a UMD or homebrew application using L+R+Circle to begin recording and L+R+Square to stop recording, saving all recorded sound to PSP/Music in .wav format. This has a few bugs including sound lag whilst in-game, but is decent for those wanting to record some of their game.

It saves the recording as a WAV file in PSP/Music.

Download: [PSP Audio Recorder Beta]

• Slasher's MP3 Plugin
  

This allows you to listen to your MP3 from anywhere in the PSPs XMB using hotkeys assigned by Slashers MP3 Plugin. Currently supports up to 100 songs that you may have in the ms0:/PSP/MUSIC/ folder.

Controls -
LTRIGG + LEFT = Switch song(to the left)
LTRIGG + RIGHT = Switch song(to the right)
LTRIGG + SQUARE = Stop current MP3
LTRIGG + CROSS = Pause/Unpause

Download: [Slashers MP3 Plugin]

Stage 3: Installing

A lot of people are concerned about installing Custom Firmware because it could brick their PSPs. Chances are most of the people reading this now have probably downgraded their PSP before, whether it be from 2.0 > 1.5 or from 2.5/2.6 > 1.5; both of which write to the flash memory. If you haven't downgraded, you probably still will have flashed your PSP before. By running a Sony Firmware Update Eboot, you are flashing your PSP, which is why they ask you to plug in your AC adaptor, reducing the risk of a brick if you battery power cuts.

The only advice I can give you is to be careful. If you copy the folders into the correct directory (usually just unzip the download archive and copy all folders to your PSP root directory). you'll be fine. Flashing has its risks, but look above for all the benefits of custom firmware.

To minimize risks, make sure that your PSP battery is either fully-charged or above 50% and plug in the AC adaptor. NEVER reset, turn off or place into sleep mode a PSP which has the memory stick light flashing whilst running any program that writes to the flash memory.

Well there you have it, custom firmware in a nutshell. Remember, it has only been 3 days since Dark_Alex's Custom Firmware which has set the standard for these mods was released. In the weeks to come we will be seeing more and more custom firmwares, and more features. I know that both Zettablade and Harleyg are working on new features for their firmwares, as well as Dark_Alex.

Thanks go to: Dark_Alex for creating the original Custom Firmware POC, all the modders and coders out there that have helped make these mods and Nutterbutter for helping all our forum users with Custom Firmware mods. To keep up on an updated list of Firmware mods, make sure you keep checking Nutterbutter's Thread in our forums!


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