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Sony Execs Respond to #PS4NoDRM Campaign (GAF namedropped)

D

DGRE

Banned
Eurogamer

Sony employees have acknowledged a campaign aimed at convincing the company not to restrict used PlayStation 4 games.

The issue of limiting second hand game sales was reignited last week when Microsoft mentioned plans to regulate their use on Xbox One. Then, over the weekend, GameTrailers' Geoff Keighley hinted that Sony may still potentially follow suit.

"Microsoft is getting beaten up a lot on it," Keighley explained. "Sony, I think, has been seen as this kind of white knight so far that's not going to restrict used games. Based on some of the things I'm hearing, I don't think that's entirely true, because I can't see publishers allowing one system to do one thing and one do another."


From one Pope to another - Shuhei Yoshida has remained quiet on the issue.
Indeed, EA recently cancelled its Online Pass solution, designed as a way of recouping costs from second hand game sales. EA didn't mention only culling the scheme from Xbox One, where a used game tax appears likely.

In response to this latest uncertainty, NeoGAF users began circulating the #PS4NoDRM and #PS4USEDGAMES hashtags on Twitter yesterday and targeted messages at high profile Sony employees.

"This is why I love PlayStation fans - the passion bucket overflows," Sony's head of hardware marketing John Koller wrote in response to the campaign.

"Humbled by the outpouring of passionate PlayStation fans and their willingness to talk to us directly," said SCEA producer Nick Accordino. "Please know that we hear you. <3"

"I love passionate #PlayStation Fans!!", Sony Worldwide Studios product boss Scott Rohde added.

Sony has yet to mention the campaign officially, however, and there's been no word from its top target - Shuhei Yoshida, president of SCE Worldwide Studios.

"Used games can play on PS4," Yoshida told Eurogamer in February, back at the PlayStation 4 unveiling.

But Sony's position on the matter has become less clear in the wake of Microsoft's confused attempts to explain the issue. Used games can play on Xbox One, too, although with restrictions.


Nintendo may be the only company not to restrict second hand games - good news for Robin Williams.
Microsoft exec Phil Harrison went out of his way to try and clarify game ownership and second-hand sales queries with Eurogamer at the Xbox One announcement event last week, but subsequent updates from Microsoft mouthpiece Larry "Major Nelson" Hyrb have only made the company look like it still hasn't made up its mind.

"The ability to trade in and resell games is important to gamers and to Xbox," Hyrb wrote over the weekend. "Xbox One is designed to support the trade in and resale of games. Reports about our policies for trade in and resale are inaccurate and incomplete. We will disclose more information in the near future."

An open letter to Sony, penned by one NeoGAF user, explains the fan campaign in more detail.

"You might be wondering what the above hashtags really mean," the letter states. "Simply put, they are requesting you to keep things on PS4 as they are on PS3, when it comes to physical disc rights and second hand discs.

"Microsoft has ignited a firestorm in announcing a strategy for Xbox One that would see consumers unable to lend a disc to friends, unable to privately sell or swap a disc, and only able to trade discs at pre-approved retail [stores].

"We believe this is a big mistake, and we'd like you not to share in it."
Click to expand...
 
S

specialguy

Banned
this is about money, now that i learned ms plans to keep a cut of "allowed" used game sales.

News flash, Sony isn't going to say no to money.
 
D

dc89

Member
I'm preparing myself for a similar DRM situation on PS4. I do expect some sort of fee for used games.
 
H

Hasney

Member
"We hear you. We're going to go away and word how we're going to fuck you over very carefully.

We're also very glad that Phil Harrison no longer works for us"
 
S

SniperHunter

Banned
Nice movement by gaffers, but Sony can't get EA to change their mind. If they dropped online passes all-together, it means PS4, Xbone and PC are screwed....
 
L

LuchaShaq

Banned
specialguy said:
this is about money, now that i learned ms plans to keep a cut of "allowed" used game sales.

News flash, Sony isn't going to say no to money.
Click to expand...

If a platform holder blocks used or requires a certified dealer like gamestop they won't see ANY of my money ever.
 
cyberheater

cyberheater

PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 PS4 Xbone PS4 PS4
Yes Sony fans. Prepared to bend over and take it. You know it's coming...
 
S

sunnz

Member
It is about the money, if MS are able to get away with the used game fee, I'm sure SONY will follow suit.

SONY are only half the circle, consumers have to also make sure not to support such BS policies ( IF MS do it the way we imagined it so far, for all we know it might not be as bad as imagined)

I hope it pays off IF sony do keep it like the ps3 for no online and used games allowed.
 
L

Lucifersam

Banned
So if Sony does the same thing does it get excused or do people REALLY want their rights and aren't just using it as a console warrior crutch?
 
iNvid02

iNvid02

Member
gaben what are you doing

136973434736.png
 
B

bill0527

Member
specialguy said:
this is about money, now that i learned ms plans to keep a cut of "allowed" used game sales.

News flash, Sony isn't going to say no to money.
Click to expand...

Well...they've managed to keep online play free and run a somewhat comparable service to Xbox Live over the last few years....
 
N

nib95

Banned
Good article even if there isn't any new news. I'm. hope Sony stick to their guns and leave it to the publishers. That way we can avoid the publishers instead of the console.
 
C

Celegus

Member
If they can create a marketplace similar to Steam with its variable pricing and sales, I wouldn't mind if it were true. But until then, looks like I'll be sticking with my PC.
 
L

Lambda Pie

Banned
i think they won't have system wide DRM ala Xbone but instead it will be per publisher. which means 90% of them will have it.
 
C

Clefargle

Member
I once had a convo with my dad about getting a payday loan, I said that the people were being nice and telling me it wouldn't hurt my credit. He responded in his heavy southern drawl: "Oh they'll tell ye exactly how nicely they going to fuck ye, and then they break it off in yer ass!" Turns out to be quite appropriate in this situation.
 
J

jmdajr

Member
"Sony, I think, has been seen as this kind of white knight so far that's not going to restrict used games. Based on some of the things I'm hearing, I don't think that's entirely true, because I can't see publishers allowing one system to do one thing and one do another."
Click to expand...

yup
 
Hoho for breakfast

Hoho for breakfast

Member
Well I thought they had answered. Boo.

Anyway it's up to Sony now what they want to do. We've let them know how we feel about it. If they decide to block used games or implement some draconian DRM thinking it's going to somehow get them more money, I'll just be voicing my thoughts on the matter as loudly as possible with my wallet.
 
M

Marjorine

Member
I have to assume they are doing the same thing. Or at the very least have a plan in place to do the same thing. Can they even switch up with these third parties at this point? I don't know how all this works. This could already be signed and delivered and past the point of no return.
 
R

Respawn

Banned
marrec said:
Their continued silence is troubling.
Click to expand...

It's not. You're not running a billion dollar corporation and you have many investors and partners to please. Sony can't just come out and say hey you want it and it's done. There are meetings to have and lots of calls to be made. If they made an agreement with one of their partners before they have to come back to the table and restructure that agreement if possible. Also, giving away there plans early to the competition is also not wise. Let's be patient and see what our letters, post, tweets and overall disgust with this new venture has brought us. Keep the pressure on.
 
Z

Zukuu

Banned
Lambda Piscium said:
i think they won't have system wide DRM ala Xbone but instead it will be per publisher. which means 90% of them will have it.
Click to expand...

Like they have it for region lock and not a single game (save for Persona 4 Arena) had it?


I mean, why not increase the car prices by 200%. Or why not introduce a window-tax?
The argument "they will do it because there is money involved" is simply invalid. At least when it comes to something like this.
 
sublimit

sublimit

Banned
I really hope for their own good they don't follow MS.
MS has enough power to withstand a big drop in sales if Xbone fails.For Sony it will be the end.
 
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