Sony patents tech to block second-hand games

[JeremyHight]

I see them using this technology to make it so rentals or used games have some content blocked until a purchase is made online. Seems like a stupid thing, but if they even get an extra 5 bucks per resale or rental, that ends up being an amazing amount since they really don't make as much on game sales as we'd expect.

[Swarley]

I see them using this technology to make it so rentals or used games have some content blocked until a purchase is made online. Seems like a stupid thing, but if they even get an extra 5 bucks per resale or rental, that ends up being an amazing amount since they really don't make as much on game sales as we'd expect.

While I can definitely see them doing that, that would piss so many people off. I mean shit, most publishers are already charging $10 to get the online pass for used games. Now you're looking at $15-20 on top of your used game purchase.

[SethMode]

One thing I don't understand about this: shouldn't Sony really only be worried about their first party stuff? 3rd party games that appear on both systems already made their money for Sony as a platform. So this is, I guess, just them trying to find a way to push their digital direct day 1 stuff?

I guess I just don't get the rational. You burn more bridges here than you save money.

[IamMedellin]

3 months after launch and this thing is hacked making it pointless...

reminds me of when they were taking so long with PS3 bc they were going to make it "unhackable"....

that went well

[JeremyHight]

3 months after launch and this thing is hacked making it pointless...

reminds me of when they were taking so long with PS3 bc they were going to make it "unhackable"....

that went well

In comparison to other platforms, the PS3 was about as unhackable as you are going to get in today's age. It took people like 5 years to actually hack the system and copy games. The 360 was hacked within months of launch.

[IamMedellin]

In comparison to other platforms, the PS3 was about as unhackable as you are going to get in today's age. It took people like 5 years to actually hack the system and copy games. The 360 was hacked within months of launch.

moot point, "unhackable" is unhackable...not really really difficult, I mean at some point its gonna happen but hey at least we can delay the inevitable Right, Right!?!

[Garrett67]

[Twigg4075]

so will twigg start referring to them as Play$tation, P$N and P$4?

Unless they also force you to watch an ad when the game boots up or their new dash is littered with ads and still charge me money to use their service...no.

Wont affect twiggles...he doesnt buy used...plus he is moving towards download only...even though he said he would not buy a next gen console if it was download only.

I do buy used but very rarely. The past year plus it's only been games from Gamefly. I can't remember the last time I bought a game from Gamestop.

Where did you get that I'm moving towards all digital? Because I upgraded to a 1TB HDD? That was just because of all the shit I get with PS+ and I ran out of room on my 320GB. I'll always take a disc over a download any day.

If this is true, which I highly doubt, I wonder who outweighs who? If Sony or MS did this, would they lose customers? Probably. But how many developers and publishers would want to make games exclusively for their system knowing that anyone that wanted to play them had to buy them new?

[jms493]

Apparently this was a move to appease the publishers...ala pachter

[Villain]

Trying to get devs to make more PSN exclusives?

[Maynard]

One thing I don't understand about this: shouldn't Sony really only be worried about their first party stuff? 3rd party games that appear on both systems already made their money for Sony as a platform. So this is, I guess, just them trying to find a way to push their digital direct day 1 stuff?

I guess I just don't get the rational. You burn more bridges here than you save money.

they own the patent. it allows them the ability to charge any developer to use this technology. they seem to think the online pass is not a full proof solution, so developers may see this as a better option.

plus the article is saying this does not work when offline. so its really the same idea as a used game that doesnt have an online pass. Lame either way, but its no different than a company forcing an online pass with its games.

just another reason why digital is the future

[Houston]

Eh whatever. Don't see myself going back to Sony any time soon.

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

LOL Sony never learns. Really they can go fuck themselves.

That last paragraph is scary...

Part of the war. SOPA included such backers as monster cable and other non digital realm companies. Why ? Because they wanted there "names" protected online so the end result is Ebay and Craigslist ads would be taken down if they contained the name of the product in the description.
All these companies want you to buy from them and only them and never ever be able to transfer or obtain there product by any other means.
Fuck them all.

[jms493]

it is just a patent document...not an official announcement. I am sure if you went through all the patents that MS, Nintendo, and Sony have filed it would be a serious mind fuck.

[SuperKevin]

If this is the case, I will never buy another game that has a definate ending. Waste of 60 bucks to beat a game and then use it as a coaster