Gaming Forums => Nintendo Gaming => Topic started by: shammack on May 25, 2008, 08:40:12 PM
Title: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: shammack on May 25, 2008, 08:40:12 PM
The Homebrew Channel (http://hbc.hackmii.com/download/) has been released; allows you to easily run stuff from your SD card without having to rearrange your files and do the Twilight Princess trick every time, and has quite a nice interface.
I have to wonder, though, about the wisdom of making a special channel for this that shows up in your play history and everything. We know Nintendo is spying on us; seems like calling attention to it like that will only expedite their attempts to disable it.
But that didn't stop me from trying it out. Finally I can accomplish my lifelong dream of playing SCUMM games with the Wiimote.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 25, 2008, 09:23:55 PM
I have it installed on my Wii. The only bad thing is, currently, since you install it via a .elf, there's no WAD to use an uninstaller for. I don't have any of the pirated WiiWare or VC games (VC is useless now, FCEU Wii and SNES9x are amazing), just homebrew.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 26, 2008, 02:44:57 AM
Game emulation and ROMs is off limits in these forums.
~Pale
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 26, 2008, 10:18:48 AM
Game emulation and ROMs is off limits in these forums.
~Pale
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 26, 2008, 10:49:01 AM
This thread in general has tons of apps, with nice icons and descriptions, for use with the Wii Homebrew Channel. Keep in mind for most apps that use the Wiimote, you have to wait about 10 seconds after opening the program, then press 1+2 on the Wiimote to enable it. It's instant on the HBC itself, however.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Morari on May 26, 2008, 11:38:06 AM
I had just finished reading about this on Slashdot. Now if only I had a modchip or Zelda to install and try this out with. I have been thinking hard about those Argon modchips...
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 26, 2008, 01:50:21 PM
No need for a modchip, there's even (free) homebrew for booting out-of-region games. You can boot any Gamecube or Wii homebrew without a chip now. Also, you can just rent Zelda, since you only need to run the exploit one time.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on May 26, 2008, 02:24:47 PM
This interests me, but only cause I'm a nerd for teh hax. I'm not sure exactly what this would get me besides emu. Which I don't care about.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 26, 2008, 05:34:03 PM
I was all set to do this but now I'm scared of this screwing up my Wii. If I want to play Genesis games I should probably just get a PSP, if I screw that up it won't be that big of a deal.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 26, 2008, 06:10:30 PM
There's pretty much zero chance of messing up your Wii if you just use the Homebrew Channel and go from there, also, one of the creators (I believe) named bushing has made a disc to fix bricked Wiis, though you may need a modchip for that. It's pretty basic stuff though.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 26, 2008, 06:52:25 PM
I'm still considering it. I'll probably wait until the Wii Genesis emulator allows for saving games.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Pale on May 27, 2008, 04:04:45 PM
Hey guys. Homebrew talk I'll let slide, but direct discussion of ROMs is off limits. So please be careful so I don't have to lock this thread.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Spak-Spang on May 27, 2008, 04:45:22 PM
The only thing I would be worried about with a program like this is Nintendo figuring out a means of blocking it...or even bricking a system that installed the channel. It is one thing to use an exploit of Twilight Princess that but another to actually install a channel that Nintendo may be able to moniter and determine a means to block the application or brick the actual Wii.
I also do not personally support pirating of any kind, and even an innocent type that helps Wii functionality has its darker side already being mentioned here with downloading (stealing) ROMS.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: shammack on May 27, 2008, 06:04:28 PM
I'm pretty disappointed with the applications available so far, to be honest... it seems to be pretty much just emulators. I was hoping to see some cool applications of the Wiimote... but I guess people would rather just write PC software for that stuff, since the hardware of the Wii console isn't anything special.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: ATimson on May 27, 2008, 06:39:48 PM
I'm pretty disappointed with the applications available so far, to be honest... it seems to be pretty much just emulators. I was hoping to see some cool applications of the Wiimote... but I guess people would rather just write PC software for that stuff, since the hardware of the Wii console isn't anything special.
I'm not entirely sure that they've got Wii-side access to the fun Wiimote bits (accelerometers, pointer) yet; they probably have to go through the Wii's OS for that, whereas there's a well-documented driver PC-side for it (GlovePIE).
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: stevey on May 27, 2008, 09:16:38 PM
I'm pretty disappointed with the applications available so far, to be honest... it seems to be pretty much just emulators. I was hoping to see some cool applications of the Wiimote... but I guess people would rather just write PC software for that stuff, since the hardware of the Wii console isn't anything special.
I'm not entirely sure that they've got Wii-side access to the fun Wiimote bits (accelerometers, pointer) yet; they probably have to go through the Wii's OS for that, whereas there's a well-documented driver PC-side for it (GlovePIE).
No they had that from the very start (http://youtube.com/watch?v=H5YB1Mmx7E4) (thread (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=23409.0)), it going to take some time before there something cool on it though.....
I just wish they didn't go over board and just named the channel data "other" so logs of it wouldn't be sent to Nintendo channel and get hidden with cube games, anyone have any ideas how to change it??
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 27, 2008, 09:30:43 PM
so the first time I had any noticeable problems with my PC was immediately after I clicked on that link, any body else have any problems after clicking the link? Just trying to solve a major problem that started yesterday thanks bye.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 27, 2008, 11:33:25 PM
As long as we don't discuss where to get ROMs, it's all good, right? There's lots of non-emulation stuff, like Wii Linux (very, very early), MFE (media center program), Wii Paint (basically a demo), I believe a port of Quake (might be 2 or 3), and quite a bit more. It's hard to find a site that focuses on all of the homebrew stuff, it's usually one thing or the other. Nintendo can potentially block this from working, but they certainly will not brick your Wii (they even repair Wiis with modchips in them that have the SSBB problems, for free, and send you back your chip [and a note telling you that you're a dirty pirate], with a new DVD-ROM). Most of this stuff is available do to something call the Trucha Signer, which allows you to sign content with a bugged "common key" so it will run on the Wii without modification. If homebrew using Trucha ever does get blocked, then it's 100% Datel's fault (boycott this company), because they used the Trucha exploit for the Wii FreeLoader.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Mario on May 28, 2008, 11:23:17 AM
Datel let me play Brawl months before release here (it STILL isn't out) so I love them no matter what.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 28, 2008, 01:14:30 PM
You could have done that without Datel's help though. Datel has always cheated their way onto game consoles. They've never been officially licensed to sell products on any console (I believe), and would use the boot sectors from retail games to boot their discs, from what I've read at least. Crazy Taxi was commonly used for PS2 and Gamecube Action Replay discs.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 28, 2008, 01:22:23 PM
USB support is on it's way. This guy named Sven has been working on it for a while, and now he's releasing the code so other authors can incorporate it in their own homebrew programs. It's only USB 1.1 support, but it's a limitation of the IOS on the Wii, not because of his code. This is great for people who want to use the Wii as a media center (I do, then I can throw my Xbox in my car, though it does upscale DVDs beautifully). Anyone, there's quite a bit of techno-mumbo-jumbo, but it's good news. Note: this has absolutely nothing to do with loading ISOs or anything like that, and hopefully it stays that way.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Pale on May 28, 2008, 01:57:06 PM
Would it be theoretically possible to write a homebrew app that loaded channels off an SD card?
Say you made a channel that "claimed" like 300 blocks of the Wii's internal memory. You click on that channel. It loads a list of the channels stored on your SD card. You pick one of those channels, and the homebrew app automatically clears its 300 blocks, copies the chosen channel to the wii memory, then prompts it to fire up.
Obviously, this wouldn't be super fast, but I bet a lot of people would appreciate it as it would be more convenient than copying it yourself.
Heck, you could make different versions of this channel that "claim" different amounts of memory tied to the max size of a particular type of VC game. Put a pretty graphic on it to represent the system, and we'd even get the organization we'd be wanting.
In my experience, the time sink of copying channels happens when copying TO the SD card. This system could always leave a copy of the game on the SD card so that step would be gone.
Hell, why doesn't Nintendo implement this?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 28, 2008, 02:02:21 PM
or you could just keep all your games on the SD card to begin with, and only copy them one at a time as you play them.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: ATimson on May 28, 2008, 08:51:17 PM
In my experience, the time sink of copying channels happens when copying TO the SD card. This system could always leave a copy of the game on the SD card so that step would be gone.
It seems to me that it's pretty much the same amount of time both ways; maybe if you have a really slow-writing SD card, it'll take noticeably longer to write than to read, but my cards don't seem to.
Nintendo probably doesn't implement it because they don't want people bitching about how long decryption load times are.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 28, 2008, 10:50:44 PM
A channel like what Pale is describing would be best left up to Nintendo themselves.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 28, 2008, 11:58:13 PM
There's currently no way to run a channel off of anything besides the Wii's internal flash, but yes, technically you can uninstall channels and install them without having to lose them from your SD card when you move them back to the Wii. The old way was to use the WAD installer and WAD uninstaller, but now there's a new version called the WAD manager. It's mostly used for copying illegal VC games and WiiWare, but it can be used for good as well. You can dump your Wii's NAND and repack the games you currently have installed as .WAD files, then use uninstall/install them as you please, but it's kind of a pain in the ass from what it looks like. I'm sure sooner or later there will be an easier way to do this.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on May 29, 2008, 12:26:14 AM
anyway to switch out the internal flash? lol
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 29, 2008, 12:47:58 AM
Yes, but you had better have some pretty decent soldering skills, also make sure you dump your original NAND first as well. I know you're joking, but yes, it is possible. It may actually allow you to keep all of your Miis and what not if you ever need a new console - overwrite the new console with your original's dump.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Pale on May 29, 2008, 09:26:08 AM
Man, if people can do that in homebrew land, why the hell can't Nintendo's support services do it? =P
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 29, 2008, 11:28:52 AM
Honestly I think it all boils down to money, Nintendo thinks people will buy more of their over priced SD Cards this way, because they are too afraid people will steal their games any other way they do it, so they came up with the solution that would maximize their profits while seriously reducing the pirate threat.
Since in order to "steal" VC games in the current set up yo have to be very tech savvy and truly dedicated to the cause, they know that so few people will actually take the outrageous steps required to pirate their games they can reduce the risk.
I honestly don't blame them so much because if you are really concerned about the space issue, and you get past the "I want all my VC games on the Wii so I can flip through the channels" then you can find reasonable solutions that work fairly well without being too much of an inconvenience and we get to continue to enjoy the VC support.
In a perfect world Nintendo shouldn't have to worry about thieves and pirates and just give us true storage solutions that meet our growing needs, but in this corrupt world we live in, it ain't gonna happen.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: ATimson on May 29, 2008, 12:14:04 PM
Honestly I think it all boils down to money, Nintendo thinks people will buy more of their over priced SD Cards this way, because they are too afraid people will steal their games any other way they do it, so they came up with the solution that would maximize their profits while seriously reducing the pirate threat.
Which would make sense, if Nintendo actually sold SD cards; however, as far as I can tell they don't. I haven't seen any Nintendo-branded ones locally (white ones by SanDisk trying to cash in, yes, but they aren't actually by Nintendo), nor are they listed for sale on their site or GameStop.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 29, 2008, 12:16:52 PM
They had them, the may have been Licensed but that still makes Nintendo money.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Invincible Donkey Kong on May 29, 2008, 01:53:31 PM
Hey, look, a Wii Homebrew Channel! Won't be there for long. :reggie:
*punts*
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Morari on May 29, 2008, 03:02:25 PM
In a perfect world Nintendo shouldn't have to worry about thieves and pirates and just give us true storage solutions that meet our growing needs, but in this corrupt world we live in, it ain't gonna happen.
Nintendo doesn't have to worry about piracy. Piracy of these old games has always and will always exist. Excluding running emulators on things such as this Homebrew Channel, I can go boot up the entire NES, SNES, Genesis, and Gameboy collection on my Dreamcast, Xbox, or PC. Trying to thwart piracy only annoys legitimate customers, it doesn't effect the pirates at all.This is true no matter the medium.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 29, 2008, 03:10:46 PM
So your logic is people steal anyways so might as well make it easier for them?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Kairon on May 29, 2008, 03:21:35 PM
I'd be eager to start up Wii homebrew once I get a second Wii. (HAH! As if that could happen anytime soon!)
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on May 29, 2008, 04:07:03 PM
Does homebrew do anything useful yet?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 29, 2008, 09:58:47 PM
Define useful.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on May 29, 2008, 10:40:19 PM
A barebones, simple-to-use media player.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 29, 2008, 11:40:38 PM
I'm pretty sure I saw that there was one of those on some Wii homebrew site. It may or may not be currently available to download. Just imagine, all the media you can fit on a 2 GB SD card. Take that, AppleTV.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 29, 2008, 11:49:27 PM
So I take it Apple never did go through with making I-Tunes for Wii did they.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on May 30, 2008, 01:15:07 AM
VC and iTunes are competitors.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on May 30, 2008, 01:27:40 AM
So I take it Apple never did go through with making I-Tunes for Wii did they.
I can virtually guarantee you that Apple never seriously considered making it. Apple only very rarely makes software for something other than the Mac operating system or something else made by Apple. I can think of only 3 current examples of such software, and each of them gets Apple something they desire, something I don't think Wii iTunes would. AppleTV-like software that could stream an iTunes library via Wi-Fi and play it through the Wii would be awesome, though.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 30, 2008, 03:08:11 PM
There's MFE, which is a Linux based media center program, though you never have to deal with the "Linux part", and soon there will be Wii Miidia, which is supposedly a Wii port of Xbox Media Center, AKA the greatest console homebrew program in all existence.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 30, 2008, 04:41:21 PM
I am in live with Apple today, my I pod broke and they told me it was out of warrenty, but then the store I bought it from went to bat for me and got it fixed and a 30 extended warranty.
As for homebrew stuff, I have always been too sceptical about breaking something and too afraid to try anything, has anyone actually tried this and how does it work? Can you still download VC titles or does this ban you or something like Xbox live does?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 31, 2008, 09:42:33 AM
So far no one has gotten in trouble with Nintendo for this. They make take action down the road, but according to their TOS, if they ever ban someone for a mod (of any kind), all you have to do is remove any modifications and you'll be back in their good graces again.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: shammack on May 31, 2008, 09:58:05 AM
Really? Sweet deal.
Banning you from downloading VC titles would be a pretty stupid move. It's hardly going to discourage piracy if you take away the option to buy the games legitimately.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on May 31, 2008, 02:33:34 PM
I have a friend who only plays his Wii for Guitar Here and Carnival games (shut up) and he is going to check this out and tell me how it works. If they don't kill his system I might give it a shot.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 31, 2008, 11:17:15 PM
They're not going to kill his system. I have this on my system, and before that, had different channels installed for SNES9X, Fceu, Genesis Plus, etc. One thing that Nintendo did fix, was in the past if you installed the downloaded VC channels (illegally), you could re-download the channels for free from the Wii Shop Channel, since you had the ticket on your system. Nintendo now also checks your purchase history, so this is (thankfully) no longer possible.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: animecyberrat on June 01, 2008, 02:29:01 AM
Is there a different site I can goto to get it, I am too paranoid after that virus problem I had which started the same day I clicked that link.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 01, 2008, 10:28:16 AM
Give wiibrew.org (http://wiibrew.org) a try. They probably won't have the latest emulator updates, but you can find quite a few of them at ==Please Don't Do This==.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 06, 2008, 04:09:11 AM
I installed the channel, everything else seems to be where it should be, the channel looks nice, but whenever I try to do something with it (load up a homebrew app or go back to the Wii Menu) it freezes up, the load bar never gets past 0%, and I have to unplug the Wii to start it up again.
EDIT: Never mind, I just forgot to take out my GC memory cards, it's fine now. Duck Hunt is disappointing.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 06, 2008, 03:28:42 PM
Beta 8 has been released. You can install it as an app within the channel itself and update, or you can download the update via that globe button on the HBC, if you have WiFi. Now you don't need to ake out Gamecube memory cards, and there are a few more changes.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on June 06, 2008, 03:33:58 PM
They should enable online through the Wii so we can play some Phantasy stAR :p
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 08, 2008, 03:54:09 AM
Does anyone who knows about these things think moving the Twilight Hack save file to a different file would create any problems? I've been thinking of starting over in Twilight Princess, because I barely did anything when I got it, and starting a new file, and that would let me keep the hack there (I always have to have the first save file). It seems like it could come in handy and swapping out save files is annoying.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 08, 2008, 04:25:38 PM
If you have the homebrew channel installed, then you don't need the twilight hack ever again.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: stevey on June 16, 2008, 06:49:35 PM
Great homebrew app or the greatest homebrew app! (http://wiibrew.org/wiki/Homebrew_apps/Wiibrator)
Quote
WiiBrator "Hours of fun and play for the whole family!"
This is a highly advanced technology demo of a Wii vibrator. Use at your own risk. For educational purposes only. Wii remote jacket is supported for enhanced comfort.
NB: Do not try to use this with either the Wii Zapper or Wii Wheel peripherals. Injury may result from use. No responsibility accepted. Use at own risk.
V2 coming very shortly - now includes 4 different playing levels! See if you can master them all! Ideas
* Add "stimulating" slideshow image support. * Online multiplayer mode supporting up to 32 players, possibly more. * Support for usb webcam use and online chat client.
Atlease it's not just for emulator anymore :D
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on June 16, 2008, 07:22:06 PM
You will say "WAUW"
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 16, 2008, 10:13:13 PM
I accidentally installed the new System Update, then I immediately went to the Homebrew Channel, and thankfully it still worked. However, I read the Wii message from Nintendo and it said something about dangers posed by illegally modified save files, and sure enough when I went and looked through my save files the Twilight Princess save file that I used to install the homebrew channel was gone. I hope everyone that wanted the channel had it already.
One possible positive in this is how they did it. From what I hear the Freeloader uses the same technique to do what it does as the Twilight hack, Nintendo doing this in this waycould be seen as purposely not breaking the Freeloader (assuming it's not broken by the update).
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 16, 2008, 11:23:33 PM
Hmmm...haven't looked at any Wii-hacking related sites yet today, time for an update...
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on June 17, 2008, 01:52:40 AM
LOL talk about entrapment, I'm going to install this Homebrew channel because they have threated me with never again being able to. Only then will I install the update.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: shammack on June 17, 2008, 08:29:43 AM
Looks like a workaround has already been found (http://hackmii.com/2008/06/june-16-wii-update/). This is pretty annoying of Nintendo, but on the other hand at least they warn you and give you a chance to install the Homebrew Channel before updating.
I'm not sure if I care enough about homebrew to get into this arms race... I mainly just wanted to try it because it's fun to make hardware do things it's not supposed to, and to finally get some actual use out of the damn SD card that I bought under the silly assumption that the Wii would use it for something. On the other hand, now I kind of want to keep using homebrew just on principle.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Tanookisuit on June 17, 2008, 09:26:00 AM
The update message totally warns you that it will alter this stuff. I don't remember the exact wording, but the warning was there.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 17, 2008, 09:30:54 AM
Yes, it says it will delete altered save games (Twilight Hack). You can't reinstall it if you update either. Use the workaround posted by shammack, if you want the update. I could care less about adding Miis to the Mii parade. There's not much else Nintendo can do beyond this to stop homebrew, any other steps could potentially brick some Wiis, and they don't want to get into that. They spent the past 3 months testing this update, and the *only* new feature is putting Miis in the Mii Parade, and blocking the Twilight Hack *without* bricking anyone's console.
Edit - yes, it does block the Freeloader and "trucha signed" discs (hacked Guitar Hero 3, etc.), but that code was added a long time ago, this update just makes the system use it.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 17, 2008, 07:29:06 PM
I was doing a connection test because I switched from using a USB Wifi adapter I was testing to my standard Wireless router, and like it always does it asks if you want to update your Wii when it's finished. I stupidly clicked yes and updated without reading anything. Oh well, the channel still works, so I should just not delete the channel. This sucks for a friend who I showed it to over the weekend who expressed interest but wasn't ready to install it.
Looks like a workaround has already been found (http://hackmii.com/2008/06/june-16-wii-update/). This is pretty annoying of Nintendo, but on the other hand at least they warn you and give you a chance to install the Homebrew Channel before updating.
I'm not sure if I care enough about homebrew to get into this arms race... I mainly just wanted to try it because it's fun to make hardware do things it's not supposed to, and to finally get some actual use out of the damn SD card that I bought under the silly assumption that the Wii would use it for something. On the other hand, now I kind of want to keep using homebrew just on principle.
This isn't an arms race if this is as far as Nintendo is willing to go. They've been testing this fix, that applies very specifically only to the Twilight Hack, for 3 months. They are working extremely hard to not brick any Wiis. The homebrew community will work much faster and much harder than Nintendo is willing to. If Nintendo is going to take months to patch holes they are going to be overrun very quickly. I don't understand why they'd bother with this if this is all they're willing to do, they have to know that they can't beat this this way.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 22, 2008, 10:14:17 AM
Well, that didn't take too long, now did it? Twilight Hack for Wii SYstem Menu 3.3 released (http://hackmii.com/2008/06/twilight-hack-v01beta1/).
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: SixthAngel on June 22, 2008, 03:07:11 PM
The patches aren't about stopping the hardcore homebrewer. Nintendo knows that those people will always find a way, whether it be hardly ever updating or continually coming out with new exploits. They update in order to keep the piracy part of it from gaining momentum and being easy for the casual user or the "casual hardcore" user. Most people can hardly get one hack working so making them eventually obsolete makes them 1. never reach the mainstream. 2. Become a pain in the ass for normal people who play often making them second guess putting in the effort and taking the risk. Everyone knows their is a group that will never be stopped and Nintendo knows that an inconvenience to them will stop some from ever hearing about it and stop others from ever trying at all.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 22, 2008, 04:27:23 PM
The thing is, aside from hacked VC & WiiWare channels, homebrew has nothing to do with piracy, at least in the case of the Wii. They do keep changing their DVD-ROM boards, making it harder to mod to play backups, which is a good thing.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Morari on June 22, 2008, 07:04:15 PM
They do keep changing their DVD-ROM boards, making it harder to mod to play backups, which is a good thing.
How is that a good thing? Backups aren't pirated copies.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 22, 2008, 09:22:27 PM
I mean it's good for an anti-piracy measure. I have nothing against people playing legal backups, or having a modchip in general (I have a Cyclowiz in my system), but the vast majority of modchip users (which is still a tiny minority of all users) aren't playing backups of their own games.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 22, 2008, 10:15:49 PM
I was worried that I was going to do something to screw up my Homebrew Channel and not be able to reinstall it because I stupidly installed the update, so this is a relief. I guess I'm just a worrier, it's why my friends call me Whiskers.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Kairon on June 22, 2008, 11:37:40 PM
Because of all the headaches it involves, I'll only consider homebrew if I happen to get a second Wii.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 23, 2008, 12:55:25 AM
I was worried that I was going to do something to screw up my Homebrew Channel and not be able to reinstall it because I stupidly installed the update, so this is a relief. I guess I'm just a worrier, it's why my friends call me Whiskers.
Best Will Ferrel-Harry Caray quote ever. Had you'd said no, I'da bitten your ear off.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 23, 2008, 01:01:00 AM
Best sketch SNL ever did.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: KDR_11k on June 23, 2008, 09:55:39 AM
The patches aren't about stopping the hardcore homebrewer. Nintendo knows that those people will always find a way, whether it be hardly ever updating or continually coming out with new exploits. They update in order to keep the piracy part of it from gaining momentum and being easy for the casual user or the "casual hardcore" user. Most people can hardly get one hack working so making them eventually obsolete makes them 1. never reach the mainstream. 2. Become a pain in the ass for normal people who play often making them second guess putting in the effort and taking the risk. Everyone knows their is a group that will never be stopped and Nintendo knows that an inconvenience to them will stop some from ever hearing about it and stop others from ever trying at all.
I guess it's also about being a pain in the ass for importers. I guess it worked, I'd have spent a lot of money on imports if it hadn't been for this, now I'm sitting here and buying nothing (and will probably not even buy those games I'm interested in now by the time they finally come out here). Great job Nintendo. Though maybe I'll just buy some imports out of spite and avoid new local purchases for a while (well, doesn't look like any worthwile games are coming out anyway).
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Pale on June 23, 2008, 09:56:42 AM
The thing is, aside from hacked VC & WiiWare channels, homebrew has nothing to do with piracy, at least in the case of the Wii. They do keep changing their DVD-ROM boards, making it harder to mod to play backups, which is a good thing.
That's a pretty huge qualifying statement there, jsyk.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: UncleBob on June 23, 2008, 11:30:15 AM
Yeah, the idea of hacking a video game system to play Homebrew is like using a P2P filesharing service for independent music. It *does* happen, but I'm sure it's a small minority...
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: KDR_11k on June 23, 2008, 01:58:09 PM
Well, the people who pirate usually go for full price software instead of cheap games, most of which can be downloaded without needing the console at all...
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on June 23, 2008, 03:35:05 PM
The majority of homebrewers, or rather homebrewers without modchips as well, don't pirate anything. That is a pretty qualifying statement, but most people avoid that stuff, myself included. Most people who installed pirated WiiWare/VC channels have stopped too, or at least a big chunk have, since Nintendo has started taking action. I'd have to say Nintendo is doing a pretty good job at protecting their assets, and I don't think they care about people running custom code on their systems, but there's no way to have it one way or the other. The latest update does stop modchip-only users from installing hacked VC and WiiWare, but also blocks imports, because Datel sucks. You can run imports if you install a program called Gecko Region Free however.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on June 24, 2008, 05:28:29 AM
Yeah I read about that Gecko thing yesterday, it sounds pretty cool. I had never considered buying a Freeloader but that got me thinking about import games. I don't know which ones specifically because I haven't followed it much and most of the imports I want are on the European VC, which I don't think I can get.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Morari on July 17, 2008, 05:59:32 PM
The next step has been taken! See: custom firmware for Wii!
The Homebrew Channel includes a program called Gecko Region Free, which I hear lets you run imported games. I haven't tried it myself.
Good deal, I'm going to try it this weekend then.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on July 18, 2008, 04:31:24 PM
Yes, it (Gecko Region Free) lets you play imports.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on July 18, 2008, 04:32:00 PM
can you save?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on July 18, 2008, 05:10:37 PM
Of course.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on July 18, 2008, 05:15:39 PM
neat-o!
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: stevey on August 12, 2008, 08:47:42 PM
Finally there is a Wii (no modchip needed) DVD player (http://hackmii.com/2008/08/libdi-and-the-dvdx-installer/)! It works by installing a hidden channel on the wii that allows the uses of unused drive functions for DVD player Nintendo left behind and a DvD Access Library (http://hackmii.com/2008/07/dvd-access-library-no-modchip-required/) to lets only homebrew access the drive to run data, like a DVD movie, off DVDs. Best of all there no need to mess with the firmware, system menu, or IOS (unless you have a modchip) that should make the risk of system bricking near none :)
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on August 12, 2008, 08:56:06 PM
Oh my.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Ceric on August 12, 2008, 09:46:44 PM
Finally there is a Wii (no modchip needed) DVD player (http://hackmii.com/2008/08/libdi-and-the-dvdx-installer/)! It works by installing a hidden channel on the wii that allows the uses of unused drive functions for DVD player Nintendo left behind and a DvD Access Library (http://hackmii.com/2008/07/dvd-access-library-no-modchip-required/) to lets only homebrew access the drive to run data, like a DVD movie, off DVDs. Best of all there no need to mess with the firmware, system menu, or IOS (unless you have a modchip) that should make the risk of system bricking near none :)
Wait if hackers can do this ?
Why the hell can't Nintendo just put up a DVD Movie channel ? Doesn't make any sense.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on August 13, 2008, 04:10:47 PM
Because it's bad for the Wii Hardware.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: stevey on August 13, 2008, 05:20:14 PM
Just be careful - the Wii's (cheap) laser wasn't designed for the non-stop reading that goes on with watching a DVD.
What the hell is going on? One bad E3 and everyone turning anti-Nintendo, buying other systems and bashing Nintendo :@ . This is fake, as far as I can tell a bunch of Nintendo hating pirates on GBAtemp started the rumor a day after this was announced who wanted people to work on a softmod iso loader instead of "wasting" time on a DVD player/reading and then spammed it on every homebrew related site there is. After an hour of searching no one has ever reported their Wii laser having died from constant reading nor has anyone show proof of this "melted" or burned out laser. Plus if you played any real game (Zelda, Metroid, Smash bros., Metal Gear) you know that they are steaming data nonstop most of the time off the DVD. The laser is identical to any "DVD only player" with the only difference from you computer's is the lack of ability of playing CDs. There are no factory that are making short access DVD read lenses either.
Quote from: Erant (the one who made this hack)
The myth of you being able to ‘burn out’ a DVD laser is pretty much what it says on the tin, a myth. This drive was designed specifically for two things. reading Wii games, and reading DVD-Videos. There are special commands in the drive for doing so. (We use these commands to read these discs without a modchip). So, these drives were designed with reading DVD-Videos in mind. (And even if they weren’t, you’re running the entire drive in spec. I’ve been told these myths came about when people were pot-tuning their PS2s, running them out of spec. Running any piece of hardware beyond the limits that were set for it will break it in the long run)
The drive is not doing anything it's not doing during a game. This is Nintendo, if there going to make a console that can withstand being whacked by a sledgehammer and still work afterward, why would they cheap out on the drive!
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Morari on August 13, 2008, 05:43:13 PM
Just be careful - the Wii's (cheap) laser wasn't designed for the non-stop reading that goes on with watching a DVD.
It's unlikely to cause damage. Developers just like to spread such misinformation to try to scare people away from piracy. Sure, the writable DVDs you buy down at the store aren't as easily read as the factory pressed ones that Nintendo throws out, but in the end it's not going to do anything. Hell, I played almost nothing but pira--er, backups on my Dreamcast and it's still going. I had to revert back to it for a while while my Wii is out for repairs... It can't read GAMECUBE discs without sending up error messages! :P
Really though, go spend the $50 on a good DVD player. You're guaranteed better performance if nothing else.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 13, 2008, 05:53:31 PM
I'm just posting what I've read from other sources - such as the problems with SSBM occurring, and getting worse over time for *some* users. I'm certainly not trying to be anti-Nintendo, in fact I'd love to install this app (I already have tons of homebrew on my Wii...ok, a few things), but it's pointless for me, since I use XBMC on my XBox to watch my DVDs at 1080i, which my TV displays at 1080p.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: stevey on October 26, 2008, 02:11:50 PM
Homebrew Channel Beta 9 Released! (http://hackmii.com/2008/10/the-homebrew-channel-beta9/) It's can be installed even after the new 3.3b system update and now features SDHC (4GB+) support. Proving once again, Nintendo's Hardware/Firmware department is run by a bunch of idiots.....
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: KDR_11k on October 26, 2008, 02:51:13 PM
Remember, amateurs can (sometimes illegally) use stuff that companies cannot due to software patents.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Morari on October 26, 2008, 02:57:54 PM
Proving once again that patents are filed by a bunch of idiots?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 26, 2008, 05:17:02 PM
I saw this, it's good to know that it is possible to do this with the hardware in the Wii and that Nintendo could theoretically patch SDHC compatibility into the firmware if they wanted to. Right now the only reason anyone would need more than 2 GB of space on a Wii SD card is homebrew, but if DLC becomes more of a thing on the Wii I could see Nintendo possibly doing it.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 26, 2008, 05:25:19 PM
You would need more than 2GB of space rather quickly if you like Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour. This is awesome news, I'm gonna update a little bit later.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 26, 2008, 07:27:43 PM
I don't know if it would be that quick, I don't have the Wii version, but on the 360 version of Rock Band 2 DLC songs are in the ~40 MB range, so it would take a lot of them to fill it up..
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on October 26, 2008, 07:38:43 PM
40 megs per song? Why so much?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on October 26, 2008, 07:55:30 PM
Sounds & scripting? They ain't yo regular MP3z.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on October 26, 2008, 09:50:55 PM
Each song is 4 individual music tracks, plus 4 midi files (which are tiny), and they also contain the animation sequences, note charts, and (at least on Rock Band 2) the crowd singing as well. Getting that down to ~40MB on average is no small feat. Death Magneitc (360) is 1.3GB alone, though it includes the GH3 version as well. Still though, even if each song was 20MB, that's only 50 songs per game, which really isn't that much considering there's nearly 300 songs available for Rock Band for download.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on October 27, 2008, 12:53:31 AM
wow
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Nick DiMola on November 24, 2008, 08:54:51 AM
So just got this installed and I must say I'm pretty damn impressed. Lots of cool apps abound, and its great having a region-free loader for both the Cube and Wii. I'm debating importing Disaster Day of Delay now, since I doubt it's going to see a stateside release...
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on November 24, 2008, 10:38:07 AM
ooooooh good I dea Mr. Jack
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: stevey on November 24, 2008, 12:06:22 PM
This is pathetic, NINTENDO SUCKS AT CODING/PROGRAMMING (http://hackmii.com/2008/11/rise-of-the-dead/). Whoever is in charge needs to be fired.....
Twilight hack returns once again (kind of). It turns out that even though the Wii now deletes the twilight hack on sight during boot up, Nintendo programmers were too damn lazy to fix their search and destroy code for when games are copied to the Wii from the SD card.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: KDR_11k on November 24, 2008, 12:59:23 PM
Eh, let 'em screw up as much as they want.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on November 24, 2008, 01:34:01 PM
I was just coming here to post the same thing as stevey. I haven't updated, and probably never will, but at least there's a solution now.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Djunknown on November 25, 2008, 12:50:46 AM
Anybody paranoid that Nintendo will start bricking Wii's that have been modded? The new Terms of Service did add that amendment after all...
I wouldn't be surprised if they did something MS style, give the folks a false sense of security, wait 3 months or so, then BAM! Your VC, WiiWare games don't work anymore.
Or is Nintendo bluffing, and will just wag their proverbial finger?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on November 25, 2008, 01:24:06 AM
How are they gonna do that?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on November 25, 2008, 01:53:40 AM
Nintendo has too great of customer service to ban modders. If you install hacked VC games, then you deserve to be banned from the service, but if you're watching DVDs or playing actual homebrew, then you're not harming Nintendo in any way whatsoever, and should be left alone.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: KDR_11k on November 25, 2008, 04:02:43 AM
Anybody paranoid that Nintendo will start bricking Wii's that have been modded? The new Terms of Service did add that amendment after all...
I think the update message has included "may brick modded Wiis" for a looooong time.
I don't think they'll try to go MS-style since their online offerings make money by having people buy stuff for themselves, MS makes money from subscriptions and those need to get cheat-free gameplay guaranteed. Preventing people from using modded software, sure. Blocking them from buying more games, thereby preventing them from giving Nintendo money if they give up on modding? Stupid idea, you can just as well stop bothering if you're going to prevent them from ever giving you money again.
The clause is just a CYA since they don't know what a mod might do and their attempt to kick it off the system might brick the system.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on December 08, 2008, 12:52:10 AM
Okay this channel is AWESOME. I've been playing Quake and downloading all kinda of ****.
Does anyone know if the animal crossing update will bork my homebrew menu?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on December 08, 2008, 10:10:25 AM
Okay I'm safe I can install that update.
Dude you guys the HBC is so awesome. Seriously. You just install it once with the homebrew channel with the homebrew browser update and it will take care of itself. You can download the applications to your SD card right from your wii with the Homebrew browser. It's so awesome!
They are building some nice media centers, theirs Quake, Doom, and just custom Wii games. Lots of Emulators including Sega Saturn and PSX. There is DVD playback, AVI playback. Operating systems, development tools. **** it's awesome. So much **** it's crazy.
Thanks to Brandogg for talking it up, I may not have gotten into it.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on December 08, 2008, 12:32:28 PM
But, I actually play games.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on December 09, 2008, 04:31:34 AM
Wow the HBC is awesome... I just got code compiling and running on my Wii. **** thats sweet.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on December 10, 2008, 12:43:23 AM
Um...you're welcome.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on December 10, 2008, 12:43:52 AM
Why so non interested?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: IceCold on December 11, 2008, 01:55:27 AM
Is it difficult to install? I have the original Twilight Princess but I don't want to mess around with my Wii too much.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on December 11, 2008, 02:35:47 AM
IceCold, it's easy to install. Just be careful like you would and nothing will happen. You can't really bork your Wii installing it.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Nick DiMola on December 11, 2008, 07:21:39 AM
Yeah, installing is a real breeze. I was a little worried considering how important my Wii is for day to day work, but I got it fully modded and loaded with homebrew in under an hour. Later, I did it for one of my friends in 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NuclearSpeed on December 12, 2008, 12:56:45 AM
i just put this on my wii last night and it was no problem at all, in fact did it during commercial breaks while the wife was watching tv.
I've laready been playing around with some of the programs out there you can get.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on December 12, 2008, 04:32:16 AM
ya It's sweet. some stuff is still early. But some are quietly moving towards media streaming :)
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Pale on December 12, 2008, 10:21:56 AM
I haven't been paying much attention to homebrew... Does it work for import games?
Also, do you have to fix it every time Nintendo releases an update?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NWR_insanolord on December 12, 2008, 12:14:15 PM
I haven't been paying much attention to homebrew... Does it work for import games?
Also, do you have to fix it every time Nintendo releases an update?
Gecko OS will let you play import games and as long as you have it installed it should stay there through updates; the updates only break the way you install the channel, not the channel itself, at least so far.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on December 12, 2008, 12:20:02 PM
Yup. And if you have any questions about stuff, check out the chat on the the homebrew channel's main page. They've always helped me.
Make sure when you install it to install the Homebrew CHANNEL and the Homebrew BROWSER. The browser makes it so you don't have to move you SD card back and forth form your Wii to get new apps, the browser downloads 'em directly to your SD card.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Smoke39 on December 12, 2008, 04:39:20 PM
I tried out Doom and Quake. Doom had lousy controls and Quake's graphics started glitching out as soon as I loaded the first episode from the hub world. I'm kind of disappointed. :<
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Pale on December 12, 2008, 05:05:49 PM
No piracy talk!
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Smoke39 on December 12, 2008, 05:11:10 PM
Uhm, I didn't pirate anything; I own the content files for both games. Both engines have been open source for a long time; all I downloaded were ports of the executable.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on December 12, 2008, 05:29:05 PM
What's most demanding video specs that the current "best" media player can playback smoothly?
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on December 12, 2008, 06:10:32 PM
I believe MFE or maybe Geexbox can actually playback 720p (quicktime, among other formats) videos, but obviously the resolution of the screen is only 480p. MPlayer can play xvid, DVD, etc...
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: DAaaMan64 on December 12, 2008, 08:06:25 PM
I tried out Doom and Quake. Doom had lousy controls and Quake's graphics started glitching out as soon as I loaded the first episode from the hub world. I'm kind of disappointed. :<
wow I though the controls were fine on both! I sit about 6 feet back from the TV. I didn't adjust settings at all. Also, the graphics problems you are having are interesting... I had none of them. Sorry I can't help anymore. :(
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on December 12, 2008, 08:33:56 PM
Someone should download one of the gigantoid videos off my site and view it on homebruu. I'm curious on its performance.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Smoke39 on December 12, 2008, 09:04:09 PM
I tried out Doom and Quake. Doom had lousy controls and Quake's graphics started glitching out as soon as I loaded the first episode from the hub world. I'm kind of disappointed. :<
wow I though the controls were fine on both! I sit about 6 feet back from the TV. I didn't adjust settings at all. Also, the graphics problems you are having are interesting... I had none of them. Sorry I can't help anymore. :(
Quake started behaving again after I deleted my cfg. All I had messed with was the TV overscan thing and the HUD resolution. :/
Doom's awkward 'cause of the lack of crosshair and deadzone. With no deadzone and no visual feedback about how far you're pointing to the side, it's easy to accidentally start turning to either side.
Quake feels better but I still feel like there should be a larger dead zone or something so my view isn't wobbling around so much as I try to aim.
Anyway, the homebrew channel and homebrew browser are pretty cool. I'm kinda tempted to download gecko OS and import Klonoa. :b
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Pale on December 13, 2008, 12:06:25 AM
A port of an executable so that it runs on different hardware is piracy.
Are you allowed to walk into a store and steal Prince of Persia for the 360 because you own the PS3 version?
And do not combat this statement and derail this thread. Just please stop talking about running games you didn't directly pay for on the Wii in this thread. It's been relatively fine so far... let's keep it that way.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: stevey on December 13, 2008, 12:53:19 AM
I'm getting sick of pale running around playing all high and mighty, epically when he's wrong.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quake#Source_code_and_legacy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doom_(video_game)#Continued_legacy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_Software#id_Technology http://www.idsoftware.com/business/idtech2/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_General_Public_License Id released the engine to the public domain.
The copyright holder, Id, encourages these ports & mods to help spread the brand of Doom and Quake to they are now.
Quote
Is it difficult to install? I have the original Twilight Princess but I don't want to mess around with my Wii too much.
Installing the Homebrew channel is just as save and easy as downloading an Nintendo update/channel. Just make sure you don't unplug the wii while is installing and you should be fine...
Quote
Also, do you have to fix it every time Nintendo releases an update?
Nintendo hasn't tried to block homebrew's function to date, just the installations (and modification of the Wii-shop region). By the time Nintendo gets to it, BootMii (http://hackmii.com/2008/10/bootmii-the-beginning/) will be released and effectively turn off anyway for Nintendo to block homebrew, not to mention completely brick proofing the Wii... Although in the meantime, if you still have 3.2/3.3a you should think about installing DVDx if you ever want DVD playback before updating to 3.3b/3.4.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: IceCold on December 13, 2008, 03:56:07 AM
Wow. Stevey just wrote a perfectly logical post with less grammatical errors than 90% of the ones on NWR. The world is coming to an end. :P
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BranDonk Kong on December 13, 2008, 11:29:14 AM
Pale, I don't think you understand how this works. Doom and Quake's source codes have been released to the public, which someone has ported to the Wii. You have to own the original game files to use the Wii ports, otherwise you can only use the free shareware version that's included, as it has always been. You don't just download the game itself with everything included (ie the retail WAD files) - *that* would be illegal. This isn't only legal to do, it's practically encouraged by id software.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on December 13, 2008, 12:04:38 PM
Well I had nothing better to do last night so I installed it, it was easy to install and I'm running on 3.4 the only difference is that if you want to do the twilight hack you got to do it immediately or else the hacked game save gets wiped when you reset or load another channel and come back out of it.
Well I downloaded some applications some are neat and some are stupid and pointless, I didn't touch the emulators since I hate piracy with a passions (yes even ROMS) and let's leave it at that. Some of the applications crashed and caused a memory core dump and that forced me to restart the Wii. I'm not really as fascinated and amazed with the HBC as much as a lot of you guys because the two biggest things I see from this are the emulators and media capabilities both which hold no real interest with me, the media stuff I already do it on my PS3. The only thing I think that I would use this is to check out smaller apps just for fun and to break the region lock for imports but other than that meh.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Pale on December 13, 2008, 02:46:05 PM
Well I'll take your word for the Quake stuff and appreciate the info... but I still think it could lead to more talk that is definitely piracy so please be careful.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: NinGurl69 *huggles on December 13, 2008, 03:54:27 PM
So the other day I steered my ship and boarded a cruise liner, stealing their towels and setting fire to their shuffleboard lanes. I'm sure the crew was terrified.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Morari on December 14, 2008, 01:40:10 AM
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on June 24, 2011, 01:23:50 PM
I saw this over on NeoGAF (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=28827515&postcount=1) in response to the news that Europe might get Xenoblade, TL & Pandopra's Tower and the US may not. It seemed like a straight forward easy to follow guide for first time soft-modders so i thought I would store it here for safe keeping.
1st Time Soft-Modders Only Guide.
Quote
What you need: - A US Wii, updated to the current official firmware, and with no homebrew installed. - A US Copy of Super Smash Bros Brawl or Lego Indiana Jones for Wii. - An SD card less than 2GB that you can format.
FAQ Part 1: Q: Is this safe? A: Yes.
Q: My Wii is not on current firmware, can I still go region-free? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: My Wii is not a US Wii, can I still go region-free? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: I already have some level of homebrew stuff installed, where do I go from here? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: I do not have access to SSBB or Lego Indiana Jones. Are there other games I can use? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: I do not have an SD card available. A: This guide is not for you.
Q: I want to do anything other than play EU games on a US Wii from the disc A: This guide is not for you.
Q: Can I install Wii games to a hard drive? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: Did you know that you can also do this with Lego Star Wars or Lego Batman? A: This guide is not for you.
Guide, using Indiana Jones: - Delete any Indiana Jones save games you have on your SD card or Wii. - Plug your SD card into your computer. - Download this: http://static.hackmii.com/indiana-pwns.zip (http://static.hackmii.com/indiana-pwns.zip) - Unzip the zip, drag the private folder onto your SD card. - Download this: http://bootmii.org/download/ (http://bootmii.org/download/) - Unzip the zip, drag boot.elf to your SD card. Do not put it inside any folder. Just drag the boot.elf file and have it on your SD card. - Plug your SD card into your Wii. - Boot Wii - Wii Options > Data Management > Save Data > Wii - SD Card > Indiana Pwns US Save > Copy to Wii's memory. - Boot Lego Indiana Jones - Load the save game. - You will be in the college. Walk to the Art Room (through the courtyard). Inside the art room, approach the left character standing on a podium. - When it zooms in on the character, choose the "Switch to" option. - Lego Indiana Jones will now launch the Homebrew Channel installer. - Wait while the installer runs tests. - Press 1 when you are told to press 1 to continue. - Your Wii will reboot, and you will see a "Homebrew Channel" - Continue to Guide Part 2 below.
Guide, using Super Smash Bros Brawl: - Plug SD card into Wii. - Boot Super Smash Bros Brawl - Go to Save Builder - Delete any custom stages or move them to your SD card. - This includes any sample stages for new save files. - This includes stages downloaded from the Smash stage service. - Wait at least 24 hours. - Plug SD card into computer. - Rename the folder named "private" to privateold - Download this: http://wiibrew.org/w/images/4/4e/Smashstack.zip (http://wiibrew.org/w/images/4/4e/Smashstack.zip) - Unzip the zip, copy the private folder to your SD card. - Download this: http://bootmii.org/download/ (http://bootmii.org/download/) - Unzip the zip, drag boot.elf to your SD card. Do not put it inside any folder. Just drag the boot.elf file and have it on your SD card. - Plug your SD card into your Wii. - Boot Wii - Boot Super Smash Bros Brawl - Go to Stage Builder - Super Smash Bros Brawl will now launch the Homebrew Channel installer. - Wait while the installer runs tests. - Press 1 when you are told to press 1 to continue. - Your Wii will reboot, and you will see a "Homebrew Channel" - You can now plug your SD card into your PC, delete the private folder, and rename privateold to private if you want your Wii data back. - Continue to Guide Part 2 below.
Guide, part 2: - Turn off Wii - Plug SD card into computer - Make a directory called "apps" on your SD card if one does not already exist. - Download this: http://geckodownloads.googlecode.com (http://geckodownloads.googlecode.com).../gecko1931.zip - Unzip the zip. - Go into Gecko1931 > Gecko1931 > HBC - There is a folder called Gecko1931 here. Drag the folder to your SD card's apps folder. - So your SD card will look like (as an example using drive letter J): J:\apps\gecko1931\ - Inside that folder, there should be three files. Boot.elf, icon.png, meta.xml - Plug SD card into Wii - Boot Wii, Homebrew Channel. - You will see Gecko OS. Click on it. Load it. - Use "Launch Game" to play the import game - If you have video trouble, you might need to select the "Force NTSC Mode" option in Gecko OS.
FAQ, part 2: Q: What are some other options I can use while playing my game? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: Can I use cheats while playing a game? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: What else can I do with homebrew? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: Are there other methods for launching PAL games? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: Can I put Gecko OS on my main Wii menu instead of inside homebrew channel. A: This guide is not for you.
Q: How do I update Gecko OS in the future? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: I ran into trouble or don't have experience using SD cards with my computer. A: This guide is not for you.
Q: I don't want to delete or deal with copying my Smash Bros or Lego Indiana Jones saves. Do I have an alternative? A: This guide is not for you.
Q: Can I copy/paste this guide somewhere else? Do you need credit? A: This guide is not for you. Do not republish it, it would take you ten minutes to write a better guide. Do not link to it. Do not credit me.
Q: I have some further questions, can I contact you for support or help or anything else A: No.
But I do have a question for anyone that would know.
The Guide says an SD card less than 2GB. would that be a SD card that is 2GB or less -or- specifically a card that is smaller than 2GB? -I ask because the original FW for Wii could read 2GB SD cards, so I figured that was the reason you need a card that is 2GB or less.-
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Oblivion on June 24, 2011, 01:46:22 PM
2GB or less. Try using WiiBrew.org. It's a big help.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Ceric on June 24, 2011, 02:04:42 PM
This seems simple enough. As long as it won't brick my Wii I may give this a shot to play some of those games.
Title: Re: Wii Homebrew Channel
Post by: Oblivion on June 24, 2011, 02:09:09 PM
I've hacked and unhacked my Wii five times in the last year. You're safe.
