hbc

The Homebrew Channel

This repository contains the public release of the source code for The Homebrew Channel.

Included portions:

• The Homebrew Channel
• Reload stub
• Banner
• PyWii (includes Alameda for banner creation)
• WiiPAX (LZMA executable packer)

Not included:

• Installer

Note that the code in this repository differs from the source code used to build the official version of The Homebrew Channel, which includes additional protection features (i.e. we had to add reverse-DRM to stop scammers from selling it).

This code is released with no warranty, and hasn't even been tested on a real Wii, only under Dolphin (yes, this release runs under Dolphin).

Build instructions

You need DevkitPPC and libogc installed, and the DEVKITPRO/DEVKITPPC environment variables correctly set. Use the latest available versions. Make sure you have libogc/libfat, and also install the following 3rd party libraries:

• zlib
• libpng
• mxml
• freetype

You can download binaries of those here.

Additionally, you'll need the following packages on your host machine:

• pycryptodomex (for PyWii)
• libpng headers (libpng-dev)
• gettext
• sox

The build process has only been tested on Linux. You're on your own if you want to try building this on OSX or Windows.

You'll need the Wii common key installed as ~/.wii/common-key.

First run 'make' in wiipax, then 'make' in channel. You'll find a .wad file that you can install or directly run with Dolphin under channel/title/channel_retail.wad. You'll also find executable binaries under channel/channelapp, but be advised that the NAND save file / theme storage features won't work properly if HBC isn't launched as a channel with its correct title identity/permissions.

License

Unless otherwise noted in an individual file header, all source code in this repository is released under the terms of the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later. The full text of the license can be found in the COPYING file.