Tag: playstation

A rare PlayStation game is now worth ten times as much as before: here is why

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Most physical games for consoles drop in value over time. There are exceptions, however, especially when it comes to games that are released in limited quantity or special editions.

Star Wars Racer Revenge was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2002 originally. It got average scores and was re-released by Limited Run Games in 2019 for the PS4. Since the PS5 supports PS4 games, it can also be run on the PlayStation 5, including the refreshed version.

Good to know: Limited Run Games is a company that re-releases classic games. Think of it as Gog, but for the physical games market and usually with tiny print runs compared to the general market.

Less than 1,000 copies of the game were produced by Limited Run Games reportedly. Up until recently, users could grab a copy from marketplaces such as eBay for about 30 Dollars.

When you check the price of the game now, you may notice that the PS4-version of the game is offered for several hundred Dollars now.

The PS5 jailbreak

Rumors of a potential jailbreak of the PlayStation 5 made the rounds a couple of days ago.

The exploit, reportedly, was found in the PS4 game Star Wars Racer Revenge, which explains why it is in high demand right now. It contains a security issue that enables the running of unsigned code under certain circumstances.

This, according to reports, gave access to the PlayStation 5’s Level 0 BootRom keys, which has been published on the Internet.

Good to know: The Level 0 BootROM contains the keys used to verify and decrypt the very first stage of the console’s startup software.

Hackers may decrypt all subsequent layers of the PlayStation 5’s security using the keys. It could pave the way for custom firmware that hacked consoles can boot into.

The main issue for Sony is that it could bring piracy to its platform.

For Sony, it is a worst case scenario, as it can’t patch the vulnerability via a software update. The company has a few options to respond, but none affect current PlayStation users under certain circumstances.

  • Introduce checks for tampering. This requires an update of the console though and Internet connectivity.
  • Ban consoles of users who run modified firmware. Also works only with Internet connectivity.
  • Release games that require a specific firmware version.
  • Release a new PS5 revision that has new BootRom keys.

As is stands, all current PS5 consoles are vulnerable to the exploit and they may fetch a premium on second-hand marketplaces as well, if Sony releases a revised version of its PS5.

PlayStation 30th anniversary

Sony is launching the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

The first PlayStation launched on December 3, 1994. To celebrate that launch, Sony announced the PlayStation 30th Anniversary Collection today. It features two limited consoles and three peripherals, including a limited PlayStation 5 Pro console (without disc drive).

It will be “highly limited” according to Sony, more about that further down below.

Here is what Sony plans to release:

  • PlayStation 5 Pro Console – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition BundIe
  • PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle

Both consoles feature the classic gray color scheme of the original PlayStation. They come with a vertical stand, which is sold separately, if you buy regular versions of the PlayStation.

Both versions have no disc drive, but include a matching cover for a disc drive. Both consoles come with a limited PlayStation 5 controller, four PlayStation Shapes cable ties, a PlayStation sticker, one of 30 limited edition PlayStation posters, and a PlayStation paperclip.

So, no PS5 Pro or PS5 with disc drive. Sony says that there will be 12,300 PlayStation 5 Pro console units in the limited design. Each console has its limited number etched onto the unit. The number represents December 3, the day and month of the launch of the first PS console.

No word on the limits of the other items, including the new PS5 Slim edition.

The following hardware is also sold separately:

  • PlayStation Portal Remote Player – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition (standalone)
  • DualSense Edge Wireless Controller – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition (standalone)
  • DualSense Wireless Controller – 30th Anniversary Limited Edition (standalone)

Preorders begin on September 26 in regions where PlayStation Direct is available. In regions where Playstation Direct is not available, preorders may also begin on September 26, but only for some items.

Sony plans to release the anniversary collection on November 21, 2024. It has not revealed the price for any of the listed items.

You can read the full announcement here.

It seems likely that the limited edition will sell out quickly. 12,300 units across all regions means that there is a tiny number that is sold in each region. While some users may be interested in the non-Pro 30th anniversary edition as well, it is probably a good idea to try your luck directly on September 26th, if you want to grab one of the consoles.

Scrapers are probably licking their fingers already to resell the limited editions on sites like eBay for a small fortune.

PS5 Pro Price

The Price of the discless Sony PS5 Pro is insane

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Sony announced the PlayStation 5 Pro officially today on YouTube during a tech reveal. It pretty much offers what leakers revealed weeks and months ago already. It is a system that is more powerful than the regular PlayStation 5 and supports AI upscaling.

I have to admit that I had plans to buy it. I’m not a huge gamer anymore, but I like to play from time to time. I did own a PS5 in the past, but sold it as I ran out of games to play.

The PS5 Pro would have been a good replacement, but the price is so far off that I won’t buy it. Here are the details:

  • Base PlayStation 5 Pro costs $699, £699 or €799. No disc drive, no vertical stand, but 2TB of storage, fully compatible with hardware, games and accessories.
  • Disc drive costs extra $79 in the US. In the EU, it costs €119.99.
  • Vertical stand is an extra $29 in the US. In the EU, it costs €29.99.

If you want a full PS5 with disc drive and stand, you end up with $800 in the US and almost €950 in the EU. That is without any games.

You can buy a good gaming PC for that money that plays more games and does a lot of other things that the PS5 Pro does not support.

Here is the presentation video, in case you are interested.

Maybe the price will come down eventually, but for now, it is one hell of an expensive console to buy.

Are you a gamer? What is your take on the price of the PS5 Pro? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

PlayStation

PlayStation Network: passkey support coming soon

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

PlayStation users may soon protect their account with a passkey. A support page is already available on the official PlayStation website, but some of the functionality is not yet usable.

Passkey is a new technology that promises to be more secure than username and passwords. One of the main advantages is that passkeys are created locally. Private information that is essential for the authentication process stays local. This means that attackers may no longer use phishing attacks to take over accounts. Other attack types, including server breaches or network spying, will also become useless in this regard.

When users create accounts with a password, a hash of the password is stored on the company’s server. This hash may be turned back into the password. The effectiveness depends on the strength of the user password and other parameters.

Passkeys offer another advantage: they remove the need to type passwords. While that may not be such a problem on computers, especially if password managers are used, it can be a nuisance when signing in to the PlayStation.

While there is more to security than strong passwords and two-factor authentication, or passkeys, it is without doubt of high importance.

PlayStation Network: Passkeys support

PlayStation Network: passkey support

The official passkey page on Sony’s website describes the security feature. The prominent “activate now” button opens the security settings on the PlayStation website.

The option to generate a passkey is not yet available. The link to the FAQ returns a 404 not found error at this time. It is unclear when the functionality becomes available, but it cannot be long before Sony makes an official announcement.

Some information is revealed on the landing page. Sony writes:

A passkey is a password replacement that provides faster, easier, and more secure sign-in to your account for PlayStation Network. It allows you to access your account without a password. Instead, you sign in through your mobile device or computer using the same convenient device screen unlocking method like a fingerprint, face scan or PIN.

Once set up, PlayStation users may sign-in to their account using the passkey. Passkey support may be limited to biometrics or a device PIN. It is unclear if Sony plans to support hardware security keys as well.

These keys, like the Google Titan Security Key, are inserted into USB ports for authorization. Some have buttons that users need to press to complete the authentication process.

Sony confirms that the PlayStation 5 and the older PlayStation 4 will support passkeys.

Closing Words

More and more Internet services and companies add support for passkeys. It is an excellent new system that promises protection against common threats. While that is the case, there are things that make it less usable in some cases. Since passkeys are created on the local device, it may be necessary to generate them on all devices, copy them or find a way to sync them.

Now You: do you use passkeys already?

sony ps5 slim

Refreshed PlayStation 5: slimmer, lighter and slightly more storage

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Sony released the original PlayStation 5 console in two versions three years ago. One PS5 included a Blu-Ray disc drive, the other did not.

This initial version of the PS5 won’t be available for much longer. Sony unveiled a new, slimmer version of the PlayStation 5. This version will replace the classic version of the console this year.

The new model is lighter and slimmer, but that is not the only difference. Sony plans to replace the original model with the new one. Old models are no longer in production but they remain available until the remaining stock is depleted.

Sony PlayStation 5 Slim

Refreshed Sony PlayStation 5 with detachable disc drive

The new version of the PS5 is slimmer and lighter than the classic version. While not called Slim by Sony, it is definitely a smaller version. The new PS5 is offered in two versions, one with a Blu-Ray disc, the other without, just like the original models.

The weight of the disc-based version drops from 3.9 kg to 3.2 kg and dimensions shrink to 36 x 10 x 22 cm from 39 x 10 x 26 cm.

The disc-less model’s weight is 2.6 kg, down from 3.4 kg, and the size shrinks to 36 x 8 x 22 cm from 39 x 9 x 26 cm.

Weight and dimensions are not the only characteristics that change. Owners of the disc-less version may purchase a Blu-Ray drive to turn it into a PS5 console with disc drive. The new Blu-Ray drive may be attached to the console. It is sold separately for 79.99 USD | 119.99 EURO | 99.99 GBP | 11,980 JPY according to Sony. The add-on drive is only compatible with the new PS5, not the classic disc-less version.

This is not the only difference though. The consoles include a a horizontal stand. A vertical stand may be purchased separately for 29.99 USD | 29.99 EURO | 24.99 GBP | 3,980 JPY.

Last but not least, PS5 Console Covers will become available in early 2024. These will change the look of the console. Covers start at 54.99 USD | 54.99 EUR | 44.99 GBP | 7,480 JPY.

Refreshed Sony PlayStation 5: hardware changes and price

Sony’s new PlayStation 5 models use the same hardware components as the classic versions, with one exception. The hard drives of both models have a size of 1 TB now, compared to 825 GB of the old models.

The new PS5 models have two USB-C ports at the front and one USB-A port at the back. The original version has an USB-C and an USB-A port in the front. Everything else looks identical.

Availability of the new consoles

The new PlayStation 5 models will be released in November in the United States. The price of the disc version is $499.99 and the price of the disc-less version $449.99. The base price of the disc-less version jumped by $50.

Here is the retail price in other regions:

Europe

  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 549.99 EUR
  • PS5 Digital Edition – 449.99 EUR

UK

  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 479.99 GBP
  • PS5 Digital Edition – 389.99 GBP

Japan

  • PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – 66,980 JPY (includes tax)
  • PS5 Digital Edition – 59,980 JPY (includes tax)

The new models will roll out worldwide soon thereafter according to Sony.

Verdict

The new Sony PlayStation 5 Slim console is different from the original one in several ways. The option to purchase the Blu-Ray drive as an add-on is a welcome addition. The console offers 175 GB of extra storage, which is always great, considering that games can easily exceed 100 GB nowadays.

No USB-A port on the front may make it more difficult for some users to play on the system while the controller is charging. There is also the question of heat and whether the slimmer design has an impact on that. It is hotter on average than the larger, but older, models?

Most owners of the original PS5 won’t likely migrate to the new console. The extra bit of storage and the slimmer dimensions may tempt some, however. I’d wait for tests to come out to make sure that heating is not a problem in these newer versions.

The increased price of the digital version makes it even less attractive than before. It is just $50 cheaper than the disc-based version, which allows PS5 owners to share games with friends and resell purchased games.

Now You: do you own a PS5 or plan to?