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PlayStation 3 petition to open-up RSX graphics
Posted by JLP on April 30th, 2007
PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a very nice gaming console. Actually it is much more than just a console. It is also the cheapest way to get some of the new technologies like Blu-ray Disc player and the Cell microprocessor. Another great thing about PS3 is that it is a very open console, which is also using a lot of open standards (like OpenGL for graphics) for game development. Sony even officialy allows you to install Linux on PS3 and the company is directly helping with development of support for PS3 in the Linux kernel. This openness has already enabled some of the very interesting uses of PS3. For example it is used to build an academic computing cluster (a cheap way to build super-computers), performs calculations to help with cancer/Alzheimer’s research and it is also used for some real-time ray-tracing.
But there is one important piece of hardware in PS3 that Sony (or nVidia) is still blocking direct access to: the RSX ‘Reality Synthesizer’ graphics processing unit (GPU). If full access to RSX was allowed to programmers people could create even more amazing and creative new stuff with PlayStation 3. In a hope to persuade Sony to open-up the full access to RSX a petition has been started. So if you are a PS3 owner or will become one in the future be sure to sign this petition. Hack, even if you are not interested into PS3 right now, consider signing the petition. Help bring more freedom and openness into game consoles.
August 14th, 2007 at 15:47:56
It doesn’t look like Sony will be able to enable RSX which is unfortunate because it would make a great media system. I would love to use gentoo on the PS3 with its RSX enabled but the petition isn’t going to change the situation.
April 17th, 2008 at 03:23:03
Opening up the RSX would be essential. I’ve seen people installing Linux, and WINE from there. APparently, they try to play CS. It comes really slow, when only the Cell is doing all the work. The RSX is really powerful! It’s like running any GPU intensive game… eg. HL2, with a Q6600 and a 8800 Ultra; just to find out, you can’t use your 8800 Ultra, but to only be restricted to using your CPU power. SLow many things down; the CPU has so much to do already; physics, calculations, and all that crap, adding graphics now?
April 25th, 2008 at 18:37:44
I agree with Alistair …The RSX would of enhanced the ps3 into a good media system …but o well