EXCLUSIVE: 20 Questions With Avanaboy

We're back with the latest installment of "20 Questions with a Dev" and this time we are talking with Avanaboy who is a  new face in the community.  As most of you know the PSP has reached the end of its life cycle and the homebrew and mods are really starting to trail off. Despite this some Devs are still going strong on the PSP like wololo, Coldbird and the PRO Team, and its always good to see new faces keeping the scene moving forward. Avanaboy is not new to homebrew, just homebrew on the PSP but made his presence know with his release of P-Tester a diagnostic tool for your PSP.  So lets take a look at what he had to say when we asked him our 20 Questions.

1. How long have you been developing your own software?

I've started to learn code when I was 14 years old. But I've started to code "real" software in 2008.

2. What's your favorite development language and why?

I like C and C++. I develop all my homebrew in C because there are very good (free) libraries for consoles. Also C is a flexible language :)

3. Are there any suggestions you would give to people who are just starting to write code?

YES: NEVER GIVE UP! It is important to start from the basics, and have some patience while learn to code. Google is your friend, and there are a lot of guide for beginners. Also, always trust yourself!

4. What's your Favorite video game system of all time?

I really love SEGA consoles. I think that my favorite console is SEGA DREAMCAST!

5. Whats your favorite video game?

I like graphics adventures. My favorite saga is Monkey Island. I like Broken Sword saga as well.

6. You've been hard at work on so many systems like Gameboy, DS, Wii, PSX and now PSP.  What made you want to start programing for PSP?

Well, I can't remember exactly why, but a friend of mine invited myself to try. I realized that PSP have a very good homemade SDK (PSPSDK) and some cool libs, so I've started to write homebrews for it.

7. What was the first system you did homebrew on?

The first was Nintendo DS. I was writing an entire shell app! And I was about at 60% done, but Sadly I've lost all the code in an HDD crash... this is really sad :(

8. What was the hardest system to write homebrew for?

I would say ... PS1. It isn't too difficult, but it has an SDK with low abstraction level. Also you have to keep in mind hardware limitations.

9. What console do you prefer to program for?

Due to the very good homemade SDK, I would say PSP (at least for now)

10. Do you have any plans to work on newer consoles?

Yes, but AFAIK there aren't any exploit that let unsigned code to boot on newer consoles yet.

11. What Dev do you think is someone to watch in the future?

Well, there are a lot of talented devs on the homebrew scene, just to name a few: Kakaroto, neur0n , Wololo , Naehrwert, Davee and Coldbird, are very talented devs, and have my respect. Also, if somebody is interested in old PS1 developing, I've an Australian friend ,Haunted360, that are developing a PS1 HDD slot for boot ps1 homebrews; It will have breakpoints support , and a lot of cool debugging features.

12. What do you love / hate about the current state of the Mod community as a whole?

Well, I would have liked to write homebrews for PS3 but there isn't any exploit on newer fw. I really love the diligent of consoles developers, and people that at least try to learn!

13. Is there anything you would like to undo in the Mod community?

Honestly? I hate people that stress devs asking them only homebrews for boot pirate games...

14. What do you think of the Vita, and do you think it will survive the same scale piracy as the PSP?

It is hard to say. I hope that we will see more homebrews than pirate stuff

15. What is your proudest moment?

When I manage to fix some nasty bugs in my code, I feel proud. I also feel proud when I see that people likes my works.

16. Whats the scariest thing that ever happened to you?

This is part of my very personal life :)

17. Xbox360 or PS3 what do you prefer?

I prefer PS3

18. Whats your favorite TV show?

Even If I don't watch too many TV, I like documentaries and sport shows

19. What kind of music do you like to listen to, and whats your favorite band?

I like house music, I don't have a favorite band, but I've some favorite tracks :P

20. Now just for fun to finish this off, if you could be a super hero what would your superpower be?

Oh funny. I would be able to read in people minds, to see who is honest, and who is a lying bastard!

For more on what Avanaboy is up to check out his site Avanaboy-Console.com and as always stay tuned to DashHacks.com.  Once again we want to give a big shout out and thank you to Avanaboy for taking the time to give us some insights into his work.  Keep up the great work Avanaboy and we are certainly looking for more great things from you and the rest of the talented devs that keep the scene moving forward.

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