Nintendo Nukes Homebrew, Piracy on DSi, Wii
Nintendo is fighting piracy on the Wii and DSi through updated firmware.
Nintendo is reportedly attacking piracy on the hardware front by releasing updated firmware for the Wii console and the DSi/DSi XL handheld units. Although the release notes for the latter devices don't offer any clues as to the new security measures, notes for the latest Wii firmware--which updates the Wii Menu to v4.3--gives a clear warning to those with homebrew installed.
"Because unauthorized channels or firmware may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.3 will check for and automatically remove such unauthorized files," the company said. "In addition, there are some behind the scenes enhancements that do not affect any prominently-used features or menus but will improve system performance."
As for the DSi firmware, forum posters at GBATemp report that the new v1.4.1u firmware now blocks a number of popular flash cards including the Acekard 2i, Supercard DSTwo, M3i Zero, iPlayer, and DSTTi. Three popular flash cards still remain unblocked: EZ-Flash Vi, iSmart DS, and Hyper R4i. That's likely to change in the next firmware release.
"This update provides behind-the-scenes improvements to system performance," reads the update's description.
Piracy is a huge issue for Nintendo, especially in regards to the Nintendo DS platform and the R4 cartridge. According to THQ's Ian Curran, the rampant piracy as caused studios to pull back on game development in fear of losing even more profit. But despite Nintendo's attempts to crack down on the issue from a legal standpoint, the problem continues to grow. The release of the DSi helped address the issue by allowing Nintendo to distribute updated firmware.
The upcoming release of the Nintendo 3DS, slated to hit shelves sometime before March 2011, is expected to cause even more grief for pirates. "I actually asked Nintendo to explain the technology and they said it's very difficult to do so because it's so sophisticated," Curran said in July. He added that the company really needed to tackle piracy head on, as it will cost developers even more to produce games on the new device.
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And still more workarounds will be found. The day official games can be bought under $15 will be the day piracy dies.
People want value. Spending $50 in a game that the next year will be $20 is fairly ridiculous.
And still more workarounds will be found. The day official games can be bought under $15 will be the day piracy dies.People want value. Spending $50 in a game that the next year will be $20 is fairly ridiculous.
i strongly disagree. this is 100% false, you can't possibly think piracy will die even with small prices on games.
there are plenty of people in this world that want something for nothing. the only way piracy would die, if games were free.
on another note, it'll only take a few more weeks before the hackers find a work around. new update, new work around, rinse and repeat
More expensive for the developers = more expensive for consumers = more pirates = pissed off nintendo.
I'm surprised companies have manufactured these cards at a volume that makes homebrew such an issue.
Nintendo needs to figure out what Sony did with the PS3, cause that seems to be working.
"Because unauthorized channels or firmware may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.3 will check for and automatically remove such unauthorized files."
Trying to pass this off as a benefit to the user? Give me a break, Nintendo. At least be honest about the reason behind the update.
Sony, Nintendo, Apple, all these companies don't seem to give a crap about their customers. people should be allowed to use the devices they own, any way they want to. (note: i am defending home-brew and the type, not pirates, they can suck it)
He means it will potentially impair people from enjoying their Wii (which is hardware they bought and own) the way they want to (e.g. homebrew).
This is like Steve Jobs saying jailbreaking harms the iPhone experience so no one is allowed to do it.
1. That's a lie.
2. Shouldn't people be able to decide at their own risk what they want to do with their hardware? If the whole "experience" is for the owner of the hardware, who is Nintendo to decide what is or isn't a "better experience" for the owner?
3. Everyone knows those aren't real reasons, Nintendo and Apple.
Piracy will never die, but the industry could help decrease it a lot by developing quality content, and charging what the content is worth.
Show of hands, how many Wii / DS owners bought a game for $40+ and it was total garbage, too bad you can't return a game for being a piece of crap. "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me."
These companies want to hold their users to a higher standard than their developers. If 90%+ Wii and DS games were correctly valued at $5 on release day, the average joe wouldn't care enough to find out how to pirate, but when he spends $400 on a console and 4 games and they are all crap, he is much more inclined to get his money’s worth via pirating.
No Piracy won't die even if games are $5 each. However if prices went down and game quality went up I think about 80% of piracy would just stop right in its tracks. Oh and THQ, Nintendo, and apple I don't care about you darn bottom line make high quality products at actually reasonable prices and people will buy.
ape-face
simple answer to this, is don't update. hardly news to me.
And still more workarounds will be found. The day official games can be bought under $15 will be the day piracy dies.People want value. Spending $50 in a game that the next year will be $20 is fairly ridiculous.
As eklipz330 said, It will never die. People will keep on pirating.
I remember a comment on an article here on toms a few months ago that was related to pc games piracy and that person linked a post showed a survey with a game on it. What the some of the thinks the survey ask what would they pay for.
1 Pirate it
2 get it for free
3 Pay $1
4 Pay $5 or $10
and a few other options.
Guess what, Even though it was a decent game that was worth at least $5, most people just put down that they would pirate it.
Sad people indeed.
Great movies/games always make money, piracy abounding or not. I really don't understand why movie/game makers get upset when they make 4 million instead of 4.5 million because of piracy. You just made millions didn't you?!
The only developers quitting, supposedly because of piracy, probably make crappy stuff anyway.
*sigh*... why do these companies even try?
I'm surprised companies have manufactured these cards at a volume that makes homebrew such an issue.Nintendo needs to figure out what Sony did with the PS3, cause that seems to be working.
Sony's anti-piracy tactic:
1)Make console extremely difficult to hack
2)Make price of blank media and recording devices uneconomical for piracy (Blu-Ray).
I don't own one, but I couldn't see myself spending $30+ on a game for such a small device.
Of the games I've played on my Nintendo DSI XL, the only one that is truly good is Super Mario Brothers, it truely makes the system. I've played a dozen or so more games on the DSI, and honestly, you couldn't pay me to play them. The Nintendo Wii also has some super games and some pretty horrible ones (showtimes boxing game for instance). The time has come to do away with the physical media (cartridges, Discs), downloads only, and a demo available for each game, and more reasonable prices. That would kill piracy and make more loyal consumers with better quality products. The funny thing is, most DSI games aren't worth pirating in the first place.
They made so much money, and instead of using it for R&D, they waste it on something that can never be defeated since the 'big bang'... Nice move. I won't be surprised if the next Wii will use the old composite and s-video connection, with mono audio... I'm not falling for Nintendo again.
The 4.2 update already tried this and they found a workaround. The system is already tore up from the floor up, the mod community knows all the iOSs and works around them. PS3 isn't safe either, the hole's there, now all mods need to is find workarounds for their walls.
I still can't imagine why you people complain about price though, it's always been 50 for new releases and there's always been garbage games. If you're stupid and buy garbage that's your own problem, read a review before you buy something next time. Better yet, get Gamefly and rent everything yourself first. Until then I have some magic beans you might be interested in.
on another note, it'll only take a few more weeks before the hackers find a work around. new update, new work around, rinse and repeat
+1
i know a guy we get this major discount on MS office software from our employer like 200$ off. and he goes..."oh you bought it?" "im not gonna buy it just gonna download it for free."
facepalm man....
first time posting and i clicked on the wrong quote icon
+1i know a guy we get this major discount on MS office software from our employer like 200$ off. and he goes..."oh you bought it?" "im not gonna buy it just gonna download it for free."facepalm man....
quoted the wrong person
meant to quote
i strongly disagree. this is 100% false, you can't possibly think piracy will die even with small prices on games.there are plenty of people in this world that want something for nothing. the only way piracy would die, if games were free.
thank god for pirates if it weren't for them i would have no music or software. pirates FTW.
More expensive for the developers = more expensive for consumers = more pirates = pissed off nintendo.
"pissed off nintendo" ??
Nintendo can kiss my @ss. I have a Wii. It is NOT modded. We OWN our games. Nothing copied, etc. Totally legal. Completely paid. Still. I feel entirely anti-mega-corporation toward companies like Nintendo (&Sony).
He means it will potentially impair people from enjoying their Wii (which is hardware they bought and own) the way they want to (e.g. homebrew).This is like Steve Jobs saying jailbreaking harms the iPhone experience so no one is allowed to do it.1. That's a lie.2. Shouldn't people be able to decide at their own risk what they want to do with their hardware? If the whole "experience" is for the owner of the hardware, who is Nintendo to decide what is or isn't a "better experience" for the owner?3. Everyone knows those aren't real reasons, Nintendo and Apple.
I have come to accept the fundamental truth:
Anything Steve Jobs of Apple says = "That's a lie."
Easy to understand, like F=MA. ;o)
Damn, I h8 that guy.
i strongly disagree. this is 100% false, you can't possibly think piracy will die even with small prices on games.there are plenty of people in this world that want something for nothing. the only way piracy would die, if games were free.
i strongly disagree. this is 100% false, you can't possibly think piracy will die even with small prices on games.there are plenty of people in this world that want something for nothing. the only way piracy would die, if games were free.
Agreed, though people would still try to pirate free games.
Doesn't bother me..... I don't have homebrew installed and don't planning to have it installed any time ever. If I want a game, I will have save for it....I don't and won't pirate any game for any reason.
Firmware 4.3 is broken already. Seems they found a way for upgraded units to downgrade to a system menu friendly to hacking.
thieves will be thieves. people will justify by saying they aren't willing to pirate games; and that is unfortunatly the cycle
i will be happy if nintendo can get leeches off thier property and when people want a game they actually have to buy them. nintendo is a good company but they work for money and when you pirae thier games you are taking thier work without compensatingng them, its liek dining and dashing and it is stealing. i hope their new firmware helps them not only stop people but catch and procecute some so those thiefs can get the fines/jail time they deserve
And still more workarounds will be found. The day official games can be bought under $15 will be the day piracy dies.People want value. Spending $50 in a game that the next year will be $20 is fairly ridiculous.
That is why I trypically wait a year or so for games to decrease in value then buy a used one for $20 instead of the rediculus $50 and $60 release price tags. (The only exceptions I make are for top quality games the I just can't wait for like StarCraft II and I will likely pay full price for Half-Life 3 and HL2 Episode 3.
Ahh.. Ohhh! Huuu! now all the consoles are suffering from a piracy attack! May be, just may be, as gaming PC market "dying". All the gamers, buy consoles and start doing the same they did on the PC.
There is no turn around for a dog biting it's tail folks..
Piracy is gonna overcome at last, it's too big to fight it.