Minecraft Alpha Multiplayer: as Much Fun to Exploit as it is to Actually use.
Yesterday, Zyzzi and I tried out Minecraft's new Multiplayer mode, it wasn't too bad. There were a good handul of bugs that needed to be addressed but in good faith, we waded through them. There were no monsters, the sun stayed still in the sky, and all of the blocks at sea level refused to be mined/deleted.
I thought that it could be an issue with the map so, I asked Zyzzi if there was a map generation command in the console. He rang up the help command to check, but he found something more interesting instead. Zyzzi found a give command. Zyzzi punched in the command, my name, and a decimal number and out popped an item. It was amazing! Realizing what we had discovered, I ran to the minecraft Wiki in search of more numbers, and eventually I ran accross TNT, then the insanity started.
Update: Good News, We’re Erecting a Minecraft Alpha Multiplayer Server
Today, Notch, the beloved developer of Minecraft, announced that the multiplayer version of Minecraft Alpha will come out early tomorrow.
"I’ll release it early tomorrow (probably in 13 hours from now), then fix bugs the rest of the day and prepare for Berlin." The World of Notch
And another thing is that FIGames will be following up with a brand-spanking-new FIGames Minecraft Alpha Server. As Notch more gracefully put it, the multiplayer will be incredibly buggy at first but still should be a load of fun. I will update you tomorrow on the condition and IP (or URL) of the server.
Update: Zyzzi and I got the server running at IP: 24.4.0.116:25566
The Best Minecraft Structures
Here is a few interesting videos about what you could do in Minecraft if you had a lot of free time and creativity. If you want to try out Minecraft, hop on the FIGames Minecraft server.
You may want to turn down the volume before you start the video, the techno music can be a bit loud.
Click Read More... to view the other three.
Update: Old Theme is Dead, Not Big Suprise
Oops, it broke. When the archaic version of Mystique went through an automatic upgrade, it fried itself. I am going to reinstall it by hand but in the mean time you get this theme:
Sorry.
Update: There is something wrong with the new version of Mystique and the new version of WordPress. So, it is going to stay broken for a while. Have fun with this new, not too shabby looking theme.
FIGames Minecraft Server
If you don't play Minecraft you should, or at least take a look at it. We have a server running for free and paid members. It's cool, it's fantastic, it's actually of a decent size with some really neat stuff in it.
Here is some pictures:
Link to the server:
http://www.minecraft.net/play.jsp?server=4633a5ea3dfa685e9d8c0f60783abaf5
Go to it, friends.
FIGames TF2 Server
Server is online. Happy killing!
It's the first of August and it's still up.
I am going to write the post in a Q&A format. So, here are some questions and answers:
Whatabout a TF2 Server?
- Yep, that's right, a FIGames TF2 server, with a delightful map-rotation with some handpicked custom maps.
Soap Flakes, you never host servers for that long, what's up with that?
- Something breaks, thats why. I am going to keep this thing going for as long as possible, the server is going through a bit of a dead/dying hard drive spell (3 in about 2 months) so I am going to give it four months before some extended downtime (during which I will buy a case and two brand new sata drives). Yeh and I do host servers now! The Killing floor server has been up for a little over a month now.
What's the incentive, why is this server better than any other server?
- It's fun, the Admins are lenient (or just not there
), good maps, integrated voting plugins, and the title has FIGames in it.
So, if you are ready to play, you can click this link RIGHT NOW to connect!* steam://connect/24.4.0.116:27015
*This link may not work.
If you are odd, click Read More... for a map rotation.
Guide to GBA Emulation on the PSP
Okay, now this is cool! A technically perfect emulator for the PSP that is also easy to install? You might say, "No, it can't be" but you would be wrong, it can and it is.
It may have an ugly name but, UO gpSP kai, can deliver the goods, it can render every GBA game on the market at a remarkable 60FPS, even with faux-3d (Mode 7) games.
Here is an example of a Mode 7 game, 007 Nightfire.
(turn off the annotations, they are annoying and inaccurate)
How to Install:
(NOTE: You need a homebrewed PSP)
First, download the archive. Then, plug in your PSP and extract the folder from the archive into X:\PSP\GAME\ (where X is the drive letter of your PSP’s memory card).
The archive of the emulator has the GBA BIOS file already in it so, all you have to do to get started, is to put your ROMs in the install directory.
Have fun!
The Bona-Fide and Definative Guide to PSP Hacking
Either you came here to learn about running home-brew on your PSP or you came here by accident, either way, welcome!
What is Homebrew and how can it help me?
Homebrew, in this case, has nothing to do with making your own beer or coffee. Homebrewing a PSP is when you run a modified version of the standard operating system (now on known as OS) which allows you to not only play the standard assortment of PSP games but free, down-loadable content, like emulators and applications.
Installing Homebrew (NOTE: I will use Homebrew and Custom OS interchangeably)
If you want to install Homebrew on your PSP then you are in luck! Through the use of a wonderful program called ChickHEN it is possible to run the Homebrew on nearly every PSP model except the GO (more on this later).
Step 1: Identifying your PSP's Motherboard
(NOTE: If you have a PSP-1000 you do not need to do this step; all PSP-1000 motherboards are supported!)
Over the years each model of the PSP has undergone revisions and slight changes have been made to the motherboards. It is crucial to identify the specific motherboard model to know if the PSP has the capability to run the Custom OS. The easiest way I have found is to download and run a program called PSPident 0.4. After downloading the archive, extract it to the directory "X:\PSP\GAME\" (where X is the drive letter of your PSP's memory card). Once this is completed exit out of USB mode and go to the Game section, then click Memory Stick and you should find an icon that says PSPident, run it. Once PSPident starts you should see a black screen with text on it, identifying several main processors (Kirk, Tachyon, Spock, etc. ), and most importantly the motherboard's model! (NOTE: if I were you, I would write down this number!)
My PSP-2000 Running PSPident 0.4
Once you have the motherboard model, reference it to the chart, if it says YES then you are good to go, if it says NO or you have a PSP-3000 (Brite) then this tutorial will BRICK YOUR PSP! If you have one of the not supported motherboards, proceed to this tutorial!
Hackable PSP Motherboards! Thank you PSPSlimHacks.com!
Step 2: Getting Ready for Homebrew
This step is straight forward, the exploitation that we are going to, well, exploit is only available on the PSP 5.03 official firmware. To update to the firmware create a folder called "UPDATE" (without quotes) in the directory X:\PSP\. Then extract the "EBOOT.PBP" there then get your PSP out of USB mode. Once out of USB mode go to the Game section and, once again, go to the memory card and under that you will find a new icon called PSP Update 5.03 (or something along those lines) and run it. Follow the on screen instructions and you will have version 5.03!
Step 3: Hatchin' Our ChickHEN
Our exploit for the day is a wonderful program called ChickHEN Homebrew Environment, running this allows for a permanent solution to be installed. To set up ChickHEN, download it, and when you open the archive you will see four files, like so:
The ChickHEN "Nest"
If you have a PSP-1000 use the PHAT, if you have the 2000, use the SLIM. Go into the appropriate directory and copy the ChickHEN folder and put it in the X:\PSP\PHOTO\ folder. Then take the "h.BIN" file and put it in the root of the PSP (NOTE: A root, in the context of a file-system is the base or main directory. Ex: "X:\" is the root directory of the X drive). Done! Move to step 4!
The Powerbook Story
I have an affinity for old technology. And as I read an article on the, most recent, failures of the US Government I remembered my 13 year old Powerbook.
After reading the article I remembered what great fun that computer was when I was younger. I began to wonder what I could mod it into today. Since every part in the notebook was working except the keyboard (more on that later) and I needed a, really, fancy alarm clock. So, I concluded that that would be it's purpose in life. The older line of Powerbook computers are not only durable but can startup and shutdown at a given time and through the use of startup items, like say a song in Quicktime, you could make a spiffy alarm clock!
About a year ago the keyboard in my Powerbook ceased to work and I found a more practical music playing device, an iPod, so I stashed it away. I even had a replacement keyboard lying around but never got up the courage to install it. It was much easier than I thought. And after three screws and two plugs it had a new keyboard. I thought that the new keyboard would fix the problem, so I eagerly booted up the book, started up SimpleText, and began to type. Just as before nothing happened but an endless stream of 4s poured into the document. My first reaction was to swear because there was only one other option, that the problem was buried deeper within the hardware, lurking like a child molester.
I flipped the computer over. I unscrewed the three screws, feeling like Chris Hansen, I took out the keyboard, then I took out the bezel which contained two speakers and a few switches, which like the keyboard did not work. Under the bezel was a battery, presumably for the clock and maybe the BIOS, and there was a small puncture on it and it looked corroded. GASP! There was the problem. The 13 year old Ni-MH battery had burst open, leaking fluids on the part of the motherboard that controlled the input devices. The spill was only millimeters from the RAM module, which would have been horrific. After finding this out I knew that the notebooks courier as a clock was cut short because of it's lack of time keeping abilities.
Sigh. The only other project that I can think of, being rather common on the interwebs, is a picture frame. There is nothing quite as ugly as a giant, 12.1", dim picture frame. The Powerbook and it's incredible build quality will probably last another 5 years or more in storage without anymore nickel-metal hydride batteries blowing up inside.
There are several morals to this story. 1) Revisit old junk with new knowledge, you may think of something fun or useful! 2) Do not use Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries, they will fuck with your life. Go with a good lithium ion instead!
Cave Story hits Wii March 22nd
I'm hesitant to post content-less content, but alas, time constraints prevent me from doing much about it. Anyway, indie game legend Doukustsu Monogatari (aka Cave Story) finally has a release day for the WiiWare Wiimake. It goes on sale for an unknown amount of Nintendo Points, but I'd hazard a guess at anywhere above $10, maybe $15. I'll link both the press release and the TIGSource website 'cause the latter has a really cool interview with the developer Pixel.