A double shot of bad news for the Wii hacking set today -- not only do new Wiis appear to have a modchip-proof layer of epoxy around the DVD-ROM IC chips, Waninkoko has abandoned the Wii Backup-Loader project. The modchip news isn't all that surprising -- Ninty's been
fighting a
losing battle against chip devs for a while now, and gluing things down with epoxy is a logical solution -- but Waninkoko quitting is a bit of a shock, since we just caught wind of the
Wii Backup-Loader a few days ago. Apparently he's not happy that it was
leaked this morning, so he's dropping it, but surely an outpouring of affection in comments will change his mind.
[Thanks, Linh T]
Read - New Wiis have epoxy-locked DVD-ROM chips
Read - Waninkoko abandons Wii Backup-Loader
posted September 19th 2008 12:04PM
i might agree with you except this latest development was a breakthrough which effectively 'ups the ante' on the damage it can do to software sales.
damn pirates. I really love the wii and so do a lot of my friends. I really hope someone will carry on for the legitimate users. Just another case of some d-bag ruining it for everyone else.
Here, Here! In light of the epoxy copy-protection, soft-mods will become even more desirable.
We need you Waninkoko!
Waninkoko, there actually are people who would appreciate your fair use tool, like kids in countries that cant afford to keep re-buying Nintendo games they already purchased.
The tone of this article seems to indicate that you WANT him to complete the backup loader.
Who wouldn't want ?
This kind of thing is not new. They used to use epoxy way back in the 1980's to try to stop modifications of satellite receivers (the old analog Big Ugly Dish kind) and the old analog cable boxes that could be modified to get free HBO etc. Of course it didn't work. Instructions for removing the epoxy circulated and even special tools to chip it away without damaging the components.
I have no doubt it will happen again and this will turn out to be useless.
Waninkoko is abandoning the project? Well, there are plenty of homebrewers out there that are willing to pick it up, so I see no loss here.
We have a mod chip in our Gamecube so we can play backup copies of our games (yes, all purchased, and yes, "we" includes 5 and 7 year old boys, previously younger and we have had casualty discs - unfortunately before we had a mod chip/backups!), so we can play Japanese games (the awesome Kururin Squash, mostly) and for homebrew, though mostly for the first two things. When we get a Wii (this xmas), I would like to have a mod chip or some solution that can do the same things, for the same reasons. However, if it's a mod chip I'll wait until we're out of warranty.
You all DO realize there is more than 1 modchip out there, right? I mean, god forbid you need to do some soldering to do something Nintendo doesn't want you to do.
what a loser;
here Waninkoko, let me stroke your massive ego while people still give a damn.
14:59, 14:58, 14:57...
Why does a group of wii owners not get together and SUE Nintendo for "sabotaging" there property. When you buy something its your PROPERTY to do with as you please. It should be illegal for Nintendo or anyone else to interfere with what you do to your property.
Wow, that's a really dumb idea.
"Come on guys, let's just sue them!"
Waninkoko is a whiny bitch who has been swallowed whole by his greed for power. To think he has the nerve to "punish" the Wii community by dropping his silly project. Good riddens I say, someone more talented can pick up his shortcomings.
Well, it's a pity that Waninkoko has stopped, but Engadget helped that to happen. Thanks for helping to distribute his works. You might as well ask Nintendo for a bounty.
Heart felt affection to continue allowing for pirated copies of games to circulate among the cheap, and selfish players? This is no doubt a simple execution of concept for the hacker in question but no matter his intentions, the vast majority of the people who use mod chips and this mod less type of coding aren't trying to use them for 'back ups' because their kids will damage the real game, they want games they don't have to pay for. Too cheap to support an industry that they rape and abuse by downloading and using ripped games. The excuse that games are too expensive simply does not work. Games are a want, not a need. if you can't afford or don't want to support the companies that make the games, then you don't have the right to download them. I've seen far too many friends work their fingers to the bone coding and drawing for these games to disrespect them by downloading ill gotten software. Grow up and support these companies by buying their products.
What do you mean, does not work? Of course they're too expensive in the States. Case in point- I've had people ask me to bring back PSP and various console games for them when I visit China because where I live they cost half as much as they do in the US. Not fakes, mind you (seriously, who pirates UMDs?) but genuine games, original packaging and everything.
They have modded consoles because of region-locking (another hole in your argument). Either I can mod the console
Why abandon the project altogether? Even tho the new wii's are epoxied, isn't there still a possibility that the chips can be modded or hacked from the available solder "pads" on the circuit board? I'm not giving up hope yet! just 'cause some resin is around the ic connection points, doesn't mean the "fat lady has sung."
Waninkoko, please finish this project. Yeah, we know that some retard went and leaked the unfinished code, but please finish it?
You know. I don't understand this Nintento vs PS3 vs Xbox fanboyism. I haven't touched my Xbox in months. I don't think it sucks because of it. I've got a ton of games for it. I've used my Wii more recently than my xbox but not all that much either. I don't think it sucks either. I haven't bought a PS3 not because "it sucks" but there's nothing I want to play on it. If I don't play on my PC for a couple months it's not because, "OMG, PC it's such a fad! I can't believe I bought it!"
Seriously... lighten up a bit.
Now that loaf of bread that went bad in the fridge... -that- I shouldn't have bought. ;)