I read recently that someone figured out that the unlicensed GCN discs (Action Replay, Free Loaders, Advance Game Port, etc) all used some sort of header that tricked the GCN into thinking it was a real pressed GCN disc. Apparently if they can figure out this "water mark" and how to throw it on a blank disc, then we'll be able to easily burn discs for play on un-modded Gamecubes. (Obviously Ninty figured this out as well, which is how they're able to block these discs on Wii's with firmware 3.00+)
The reason I'm excited about the idea is because I have a feeling it will lead to some post-mortum Gamecube games. I know at least some of you out there would be just as thrilled to see some new GCN games materialize.
So who else has heard about this? Who's got more info than I? What's everyone's thoughts?
My first instinct is to always oppose unlicensed games. But I guess I should get over that since the 'cube is out of print now (as are all the 'cube games) so this isn't going to reduce any sales.
I suppose having back-ups would be nice, though I've yet to ever lose a Gamecube game to wear and tear.
As for homebrew games...does anyone know if the 'cube is easy to program for?
Maybe now Nintendo will acknowledge Metroid has a fanbase?
Flake wrote:
As for homebrew games...does anyone know if the 'cube is easy to program for?
Apparently, since it's a lot like the Wii, there's been a huge leap in homebrew progress for it. I could see a big underground.
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Can't you already run unlicensed games with an easily made SD adaptor? Being able to run backup discs is good, but rewritable solid state media is better.
We are prepared to live in the plain and die in the plain!
Hatta wrote:Can't you already run unlicensed games with an easily made SD adaptor? Being able to run backup discs is good, but rewritable solid state media is better.
yes you can. That's the soft-mod. And you can run games from backup media if your Cube is hard-modded. BUT if the system was capable of playing burned media without doing ANYTHING to it at all, then that would mean new unlicensed games could be created even for people who don't want to bother dicking around with soft/hard-modding.
Plus, having a new game with a manual and artwork is a lot cooler than throwing a file on an SD card.
It would be awesome if the cube kept getting new games (since nintendo is done with it). I hope indy developers will use the cube like some are using the dreamcast.
GamerMON wrote:It would be awesome if the cube kept getting new games (since nintendo is done with it). I hope indy developers will use the cube like some are using the dreamcast.
same here. I just think that if they do figure out how to burn the discs and play them un-modded, then there will be a lot more reason to do so.
It's not possible to play burned media on a stock gamecube without a mod chip or some sort of softmod (ActionReplay, PhantasyStar/BBA, modchip). The reason is that an official pressed disc has data in the BCA (burst cutting area) that it looks for.
gtmtnbiker wrote:It's not possible to play burned media on a stock gamecube without a mod chip or some sort of softmod (ActionReplay, PhantasyStar/BBA, modchip). The reason is that an official pressed disc has data in the BCA (burst cutting area) that it looks for.
I know, but obviously there's a way to mimic the BCA (or trick the Gamecube) which is how the Free Loader disc, Action Replay disc, etc were able to boot on the Cube.
modrobert writes: "What first looked like a general lesson in electronics by tmbinc turned out to be GameCube disc related, I should have known. The screen dump from his oscilloscope shows the 'laser mark' from a Datel disc (ultimate cheatcodes), which interestingly enough isn't actually a real laser mark but simply embedded in the datastream according to tmbinc. This is the trick used by Datel to boot their discs (eg. Action Replay) in unmodified GameCube's, now explained in detail. At this point I'm not sure if this leads closer to create bootable discs (as if original) on your own, but he has my full attention from now on. o_O Deja vu Dreamcast! Quote tmbinc: 'Every now and then, I come across something on my scope that's just beautiful.'
