Unlicensed cheat devices

Ever since the 10NES lockout chip, it seems like every console has had some sort of DRM/region protection/security protection feature. And ever since the first Game Genie, it seems like some one always manages to break that security. This game of cat-and-mouse has always fascinated me, but I've found very little hard information on this metagame. I've heard rumors, of course, like Datel being the first to crack the Dreamcast's security by discovering the MIL-CD format, which Utopia supposedly reverse-engineered in the creation of their infamous boot disc. Or Datel allegedly buying licensed PS2 games, then cutting out the security ring to paste into their own product.

There's a fascinating site called Folklore.org, which documents stories from the development of the original Macintosh in the early 80s. Is there any repository of stories and facts about these cheat devices and the people who create them? Or any people on this board who care to share their knowledge?

 

For the gamecube discs, Datel made their own mastering machines. There was an article in EDGE magazine back in the day, an inside look at the history of Datel. Unfortunately I no longer have my EDGE mag collection.

 

I've wondered this myself. Unlicensed discs like HDLoader (and related) and swap discs and stuff for the PS2 are what I think about most.
Is it just a physical process that a consumer cannot replicate? Something in the process of professionally-pressed discs? Is someone keeping secrets?

Datel's site http://www.datel.co.uk/ has a nice little video on the home page showing off all their expensive equipment used to reverse-engineer stuff. Hmm, I see.

 

all of the above depending on the platform.

 

As you may or may not know, the Sega v. Accolade case was instrumental in allowing this kind of reverse engineering to legally continue. Who knows what might've happened to Action Replays, region adapters, Freeloaders etc. if Sega had won the case.

 

True. And even the DMCA, for all its superfluous evil, explicitly allows reverse engineering for the purpose of compatibility. This is why Palm can get away with making their Pre sync-compatible with iTunes (like an iPod) and Apple can't do a thing about it except rewrite code to try and prevent it.

 

Interesting. That answers my question from the Datel thread, coincidentally.

 

that video on datel's site is very interesting! thanks for the heads up.

 

Interestingly though Sega actually licensed Game Genie for Genesis I believe. I'm not sure any other cheat device was ever licensed.

 

No other Game Genie was licensed, no Game Shark or Action Replay was ever licensed.

Those are the major players in the cheat device market, i can't imagine any of the other ones being licensed.

 

I reverse-engineered some reverse-enginnering and HAD NOTHING.

 

Great video, although they seem to be missing the most important department..the legal department

 

Hehehehe

 

Wow, that Datel video was surprisingly informative. It's nice to have a more detailed picture of what actually goes on in... well, state-of-the-art reverse engineering. h:

 

I especially like how they made all their engineers put on white lab coats for the video. How much you wanna bet half those guys usually show up for work in jeans and tshirts? :033:

 

Kind of a bummer the era of these things are over I sure as hell could've used one to make Sonic Unleashed fun

 

They don't. When you work in a lab or factory you have to wear it and it's also practical as your clothes stay clean when you go home.

 

The Passport Plus v3 for N64 I always wondered if its source was ripped from the action replay, seems impressive if not.