PS5 Linux lead quits: "a bunch of noobs using LLMs" that "they don't understand"

Renowned PlayStation hacker and homebrew developer Andy 'TheFlow0' Nguyen has decided to leave the ongoing PS5 Linux project due to the increasing influence of AI-assisted coders in open-source communities. Known for creating the first kernel exploit for the PlayStation Vita, Nguyen has dedicated over a decade to developing exploits and homebrew for PlayStation systems.

He was instrumental in bringing the Linux OS experience to the PS5, achieving remarkable results. In a recent update on social media, the developer announced that they would be stepping away from the PS5 scene, citing the demise of the project as a result of the rise of AI vibe-coders. Nguyen explained that the project, which aimed to support the PS5 Pro and release in 2027, was coming to an end due to the influx of noobs who use Large Language Models (LLMs) without truly understanding the code they are writing.

The PS5 Linux community has traditionally been made up of highly skilled researchers; however, Nguyen lamented that it has now become a group of inexperienced individuals leveraging AI to write hacks they do not comprehend. Furthermore, it appears that these vibe-coders, often referred to as "slop kiddies" by Nguyen, have even used AI to discover a bug that they subsequently reported to Sony for a bounty.

This bug, which Nguyen had previously identified, ultimately led to the reporting of the only hypervisor flaw left in the system. In response, the modder pleaded for Sony to wait for the release of GTA 6, allowing enthusiasts to legally purchase and enjoy Linux gaming. However, despite Sony's agreement to delay, the vibe-coders proceeded to report the bug prematurely.

Consequently, the progress on PS5 Linux for newer OS versions may have been jeopardized. The most recent version of PS5 Linux, Version 2.5, supports the PS5 Phat and Slim consoles running firmware versions 3.00-7.61.