PlayStation may hope that cracking the current 14.10 firmware will take more time. However, a homebrew developer named Gezine has already found a way to exploit vulnerabilities in Sony's software. A PS5 jailbreak could lead to piracy of some games that require firmware updates to run, such as GTA 6.
Recently, progress has been made in jailbreaking the PS5 on the latest 14.10 firmware. Homebrew developer Gezine shared a video demonstrating how to access the console's debug settings. Although cracking games still faces many challenges, this news highlights the piracy threat once again as the release date for GTA 6 approaches.
Roadblocks Remain
After Sony patched the vulnerability in its October 1 software update, Gezine claimed to have breached the security protections. Nevertheless, supporters are not yet celebrating, for several reasons: the commonly used hypervisor bypass method (which is key to creating and launching game backups) is currently not working.
Another issue is that the PS5 jailbreak is currently being developed privately, and it remains unclear whether the developers will upload the relevant files. If they do, it could draw Sony's attention and prompt the release of new firmware to counter this development. Some players have already begun calling for the jailbreak's release to be delayed until after GTA 6's official launch date on November 19.
The PlayStation homebrew community has grown rapidly over the past few months. In late July, the community reached a milestone with the compatibility of the Relapse exploit with system version 13.60. Previously, players had to seek out older hardware that had not been updated. While versions 14.00 and 14.10 effectively blocked hacking attempts, these measures appear to be only temporary.
The Race to Crack GTA 6
Due to Rockstar's upcoming new title, the PS5 jailbreak has received increased attention. Reports indicate that data mining of the PlayStation backend revealed that GTA 6 requires firmware version 14.10 to run. This presents a dilemma for homebrew enthusiasts, as the latest firmware versions prevent jailbreak tools such as Relapse and Byepervisor Reborn from functioning.
While they may no longer need to compromise, the availability of backups for crime epic games is not guaranteed. App stores like Overdrive make it easier to find and launch games. However, not all games run smoothly, and this is especially true for Rockstar's projects.
As piracy becomes increasingly rampant, both Sony and publishers are likely closely monitoring Gezine's activities. Even if the hacker refuses to publicly release the exploit, many developers are still exploring vulnerabilities in the PS5 console.