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Patent from Sony Could Stop You From Playing Used Game
To sum that up in an easy way, the Sony Patent Could Stop You From Playing Used Games, Possibly on the Next PlayStation. A patent application published today resurrects the rumor that Sony's next gaming console will suppress the playing of used games, and outlines how such a scheme would be accomplished without the use of an always-on Internet connection for verification. In short, an RFID ID stamped onto the new discs would track their usage history and restrict them to one console.
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan filed the application in September, six months after the first details of the next PlayStation, codenamed Orbis, emerged in an extensive leak published by website Kotaku.
First discovered in this forum thread on NeoGAF today, Sony's technology would check a game disc's RFID tag, which is capable of remembering if that game had been linked to a different machine or account. This check is performed offline and before the game is played.
While this describes the capability to completely block a used game—or any game that had been played on another console—it's important to remember that it also can be used to simply restrict some of its features, such as online play that some publishers have subjected to one-use "online pass" codes since 2010. The system described in the patent application would obviate the need for online passes, and also end the revenue stream they generate, but the point of their existence is to drive sales of full-price retail copies, with the $10 fee serving as a kind of clawback for the time being. It also would allow for rentals to use all multiplayer features; a code supplied by the renting party could unlock all capabilities for the life of the rental; currently, some games with online pass restrictions offer free three-day trials.
This is not the first time Sony has been rumored to examine used-games restrictions in its hardware. The PlayStation 3 faced speculation that it would not accept used games. Obviously, that did not come to pass. The last statement from Sony on its used-games posture came from Jack Tretton, the head of Sony Computer Entertainment America, said he was "totally opposed" to blocking used games. Of course, Tretton and SCEA answer to Sony Computer Entertainment in Tokyo, which applied for this patent.
The patent application number is 20130007892, and may be accessed by querying the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or here. We've reached out to SCEA to ask for a comment; any made will be updated here.
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#4493120 Posted on: 01/04/2013 12:08 PM
If this be the case, then clearly game piracy is no where near as much of a problem as the industry claims. What costs them more, Piracy or Second hand game sales? I suppose since they dont get a cut from second hand games sales they probably see it the same as piracy anyway.
Well I hope they have some killer games coming out for the console they plan to use this method on or they're gonna have a hard time trying to get peoples money, especially if this is also going to end the days of game rentals and I guess that means you wont be able to take your games to a friends house without having to lug your console around with you and given this sort of DRM nonsense and time I suppose the next step is to limit game pads/controllers for use on the one console, and then what? limit your console for use on only one t.v so then the only way to enjoy your new game with company is to have everyone come to your house if they dont have a copy.
It's not like the industry is even making any games or Ip's worth bragging about really or to even demand the kinda of...whatever it is they want, respect?. In fact its been a year of all the same gear/Cod ripoff me too crap and once great ip's turned into shallow and watered down shells of their former selves. Imo the majority of the games released last year played out like 6-8hr campaigns of pure tutorial-ism, and thats just the first 10 or levels of mp, dont get me started on singleplayer, or should i say cpu assisted button musher as most of them left me feeling like a special needs kid playing whack a Mole while all these pointless explosions go off around me and the game plays itself, but i spoze that's TWIMTBP.
The best title last year without a doubt though was Sleeping Dogs and I can guarantee the majority of console only gamers have not even heard of it.
If this be the case, then clearly game piracy is no where near as much of a problem as the industry claims. What costs them more, Piracy or Second hand game sales? I suppose since they dont get a cut from second hand games sales they probably see it the same as piracy anyway.
Well I hope they have some killer games coming out for the console they plan to use this method on or they're gonna have a hard time trying to get peoples money, especially if this is also going to end the days of game rentals and I guess that means you wont be able to take your games to a friends house without having to lug your console around with you and given this sort of DRM nonsense and time I suppose the next step is to limit game pads/controllers for use on the one console, and then what? limit your console for use on only one t.v so then the only way to enjoy your new game with company is to have everyone come to your house if they dont have a copy.
It's not like the industry is even making any games or Ip's worth bragging about really or to even demand the kinda of...whatever it is they want, respect?. In fact its been a year of all the same gear/Cod ripoff me too crap and once great ip's turned into shallow and watered down shells of their former selves. Imo the majority of the games released last year played out like 6-8hr campaigns of pure tutorial-ism, and thats just the first 10 or levels of mp, dont get me started on singleplayer, or should i say cpu assisted button musher as most of them left me feeling like a special needs kid playing whack a Mole while all these pointless explosions go off around me and the game plays itself, but i spoze that's TWIMTBP.
The best title last year without a doubt though was Sleeping Dogs and I can guarantee the majority of console only gamers have not even heard of it.
nicugoalkeper
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#4493134 Posted on: 01/04/2013 12:40 PM
Another sxxxxd move from Sony, they forget that many people use second hand games and that all other things are second hand at a point, still if they keep it up and add this feature i think that the PS console will loose many fans and money.
Another sxxxxd move from Sony, they forget that many people use second hand games and that all other things are second hand at a point, still if they keep it up and add this feature i think that the PS console will loose many fans and money.
Ven0m
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Posts: 1840
Joined: 2005-08-12
#4493137 Posted on: 01/04/2013 12:52 PM
Piracy is a tiny-tiny problem to be honest. However second-hand sales are an important part of the market today. If they lose $$$ on the hardware, and make profit on games, it's obvious they want to limit game reselling. Some companies limit reselling in a way that doesn't make me sad, eg. Steam... well except that I'd like to be able to legally transfer account to someone and imo parents should be able to transfer their accounts to kids etc.
Anyway it was bound to happen and from an engineer point of view, I really like Sony's design. However from a consumer and social point of view, I'd like to be able to let my friends try the game out. It happened a few times to me that someone gave me their Steam passes to let me try out (and as a result buy) the game. I don't know if demo versions are common on consoles, and if they're not, they should be or there should be a way to offer some kind of guest pass (unlimited number) to a friend after you buy a game.
Piracy is a tiny-tiny problem to be honest. However second-hand sales are an important part of the market today. If they lose $$$ on the hardware, and make profit on games, it's obvious they want to limit game reselling. Some companies limit reselling in a way that doesn't make me sad, eg. Steam... well except that I'd like to be able to legally transfer account to someone and imo parents should be able to transfer their accounts to kids etc.
Anyway it was bound to happen and from an engineer point of view, I really like Sony's design. However from a consumer and social point of view, I'd like to be able to let my friends try the game out. It happened a few times to me that someone gave me their Steam passes to let me try out (and as a result buy) the game. I don't know if demo versions are common on consoles, and if they're not, they should be or there should be a way to offer some kind of guest pass (unlimited number) to a friend after you buy a game.
nhlkoho
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Posts: 7755
Joined: 2005-12-06
#4493197 Posted on: 01/04/2013 03:57 PM
Second hand game sales wouldn't be as much as a problem if the games weren't so freaking expensive to begin with.
Second hand game sales wouldn't be as much as a problem if the games weren't so freaking expensive to begin with.
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