Are These the Last Days of Homebrew?
Homebrew has become a very popular resource for the Sony's PSP. Developers have been pushing the envelope from day 1. Whether they are creating a "hello world" for a newly discovered exploit, or updating their latest emulator, developers have always put out good quality applications. But where does it end?
Homebrew developers have been developing for the PSP for over two years now and they are showing no signs of stopping any time soon. Throughout this time we have seen many great developers come on and off the scene. Each and every application created for the PSP does not lack in any area. There are a million shell replacements and emulators for the PSP and each is better than the last. But developers have to hit a plateau soon.
One can only make so many improvements on something before it becomes perfect. What happens when every application is perfect. They all run flawlessly and never crash. When will it end? Will the homebrew scene ever die out? Will there ever be a point when Sony gives in and stops developing new firmware updates to mask the exploits we have found? This may not be on the horizon, but it will happen at one point. The next question is, are we prepared for the death of the PSP homebrew scene?
It starts with one or two developers leaving the scene. Then homebrew users get bored and leave. Sure, PSP hacking forums are still going strong, but the truth is that many users are bored and so are developers. There is no challenge any more. Now a new firmware comes out and within weeks homebrew developer Dark_AleX releases the next installment of his M33 custom firmware. In March of 2006, developers were saying that there would never be a downgrader for firmwares 2.50 or 2.60. Three months later there was a downgrader. In the fall of that same year, those same developers said that firmware 2.71 was uncrackable! Months later it was cracked and a downgrader was released. While yes these are great achievements, it's become to easy to hack the PSP. The users know this, the developers know this, and Sony knows this. Soon enough every one will leave the scene, including Sony. All we can do is stand and watch as a healthy hobby dies.
So, when will it all end? Will it be tomorrow, a year from now, or many years from now. It's entirely up to you, the reader, the homebrew users, the homebrew developers, and of course Sony.