Linux-Kit: PlayStation 2 development

I am sure the most of you are aware that Sony has already shipped a linux-kit in japan together with the Harddrive-disk and broadband-adapter. The probably coolest thing is that you will be actually able to program your own games on the linux-kit, so experienced hobby programmers can sure look forward to it (Yaroze anyone?).

Since the PS2 is running some kind of special linux on the machine, I was wondering how powerful the kit would be. So I asked a developer which I am in contact with, and he said if you knew your way around with the hardware good, you technically could achieve graphics like on Dreamcast. This will probably be very hard to achieve though, but it\'s good to know that the kit is quite powerful. I guess I would be also happy enough to just reach something as in SNES graphics or a bit higher.

Who here on these boards has the PS2\'s CPU/GPU manuals?

I was also wondering who on these boards is interested in this techstuff? I know it won\'t be enough to fill a Tech & Hardware forum, but if the interest is there, we could devote a thread to it. I was kind of thinking about asking questions and having them aswered. It would also be neat for those who are reading through the manual and don\'t unterstand certain things and it would be cool to learn more about the hardware. what do you think?

BizioEE, Heretic, IronFist... anyone?

If you want to find others interested in programing and stuff I higly recomed the arstechnica forums. They have a square programeer there. Lots of interesting stuff.

yeah, I know. I am a member there too. I just don\'t get to post much there, because my time is too limited, so I am sticking with PSX2central. And the other thing is that the technical knowledge on this forum (meaning PSX2central) is much more limited, especially for the PS2 - so I was hoping that some members would be interested to learn more about the hardware of our PS2.

And now that you will be able to program your own games on PS2 - this knowledge will be very important.

[Living-In-Clip]

Excuse my ignorance, but where is the URL to this arstechinca forum you both speak of?


*EDIT*
Nevermind, I was half asleep and didn\'t think to try http://www.arstechnica.com/ ...

While I am very interested in the PS2\'s innovative technology, I have no intention of ever programming for it.  By the time I go through college and other things, the PS3 will already have been out for a few years.  Hopefully it will be easier than the PS2 to program for so beginners like me will be able to get a group of people together and break into the industry.

I consider myself quite informed about the PS2\'s techniqal aspects and capabilities. And if Sony ever planned on releaseing the Linux Kit State side (which I doubt because they have already stated intrest in not bringing it here) I was going to get it. The difference of the proposed American Kit and Japanese Kit is the LCD screen. However, that was always just an Idea. I never thought that would be cost effective.

[BizioEE]

Originally posted by seven
I am sure the most of you are aware that Sony has already shipped a linux-kit in japan together with the Harddrive-disk and broadband-adapter. The probably coolest thing is that you will be actually able to program your own games on the linux-kit, so experienced hobby programmers can sure look forward to it (Yaroze anyone?).

It should be Great ! ...that\'s what I\'ve always dreamt...programming a "true" videogame...and now on PS2...
...I think I was born to be a programmer...when my father bought me the commodore64(I was a little child,7-8 years old ) ,one of the first things I thought was...why don\'t you try to do something with this machine?...and I asked my uncle(...a damned genius...he programmed a simple flight-simulator on the Commodore64 with 6502 assembly language programming when he was at his first year of university :eek: ) to teach me something about this interesting subject...
...and with "if...then...for I=1 to...poke 55296...and bla bla...I created my first "videogame"...a sort of "donkey Kong"...at least in my imagination ...and what surprised me is that my friends enjoyed that brutal "videogame" ...
...and then a sort of Space-Invaders...and later on...my version of Quix on Amiga500,called QuixRemix...very nice:) ...
...but I don\'t want to indulge in memories...now I\'m so busy with other studies...and now I\'ve no enough time to devote to this intriguing subject:( ...
...but things will change...I hope to have more time in the near future to learn something about programming PS2 games...and I ask you seven what I need to start such a BIG thing...I mean...tell me what I\'d have to study,to buy,etc...and think it\'s a lot of time I stopped programming...thanks

Originally posted by Caspian
I consider myself quite informed about the PS2\'s techniqal aspects and capabilities. And if Sony ever planned on releaseing the Linux Kit State side (which I doubt because they have already stated intrest in not bringing it here) I was going to get it. The difference of the proposed American Kit and Japanese Kit is the LCD screen. However, that was always just an Idea. I never thought that would be cost effective.

Sony has already said the Linux Kit will be released in the states and Europe.

Sounds interesting. I can\'t see myself doing much programming on it though.

While I would certainly pay attention to a thread along those lines I wouldn\'t be able to contribute anything worth while. I\'d even feel hard pressed to come up with an intelligent question on the subject. Sorry. Though it doesn\'t mean I wouldn\'t have a few questions anyway

[BizioEE]

Originally posted by seven


I was also wondering who on these boards is interested in this techstuff? I know it won\'t be enough to fill a Tech & Hardware forum, but if the interest is there, we could devote a thread to it. I was kind of thinking about asking questions and having them aswered. It would also be neat for those who are reading through the manual and don\'t unterstand certain things and it would be cool to learn more about the hardware. what do you think?

BizioEE, Heretic, IronFist... anyone?

I\'m with you...
...I\'m thinking about a forum devoted to hardware in general,technology,peripherals...something that everyone could like...

What do you think ? ...click here

http://www.psx2central.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=16954

okay, it took me sometime to reply - but I think there is some interest, so I\'ll post the link to documents regarding the hardware of the PS2. I think Bossieman posted these files a while ago (in a link to the ArsTechnica forum). They will be up for about another week before I take them down, so if you\'re interested, download \'em now:

Manuals:
(Right click, then "Save as")

• EE-Core manual
  
• EE-Overview
  
• EE Usermanual
  
• GS Usermanual
  
• EE Core Instruction Set Manual
  
• VU0 Manual
  

Procedural Rendering:
(Right click, then "Save as")

• Procedural Rendering
  

Technical Analyses of the PS2:

• Sound and Vision: A Technical Overview of the Emotion Engine
  
• The Playstation2 vs. the PC: a System-level Comparison of Two 3D Platforms
  

[BizioEE]

Thanks seven !