Following Microsoft’s bumbled Xbox One reveal last week, US games journalist Geoff Keighley has said that Sony may also be heading down the route of some kind of used-game DRM, stopping the easy sale of games to others – something we’ve enjoyed since games first appeared.
Microsoft’s poor handling of the issue last week resulted in some dramatic headlines, but basically it looks like someone has to pay a fee (of pretty much the full game) if they want to buy a pre-owned game. It’s far from ideal, but that’s the story.
So whilst Sony have said the console won’t block used games, they haven’t said that there won’t be some kind of fee. Sony boss Yoshida dodged the direct question back in February. “It’s a publisher decision,” he said. “We are not talking about it, sorry.”
So whilst Keighley might have had concrete information, hopes are high on two fronts. One, that the details are now outdated, and Sony have changed their mind following Microsoft’s messy outing; and two, that the restrictions are per publisher and not console wide.
Chances are EA will want in, after ditching their online pass scheme recently. So whilst Sony have said there’s no always online on PS4, they have said they’ll “do the right thing.” Let’s hope that’s the right thing for consumers, and not necessarily the publishers.
Sony confirmed to TheSixthAxis last week that the PS4 would release in 2013.
See the video with Keighley here at GameTrailers.
carson321
Surely this would be the final nail in the coffin of high Street games retailers if both manufacturers go down this route?
The Lone Steven
Whilst it is risky for Sony to not implent DRM due to several publishers most likely refusing to support them, it would pay off as they would see a lot of sales and once the Publishers who refused to support the PS4 see that 70% of their userbase own a PS4, they would have to swallow their pride and support it if they want to see some profits next generation as supporting one console is not in their best interests. Hopefully, Sony will not tolerate any bullshit by the publishers and threaten to block their games. It would harm the publisher more if the PS4 has the majority of the market.
If they do use it DRM, i can see a lot of gamers flocking to the PC platform due to Steam being more friendly towards gamers. True, it is a form of DRM but it’s simple and i think most games can be played offline. Sony will need to handle this carefully as they have seen how badly MS have handled their DRM and i’m still confused what the damn thing is. Some say it’s a daily check for the entire game, others say that it’s just for the multiplayer and so forth.
blackredyellow
There is one positive thing about all of this.. I fucking love my PS3 and would happily play it for another 5 years!
blast71
Me too, plus it’ll probably take that long to get through the backlog i’ve got sitting in front of me ;)
Sad Panda
I’ve been storing games for years now, I saw this coming with the dawn of DLC and the online pass.
The Manics said it best, if you tolerate this, then you’re children will be next!
So here we are, approaching gamings death, sniggering at the WiiU and staring gaming oblivion in the face. Publisher greed will kill the golden goose, I’m happy with my PC/WiiU combo.
I will not have an Xbox One unless Microsoft make a huge U-turn and will only get a PS4 if Sony confirm they are not following the same route. Most of my friends feel the same way.