Live in Your World, HAX in Ours!
Hello World! I've been reporting on Sony PlayStation hacking news since 2000 and started PSXHAX in 2014 to cover PlayStation (PSX), PlayStation 2 (PS2), PlayStation 3 (PS3), PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation Portable (PSP), PlayStation Vita (PS Vita), PlayStation TV (PS TV) and next-gen PlayStation 5 (PS5) platforms along with anything else of interest.
Click on my UserName author link above and you'll be able to view a curated list of all the articles I've contributed thus far to PSXHAX.COM!
Click on my UserName author link above and you'll be able to view a curated list of all the articles I've contributed thus far to PSXHAX.COM!
Sony Announces Play At Home Initiative Offering Free PS4 Games
Sony's latest initiative to promote staying safe at home while practicing social distancing includes offering the free PS4 games Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey available to download from April 15th through May 5th. 
Personally I'm focusing on building up my Plex Server during this time, but here are the details for those interested from Sony Interactive Entertainment President & CEO Jim Ryan to quote:
People all over the world are doing the right thing by staying home to help contain the spread of COVID–19. We are deeply grateful to everyone practicing physical distancing and take our responsibility as a home entertainment platform seriously, so we are asking our community to continue supporting the safe choice and the need to Play At Home.
As a thank you to all who are doing their part to lessen the impact of this pandemic, Sony Interactive Entertainment is pleased to announce the Play At Home initiative.
Play At Home has two components: first, providing free games to help keep the PlayStation community entertained at home; and finally, establishing a fund to help smaller independent game studios who may be experiencing financial difficulties continue building great experiences for all gamers.
Free Games to Play At Home
To support Play At Home, PlayStation will try to make those occasionally dull moments more exciting by offering Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey available for free* for a limited time through digital downloads from April 15 at 8pm PDT through May 5, 2020 at 8pm PDT Once you redeem the games, they are yours to keep.
For most of you, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will need no introduction. This three-game collection from the masters at Naughty Dog includes Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception—all meticulously remastered for PS4. We can’t imagine a better time for globe-trotting adventures with Nathan Drake, an iconic cast of characters, and thrilling treasure-hunting action gameplay.
Then there’s Journey, a beautiful, celebrated adventure that is as moving as it...
Personally I'm focusing on building up my Plex Server during this time, but here are the details for those interested from Sony Interactive Entertainment President & CEO Jim Ryan to quote:
People all over the world are doing the right thing by staying home to help contain the spread of COVID–19. We are deeply grateful to everyone practicing physical distancing and take our responsibility as a home entertainment platform seriously, so we are asking our community to continue supporting the safe choice and the need to Play At Home.
As a thank you to all who are doing their part to lessen the impact of this pandemic, Sony Interactive Entertainment is pleased to announce the Play At Home initiative.
Play At Home has two components: first, providing free games to help keep the PlayStation community entertained at home; and finally, establishing a fund to help smaller independent game studios who may be experiencing financial difficulties continue building great experiences for all gamers.
Free Games to Play At Home
To support Play At Home, PlayStation will try to make those occasionally dull moments more exciting by offering Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey available for free* for a limited time through digital downloads from April 15 at 8pm PDT through May 5, 2020 at 8pm PDT Once you redeem the games, they are yours to keep.
For most of you, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection will need no introduction. This three-game collection from the masters at Naughty Dog includes Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception—all meticulously remastered for PS4. We can’t imagine a better time for globe-trotting adventures with Nathan Drake, an iconic cast of characters, and thrilling treasure-hunting action gameplay.
Then there’s Journey, a beautiful, celebrated adventure that is as moving as it...
Ferrox 4.86 PS3 CFW Featuring Cobra 8.20 by Alexander is Released
Following their previous revision and the 4.86 Rebug PS3 CFW update, PlayStation 3 developer @Alexanderss recently released Ferrox PS3 Custom Firmware (CFW) 4.86 v1.00 Cobra 8.20 adding support for PS3 Firmware 4.86 with the changes outlined below for those who still own a PS3 video game console. 
Download: CEXFERROXCOBRA486.pup (198.9 MB) / Mirror
PUP MD5: 63937bb8dbb900b3f5be17f91d8c57c4
To quote from LizZo on their latest PS3 Custom Firmware release, roughly translated:
Didn't you think we were giving you a hole ..? The PS3 is not yet dead, in fact we have a new Firmware as you know, the 4.86. And I think it's not even the last.
As always, we do our job for the community, releasing the Cybermodding Custom Firmware, the good old FERROX. Here we are to present you the new CFW FERROX 4.86, with integrated COBRA 8.20 functions.
We know that developer Aldo Vargas is working on a new version of COBRA, so it is not excluded that there will be other revisions of our FERROX too. Speaking of the CFW in question. There are no improvements in the system. It is practically equal to 4.85.
FEATURES OF THE CFW:
Download: CEXFERROXCOBRA486.pup (198.9 MB) / Mirror
PUP MD5: 63937bb8dbb900b3f5be17f91d8c57c4
To quote from LizZo on their latest PS3 Custom Firmware release, roughly translated:
Didn't you think we were giving you a hole ..? The PS3 is not yet dead, in fact we have a new Firmware as you know, the 4.86. And I think it's not even the last.
As always, we do our job for the community, releasing the Cybermodding Custom Firmware, the good old FERROX. Here we are to present you the new CFW FERROX 4.86, with integrated COBRA 8.20 functions.
We know that developer Aldo Vargas is working on a new version of COBRA, so it is not excluded that there will be other revisions of our FERROX too. Speaking of the CFW in question. There are no improvements in the system. It is practically equal to 4.85.
FEATURES OF THE CFW:
- Built on the basis of the OFW 4.86 SONY.
- PSN / SEN Enabled.
- Ability to Update from any CFW (CEX).
- Ability to Update from OFW 3.55 and original Firmware 4.86 [with PS3Xploit - compatible consoles only]
- Possibility of Downgrade from any CFW with active QA Flags.
- QA Flags active if previously enabled.
- FEATURE - COBRA Patches added 8.20
- FEATURE - New optional look of the XMB.
- FEATURE - PS2 Games Compatibility.
- FEATURE - Compatibility PSP games in ISO / Minis / Remaster format.
- FEATURE - Compatibility with the latest version of ReactPSN.
- FEATURE - RSOD Screen Bypass for Console affected by RSOD.
- ...
Fallout 76 Wastelanders Update Incoming, Latest PS4 Trailer Video
Proceeding the Fallout 4 PC Mods on PS4, Bethesda Game Studios welcome fans to Fallout 76 the online prequel where players decide whether to work together or not to survive... available tomorrow or later today depending on your region. 
Under the threat of nuclear annihilation, you'll experience the largest, most dynamic world ever created in the legendary Fallout universe.
In Fallout 76: Wastelanders, people are now coming back to West Virginia. Two vying factions are struggling to gain the upper hand as the secrets of West Virginia are revealed. The Settlers have come to find a new home, and the Raiders have come to exploit them. Embark on a new quest for the Overseer, forge alliances with competing factions, and uncover the truth of what's hidden in the mountains.
Featuring a new story, NPCs, events, weapons and more check out the latest trailer video from Content Manager Anne Lewis with further details below via Lead Designer Ferret Baudoin to quote:
How does the new questline fit into the existing main quest? Do players need to be a certain level to enjoy the new quest material?
The Wastelander questline is really two separate stories. The first story arc you get immediately after leaving Vault 76 and it’s centered around a new watering hole called The Wayward. The Wayward is run by the friendly (and sometimes grumpy) bartender, Duchess, who has a fair bit of trouble she needs help getting out of.
Duchess points players to Fallout 76’s base questline, as well, and players can mix and match between doing the new storyline and the original. The original quests also have additional life breathed into them with new NPCs here and there, plus full conversations with some of the launch characters (like Rose and MODUS).
The second quest arc (and the meatier of the two) starts in Sutton after players have hit level 20. In this quest you’ll meet the Raiders and Settlers and get to the bottom of the mysterious treasure of Appalachia. Although the Wayward line doesn’t get you to level 20 by itself, doing the original questline plus exploring the Forest and Toxic Valley should get you there in no time at all.
:idea...
Under the threat of nuclear annihilation, you'll experience the largest, most dynamic world ever created in the legendary Fallout universe.
In Fallout 76: Wastelanders, people are now coming back to West Virginia. Two vying factions are struggling to gain the upper hand as the secrets of West Virginia are revealed. The Settlers have come to find a new home, and the Raiders have come to exploit them. Embark on a new quest for the Overseer, forge alliances with competing factions, and uncover the truth of what's hidden in the mountains.
Featuring a new story, NPCs, events, weapons and more check out the latest trailer video from Content Manager Anne Lewis with further details below via Lead Designer Ferret Baudoin to quote:
How does the new questline fit into the existing main quest? Do players need to be a certain level to enjoy the new quest material?
The Wastelander questline is really two separate stories. The first story arc you get immediately after leaving Vault 76 and it’s centered around a new watering hole called The Wayward. The Wayward is run by the friendly (and sometimes grumpy) bartender, Duchess, who has a fair bit of trouble she needs help getting out of.
Duchess points players to Fallout 76’s base questline, as well, and players can mix and match between doing the new storyline and the original. The original quests also have additional life breathed into them with new NPCs here and there, plus full conversations with some of the launch characters (like Rose and MODUS).
The second quest arc (and the meatier of the two) starts in Sutton after players have hit level 20. In this quest you’ll meet the Raiders and Settlers and get to the bottom of the mysterious treasure of Appalachia. Although the Wayward line doesn’t get you to level 20 by itself, doing the original questline plus exploring the Forest and Toxic Valley should get you there in no time at all.
:idea...
Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle Joins PS4 Next Week
Featuring well over a dozen classic beat 'em up video games from the late 1980s and early 1990s, next week the Double Dragon & Kunio-kun Retro Brawler Bundle joins PlayStation 4 from Arc System Works. Happy Easter folks! 
Retrogamers can step back in time with Double Dragon (1987), Double Dragon 2: The Revenge (1988), Double Dragon 3: The Sacred Stones (1990), Renegade, Super Dodge Ball, River City Ransom, Nekketsu Fighting Legend, Nekketsu High School Dodgeball Club — Soccer Story, Go-Go! Nekketsu Hockey Club Slip-and-Slide Madness and 15 other games from the Kunio-kun franchise!
Check out the PS4 Launch Trailer video below, and here's what else is heading to PlayStation 4 next week from Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications Manager Justin Massongill:
New PlayStation Games for April 14, 2020
Retrogamers can step back in time with Double Dragon (1987), Double Dragon 2: The Revenge (1988), Double Dragon 3: The Sacred Stones (1990), Renegade, Super Dodge Ball, River City Ransom, Nekketsu Fighting Legend, Nekketsu High School Dodgeball Club — Soccer Story, Go-Go! Nekketsu Hockey Club Slip-and-Slide Madness and 15 other games from the Kunio-kun franchise!
Check out the PS4 Launch Trailer video below, and here's what else is heading to PlayStation 4 next week from Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications Manager Justin Massongill:
New PlayStation Games for April 14, 2020
- AFL Evolution 2 - PS4 — Digital (Apr. 16)
- Blind Men - PS4, PS Vita — Digital (Cross-Buy)
- Crash’n the Boys Street Challenge - PS4 — Digital (Out Apr. 16)
- Double Dragon - PS4 — Digital (Out Apr. 16)
- Double Dragon II - PS4 — Digital (Out Apr. 16)
- Double Dragon III - PS4 — Digital (Out Apr. 16)
- Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour Collector’s Edition - PS4 — Digital, Retail (Out Apr. 15)
- Freakout: Calamity TV Show - PS4 — Digital (Out Apr. 17)
- Renegade - PS4 — Digital (Out Apr. 16)
- River City Ransom - PS4 — Digital (Out Apr. 16)
- Spider Solitaire F - PS4 — Digital (Out Apr. 16)
- Trolls: World Tour
- Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge
- Underwater
Final Fantasy VII Remake PS4 Combat Tips from Square Enix
With the FFVII Remake and PS4 Themes live this weekend, here are seven top combat tips straight from Square Enix as Midgar can be a dangerous place. 
Check them all out below from Web Content Editor Duncan Heaney, to quote:
1. Use ATB as much as you can
Final Fantasy VII Remake’s combat system revolves around ATB. As you battle, two bars will fill up beneath the characters’ HP indicators. When one of these is full, you can spend it on an ability, spell or item.
Standard attacks don’t do much damage, but they do fill up the ATB gauges faster so you can issue more commands. Switching between characters regularly also helps, as your input will fill their gauges faster too.
When you have ATB available, use it because these spells and abilities are the best way to cause damage to enemies.
2. Remember that you can block
There are two basic defensive techniques available from the start of Final Fantasy VII Remake: a block and a dodge-roll.
If you block, you’ll take reduced damage from enemy attacks. Rolling away, on the other hand, can negate damage entirely. With that in mind, you’d be forgiven for assuming that the dodge-roll is always the best option. It’s not.
For one thing, the timing can be quite tricky — if the enemy lands a hit, you’re going to suffer the full effect. Blocking the attack is much more reliable and is often the safer tactic — particularly if you’re facing a speedy foe like the Shinra Shock Troopers.
Blocking has other useful effects too. Some enemies have attacks that knock you off your feet, but blocking often negates this effect. While you will take a little bit of damage, it leaves you close enough to counterattack very quickly.
Also worth noting is that if you block a melee attack while Cloud is in Punisher mode (activated by pressing triangle), he will retaliate with a powerful counter. This is fantastic against certain enemies – like the afore-mentioned Shock Troopers.
3. Heal between battles
The denizens of Midgar are dangerous — many can deliver dramatic damage to your party. So make sure you enter every fight in tip-top shape.
You can heal in battle with magic or items, but this will cost you a bar of ATB. That means that if you dive into the fray with your...
Check them all out below from Web Content Editor Duncan Heaney, to quote:
1. Use ATB as much as you can
Final Fantasy VII Remake’s combat system revolves around ATB. As you battle, two bars will fill up beneath the characters’ HP indicators. When one of these is full, you can spend it on an ability, spell or item.
Standard attacks don’t do much damage, but they do fill up the ATB gauges faster so you can issue more commands. Switching between characters regularly also helps, as your input will fill their gauges faster too.
When you have ATB available, use it because these spells and abilities are the best way to cause damage to enemies.
2. Remember that you can block
There are two basic defensive techniques available from the start of Final Fantasy VII Remake: a block and a dodge-roll.
If you block, you’ll take reduced damage from enemy attacks. Rolling away, on the other hand, can negate damage entirely. With that in mind, you’d be forgiven for assuming that the dodge-roll is always the best option. It’s not.
For one thing, the timing can be quite tricky — if the enemy lands a hit, you’re going to suffer the full effect. Blocking the attack is much more reliable and is often the safer tactic — particularly if you’re facing a speedy foe like the Shinra Shock Troopers.
Blocking has other useful effects too. Some enemies have attacks that knock you off your feet, but blocking often negates this effect. While you will take a little bit of damage, it leaves you close enough to counterattack very quickly.
Also worth noting is that if you block a melee attack while Cloud is in Punisher mode (activated by pressing triangle), he will retaliate with a powerful counter. This is fantastic against certain enemies – like the afore-mentioned Shock Troopers.
3. Heal between battles
The denizens of Midgar are dangerous — many can deliver dramatic damage to your party. So make sure you enter every fight in tip-top shape.
You can heal in battle with magic or items, but this will cost you a bar of ATB. That means that if you dive into the fray with your...