The Trojan Horse(s) of "Hello World" culture : the story of Sony PSP domestication through the eyes of the Homebrew users

Amin, MZ

Abstract

Technology that is released to the public is often "locked down" or "tethered" ready for
domestication by the regular user in the way that the manufacturer believes that it will be used
(Zittrain, 2007). However, when users such as the hacker users go against the view of the
manufacturer and unlock technology in order to domesticate it further, then tensions between
different groups can become apparent.
Drawing upon the literature of the Social Shaping of Technology and that of hackers/hacker
cultures, this thesis focuses upon the domestication practices of the Sony PlayStation Portable
(PSP) game console by the Homebrew community in the way they engage with it. Outlining
the three key perspectives of the social artefact groups, the hacker users, Sony users and Sony,
I examine the relationship of Homebrew within the social artefact groups.
Examining the Sony PSP Homebrew phenomena shows various reasons emerging to explain
why different groups engage in domestication practices of different kinds. I afford rich insight
into the dynamics of informal and formal development processes, specifically as related to
handheld gaming and even more so to the Sony PSP. I detail the motivations and reasons why
hacker users hack game consoles. I explain the relationships amongst hacker users of the PSP,
with a focus on their differing sets of ethics. Finally, I offer insight into the roles of Web 2.0
technologies in opening up hacking and the implication of this for the conceptualisation of
hacker ethics.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 4, 2021
• Award Date: Oct 1, 2012