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Sony has researched new tech for suppressing second-hand game sales

i doubt they would enforce it on the console like this.

But, i do see that they could use the tech as a new Online Pass -system. The chip registers the first console its being used on, grants you multiplayer features. Then if its a used disc, you will have to buy the 10$ pass from the store.
 
Am I reading this incorrectly or is this akin to a networkless system level online pass? Except it wouldn't necessarily be designed to restrict access to online only - with an intent to monetize used game sales?
 

Eusis

Member
I was wondering if gamestop could develop a device that simply resets the RFID tag to "new" status.
That probably counts as circumventing copy protection and thus violating the DMCA. Though for all we know they might work out a deal that they're ALLOWED to reset this, and so it ends up hurting lent copies and eBay more than GameStop.

... That actually seems more repulsive in some ways, and given how GameStop's been more quickly abandoning prior generation would not be acceptable as it COULD have been under Funcoland in the 90s.
 

Sid

Member
i doubt they would enforce it on the console like this.

But, i do see that they could use the tech as a new Online Pass -system. The chip registers the first console its being used on, grants you multiplayer features. Then if its a used disc, you will have to buy the 10$ pass from the store.
What if my console breaks?i'll need to re buy my own game?
 

saunderez

Member
There would be lawsuits up their ass.

Such a device would do great in the black market though.

I can imagine it now. A shifty looking dude standing outside of Gamespot, offers to reset your games for a couple of bucks a piece increasing your resale value.
 
i doubt they would enforce it on the console like this.

But, i do see that they could use the tech as a new Online Pass -system. The chip registers the first console its being used on, grants you multiplayer features. Then if its a used disc, you will have to buy the 10$ pass from the store.

That makes so much sense that there is no way Sony would do that. ;)
 
Imagine if all cars needed to be bought new...

Anyway, if something like this was implemented, I'd be likely to buy fewer games. I do buy used but that's not why -- I would be less likely to take a gamble on a game that I knew I'd be stuck with if I didn't like it. I'd stick to the big hitters I knew I wanted and would buy new anyway. Can't imagine I'm alone in that.
 

Mael

Member
What if my console breaks?i'll need to re buy my own game?

Thing is they'll argue that you never bought them in the 1rst place, you were renting them the whole time you thieving scumbags!
Now hand over your wallet!
 

Combichristoffersen

Combovers don't work when there is no hair
i doubt they would enforce it on the console like this.

But, i do see that they could use the tech as a new Online Pass -system. The chip registers the first console its being used on, grants you multiplayer features. Then if its a used disc, you will have to buy the 10$ pass from the store.

I don't play MP so I wouldn't object to a solution like that.
 

kingkitty

Member
Movies have many revenue streams. First in cinemas, then dvd/br, then tv...

Games have DLC, season passes, exclusive pre-order bonuses.

And in 2011 the video game industry was worth like 65 billion, which is nothing to sneeze at.
 

Dennis

Banned
Oh well, Sony had a good run.

From the stunning successes of PS1 and PS2 to driving headlong into a ditch in slow motion.
 

SparkTR

Member
I don't know if this will end up in the system, but this mindset is why Sony is taking a beating in other markets.
 
hmm the more I think about this, I think this is mainly more about linking a game to your online account. preventing the used game is the side effect, I bet if they implement this system, you'll be able to buy $10 activation thing like the current online pass we already have for online enabled games.

I think platform holder know there's no way they can block used game sales massive backlash, at the same time, I'm sure they've been looking at the money generated from used game sales and want a piece of that used game sales money. online pass is their solution for online enabled game. with this new patent, they can implement that to all their games, online or offline.

so I think used games sales will still exist, but the pricing from gamestop will probably changed a little since now consumer will have to pay additional fee to activate their used game disc
 

Sid

Member
Thing is they'll argue that you never bought them in the 1rst place, you were renting them the whole time you thieving scumbags!
Now hand over your wallet!
See,now that's BS i buy all my games new and i hope this doesn't affect the buyers buying non used games.
 

Data West

coaches in the WNBA
Games have DLC, season passes, exclusive pre-order bonuses.

And in 2011 the video game industry was worth like 65 billion, which is nothing to sneeze at.

GOTY editions as well as Steam sales.

Can we stop pretending games only make money once?
 
See,now that's BS i buy all my games new and i hope this doesn't affect the buyers buying non used games.

hopefully when you bought retail games and it's linked to the console, it will also add the game to your psn account 'download list', so not only you owned the game disc physically, you also have the game digitally since I assume all retail games will be available as digital download since day one for next gen.
 
This would neuter renting, as well as just lending a game to a mate. Is it really worth all the bad blood that woukd entale just for a slight increase in game sales?
 

Sid

Member
hopefully when you bought retail games and it's linked to the console, it will also add the game to your psn account 'download list', so not only you owned the game disc physically, you also have the game digitally since I assume all retail games will be available as digital download since day one for next gen.
How likely is that though? wouldn't it incur additional costs for sony?
 

Used-ID

Member
I could see this work for business software, OS's, PC programs, movies distributed to theaters, cellphone/tablets, car alarms,etc. Basically replacing the old serial/parallel/USB hardware dongles.

In this new world of patent lawsuits, I'd rather have Sony have something like this because they'll sit on it (they could only realistically do movie theaters) versus Apple or Microsoft that can truly force adoption of this kind of DRM.

Sony just doesn't have the brand power or a consumer market they can use this with due to competition.
 

Mael

Member
This would neuter renting, as well as just lending a game to a mate. Is it really worth all the bad blood that woukd entale just for a slight increase in game sales?

I don't even buy fucking Blu Rays because I'm not even sure everyone got a player yet!
This alone makes the whole worthless, if I can't lend a game to a friend there's no point whatsoever in even getting it and keeping it in the first place!
 
Maybe this isn't used to "suppress" second hand game sales, but to remove the need for online cd keys for first time buyers? I'm tired of inputing that shit every time I buy a new game...
 
Whether it's a good or bad thing for the consumer and industry is hard to say, but at least the idea is clever.

But it would be terrible when someone in the future makes a little machine that can tag all RF tags on a store shelf to one console, making the store sell invalid games.
 

Eusis

Member
But it would be terrible when someone in the future makes a little machine that can tag all RF tags on a store shelf to one console, making the store sell invalid games.
Or would it be terrible? Having something like that happen can be the sort of destructive event that kills initiatives like this as they stop being worth the pursuit.
 

Oersted

Member
Are people already in defend mode?


I have often enough bought used games at fairs I wouldnt normally get in my local area. An implementation of this would suck.
 
Gaming companies really think this is going to boost their revenue? I don't think the backlash will be especially large in real terms, but I don't see this as anything but a hindrance to consumers and long-term console retention.
 

Combichristoffersen

Combovers don't work when there is no hair
I don't even buy fucking Blu Rays because I'm not even sure everyone got a player yet!
This alone makes the whole worthless, if I can't lend a game to a friend there's no point whatsoever in even getting it and keeping it in the first place!

So you buy movies and games primarily to lend them to friends and not because you want to watch the movies or play the games yourself?
 
What if my console breaks?i'll need to re buy my own game?

I dunno, hey, this is all speculation :D Would make the most sense if everything was tied to your account instead of the actual hardware. And only Nintendo so far has tied stuff hardwarewise. (and Singstar on the PS3)

I don't even buy fucking Blu Rays because I'm not even sure everyone got a player yet!

you wait for _everyone_ to have a bluray player before you start buying vastly superior quality movies for your own enjoyment? :D what an odd stance!
 
Or would it be terrible? Having something like that happen can be the sort of destructive event that kills initiatives like this as they stop being worth the pursuit.

It would be terrible, because if it became reality Sony couldn't just magically release a machine the next day without the technology and it would cost them a insane amount of money to retool everything if something like that happened.


In regards to used game sales: Has there ever been any research into the matter in terms of benefitting the industry? Is it proven it would generate more money for publishers in the long run when a lot of people take the used games money and put it toward new product?
 
Maybe this isn't used to "suppress" second hand game sales, but to remove the need for online cd keys for first time buyers? I'm tired of inputing that shit every time I buy a new game...

According to the present embodiment, realized is the electronic content processing system that reliably restricts the use of electronic content dealt in the second-hand markets. As a result, the dealing of electronic content in the second-hand markets is suppressed, which in turn supports the redistribution of part of proceeds from sales of the electronic content to the developers. Though in the following description a game application (AP) is exemplified as the electronic content, the present embodiment is similarly applicable to various kinds of electronic content such as an office suite, images, and music content.

It specifically says it's use is to suppress the sale of games in the 2nd hand markey.
 

Sid

Member
I dunno, hey, this is all speculation :D Would make the most sense if everything was tied to your account instead of the actual hardware. And only Nintendo so far has tied stuff hardwarewise. (and Singstar on the PS3)



you wait for _everyone_ to have a bluray player before you start buying vastly superior quality movies for your own enjoyment? :D what an odd stance!
IDK man,the new buyer could end up getting screwed in the process.
 
I am seriously sick of all this anti-consumer bullshit we've been getting as of recent, I might boycott next generation if this is turned out to be true and stick to PC.
 

Used-ID

Member
I dunno, hey, this is all speculation :D Would make the most sense if everything was tied to your account instead of the actual hardware. And only Nintendo so far has tied stuff hardwarewise. (and Singstar on the PS3)



you wait for _everyone_ to have a bluray player before you start buying vastly superior quality movies for your own enjoyment? :D what an odd stance!

Come to think of it... carts/media for hand-helds would be the prefect platform for this kind of DRM.
I can see Nintendo doing something like this.
 
This would neuter renting, as well as just lending a game to a mate. Is it really worth all the bad blood that woukd entale just for a slight increase in game sales?

If they manage to monetize used game sales for themselves and/or publishers that's a huge revenue stream, I wouldn't call it slight.

I imagine the platform holder that does offer some sort of used restriction will receive preferential treatment collectively from publishers. Which is why I imagine that if one of them does it, both of them will.
 

RionaaM

Unconfirmed Member
Good luck trying to sell $60 games when people can't even resell or trade them once they're done The one advantage of physical games over DD ones will completely disappear.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
I'm glad I have a big collection this gen. I'll have something to play next gen while I don't bend over the desk for these guys.
 
Good luck trying to sell $60 games when people can't even resell or trade them once they're done The one advantage of physical games over DD ones will completely disappear.

Vita games are already 10% cheaper on the Playstation Store than the RRP, i can see this trend continuing on the PS4. They want you to go digital! :D
 

Jac_Solar

Member
Would they even make any money off this? Because my impression is that lots of US gamers rely on selling back their old games for a new one, and/or would not get as many new games if they couldn't trade back.
 
It specifically says it's use is to suppress the sale of games in the 2nd hand markey.

Well, it's like the current system of online passes. They want to make money on games sold second hand. The inclusion of the pass would promote the purchasing of games brand new, and as an indirect result "suppress" 2nd hand gaming?

I don't know. I just hope it isn't used to block 2nd hand gaming altogether.

It would suck.
 
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