Joystiq Guide to hacking the GameGuardian lockout device

By Vladimir Cole

Readers of UK games magazine Edge
noticed a new product that claims to help parents lock their kids out of playtime on the slim version of the PlayStation 2 console.

The reaction from the gaming crowd might naturally be horror, as most of us are old enough to remember unfettered access to the consoles that we grew up with. However, horror doesn't help today's children who are facing gaming lockouts, so we put our heads together and brainstormed these ideas for dealing with the GameGuardian:

  • SPY: The device doesn't hide the four-digit PIN number as the number is entered. The most obvious
    first step for any enterprising young gamer is to simply position himself or herself to read the digits as the
    parental unit enters them.

  • RESET: The device likely includes a manual reset operation for parents who lose the the PIN. This reset
    operation likely involves removing power and batteries from the device and inserting a paper clip into some tiny
    hole somewhere. Figure out how to reset the GameGuardian, then document the reset method below in the comment
    section.

  • BRUTE FORCE CRACK: Put a very thin layer of fine dust (bang a pillow over the device) on the number keys of the
    unit. The dust needs to be thin enough that it?s invisible under normal lighting conditions surrounding your PS2.
    When your parent subsequently unlocks the GamesGuardian, you?ll know which four digits were used. There are only
    256 total possible combinations of these four digits. Try them all.

  • CIRCUMVENT: A PS2 isn?t very expensive. Use some of that spare time Mom and Dad took away from your gaming
    schedule to run a paper route, slang rock, or bully the other kids at school. You?ll be sporting a brand new PS2 in
    no time flat, just make sure you get the older, larger model so that it can?t be locked up.

  • SWITCH CONSOLES: The slim PS2 is one of many consoles offering the modern gamer a viable and fun play
    experience. Switch to another home or portable console or even to the PC platform.

  • GET YOUR FIX ELSEWHERE: Remember your friend Jim? The one with the alcoholic absentee parents, the cool knives,
    the key to the gun cabinet, and the penchant for illicit substance abuse? Go play at his house in all of your spare
    time. You?ll be out ?getting exercise? and ?making friends? and that will make your parents very happy.

  • THROW A FIT: Chances are that if your parents are relying on a device to do their parenting for them, they?re
    weak and easily pushed around. Scream and raise hell until you get your way.

[Thanks for the tip,
Michael]

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