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[Canis lupus]

This morning, there were some apparent cracks in the strong positions Sony staked out at their press conference last night.

During an interview with GameTrailers, Jack Tretton said that, “The DRM decision is going to have to be answered by the third parties, it’s not something we’re going to control, or dictate, or mandate, or implement.” The internet immediately exploded, with many on Twitter accusing Sony of walking back their statements from the presser last night.

Rather than speculate, we went directly to Sony to find out what’s going on. Turns out, it’s a very similar system to what’s in place on the PS3 now. According to Dan Race, Senior Director, Corporate Communications for Sony, Tretton’s statements were referring specifically to playing used games online. He told me,

The Online Pass program for PlayStation first-party games will not continue on PlayStation 4. Similar to PS3, we will not dictate the online used game strategy (the ability to play used games online) of its publishing partners. As announced last night, PS4 will not have any gating restrictions for used disc-based games. When a gamer buys a PS4 disc they have right to use that copy of the game, so they can trade-in the game at retail, sell it to another person, lend it to a friend, or keep it forever.

This is good news for gamers, indeed. In a nutshell, you can buy a used single-player game for the PS4 and play it all you want. If you want to go online with it, you may have to deal with some sort of publisher-determined DRM, be it an Online Pass or whatever.

I think we can put our pitchforks down for now.

http://www.gamefront.com/sony-third-party-drm-refers-to-playing-used-games-online-only/

 

[Wario64]

The short version: It's the current online pass system that we see right now on current gen consoles. Nothing has changed

 

[Jake Tower]

Shitty, but I can deal with it.

 

[BRocknRolla]

The short version: It's the current online pass system that we see right now on current gen consoles. Nothing has changed

That's what I heard too. Don't know how it ended up twisted by the media.

 

[DietRob]

Status quo certainly beats the pants off of having to check in every 24 hours and not being able to give a game to my cousin or son.

 

[Impeccable]

That's what I heard too. Don't know how it ended up twisted by the media.

Oh I think we can surmise.

 

[Deadly Joker]

But that's not what Arthur Gies said!

 

[Rebel Leader]

The short version: It's the current online pass system that we see right now on current gen consoles. Nothing has changed

Better than Microsoft's idea

 

[razgriz417]

That's what I heard too. Don't know how it ended up twisted by the media.

polygon wants hits

 

[BadWolf]

Just think of how the PS3 works and that's all the explanation that is needed.

 

[Grym]

Right. So we have the choice to vote with our money when choosing to purchase or not purchase games that 3rd parties add DRM to...just like currently. The alternative - Xbox One - means having no say or choice in the matter whatsoever.

 

[ampere]

The short version: It's the current online pass system that we see right now on current gen consoles. Nothing has changed

Yea that's what I got from this. They aren't enabling publishers to disable single player on discs.

 

[Dragon]

polygon wants hits

Well theverge was in on those hits too apparently

 

[lifa-cobex]

Still shit but expected.

 

[gofreak]

That's what I heard too. Don't know how it ended up twisted by the media.

In fairness, Tretton was not totally clear. He was asked what would happen if a publisher came to Sony and said it wanted DRM. And he just said 'well that would be up to them, we don't mandate it or implement etc. etc.'

The absolute clarification that he was referring only to DRM on online play in used games - i.e. online passes - came later.

 

[Roland Deschain]

Still not ideal but miles ahead of Xbone's policies.

 

[the nightman cometh]

Good to hear. The only loophole I could see now is if the publishers can implement drm for single player games if played while connected to the internet at all.

 

[Painraze]

Still not ideal but miles ahead of Xbone's policies.

Uh it's the same as current gen.

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

I wonder how soon until EA's Online Pass Program returns?

 

[Wynnebeck]

Oh I think we can surmise.

This. Sony had a strong showing so don't be surprised if the media as well as people here are going to equate Sony's solutions as being just as bad as MS's.

 

[SolidSnakex]

I wonder how soon until EA's Online Pass Program returns?

Awkward for them if it does

“Initially launched as an effort to package a full menu of online content and services, many players didn’t respond to the format,” Reseburg said. “We’ve listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward.”