Let’s imagine a scenario where somebody releases a bit of open-source code that allows you to run homebrew—that is, non-pirated software created by indie developers—on your PS3. Let’s imagine that the name of that software is PSGroove. The question is, do you download it, and do you go out of your way to run unsigned-but-not-pirated code on your system? How badly do you need PS3 homebrew?
It’s a question at least some of us will be asking in the coming days, as that very piece of software does, in fact exist.
Called PSGroove, the open-source implementation of the PS3 Jailbreak exploit does a few things differently. For one, you’d need access to a $50 (or so) microcontroller board—Teensy++, for example.
The software then only loads unsigned, but not pirated software. So, while you’ll be able to run, say, a PS3 port of mplayer or Fun Original Game, you can’t use it to hop on Black Cats and download the latest version of Madden.
Strictly homebrew, people.
Of course, the very fact that there’s already an open-source version of the hack, albeit one without the piracy features, could well mean that other, less noble folks are working on a full-on piracy-friendly version of the software.
One thing’s for sure: Sony is none too pleased with any of this.