Playstation Classic Mini System

dankcushions

@ClassicGMR said in Playstation Classic Mini System:

Quick question - what's the legalities of using an open-sourced emulator in a for-profit venture? Isn't that covered by the licensing agreement? Granted Sony is distributing Sony products under a Sony brand but it's technically NOT Sony's emulator... Mostly just curious on that one since I doubt that would ever see any type of litigation.

totally fine to use "open source" (assuming that means GPL) software in commercial products.

lilbud

@ClassicGMR said in Playstation Classic Mini System:

Quick question - what's the legalities of using an open-sourced emulator in a for-profit venture? Isn't that covered by the licensing agreement? Granted Sony is distributing Sony products under a Sony brand but it's technically NOT Sony's emulator... Mostly just curious on that one since I doubt that would ever see any type of litigation.

That is perfectly legal under the open source license. All Sony would've had to do is make their source code and any modifications public.

Also, the PCSX-Rearmed guys can't really do anything about this. It is kind of wrong for them to take code that isn't theirs and sell it for a profit, but they have that ability.

Also, I found it funny hearing about Sony basically selling an emulator. Consider that fact that around ten years ago, they were suing a small company out of everything for making an emulator. And now Sony is selling one themselves.

BobHarris

@lilbud I bet them using this emulator can also be one of the reasons why we didn't get a dual shock 1 controller...as people would expect vibration to work (for example in Metal gear solid), but afaik vibration still doesn't work properly in pcsxrearmed.

Clyde

@lilbud said in Playstation Classic Mini System:

Also, the PCSX-Rearmed guys can't really do anything about this. It is kind of wrong for them to take code that isn't theirs and sell it for a profit, but they have that ability.

I don't see anything wrong with it if the license allows it. If the devs didn't want that, they should have used another license.

Besides, do we know if there were any legal agreements between Sony and the emulator's devs in addition to the public license?

goobatroopa

@Clyde you would imagine a company like Sony would've got this squared away by their legal department before release. Such is the scale of the product launch.

Clyde

@goobatroopa I don't quite get what you want to say in relation to my post. Could you please explain it a bit more or differently? Thanks.

goobatroopa

@Clyde I was replying about legal agreements between the Devs and Sony. Suggesting that if there was, this would've been dealt with early doors. I'm not aware of any however, but they probably dotted I's and crossed T's just in case.

Clyde

@goobatroopa Ah, now I (think I) understand. Thank you.

Maybe they did arrange something, maybe they just used the public license. As far as I know, we don't know the former (yet?), although I concur that it is very likely.

goobatroopa

@Clyde I mean maybe they haven't and it's a more "well two can play at that game" mentality, but I suspect it was done by the book.

dankcushions

they have done it by the book - they used GPL software and provided source code for their change changes (i don't have the link but it's on their website somewhere). they wouldn't need to make any further legal agreements.

this sort of thing happens for many/most consumer electronic devices these days. they often have some open source package in their somewhere. eg, nintendo: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/support/oss/

BobHarris

And the price keeps on dropping. I saw it for 40 euros so I decided to buy one..40 is great value for the hardware. It definitely needs a software mod though :-) will wait a bit longer with that untill all is a bit more streamlined.

The difference in the attention to detail between the hardware and the software really couldn't be bigger..such a neat little Playstation.

ruckage

@BobHarris
That is cheap, where did you buy it for that price?

Dipkid

@BobHarris I think BS 1.0 is well done, but w 1.1 they`ll have otg support. (mount usb in the backport) + support for folder drag n drop, it will actually make it a really good retro game system :)

BobHarris

@ruckage I bought it at a dutch store called Mediamarkt. Nedgame.nl currently also sells it for 40 euros.
or https://www.bol.com/nl/p/playstation-classic/9200000099248672/?Referrer=ADVNLTWE002012-X2YIPKC2UQV3S&utm_source=tweakers&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=tweakers-Games&utm_term=9200000099248672&Referrer=ADVNLTWEENTERTAINMENT2018

@Dipkid I'm still hoping some day I can remove most of the games on there and make a personal top 20-30 games (whatever fits) without needing a flashdrive at all (got my Pi for that).

Dipkid

@BobHarris I hear you, first thing I asked the devs at discord was if I could change the artwork for the stockgames. Obvsly I cant right now, since everything runs from the usb. But give it a couple of weeks, im sure its gonna be doable. fingers crossed
It does support eboot/pbp etc now, so the 16 gig internal should be enough for your top 30 list.

AndersHP

Being a "first generation" console of its era, I really think the Playstation 1 have aged poorly, considering that it's newer than, say, the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.

Even though these consoles are older, and run fewer bits, because they were the last in their generation of consoles, I really think they've aged so much better and games are really playable today.

Just my humble opinion, I had a PSX emulator running on my build for 1 day, before my eyes bled so terribly from the pixelation and bad 3d, that I decided to stop at 16 bits :)

Still, it's cool to have Sony on board the retrogaming rocket.

Clyde

It's down to 49,99€ in Germany at some online stores.

ruckage

@AndersHP said in Playstation Classic Mini System:

Being a "first generation" console of its era, I really think the Playstation 1 have aged poorly, considering that it's newer than, say, the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo.

Even though these consoles are older, and run fewer bits, because they were the last in their generation of consoles, I really think they've aged so much better and games are really playable today.

Just my humble opinion, I had a PSX emulator running on my build for 1 day, before my eyes bled so terribly from the pixelation and bad 3d, that I decided to stop at 16 bits :)

Still, it's cool to have Sony on board the retrogaming rocket.

I actually felt the same until I started playing some PS1 games again recently and realised I was really enjoying the games. And there are actually quite a few really good 2D titles on the system if you wanted to completely avoid 3D games.

Here are some titles I still enjoy and think hold up well on the PS1 :

2D Games
Bishi Bashi Special
Harmful Park
Megaman X4, X5, and X6
Castlevania symphony of the night
Castlevania Chronicles
Harmful Park
Alundra
Blood Omen Legacy of Kain
Bust a move 3 and 4
Pop 'n Pop
Puchi Carat
Rayman
Adventures of Lomax
Bubble Bobble featuring Rainbow Islands
Sexy Parodius
Panzer Bandit
Rapid Reload/Gunners Heaven

3D games
Jumping Flash 1, 2, and 3
N2O
Ape escape
Crash team racing
Speed Punks
Nanotek Warrior
Gamera 2000 (I hadn't heard of this until recently but it's a really fun Starfox style game)
Karushi/Inteligent qube
Donald Duck - Qoin Quackers
Tempest X3
Tiny Tank
Raystorm
Raycrisis
Rival Schools
Street Fighter EX2 Plus alpha
Omega Boost
Ray Tracers (spiritual sequel to Chase HQ)

There are loads more but these are a good start I think.

ClassicGMR

In the US Amazon.com has them for $44.88 with free shipping. They're just getting lower. :)

The system itself is fabulous. I love BleemSync 1.0.0 and the ability to add games to the carousel in alphabetical order. This "side" of the system is perfect. :)

The RetroArch system is still very buggy. It plays well but - just testing today - I crashed the system 19 times out of 20 tests. Different games and emulators. I select CLOSE CONTENT and the system goes black and hangs. Only once it exited correctly. Hopefully they will be working on this in future revs.

Overall I really love this little system and with a sub-$50 USD price tag it's worth it.

A Former User

Down to £49 here in the UK - Amazon UK. Not as low as other Countries.
Even at £49, I still don't see what this has to offer over a Pi.