Why Sony might join Microsoft and ban used games

venturebeat: It’s no secret that upon Microsoft’s announcement of the Xbox One earlier this month, the majority of console gamers were beyond disappointed and rather furious.

[Chaostar]

I'll just leave this here...

http://n4g.com/news/1178146...

[ltachiUchiha]

I dont believe sony will block them aswell. If they do, them & microsoft will be shooting themselves in the foot & they are going to look back & wonder WTF were we thinking.

[iGAM3R-VIII]

agreed , none of the reasons they stated are actually good enough. Sony is 100% going for gamers and they know what is right from wrong so they know that to do the used gme DRM is bad and can hurt them. In fact, we ALREADY know they will not blocked used games, they already said it 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 times, the media just kept going on about it

[ltachiUchiha]

Yeah they only trying to say it because they want ppl to think if microsoft is doing it so will sony. I bet they will debunk it at e3 just to shut the media up. I suggest microsoft to do the same.

[Blackdeath_663]

if they do nintendo will benefit. i think if sony is smart they should invest more into psn and gaikai and head towards digital because you cannot have used copies of digital games as is the case with pc gaming. the use of DRM helps absolutely no one.

microsoft should have instead of using drm and making the console connect to the internet every 24hrs have made it so that each games has a registration code that comes with it and you only need to use the internet once to enter that code, after that you could install the game from the cd or online whenever. that is the way it should have been done so if anyone wanted to install a game they just need to buy a reg code from retailer or xbox live. see? problem solved MS that is how you do it without creating a fuss

[AAACE5]

See what both companies do is sit in their meeting room and realize that they have us by the balls! So they figure they can do whatever they want and we will just accept it!

That's why systems and games cost more compared to long ago.

There was no real reason to raise the price of games! They made the systems unnecessarily complicated to develop for so that studios would require more time to create games, to justify the price hike!

When you put aside a few new features, all we get are games with better graphics! They are the same length or less in most cases that games from two gens ago!

We were told the price increase was to offset the cost of developing. However, it is a greed tactic, which ended up killing off lost of developers!

@iGAMER-VIII.1.1.1... Business is about making money! No emotion other than the need to get more money applies! They don't sit in meeting rooms and talk about what people want, they talk about what they can get people to buy and how much they can get them to spend!

I am like the typical consumer. I think like you about what's right and wrong! But I understand how the corporate world is. In short terms their motto is to smile and make you feel comfortable and say with a friendly voice...

"F*CK YOU, PAY ME!"

[miyamoto]

and the word war goes on. the damage control escalates. venture beat is an xbox "crabs in a bucket" site. they will playd own PlayStation by mixing words like the serpent to drag Sony down M$ level of crappery.

but it will be "dameda"
the PlayStation community will tear them to shreds like they did with 360

[stuna1]

No, they are going to look back and say where are all the gamers! Many people support buying new games, I am one! But I would be lying if I said I've never bought used games.

There are just certain circumstances where that must have game pops up on the radar, and you're just not in a financially stable position to buy it at full price! I'm sure I'm not the only one to be in that situation.

[Rageanitus]

From what hear MS is not "blocking" used games either just chargting a trading fee or something likethat ;)

[Ilovetheps5]

That's correct. It's all semantics. Companies are usually great at choosing their words wisely. I'm hoping that Sony doesn't follow Microsoft and require a fee though. We'll just have to wait and see when Sony clears it up for us.

[DOMination-]

People keep getting confused with the wording of such articles. Microsoft aren't blocking/banning used games. You can play used games perfectly fine on the X1. Sony have also said they won't block/ban used games.

The only difference is, MS have said they will charge a fee for this 'service' and Sony have kept quiet. This I find curious, because MS have, quite rightly had a lot of slack for their ambiguity yet Sony gets away with doing the same and lets not forget, they announced the console four months ago and we know even less about their policies than MS. Sony could go the opposite way to MS, but if that's the case, why don't they just come out and say it? Why does nobody get so vocal about Sony's silence?

No matter how you spin the infamous Eurogamer article, everything suggests Sony are going down the same route.

[JD_Shadow]

And if you DON'T pay, what happens TO that used game?

Yep, it'll get blocked!

Wording is perfectly legit.

[dcbronco]

And Sony has said publishers can block used games. I doubt publishers of the major franchises will not block their games. CoD would sell several million more copies with used games blocked.

A pre-owned copy of Black Ops II is only five dollars less. That throws the I don't have the money for new games excuse out of the window. If you can't afford $5 more maybe you can't afford to game anyway. If Gamestop and others sell 2 or 3 million copies used for that price, Activision could have sold 2 million more if they weren't available. I don't think the $5 is really stopping anyone. Plus new games are always on sale.

That cost Activision tens of millions of dollars. People will disagree because they don't want to pay $5. But as popular as the game is, people will pay. And once companies like Activision open the door, it's open.

Here's what Black Ops cost at Gamestop

http://www.gamestop.com/bro...

Here's what you can get it for new

http://video-games.pricegra...

Walmart looks like a better deal to me. So do a couple of others.

[rainslacker]

There's no way to say at this point what Sony's plans are except the "that's up to the publisher" comment. This suggests that there may be a way to block used games. I won't get into the semantic argument, or technical arguments made because it's been done to death.

But what's known right now is that MS is pretty much ready to, or was willing to, charge a fee. They're getting flack for that, and rightfully so.

With Sony, If they do something similar, then they will get flack too. However, at this point nothing has been said by Sony to indicate they're going this route, again, semantics/technicals aside. Even though I think Sony is going to be more consumer friendly on this, I still can't give my 100% to that feeling, and doubt lingers, which is why I remain silent on it.

In truth all this negative outcry may have both companies and the publishers reevaluating their plans. Sony knows the hardcore gamer is instrumental in the early success of a console, and while we all joke about MS current focus, I'm sure they know this just as well.

The fact is, MS may not even be trying to find a way to sell this, they may just be reevaluating the policy to see if now is the time to implement it. Same goes for Sony with their silence, but with Sony we don't have much to go on to begin with, so they aren't getting flack. On top of that Sony has addressed the issue in a positive way, and even made jokes about it, which does keep the focus off them.

Then of course you have the Sony pros who are 100% sure that Sony will not do it, and while I hope they're right, I am steeling myself against future disappointment(which hopefully will actually be relief).

[GribbleGrunger]

Un-Be-Lievable! These sites just can't BARE to be alone in their torment. And MS are NOT rumoured to be blocking used games, they're going to take a huge slice of the second hand money pot -- which will of course mean second hand games will be more expensive.

[ShugaCane]

Sony listens to feedback. Whatever their policy is, it's going to suit their audience because they're closer to gamers than any other company. They won't break that bond, it's too precious to them, and to us.

[creepjack]

Good Lord people, Microsoft is not banning or blocking used games.

[Why o why]

Paywall to play?

Games tied to 1 account?

[Foxgod]

Tied to one console and tthe main owners gamertag... not account.
Any account can play the game on the console that is owned by the main gamer tag.

[Muerte2494]

But these will just be sub accounts. You won't be able to have two main accounts tied to one game. People think Activision is pushing for this, but when was the last Cod you've seen that required an online pass?

Sony's approach is different. If you want to put DRM on your games then fine. But when your sales start being affected the that's all on you.

[MRMagoo123]

@muertre

Thats exactly what sony are doing i couldnt agree more, ppl keep trying to put them in the same boat as M$ but they arent doing anything like them, M$ ARE making ppl pay more for second hand games sony ARE letting the devs decide the same as this gen and ppl are being totally blind to this FACT.
edit
I also bubbled you for wellsaid

[rainslacker]

That distinction between the consoles will raise some interesting discussions in terms of game sales in the future.

If the consoles sell at relatively the same number, and a game...say COD without a 2nd hand restriction on the PS4...comes out on both. It may show that people are more willing to buy games that aren't restricted, whereas the restricted one shows less than normal sales.

Or examples can be given on similar titles on the PS4, one with, and one without restrictions, that are received similarly well, to see which one gets more sales, and how affected it truly is by the game market. Sequel sales will be equally interesting.

Many examples for comparison, but it would be interesting.

I do hate the fact though that we have to be the guinea pigs for it. Would rather not really test the waters for future generations at the expense of the consumer.

[younglj01]

It seems like every day there is an new article about PS4 and used games.How do these articles keep getting approve if Sony have made it very clear over and over again that the PS4 will not ban used games.

I'm sorry the more I see these articles the more I think so one is been payed too leak false information

[Arai]

By the clouds...what have you done?

[Morpheuzpr]

It's just that the so called "media" is nothing but a bunch of fanboys making sites and blogs to fit their agenda.

To any one ho can think it would be clear that Sony has no intention of taking advantage of any kind of DRM. They might leave it to publishers or developers, but in said case "gamers" should take it to them and not Sony.

This is a company that is giving away multiple free games each month on PS+ and people is seriously thinking they want to implement AND take advantage of DRM on there next console? I mean come on!

The reason why even from the rumors it was believable from Microsoft is because they were charging for XBL this gen so it was totally possible from them but just because they did it doesn't mean everyone will do it too. IDK just my opinion I guess.

[Skate-AK]

Since it's not "always online" there really isn't a way to block used games.

[MysticStrummer]

"Since it's not "always online" there really isn't a way to block used games."

They certainly can't use MS's system, that's for sure. If there's a way to do it offline I can't think of it. Publishers can still require their game to have an online connection and use the Online Pass system or something like it, but that won't hurt Sony any more than requiring an online connection for One hurts MS. I'd still say MS has a disadvantage there because One will need an online connection for every game, even ones without multi-player modes.

[Muerte2494]

stands for digital. Internet connection is required for you to check in at a particular sever housing your MAC address. If the server cannot identify your MAC address then your system will be considered invalid. This is why games this generation could only restrict the online portion of used games. If an internet connection isn't reqiured, DRM won't work. This is why Xbox One requires you to ping atleast once every 24 hours. They need to check to see if the same registered game is being used by two different MAC addresses. I'm more curious as to what will happen if your console if you don't check in. Will you still be able to play your $60 games?

[rainslacker]

Technically not true. Sony has a patent to do just that. But they have gone on record saying it's not for the PS4.

That patent is where all the fuss about PS4 blocking used games came from last year.

[Themisterphenix]

Sony and Microsoft will not block used games!They both will have DRM!Sony left up to the publishers and Microsoft hasn't said how they will do it yet!Publishers just want a 10% cut of Gamestops billion dollar a year used game sells!

[MRMagoo123]

Thats the thing ppl keep getting wrong sony arent having DRM the console may have games with DRM just like the ps3 did but its the devs that have the DRM ppl keep trying to spin it but thats how it is.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

I personally don't rlly buy used games that often. I usually just wait till games drop like 20$ or have been out for months/years and get super cheap. The only used games I buy used are games prior 360/PS3/wii era. The only games I buy 60$ new are games I either couldn't wait for or, I knew I would be putting a lot of time into multple playthrus etc..

[DJMarty]

Well considering Sony has a patent for used games, why is this even news.

[Skips]

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

"Interestingly, I also spoke to a Sony source elsewhere at the event this evening who told me that the anti used-game patent discovered last month was actually nothing to do with PlayStation 4 at all."

Try and keep updated bud...

And not to mention the stupid amount of times Sony has had to repeat themselves in denying the PS4 will block used games. lmao.

[JD_Shadow]

Well, judging from how MS seems to be trying to dance around this part of the X1 and the bad press MS is getting about it, it's understandable if we see that Sony might not want to exactly say anything publicly. I believe they won't enact the same type of thing, but still...

[Tatsuya]

Enough with this crap already!

[JoGam]

This crap will end come E3. At E3 Sony and MS should give final details of the consoles. So until then the next 9 days will be hectic.

[PiTCHBLaCK]

Sony and MS won't talk about Used games at all at E3, They'll either talk about it before or after E3. They only have limited time to talk at E3.

[BeZdaBest]

i think they'll keep on with the online pass thing..that aint going nowhere...but like sony said "its up to developers"..

so if games do use a form of blockage..than sony isnt 100% to blame..

[Hicken]

Which wouldn't go over well with consumers, and result in lower sales than publishers would hope for. So they're not likely to do that too much.

Edit: Oh, there's plenty of complaining. Just not enough. People don't like it, but it's just like most other things: they figure there's nothing they can do about it.

It's the wrong attitude, and it's hard to get people to change that. But a big enough campaign, enough of a push from people like us who are active, and it can be done.

[BeZdaBest]

its happening today and i dont hear much complaining...not saying its a good thing but its still happening NOW..

[rainslacker]

" Just not enough. People don't like it, but it's just like most other things: they figure there's nothing they can do about it.

It's the wrong attitude"

Exactly. Well said. If anything we've proven over the last week if you make your voices heard, it does get a companies notice. It may not change anything though, so people have to stand by what they say and not just give in.

If implemented, the real test of all this will be how many people are willing to stand their ground against the idea. And then of course the bigger test is going to be if there are enough people to care to make a difference in the long run.

If implemented, I suspect a recurring article theme on here and other sites will be which games will implement it if it's left up to the publisher. The media and us will have to do our part to keep the pressure up. If the publishers want this, then they will have to work for it. I say make it easier for them just to release a great game that people want to keep, than have to deal with this issue with every title they decide to implement it on.

[thehitman]

Whats w/ the bring down too Sony articles popping up everywhere. Seems like if there is nothing bad to talk about Sony why not just MAKE SHYT UP RIGHT? Sony from numerous people within the division clarified their stance dont see how and why this is still being talked about.

[kevnb]

They are putting the onus on the publishers.

[pompombrum]

Sony would be stupid to completely block used games not after the M$ backlash and twitter campaign. Still, leaving it in the developers/publishers hands would be quite cowardly of them and allows them to easily pass the blame however they were probably pressured by greedy companies like EA to follow M$'s path in used game sales.

Still, providing the console doesn't require any online checks, I fail to see how they'll be able to implement a used game sale block.

[PiTCHBLaCK]

It's Called OPTIONS, not only do consumers have options on the Playstation but so do Developers.

[ApolloTheBoss]

Bringing up a issue that already resolved for the sake of hits. How desperate can you get?

[strigoi814]

they should think more ideas on killing gamestop and not the console gamers

[InTheLab]

Is it me or does it seem like the media wants Sony to block used games. I mean, that pig Keighley over at Gametrailers makes an offhand remark and everyone went wild with it.

Sony has repeatedly stated they do not have software in place to block used games like the Xbone, but that it will be up to the publishers to deal...much like what's going on with this gen.

So why do these articles pop up trying to tie MS' ridiculous policies with Sony?

[stuna1]

Because Microsoft has enough heat to spread around! The thing is I can't help but think the Xbox 1 wasn't ever intended to appeal to gamers anyway!

What I'm saying is if those who've supported Microsoft the previous gen + this gen want to continue to support Microsoft they're fine with that! But they want moreso to tap into market of the casually uninformed.

The Price is Right segment of their unveil speaks of their intentions. The stay at home wife, the workaholic husband who come home after a long shift, who just wants a cold beer, he won't even have to yell for his wife to bring him the remote so he can watch his favorite NFL teams duke it out. The online shopaholics that sees that must have item, all because the Xbox 1 has been keeping a record of her habits.

This is a consolize version of Microsoft Bing! I fear Microsoft has found a way legalize their own for of "CRACK"! And I believe they are going to be more successful than many think!

One other thing, why do you think the DRM, Used Games fees, All ways connected issues are things that Microsoft are pretty much sidestepping, here's why they are not Microsoft ultimate focus! The media side is.

[raymantalk1]

jesus i am so sick of this used games shit

is it wrong to bu second hand tvs,hifi's,cars,cd's,m ovie's,clothes,cellphones and everthing else that you can buy second hand.

all these things have developers do you hear them shouting its unfair that someone got our product second hand we are losing money no you dont why because it would be unfair not to be able to buy second hand stuff oh and by the way do you think game developers buy only new software/hardware, NO THEY DONT THEY ARE LIKE THE REST OF US IF THEY CAN GET A BARGAIN THEY GOING TO GET IT.

BOYCOTT ANY COMPANY THAT TRIES TO MAKE YOU PAY AGAIN FOR THERE SOFTWARE THEY WILL SOON GET THE MESSAGE.

well i have had me rant :)

[PANTHER1030]

Sony's strategy is very different, the company will focus at the digital distribution, because the digital copies cannot be sold or exchanged. The PSN store is a huge success and the subscription service PLUS is amazing, attracting new consumers each month ( For only 50 USD you can obtain 40 of more games). Sony doesn't need fight against the consumer and not forces him at stay always online, the company is trying to accustom at the player to stay connected in a friendly form, for example, if you are Plus and you are playing a free game at Vita like Uncharted Golden Abysm you must be connected to enjoy the game, but you be able to play games that you bought in offline mode.

For Sony the digital distribution is the future, because it's no needs restrictive controls, infamous policies, is more simplistic, profitable and cheap.

[madjedi]

That is actually the best middle ground approach, push digital sales that is better profit for both the devs/publishers and the hardware manufacturer.

And by keeping everything else the same you don't alienate the user base that trades in/buys used games rents and don't loose them as customers.

"For Sony the digital distribution is the future" True but we will still have a physical format out of necessity.

[smashcrashbash]

Still trying to say what Sony MIGHT do later to defend Microsoft? Just stop. If they do it later that is a whole different story. Cross that bridge when we come to it

[Godlovesgamers]

venturebeat.com huh? Yeah I'll be passing on your posts from now on.

[sniplerifer]

I think banning used games is a good thing.

[madjedi]

I think publishers and/or retailers need to realize not every game is really a $60 dollar game, the used game market exists for a reason. Not everyone can afford to drop $60 on a new game every month.

There is a price range from $1-60 maybe drop 10-20 dollars off the retail price after a certain sales quota or time on market has been reached.

"I think banning used games is a good thing." Considering gamestop said 70% of the trade in they do, goes to funding new games sales i really don't.