New Playstation to lock out used games?

[JohnnyDelRay]

So I just read on another gaming website (not sure if Im allowed to post links here) that the new Sony console will lockout used games, can anyone confirm this for real? I know Microsoft dismissed similar claims about their upcoming console, but to have Sony jump on the wagon is a bit of a shock. It is also rumored to have NO backwards compaitbility. So what does this mean if your console breaks or gets stolen? Or will it be a cloud kinda thing, because having a stack of unplayable games is pretty much a nightmare.

Just hoping its only rumors for now, still cant believe developers and publishers managed to sway this so hard it actually comes to fruition, would appreciate anyone else's insight on the situation..

 

[Smooth Operator]

I think what is coming to light is their very own digital distribution model, which obviously wouldn't allow any second hand sales (just like Steam).
As for backwards compatibility, well do you see it anywhere now?
What the hell makes you think they would include it when people just buy shit in any state it comes, then they are open to port old games and sell them again... ultra profit!

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

I think they would almost be writing Nintendo's ad campaigns themselves "Wii do what Sony don't!" It also might make it harder to find retailers willing to sell it when it could be taken as a direct attack on their business model.

 

[Skops]

Doubtful. Why would they? Blu-ray is a success, and Microsoft (probably) isn't going back to DVDs. Meaning Microsoft has 3 choices for the Xbox(insert):

1. Cave in to Blu-ray. It's not gunna happen, because if it did, Sony would essentially make money off each Xbox game sold in the format.

2. Make a new format. Also unlikely, since that would cost a shit ton along with the production of the new console.

3. Go digital distribution.. This is what is rumoured, and is very possible.

Microsoft finds themselves in a tough position right now. DVD's are becoming unable to hold to required amount of space for games, and as games get more advanced, they'll need more GB's. If Microsoft does go digital, they'll likely be sporting HDD's at 320-500GB's each. The biggest risk of going digital is the potential loss of consumers. We've already seen the outrage caused by the rumour alone, it'll be interesting to see how the cries translate into sales.

 

[crono738]

Wasn't this same rumor started for the next Microsoft console? And how convenient that neither sighted their sources.

It was. It was also pretty much the same rumor for the PS3 way back when.

 

[IMGF]

Hasn't this rumor been going around for about two years now? There's no reason to believe that any of it is true just yet because doing something like that is too incredibly stupid for Sony to put in place.

That would directly be an attack on business' standard business model and would be shut down. You don't see furniture businesses getting in an uproar because people resell their stuff and don't get a profit. Sony isn't special and gets to decide that people aren't allowed to sell their games if they didn't like it.

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Ok, here goes. Before Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo do any official announcements on their future consoles or their features, I would take any rumor, especially ones with dubious or non-existent sources, with a large grain of salt.

 

[FEichinger]

Always took *insert that news site we all know is responsible for that rumor* news with a decent grain of salt ...
And I'll stick to it here just as well ... While I do believe a project-10-dollar setup might be viable and even en lieu with Sony's plans, I wouldn't count on it yet, as long as the others are still competitive on the console market.

And, seriously, captcha ... "i see"? ... you have to be kidding me.

 

[Sylveria]

Wasn't this same rumor started for the next Microsoft console? And how convenient that neither sighted their sources.

It was. It was also pretty much the same rumor for the PS3 way back when.

Actually it's the exact same rumor that was going around for the PS3. The console would register the disc and then that disc could never be used in any other machine. Only thing missing from the 2004 rumor is the thing about PSN cause that hadn't been fully developed yet.

 

[Easton Dark]

It's also here on this site.

Rumors that have been done before. Ignore it. None of what you hear, and all that.

 

[Mykl Klein]

Sony isn't quite THAT stupid, IMO; To make a system that you couldn't play used games on, (and combined with no BC) would be just asking people to ignore your system.
Such a large part of gaming business is, (in my personal experience, mind you, so this could be a little biased) the used games area. GameStop, EBgames, Reset, Next Level, all these stores based almost entirely on selling new and USED games.
And not only would you be alienating the businesses that make use of used game sales, but you'd also be completely removing from your customers the poorer gamers. Not everyone can afford to pay $65 for each and every game, some of us can only play games bought used because that's all we have the money for; to remove that group from your customers would just encourage them to switch to other gaming systems that didn't have your ridiculous DRM insecurities.

 

[Tuesday Night Fever]

Admittedly I don't get the point of a digital distribution model for a console. At least, I don't see why it would be a better investment than just buying a PC.

 

[busterkeatonrules]

You ARE allowed to post links here, don't worry about that. I think it's actually encouraged, as it backs up your arguments. Just don't expect the link to do ALL the talking for you, as that counts as a low-content post. And THOSE are heavily frowned upon!

On topic, if download-only consoles become the norm, that's basically Game Over for retail game shops. Such a scenario would do the industry far more harm than good.

Besides, that PSP Go was pretty much a total bust. I really don't think the people at Sony would try anything else like that for AT LEAST another console generation!

 

[ElPatron]

Besides, that PSP Go was pretty much a total bust. I really don't think the people at Sony would try anything else like that for AT LEAST another console generation!

As someone who has been a Sony fanboy, I can say that they are retarded enough to try funny moves.

They crammed the PS3 with features that are beside the point of the console. They won't attract Wii-owners, and PS3 owners who want motion controls either bought a Wii or are not into it.

The PSP Go! was a platform meant for "technologically intellectual" people. Same audience that would be smart enough to realize that the PSP Go! is a waste.

 

[Lunar Templar]

just a rumor right now dood, remain clam until we have something solid to go on

 

[Heaven's Guardian]

As much as the game developers would like this, I can't figure out what the incentive would be for a console to do this. If one Microsoft/Sony console does this, the other has to immediately claim that they will never do such a thing and talk about how much they respect their customers, thereby demolishing their competitors. Are game companies really going to have any pull in this decision? What are they going to do, not make games if the consoles allow used? "That'll show them! To protest our inability to make a little extra money off consumers, we won't sell any games at all on their console!"

 

[ChaosStep]

Remember the rumor that the Nintendo "Dolphin" would have a Serial RS-232 that would plug right into our anuses and we could play games with the power of our dreams?

That was a good one, that.

 

[Vanilla_Druid]

Ah well, at least the Wii U looks promising (to me, anyway).