PlayStation 4 Discussion

[Flawless]

Sony patents tech to block second-hand games

Quote:

Sony's PlayStation division has patented technology that can block the use of second hand games on a console. The idea sees individual game discs matched to user accounts. Games which have been associated with another user's account will be rejected. Discs would come branded with a contactless tag which would be recognised and read by your console, using the same sort of NFC technology present in modern bank cards.

Quote:

The documentation goes into detail about Sony's desire and past efforts to "suppress" second hand game sales, and notes that the technology is a neat alternative to a simple password or Online Pass solution. "Where the reproduction device [console] is not connected to the internet, use of the content cannot be controlled," the text states. As for a simple passcode feature, "users may communicate to share the password between them and therefore the second-hand sales and purchases cannot be eliminated reliably." Sony aims for its new technology to be able to change that. "As a result [of the patented idea], the dealing of electronic content in second-hand markets is suppressed, which in turn supports the redistribution of part of proceeds from sales of the electronic content to the developers." Later sections of the patent describe how the technology could be variously used to temporarily grant access or limit the number of uses for a piece of software. There's even suggestion that the technology could be expanded to gaming peripherals, accessories and other electronic media entirely, "such as an office suite, images, and music content".

[Skyboxer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Flawless

Sony patents tech to block second-hand games

I've saved a lot of money over the years buying used and trading games in. With a no return policy on games that SUCK, this would be reason enough to say no to the PS4, for me.
Now if MS does the same thing
1: I would still be disappointed
2: I would only grab 1 system for sure this time or
3: PC only and go the STEAM/Amazon sales route.

More than likely it would be option 2 as I have to have an NFL game.

With that said I doubt this ever comes to be... Hopefully not anyways.

[Cusefan]

This would ruin GameStop, their entire business model is buying/selling used games so this tech could blow up their company. Problem with all of this is that Sony and Microsoft need GameStop, GameStops are far and away the easiest way to pick up a video game right now. I could see game publishers allowing GameStop to still sell used copies but still allowing the publishers to get a piece of the pie.

Without GameStop, we would live in a world where we might actually have to use some effort searching for under the radar games, unacceptable!

[WildFan22]

Sony executives.

[Skyboxer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cusefan

This would ruin GameStop, their entire business model is buying/selling used games so this tech could blow up their company. Problem with all of this is that Sony and Microsoft need GameStop, GameStops are far and away the easiest way to pick up a video game right now. I could see game publishers allowing GameStop to still sell used copies but still allowing the publishers to get a piece of the pie. Without GameStop, we would live in a world where we might actually have to use some effort searching for under the radar games, unacceptable!

They would just make sure everyone knew ahead of time that the PS4 was not capable of used games and they'd sell a ton more 360's IMO.
I think this hurts Sony a ton more than it would ever hurt Gamestop.

Then there's Gamefly....

[sydrogerdavid]

If games are attached to people's PSN accounts, that also mean that other people that use your system are not going to be able to play the game while it's accessing the internet, right?

[AUChase]

I don't think it will ever happen, but if it did I would not buy a PS4.

As it stands now, I plan to buy one in the future.

[Cusefan]

Quote: Originally Posted by AUChase

I don't think it will ever happen, but if it did I would not buy a PS4. As it stands now, I plan to buy one in the future.

I have to imagine if Microsoft announces something like this then at some point there was a backroom deal made.