Sony's Battle Against Used Games and Why it's a Big Mistake
Watch out, GameStop! It looks like Sony has taken the first step towards putting an end to used game sales.
Word recently broke out that a patent has been filed by Sony on technology which will prevent secondhand games from playing on consoles. This hasn't been officially confirmed to exist yet nor is there word on which console this will be first implemented. We can only assume that it's likely for the successor of the PlayStation 3. Is this the right move to make though? Who is this ultimately benefiting in the end?
Original reports state that this technology is a step up from DRM tactics done in the past which required the user to have an Internet connection to confirm proper ownership of a game. Supposedly, there will be a player ID and disc ID which locks in together when first starting up a game. This information is then stored on a "tag" that works in much the same way as a bank card. The result? A game disc won't play if not used in the original console.
I can understand where Sony is coming from as a business. When someone like GameStop or some guy you buy from on Amazon sells you a used game, they don't see any of that money. Heck, game developers have even made an outcry over this practice. This move, however, is going about it the wrong way. As a matter of fact, you can say that used games are essential for the gaming market.
In this current economy, people are starting to realize how much video games are a luxury purchase. If you take away the means for folks who may not have the cash to buy new games, that could eventually drive them towards dropping it entirely. Keep in mind that a lot of people out there play games on a casual basis. With millions of people currently unemployed, you have to imagine that financial sacrifices will be made in entertainment when there's only so much for food and rent.
For the sake of playing devil's advocate, let's say that Sony is gung-ho towards ending used game sales and we have to think of a reason how. If you ask me, EA seemed to have a good idea by moving into an all digital model. More games than ever before are now available with a simple search and click as opposed to leaving the house. This can even result in a lower price for the consumer since there's no cost for packaging. Everyone wins... well.... everyone but GameStop.
Let us know what you think on this issue and the best way to handle it in the comments below!
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g1 DISCUSSIONS
Ruzlok
What battle against used games? People make patents every day and never use them. Someone should make an article about how people shouldn't overreact to patents that no one plans on using.
Mokuu
Theres reactions are early feedbacks which sony may or may not take in consideration when potentially adding that system. An extra step in all this would be to suggests methods or tactics which will push players into buying new games not FORCING them to do so. With feedback comes improvement - with discussions comes solutions -----or trolling in many cases lol
xTrogdorx
This is nothing new. PC gamers have never been able to resell games. Not that I particularly care about the plight of console gamers, but a problem I see with this is, what happens if your console breaks and you need to replace it? Also what if you want to bring your game with you so you can play at your friend's house, you'd have to bring your whole console with and plug it into their tv. Sounds like Sony's come up with new DRM that sounds good on paper but will piss off their customers, making the new system's value questionable.
Ruzlok
Um, in the case of your console breaking, it's the same as your PC breaking. You just login to your account on a new device. In the case of going to a friends house, its the same as PC again, you just login into your account on your friend's device.
ShinraCorp
I can answer the console breaking part. You lose, if they do exactly like the PS3 in which they encrypt the hard drive and it breaks or heck just removing the hard drive from the PS3, you have no choice but to reformat it and re encrypt it. PS3 doesn't work without encryption (well without the Master key anyway.) So ya, hopefully they'll do something like store the encryption key on their servers. So if the console breaks a Sony employee can take the encryption key, assign it to the new console that they send you and you won't have to worry about buying it a 2nd time everything.
Xaxal Eternitum
Again, Sony has had similar DRM abilities available for more than half a decade already (The same uproar initially occured back before the PS3 will lunch).
And besides, from a financial and business outlook, they probably won't use it. All this means is that other hardware/OS makers can't use a similar scheme.
Zanon
also I just might end up sticking to steam and pc at least they give deals but I will miss some exclusive titles.
I wish sony would wise up and look back at the playstation 1 days when they wanted to rule the market and look at everything with positive outlook now they look at it as a money bag and fans just like the games its not about money its about making a fun product for everyone like you used to say anyways im done rambling.
Zanon
I said it once I'll say it again, if they move to digital I am done with gaming period, I'll go buy the old games up that at least have a physical copy, also I wont buy none of Sony stuff till till price goes down on those games like I always do unless I want the game bad enough.
Also this is actually gonna kill Sony ps4 if they do this, it will drive the last nail in their coffin, I was hoping they would bounce back with ps4 and they are doing the wrong move by screwing gamers this is why Sony is failing backwards compat removed, linux removed and now used games removed sorry but Sony you are killing yourselves off RIP.
thejbcrazy
I'm done with SONY ....
Ruzlok
You probably don't even own a PS3...