Rumor: next Xbox to block used games with one-time activation codes
- Thread starter Jos
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Guest
This is a surefire way to guarantee that I do NOT purchase one of these consoles.
I almost never buy used games. The majority of used games I own are older games that are out of print where new copies are prohibitively expensive or just too hard to find. However, I do sell old games when I decide I won't play them again (which I decide a lot to decide than for something like movies, which don't require as large a time investment to enjoy). If they go this route without adjusting retail prices accordingly, I'm back to PC gaming full time where Steam sales are such good deals that it offsets the inability to dispose of old games in my library.
Also, I like sharing games with friends and family, and they like sharing back as well. I can't take my new game over to show it to my brother on his Xbox? I can't gift a game I'm done with to a friend who hasn't played the game yet? Another deal breaker. I'll just grab my laptop and take it with me instead of unhooking a console from my TV and dealing with the hassle.
Also, are they going to implement a system that accounts for game rentals? I pretty much doubt that as well. Your game looks OK, but I wasn't wild about your previous effort? I want to rent it and give it a shot before I commit $60 to a purchase of your new title. You want me to blind-buy it instead? Sorry, you'd better have a damn good demo available, or I'm spending my money elsewhere.
This is nothing but collusion between console makers and the big corporate publishers meant to entrench this warped licensing worldview where you never actually own a physical product, you only own the right to use it on their terms so they can milk you for more money.
I almost never buy used games. The majority of used games I own are older games that are out of print where new copies are prohibitively expensive or just too hard to find. However, I do sell old games when I decide I won't play them again (which I decide a lot to decide than for something like movies, which don't require as large a time investment to enjoy). If they go this route without adjusting retail prices accordingly, I'm back to PC gaming full time where Steam sales are such good deals that it offsets the inability to dispose of old games in my library.
Also, I like sharing games with friends and family, and they like sharing back as well. I can't take my new game over to show it to my brother on his Xbox? I can't gift a game I'm done with to a friend who hasn't played the game yet? Another deal breaker. I'll just grab my laptop and take it with me instead of unhooking a console from my TV and dealing with the hassle.
Also, are they going to implement a system that accounts for game rentals? I pretty much doubt that as well. Your game looks OK, but I wasn't wild about your previous effort? I want to rent it and give it a shot before I commit $60 to a purchase of your new title. You want me to blind-buy it instead? Sorry, you'd better have a damn good demo available, or I'm spending my money elsewhere.
This is nothing but collusion between console makers and the big corporate publishers meant to entrench this warped licensing worldview where you never actually own a physical product, you only own the right to use it on their terms so they can milk you for more money.
G
Guest
[FONT=Arial]The only way I see this working is if MS would offer activation codes for a fee that could be used to play the "used" game on a second console. I am not sure legally they can prevent you from playing the game on multiple consoles. This is equivalent to movie DVD makers allowing their product to be viewed on one DVD player. Sure copyright laws prevent you from copying it, but they can't prevent you from using the product you purchased on mutiple devices. [/FONT]
hahahanoobs
Posts: 5,219 +3,075
You must have missed this sentence in the article:
"For its part, Sony has applied for a patent on a hardware-based DRM technology that would let them block second-hand games."
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davislane1
Actually, I allude to that point in my response to theSon. Sony hasn't yet made an announcement on if it will actually be in the upcoming system, so I'm reserving a definite conclusion until their event later this month. At the moment, Sony has the ball it their court. Whether or not they keep it there is another story entirely.
RenGood08
Posts: 183 +13
well. That is something a colleage and have been discussing. Game Stop is becoming wildly popular, but with this change, they might go bankrupt for sure. It'll be a sad day to see that.
G
Guest
Well if its true then good luck sony and ms as the pc gaming is coming to tvs and ouya is a great little console for what it is come on steam boxes etc..... beat them to it 
hahahanoobs
Posts: 5,219 +3,075
You must of missed the headline:
[SIZE=28px]RUMOR: next Xbox to block used games with one-time activation codes[/SIZE][SIZE=28px]
So you don't believe Sony will do it, even though they have actually filed for the patent, but you believe Microsoft will do it based on a rumor?
PS, stay off the crack.[/size]
psycros
Posts: 4,788 +7,391
[SIZE=28px]
Of course they applied for some incredibly vague patent, so if Microsoft starts blocking used games Sony can try to get royalties for the tech (as well as follow suit on the PSX4). Maybe <b>you</b> should put down the pipe for a while, Einstein.[/size]
Benny26
Posts: 1,393 +72
Yeah if stuff like this is what the next generation has to offer, then I'm done with consoles. I have a lot of used games in my collection. I enjoy finding a bargain around in the shops, something I would have never bought new but tried out because it was at rock-bottom used.
No matter what exclusives come along, I ain't biting if this is the future of console gaming.
No matter what exclusives come along, I ain't biting if this is the future of console gaming.
G
Guest
If they go with this, they are stupid. There are games out there that gamers know from the get-go that they aren't worth the full $50-$60 pricetag. What happens? These games are never picked-up/bought AT ALL by these gamers. Their money never goes anywhere and they don't get to play it.
But with a lower price-tag, some of these games become more attractive and "worth it" to these gamers. They reach into their pockets and buy it if the price is right. They bring it home to play, and are then able to contribute to online discussions of the game.
I hope Sony does not do this either or my gaming PC is gonna be lonely.
But with a lower price-tag, some of these games become more attractive and "worth it" to these gamers. They reach into their pockets and buy it if the price is right. They bring it home to play, and are then able to contribute to online discussions of the game.
I hope Sony does not do this either or my gaming PC is gonna be lonely.
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davislane1
[SIZE=28px]
I thought I articulated my position quite clearly. But I see a restatement is in order:
Sony has filed a patent for some type of game-system linking device; this is fact. Whether or not it will show up in the PS4 is speculation. Therefore, "I am reserving a definite conclusion" until their press conference later this month, where such a conclusion can be drawn on more than a patent (which I will elaborate upon momentarily).
Do I know this 720 nonsense is a rumor? Yes. It's kinda hard not to, what with every tech and video game blog on the internet calling it a rumor. However, because rumors a few months removed from product launches tend to me more accurate predictors of what a company will do than patent filings, I'm inclined to assign greater weight to the Edge rumor. Hence my belief that the ball is in Sony's court.
Now, why is the ball in Sony's court? Because they've filed a patent making everyone think they're going to initiate some type of game-locking scheme to curtail used sales on the PS4. This could be a corporate chess move for Sony or it could be exactly what it looks like. Either way, it's a low-risk ploy if Sony's executives aren't still chugging on the blunder juice. Do I think Sony wouldn't jump at the chance to restrict used games if they felt they could? Absolutely. However, the risks they run by doing so are greater than those faced by Microsoft. Therefore, it is more probable that the 720 rumor is true than Sony's RFID device is to show up on the initial release of the PS4.
As for staying "off the crack"... How about disagreeing with me in your next post by attacking my position critically rather than by putting words in my mouth and following it up with a cliche? (And don't go for the obvious move of arguing that I've contradicted myself on account of rumor being speculation.)[/size]
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Guest
This is a Hoax. A Scam. A Lie. It will NEVER happen. Used Games and Game Rentals are a multi billion dollar industry. This entire story should just be deleted. IT IS NOT REAL.
Only way this can be successful is offering games at a fraction of the cost today, Although most of the Gaming retail market is crumbling due to lack of a new console to drive the market - the second hand gaming market was responsible for allowing them to stay in the game as long as they did! Imagine all the car manufacturers banning the re-sale of used cars because they wanted you to buy a new car every time!
G
Guest
Why would you hope that Gamestop goes under? Do you enjoy paying full price for games?
I buy my fair share of new games but it's also nice to be able to get them at a cheaper price.
Steve Ballmer is that you...? O.O
I buy my fair share of new games but it's also nice to be able to get them at a cheaper price.
Steve Ballmer is that you...? O.O
hahahanoobs
Posts: 5,219 +3,075
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davislane1
G
Guest
This means, RROD = Purchase all your games all over again. EFF-That! Games should not be activated by hardware, hardware fails ALL the time.
Burty117
Posts: 5,108 +3,689
I'm confused, why is everyone making such a big deal out of this?
When you buy a PC game on Steam, you don't moan you can't sell it?
Hell most shops I can find in the UK do not take any PC games to sell second hand due to the fact almost all modern games require some form of activation.
How is this any different? This is just manufacturers Computerfying consoles.
And it will work if they can keep the prices down, I know if you wait a few months they normally go down (except for CoD, I saw a shop the other day selling MW3 for £40 still!) but they should be released at £30 max, then go down to say £20 after a few months then hover at £15 for a year or so then drop further. If the games can be just as cheap on PC, they sure as hell can be just as cheap on consoles.
I'm still really confused why everyone is making such a fuss? Only a year ago people were screaming "I only want to download games on the next gen console, I don't want all this inserting discs malarkey" Yet here we are people whining they can't re-sell their games? how on earth did you plan on doing that when you thought downloading was a good idea?!
I'm kind of ranting away at myself btw, so don't take this as a personal argument against you.
When you buy a PC game on Steam, you don't moan you can't sell it?
Hell most shops I can find in the UK do not take any PC games to sell second hand due to the fact almost all modern games require some form of activation.
How is this any different? This is just manufacturers Computerfying consoles.
And it will work if they can keep the prices down, I know if you wait a few months they normally go down (except for CoD, I saw a shop the other day selling MW3 for £40 still!) but they should be released at £30 max, then go down to say £20 after a few months then hover at £15 for a year or so then drop further. If the games can be just as cheap on PC, they sure as hell can be just as cheap on consoles.
I'm still really confused why everyone is making such a fuss? Only a year ago people were screaming "I only want to download games on the next gen console, I don't want all this inserting discs malarkey" Yet here we are people whining they can't re-sell their games? how on earth did you plan on doing that when you thought downloading was a good idea?!
I'm kind of ranting away at myself btw, so don't take this as a personal argument against you.
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davislane1
Well, it's two things really. First, most of the console crowd is somehow under the impression that they own all of the software on a disc when they purchase a game (and therefore the right to resell and distribute it). The licensing practices that have been a part of the software industry since its inception escape most console gamers, so they fuss when companys start exercising the legal disclaimers that precede every title screen.
Second, the ability to resell/distribute games is a major perk of consoles. When you eliminate that from the equation you create a lot of problems: people can no longer share games with friends, you can no longer buy at wholesale, rentals become complicated, and so on. More importantly, when your console bricks you get hit with a one-two punch if you have a large library. In essence, it's a big issue because restricting used games eliminates most of the advantages of console gaming. It creates red tape and door charges where currently there aren't any.
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