While the seemingly never-ending cat and mouse game between hackers and Sony continues, well-known homebrew developer KaKaRoTo has opted for a different approach, announcing a new initiative called The Humble Homebrew Collection. The project, comprised of 33 addictive puzzle games ported from Simon Tatham’s Portable Puzzle Collection, takes aim at Sony’s unwavering reluctance towards providing a legal means of developing homebrew applications on PS3.

At launch, the PS3’s semi-open nature allowed devs to install third-party operating systems through the use of OtherOS. While this approach did carry certain restrictions, these efforts were applauded and encouraged homebrew development. More than that, it kept both camps happy. Then, in March of last year, Sony nixed OtherOS entirely. Initially it cited cost concerns with the introduction of PS3 Slim hardware, only to later remove the feature entirely via a firmware update. The excuse? OtherOS was a potential security liability.

Instead of circumventing Sony’s security measures, which always proves to have the side-effect of piracy, KaKaRoTo wants an environment in which homebrew can be run on official firmware. Is it too much to ask? Other companies like Microsoft and Apple have embraced homebrew development. Microsoft’s XNA program, for instance, carries a low barrier to entry for developing on Xbox 360 at around $99 annually.

Sony’s PS3 developer program, by contrast, is subject to steep upfront costs. A PS3 development kit costs thousands of dollars. Hardly realistic for your average hobbyist.

Through a display of the hard work that goes into these homebrew applications, backed by an anti-piracy stance, KaKaRoTo hopes this initiative will spark a change of heart over at Sony. While it’s hard to say if it will have any real impact, given that Sony has made its stance increasingly firm through recent lawsuits and the total removal of OtherOS, if you feel strongly about the cause you can sign the petition over at HumbleHomebrew.com. In a nod to the Humble Indie Bundle, donations to the EFF and developers are also welcome on the site.

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