Let’s assume I was trying to run homebrew applications on my PSP. For this hypothetical scenario, my sole purpose for doing this would be to play PSone games on my PSP. Likewise assume that I own all of the games I will be using an emulator to play on the PSP and the programs I will be using to do so are free to use. The only thing stopping me from doing so would be the software running on the PSP. Is this at all fair? Is it right that the manufacturers of both handheld and home consoles control nearly every aspect of how we use them?

This restrictive use benefits only console makers, not gamers. In fact, probably the only positive effect if has on us is that we see consoles a little earlier than we might have. That is to say, were consoles completely open, those who make them would probably find little reason to sell them at a loss. Though the benefits to those who make the consoles would certainly diminish were the systems to be opened up, there would still be opportunity for monetary gain. Indeed, a great risk is assumed in manufacturing a console. However, I would argue that there would be less risk in manufacturing an open console since the manufacturer is essentially ceding control to the consumer once the console is sold.

That may not be sufficient to sway the opinions of large corporations. In fact, this is illustrated no better than with the iPhone, the freeing of which expressly voids the warranty. Though my time with this hardware is minimal, I have seen it both jailbroken and with stock apps. The jaibroken phone was far more interesting, though the expensive plan and crappy battery would keep me from purchasing one and trying it out. Additionally, I have not known Apple products to be the most reliable, so getting the iPhone with the intention of jailbreaking assumes a lot of risk on your part. It adds up to a good reason not to get a beautiful piece of hardware, which kills me ever so slightly inside.

Another example of ridiculous restrictions is the Xbox 360 hard drive. Recently I heard it was possible to switch out the drive that came with the system for a different third party drive. Disappointed as I am in my measly 15 gigs I thought I would switch it out. However, upon researching the method I decided it wasn’t worth the risk. The technical voodoo and finesse involved were not only above my head, but I was reluctant to submit a system which had failed on me, twice, to such a rigorous process. But why? Why in an age of abundant memory should I have to settle for less than a tenth of the storage space on my laptop? That’s just sad, especially with the increase in digital game distribution and the likely rise of such in the future.

However, all of this nonsense stands in stark contrast with what can be done on a DS. Notes, ebooks, MSN, there is very little functionality that hasn’t been added to the DS. All that is needed is a flash system compatible with the DS (go Google it, this isn’t a how to) and you are pretty much good to go. I am computer literate not a computer whiz and I had no trouble (in a hypothetical scenario) getting NES games to run on my DS. Jackal anyone?

Of course this only leaves me with more questions than answers. Is Nintendo’s approach the best we can hope for? (Their “see no evil” approach only goes so far, they aren’t afraid to go to court over it.) Yet, think of the possibilities were a system to be designed with complete openness in mind. Imagine the gaming paradise that would result. Of course piracy would remain a major concern, but does that concern justify gimping these powerful machines? Why do we allow it? Would you buy a car that only ran on certain roads? Piracy is always a concern, but as we’ve seen from the failed RIAA crusade against those who pirate music, those who want to steal will always find a way. Not only is it pointless to fight it, but only the honest people suffer. The gaming industry has to learn its lesson before it ends up like the music industry; don’t make it easy on the pirates, but don’t take it out on the rest of us either.

-Matt Frank

Tags: DS, iPhone, Jackal, Jailbreak, NES, Pandora, piracy, PSP, R4, RIAA, Xbox 360

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