Iraq Scores Hordes of PS2s at US Gamers' Expense (Hold muh console alert)

IGN ^ | Dec 19 2000 | WND

[Michael Barnes]

US Customs and the Federal Bureau of Investigations are looking into the possible transfer of thousands of Sony PlayStation 2s from US retail stores to Iraq, military intelligence sources have reported.

An astounding 4,000 PlayStation 2s have apparently been shipped to Iraq in the last two to three months, according to a secret Defense Intelligence Agency report. With the under-whelming shipment of PS2s that have hit North American shores, this recent news makes strange sense. But is this the real reason that Sony can't meet US gamers' demand? Or is the news really real at all? According to the news site www.worldnetdaily.com, a political commentary site, it's all true.

Currently, two government agencies believe that Hussein and his cronies intend to bundle together a handful of PlayStation 2s to create a primitive super-computer for a variety of military applications, intelligence sources said.

"When I first saw this report, I was highly skeptical," intelligence source told WorldNetDaily. "So, I did some checking with computer experts I know within the Department of Defense. From what they tell me, bundling these video game units is very feasible."

"Most Americans don't realize that each PlayStation unit contains a 32-bit CPU [i.e. the I/O processor] -- every bit as powerful as the processor found in most desktop and laptop computers," said one military intelligence officer. "Beyond that, the graphics capabilities of a PlayStation are staggering -- five times more powerful than that of a typical graphics workstation, and roughly 15 times more powerful than the graphics cards found in most PCs."

The intelligence sources added that with the upcoming hard drive (cited as being a 3.5 gig hard drive) and connections to the Internet, the likelihood of the PS2 reaching the ability to control an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is very possible. Many military experts believe that Iraq has been in development with UAVs for several years to deliver chemical weapons, and that perhaps the PS2 is the missing link. Adding to the mayhem is that bundled PlayStation 2s can be used to calculate ballistic data for long-range missiles, or in the design of nuclear weapons.

"Applications for this system are potentially frightening," the intelligence source said. "One expert I spoke with estimated that an integrated bundle of 12-15 PlayStations could provide enough computer power to control an Iraqi unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV -- a pilotless aircraft."

The reason that Hussein is allegedly importing PS2s instead of supercomputers is because PS2s, which are considered videogame systems, are not included in the United Nations sanctions clause. And the present United Nations sanctions prohibit the sale and or transfer of nearly all kinds of technology and computer hardware to Iraq.

IGN's warning: Kids! Please do not use the Secret Nuclear Bomb Connector Device (SNBCD), located directly beneath from the PS2 controller 1 port, to explode your hometown. We repeat, do not use this connector, it could be harmful!

[Michael Barnes]

I know this is from Dec 2000, but for whatever reason, I thought about it while reading a troll's thread. Was wondering if anyone had any other info about this particular subject.

[Michael Barnes]

PS2 Linux Site

One of many out there..

[NeonKnight]

Wow! Who woulda thunk it? A kids toy is the anti-christ.

[opinionator]

"Applications for this system are potentially frightening," the intelligence source said. "One expert I spoke with estimated that an integrated bundle of 12-15 PlayStations could provide enough computer power to control an Iraqi unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV -- a pilotless aircraft."

I'm sure our forces are shaking in their boots!

[Polly]

Maybe they are going to put bombs in them, then sell 'em on Ebay.

[Michael Barnes]

I'm sure our forces are shaking in their boots!

I bet they are, they probably use Xbox's

;)

[Michael Barnes]

http://www.psx2central.com/misc/psx2info.htm

Sweet...didn't know this info..Then again, I don't game much...

[Dinsdale]

A PS2 is what a 500MHz CPU? (it is 32 bit not 128, some 128 extensions same as x86 and PPC). The graphics engine is massively parallel. Whereas it is theoretically more powerfull then PC graphic accelerators it does not work out so in practice. Fewer, more powerfull graphics processors smoke the PS2 in practice (e.g. everything newer then a GEForce2).

Saddam would be better off buying barebones PCs.

Massively parrallel programming is not for the faint of heart.

[Michael Barnes]

From a link above, it looks like the PS2 is 294 MHz. I don't know about programming parrallel, but do know what a pain in the ass it is to keep up multile nodes acting as one..If the app is not "predecitive", a bloody mess can be left at your feet.

[wcbtinman]

You can get enough hardware, easily modified, to control a UAV from your local R/C hobby shop. Gyros, powerfull transmitters/recievers, Satellite phones linkable to GPS, can be purchased from a variety of sources.

Without the interference of the govt here in the US, you would already see lots of R/C freaks with the stuff already set up.

[DuncanWaring]

Adding to the mayhem is that bundled PlayStation 2s can be used to calculate ballistic data for long-range missiles...

Big Deal.

I used to do that with a slide rule.

[RockyMtnMan]

My father-in-law loves to talk about his days at white sands and how accurate the missles were after traveling a couple thousand miles. This was back in the 60's, long before the advent of a 8-bit processor.

Just hack up a good PS/2 flight sim game and provide it realtime avionics and semi-accurate terrian maps and viola a flying nightmare.

[Stultis]

Hmmmmmmm. Use 15 Play Stations to control one pilotless drone, or fifteen plus brainless dupes? It's a close call.