Hacked PS4 Runs Pokemon and Linux
By Denny Connolly 26 December 2015
A group of hackers manage to bypass the PlayStation 4 security measures and install a custom Linux OS and start playing a modded version of Pokemon Emerald.
It has been over two years since Sony released the PS4 and the console has proven to be quite secure. There have been no widespread reports of users hacking the hardware to unlock it (despite frequent threats to PSN) and potentially allow for bootlegged games, but that doesn’t mean tinkerers haven’t been trying. A recent video from a group of hackers reveals that the crew managed to get around the console’s security systems and is ready to share their technique.
The FailOverflow group has written a custom version of Linux for the console and released the download for free on their website. In the demonstration video, the hacked PS4 can be seen running a game called Pokemon PlayStation Version, which Nintendo fans will likely recognize as a modded version of Pokemon Emerald.
FailOverflow isn’t new to the hacking scene and the group has already been credited with hacks to the Wii, Wii U, and PlayStation 3. It seems to have taken the group longer than usual to publish proof of a hacked PS4, but it’s not surprising that Sony has made things more difficult than ever with this generation.
Although the Xbox One put more of a marketing focus on always online and digital games in the lead up to this console generation, Sony also was well-aware that a move towards a more secure system with digital games would help avoid bootlegging and reduce the secondhand market. The PS4 and Xbox One have both proven difficult for hackers to crack and that has helped Sony and Microsoft ensure that players are paying retail for games as often as possible.
During the demo, the hackers seemed impressed with the PS4 architecture and even managed to compliment the system’s engineers a few times. Although many modders and hackers claim that the projects are just a hobby and that they don’t intend to do anything illegal, it’s easy to see why these activities can make big companies like Sony or Microsoft nervous. The creators spend a lot of time setting up security on these machines and seeing hackers work around the security measures has got to be frustrating.
Security risks aside, we definitely would love the opportunity to play Pokemon on another machine…
What do you think of the hacked PS4? Would you ever do something like this to one of your consoles? Let us know in the comments.
Source: FailOverflow
