What is homebrew: simply explained
If you are more into video games, you might come across "homebrew" games sooner or later. In this practical tip we explain what "homebrew" is and where the term comes from.
Homebrew: Where did the term come from?
- The origin of the word "homebrew", which is especially known in the gaming scene, actually comes from a completely different direction.
- Strictly speaking, it is an almost literal translation from English. There the term for self-brewed beer is used. Of course, "homebrew" has nothing to do with beer in the gaming context. But with self-programmed games, as we explain in the next section.
What is homebrew?
- By "homebrew" programs are meant programs that were produced by private developers.
- However, by default, on most game consoles and handhelds, you cannot run programs you wrote yourself.
- This is because the manufacturers of the devices are afraid of selling too few of their own games when there are tons of free titles available.
- Of course, some ways were found to bypass the security measures and run "homebrew" games. For example, it is possible to use "homebrew" programs on Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and many other devices.
