PS4 Won't Play Used Games

[Loneshot]

Sony has reportedly patented technology that will prevent the use of second hand games on consoles.

According to NeoGAF member gofreak, the patent application was filed on 9 December 2012 by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, and will work by linking individual game discs to a user's account without requiring a network connection meaning any future attempt to use this disc on another user's console won't work.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/03/report-new-sony-patent-blocks-second-hand-games?utm_source=Targeted%20Blasts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking+News%3A+Sony+Discs+Patent_11 145_587933_587940&utm_content=14179305

Cold blooded. If MS doesn't do this, then Sony will definitely die out as very few will want a console that doesn't allow them to share their games. Luckily i'm not a big gamer or else i'd be annoyed at this. Sony will get some bad press as this would lead to Gamefly/Gamestop making huge layoffs.

[Maniak]

hahaahahhhaahah what the ****

pc master race

[irondarts]

Wow that's fvcking ridiculous.

[Loneshot]

I find it hard to believe they would really go through with it though. Imagine the backlash on Sony due to them putting thousands of Gamestop/Gamefly employees out of business.

[nightprowler10]

I'm somewhat okay with this if the cost of games gets cut by 66%, which won't happen.

BTW, what's stopping people from sharing their PSN passwords if this goes through?

[Brujesino]

gamefly and borrowing from friends will be useless.

[Rose]

People will just jailbreak their consoles anyways.

[ballup]

So they are taking away the ability to try out games, to trade games, and to help out the less fortunate.

[El Kabong]

Nice FU to people who rely on trading in games to be able to afford new ones.

[pauk]

Doesnt bother me, PC Gaming is where its all at....

[GOBB]

So if I go to a game store and purchase a game used. I wouldnt be able to play it because that game is linked to someones psn. And I could only play the game under that persons psn? :confusedshrug:

I dont buy this report. I question how accurate it is sorry. Sony hasnt put this statement out, someone guessing this could happen did. It doesnt make dollars nor sense to eliminate used games. I do think whatever the new technology is will affect some things but not what people are expecting.

[Zan Tabak]

Sony would have to have the market completely cornered to pull off something like this (which they don't). People will just choose other consoles. I'll believe it when I see it.

[nightprowler10]

I dont buy this report. I question how accurate it is sorry. Sony hasnt put this statement out, someone guessing this could happen did. It doesnt make dollars nor sense to eliminate used games. I do think whatever the new technology is will affect some things but not what people are expecting.
This.

[TylerOO]

No way would Sony do this. So many people would jump ship and get Xbox or another system.

[rhythmic]

This can't be approved. Millions of dollars will be lost in business revenue from rental stores every-where.

[Jailblazers7]

Just because it is being patented doesn't mean it will necessarily be implemented.

[rhythmic]

Just because it is being patented doesn't mean it will necessarily be implemented.

They did the same thing to music (anti-piracy), a University student cracked that quite easily by creating his own P2P network. Same will happen here.

[Qwyjibo]

No way would Sony do this. So many people would jump ship and get Xbox or another system.
If Sony does this, Microsoft will follow. They probably would love to kill used games too. I could see both companies just colluding to get this done. Either both will do it, or neither. Sony isn't going to implement on this on their own.

[rhythmic]

If Sony does this, Microsoft will follow. They probably would love to kill used games too. I could see both companies just colluding to get this done. Either both will do it, or neither. Sony isn't going to implement on this on their own.

You guys seriously think this will somehow increase sales?
Almost every person I know buys a game with the thought of selling it later on. If this is implemented, I personally will buy games like GTA V and The Last Of Us. I won't even be tempted to buy games that I know aren't AAA.

Horrible decision on their part, it will ruin them and all the developer's profits.

[TylerOO]

[QUOTE=rhythmic

[CarlosBoozer]

This would be a horrible move :facepalm

[Kungfro]

If Sony does this, Microsoft will follow. They probably would love to kill used games too. I could see both companies just colluding to get this done. Either both will do it, or neither. Sony isn't going to implement on this on their own.

Yep, it's also been rumored at for at least a year now. We've already seen developers try to discourage buying their game used, such as day one DLC or online passes, so I think it could happen whether we like it or not.

[Legend of Josh]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/03/report-new-sony-patent-blocks-second-hand-games?utm_source=Targeted%20Blasts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Breaking+News%3A+Sony+Discs+Patent_11 145_587933_587940&utm_content=14179305

Cold blooded. If MS doesn't do this, then Sony will definitely die out as very few will want a console that doesn't allow them to share their games. Luckily i'm not a big gamer or else i'd be annoyed at this. Sony will get some bad press as this would lead to Gamefly/Gamestop making huge layoffs.

Best Buy, eBay, Amazon too... and I'm sure many other smaller organizations we're missing out on. Is this really even constitutional? I know it's pure blasphemy within the gaming industry (from a fan or local gaming store's owner perspective). As if Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo weren't already tapping into and having a foothold within the industry itself with virtually zero competition amongst one another, they (well at this point, Sony) have to take it to this level.

:facepalm

It wouldn't be the end of the world or anything, it's more than anything the principle behind it that rubs me the wrong way. Not all secondhand gaming is for the purpose of selling back. What if you just simply want to let someone borrow the game, or take it to a friend's house and play? Do you have to transport your entire system too?

:rolleyes:

I think there's a strong possibility this will be retracted by Sony - especially if Microsoft and Nintendo do the right thing - which is NOT follow suit. Even if Sony doesn't destroy themselves, I think they'd eventually be less profitable by making this decision b/c A: most people will ONLY buy games THEY ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE. B: cost-conscience gamers will not buy as many titles because they know they can't trade-in or resale them and C: it'll leave a bitter taste in customer's mouths.

I think it's one thing (and a good thing) to crackdown on pirating and those who "burn" games (IMO, that's just like stealing and actually hurts the industry), but this is just an enhanced bitch move. I think in the greater interest of the industry itself, Sony will not win this one. Lawmakers might shoot it down on the facet of it impacting so many other aspects of the marketplace (like GameStop, other aftermarket sales, etc).

Yes, I realize Sony (or the others) aren't getting any "kickback" or anything from the secondhand gaming thing, but secondhand gaming is one of the reasons why the gaming industry is still thriving, even in a down economy. You take away this feature that benefits consumers, and you will see the gaming population decline. When it's all said and done, Sony could be shooting themselves in the foot.

[Legend of Josh]

I find it hard to believe they would really go through with it though. Imagine the backlash on Sony due to them putting thousands of Gamestop/Gamefly employees out of business.

Good point, but I wonder how big is GameStop in Japan? I don't think they are (after looking up info on Wiki, which also shows they were operating at a loss last year).

[Legend of Josh]

I'm somewhat okay with this if the cost of games gets cut by 66%, which won't happen.

BTW, what's stopping people from sharing their PSN passwords if this goes through?

Another good point. If the price point drops this will be understandable, but let's be realistic, quality new titles will still be $60 USD new and $50 for middle tier, etc. Let's just hope a new PS4 isn't MSRP of something in the neighborhood of $900 USD.

:roll:

It wouldn't surprise me. Sony when it comes to the gaming industry are prideful, stubborn, arrogant pieces of shit. Yes, I own a PS3, but I only purchased one last year, and only because I was bored and wanted to play Little Big Planet (which sucked BTW).

Microsoft/XBOX is where it's at. Oh no! You have to pay to play online! Well, if you're an online gamer, and you've tested the difference between the two, anyone in their right mind would be more than glad to pay whatever the fee is because the differences between the two are like night and day.

Don't let someone like phoenix18, PowerGlove or whatever that queer goes by these days tell you differently. Dude just mad he made the wrong purchase decision, living off the old hype of the PS2 and when it was thriving, which is why I think many people bought a PS3... but I think slowly gamers are realizing Sony is just losing it's grip on the industry and that their counterparts are just kicking their butt... which may be why they're attempting to pull some bullshit like this in the first place.

** also, I don't think PSN passwords are console protected. I think you'd still run into the same issue. Once they hit ANY console, they can only be used on THAT console.

[LJJ]

This is simply a patent and I'm sure many patents are filed under the Playstation brand each year, but it's interesting speculation at this time.

At first glance the only place this seems remotely feasible is Japan. Sony actually does have an iron grip on the console market there; the Xbox 360 is a joke and Nintendo is very niche and particular. Used games are a huge part of the gaming culture there, so trying to abolish that will be very controversial. Still there is opportunity because the Japanese consumer has more willingness to spend a lot of money on games and a reluctance towards piracy and illegality. If there is any place this might work all else remaining equal it's Japan.

For the rest of the world this is a bit more problematic, but you can definitely think of scenarios where this is feasible. Sony could for instance simply go to Microsoft and say "Hey dudes, if only Sony does this we are ****ed so that's not going to happen, but if we BOTH do this we both win". There might not even be an alternative.
Microsoft might be working on their own thing.
Or, though a long shot, what if Microsoft goes download only with their new console?

I still think next generation is a generation too soon, but used games aren't here to stay. We are already subconsciously acquiescing to this by getting so much of our stuff, whether it's games or movies or music, in a downloadable form. Where you are paying for the right to personally use that media, but not to own it or sell it. This trend is only going to grow and this patent is merely the same idea in physical form: a hybrid of the past and the future.

[knickballer]

Isn't this where the industry is going in the future? You can just purchase games off Xbox marketplace and people don't seem to have a problem with that. Most of Steam's games are done through online purchase + download.

[IGotACoolStory]

Yep. Guess I'm not buying a next gen and instead using that money to build my computer. :confusedshrug:

[tmacattack33]

LOL.

I guess my decision has been made. I'm going to get the new Microsoft system.

[Dictator]

If true then ps3 can say bye bye to atleast 10-25% of their sales.

Also, am I the only one who thinks it's too early for new consoles?

[Kiddlovesnets]

lol. Sony is already losing the edge against Nintendo and Microsoft with their PS3, I am not surprised if the dominance officially ends with PS4.

[Draz]

If they do this and microsoft doesn't, microsoft will striveeeee beautifully.

[Nanners]

hahaahahhhaahah what the ****

pc master race


this


i switched from console to pc gaming about a year ago.... never going back. ever.

[miller-time]

This isn't good. The gaming industry is one of the biggest in the world and for some reason they think it would be a good idea to try and contain it?

It is like EA with the new Sim City game. You have to actually be online to play it! No offline mode, it is ridiculous.

Let people have some control over the things they buy!

[Bandito]

lol. Sony is already losing the edge against Nintendo and Microsoft with their PS3, I am not surprised if the dominance officially ends with PS4.
What dominance? PS3 hasnt dominated nothing. It has been pretty close except in Japan :lol

[Timmy D for MVP]

Is anyone here surprised?

I am only surprised that it might be now, I thought this was at least two generations away.

They already are doing it a little bit with online content. Some Steam titles do it (easily beaten system but idea is still there). This was bound to happen.

My guess is that it gets scrapped unless Microsoft does the same thing.

There will come a day of reckoning. Some people thought consoles were in danger from the advancement of technology in mobile devices. But the threat to console makers are themselves. $600-$700 releases. $60 games (and rising). And this need to control everything on the market will stretch to a breaking point. They will evolve to get past it but not without some hardships.

Dedicated gaming is here to stay. But it's got to change and this is a step in the wrong direction. I'm confident that Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and anyone else who jumps into the console biz will figure this out one way or the other.

[Bandito]

well steam did it but the problem with steam is that you need to be online to buy and download/install the game. With a console I don't do that,my xbox doesn't even have wireless capability. I share my laptop's connection whenever I want to play online and I only used it for nba 2k13.

[Andrei89]

It is just a patent. They will not implement it.

And LOL Americans and their Xbox support. Saying Ps3 has not dominated anything except Japan.

Ps3 has sold just as many units as the Xbox 360 and it was released a year later. Ps3 dominates the Asian and the European market.

And the only reason Xbox 360 is competing with Ps3 is because it is cheap. However the Ps3 is more advanced than the Xbox 360 in many areas. Had the Ps3 been as cheap as the 360 then I bet even the US market would have been dominated by Sony.

Impartial opinion here as a pc gamer. COuld care less about consoles

[LJJ]

It is just a patent. They will not implement it.

And LOL Americans and their Xbox support. Saying Ps3 has not dominated anything except Japan.

Ps3 has sold just as many units as the Xbox 360 and it was released a year later. Ps3 dominates the Asian and the European market.

And the only reason Xbox 360 is competing with Ps3 is because it is cheap. However the Ps3 is more advanced than the Xbox 360 in many areas. Had the Ps3 been as cheap as the 360 then I bet even the US market would have been dominated by Sony.

Impartial opinion here as a pc gamer. COuld care less about consoles

Their online subscription service PS Plus beats the living shit out of Xbox Live too.

But compare the market share Sony had with the Playstation and the Playstation 2, compare that to were they stand right now and there is no denying they messed up.

[Thorpesaurous]

I actually just read that the PS passed the XBox is worldwide console sales this christmas season. It had been propped up by the Japanese market, but they've had a few boosts with the redesign slims a couple times, and have of late done a lot better on the software front than MS.

The big mistake, even moreso than the price, was coming late to the market.


And as for the notion that PS4 won't play used games, there's almost no way they'd do this unless MS did it too. And frankly if both systems don't do it, it's very possible the game manufacturers take this into their own hands. It was talked about extensively with Arkham City. By getting the game itself to only reveal some critical element with only a purchased code, which in the case of Batman was going to be the cape. So if you bought the game used you'd have to get your hands on the code for the cape, which would be SN exclusive, and they'd be able to tell if it was used or not.

I'm obviously not a fan of the idea, but I certainly understand it from the gaming company's perspective, and frankly I almost never buy used games. It's not Sony or Microsoft who suffers from the secondary market, it's the developers.
Maybe Sony could use the software to convince developers to work more exclusively with them if they can block that market and XBox can't.

[Timmy D for MVP]

I actually just read that the PS passed the XBox is worldwide console sales this christmas season. It had been propped up by the Japanese market, but they've had a few boosts with the redesign slims a couple times, and have of late done a lot better on the software front than MS.

The big mistake, even moreso than the price, was coming late to the market.


And as for the notion that PS4 won't play used games, there's almost no way they'd do this unless MS did it too. And frankly if both systems don't do it, it's very possible the game manufacturers take this into their own hands. It was talked about extensively with Arkham City. By getting the game itself to only reveal some critical element with only a purchased code, which in the case of Batman was going to be the cape. So if you bought the game used you'd have to get your hands on the code for the cape, which would be SN exclusive, and they'd be able to tell if it was used or not.

I'm obviously not a fan of the idea, but I certainly understand it from the gaming company's perspective, and frankly I almost never buy used games. It's not Sony or Microsoft who suffers from the secondary market, it's the developers.
Maybe Sony could use the software to convince developers to work more exclusively with them if they can block that market and XBox can't.

:applause:

Well said sir. This is exactly right. At the end of the day it's a business which sometimes sucks for us, but it also gives us the power. This idea, frankly would flop in a heartbeat, and that's why I don't sweat it too much.

[Derka]

Doesnt bother me, PC Gaming is where its all at....
First and only time I will agree with you.

[takai]

If they did, they'd be committing suicide for their business.

[mr beast]

the chance of this happening is very low

the amount of money they will lose is much greater than what they will gain

same discussion was there when ps3 was getting launched

[CeltsGarlic]

There is almost no chance. They are not stupid.