{
  "id": 11192930,
  "title": "PS3 emulator devs warn of fake Blu-ray drives on Newegg and AliExpress",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/ps3-emulator-devs-warn-of-fake-blu-ray-drives-on-newegg-and-aliexpress",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-01T12:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Tom's Hardware",
    "slug": "tom-s-hardware",
    "url": "https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/retro-gaming/ps3-emulator-devs-warn-of-fake-blu-ray-drives-on-newegg-and-aliexpress-beware-of-fake-blu-ray-drives-devs-warn-retrogamers-scammers-use-spoofed-firmware-to-disguise-older-mechanisms-in-high-end-shells"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The creators of the Sony PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 have raised the alarm over a surge in fraudulent Blu-ray drives being sold on online marketplaces like Newegg and AliExpress. These scammers are inserting subpar optical disc mechanisms into premium Blu-ray drives to increase their profits. This could lead to compatibility issues for potential RPCS3 users, who want to make sure any Blu-ray drive they purchase is compatible with the emulator.\n\nThe malicious Blu-ray drives feature older drives that cannot read PS3 discs, along with packaging and enclosures that mimic higher-end models. They also have tampered firmware. To spot these counterfeit drives, the RPCS3 developers have provided a guide with images and details on their wiki. Some red flags include misspelled words on the drive label, misaligned logos, incorrect manufacturing dates, and covered-up PCB markings.\n\nIf an RPCS3 user encounters a supposedly compatible Blu-ray drive that doesn't work properly with the emulator, it is likely that they have been duped by one of these fake drives. To avoid falling victim to these scams, the RPCS3 experts recommend purchasing from stores that offer strong buyer protection. They specifically warn against buying Blu-ray drives from Newegg or AliExpress marketplaces.",
  "summary": "The developers of a leading PlayStation 3 emulator warn of 'a recent influx of fake Blu-ray drives.'",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}