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[DryvBy]

"WHY AREN'T GAME JOURNALISTS ASKING ENOUGH QUESTIONS"

"ASKING QUESTIONS? YOU MUST BE TROLLING FOR HITS"

You'll be on adblock for 1 week for trolling. Don't make it more...

 

[UrbanRats]

I find it hard to believe that MS will have some kind of DRM which publishers want and Sony won't.

And it's cute watching people trying to make themselves feel better by saying "Sony will leave it up to the publisher!". Yes and you can count on one hand (maybe two fingers) the number of publishers who won't use it.

If you don't want to see the number of MS 3rd party exclusives increase dramatically, you have better hope Sony has some sort of DRM because that's where the industry is headed.

You may now misdirect your anger towards me.

Not only that, but i bet Sony themselves will use it on their first party games.

 

[SMT]

Because they are just trolling for hits and knew they wouldn't get answers.

Right you are, Sally, right you are. As if Sony would reveal their trump card before E3, to the gulls, no less.

Because you already think that they are sleazy so whatever they do is going to look that way to you?

Let's not put words in my mouth; I don't think that they are sleazy, I KNOW they are. ;p

 

[silaslang]

I like how it is just assumed they will follow Microsoft.

Have some faith guys lol.

If they weren't and given the backlash MS has gotten you'd figure they would be very eager to clarify they are doing something different than MS.

 

[Man-is-Obsolete]

Their original statement was incredibly vague, 'used games will work'.

Used games will work on the XBone too. It just costs money. I expect they will have a similar system.

To be fair that is not Sony's fault that the water got muddied up by Microsoft's inept post reveal interviews. Sony said that the PS4 will work completely offline, and that they have no plans for THEIR game to block used games sales. Which to me sounds like it will be up to publishers, just like it has been this past gen.

 

[oldergamer]

Sony didn't answer a thing. Saying it's a publisher decision doesn't say much.

 

[Rogue_Ledr]

So it looks like they still stand by what they said and nothing has changed.

Looks more like they don't want to comment any further right now.

That could mean they are sticking to the original gameplan, but it could mean something else.

I wish they would finally make things completely clear and elucidate the public on this issue.

Its getting annoying going on somewhat evasive comments.

 

[Smushroomed]

not clicking on a kotaku link

I know scans are against the rules but what about articles?

 

[Principate]

To be fair that is not Sony's fault that the water got muddied up by Microsoft's inept post reveal interviews. Sony said that the PS4 will work completely offline, and that they have no plans for THEIR game to block used games sales. Which to me sounds like it will be up to publishers, just like it has been this past gen.

Actually they didn't say they that. They dodged the question when asked if their own would use it.

 

[Raist]

Sony didn't answer a thing. Saying it's a publisher decision doesn't say much.

What do you not understand from the statement "we won't, if other people want to do that it's up to them."?

 

[Thorgal]

That doesn't discount Sony first party using it e.g this gen.

using it .yes

requiring it . no.

 

[gfunkera]

Very vague answer. Could be read either way as "we have no further info apart from our presentation" or "we don't want to comment because we are internally debating the direction to take".

 

[Mr. Fix]

They might still choose not to go through with it, but what I got from this is that we're probably not going to hear about it at e3.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

Kotaku tried to do something useful, but it still comes off as sleazy. Why?

Asking questions is sleazy now?

 

[jmood88]

I think they literally don't know and are scared to tread on someone's toes. I don't think we'll even get clarification at E3 unless they decide to go to war with Microsoft on this and make it part of the message (seems unlikely because now is the perfect time to be exploiting that)

They know exactly what the system is, they are just waiting to see how long they can milk this "Sony is our savior" stuff that is going on right now.

 

[The Dutch Slayer]

Maybe not the answer we where all hoping they would say but its the RIGHT one at this moment from a PR and for a consumer standpoint.

 

[abadguy]

Funny how trusting some people are of Sony. They are a corporation same as MS and will do what's best for their bottom lines. If they feel DRM will benefit them in the long run you can bet your ass it will be there.

 

[BadWolf]

Its pretty obvious they won't say anything until E3, no need to deflate the attention they are getting.

 

[AgentP]

Their original statement was incredibly vague, 'used games will work'.

Used games will work on the XBone too. It just costs money. I expect they will have a similar system.

There is no "used" game on the XB1 if you have to pay full price to activate it. Who would buy a "used" XB1 game from GS just to go home and pay $60 to activate it?

 

[Neuromancer]

I appreciate the effort but it was disappointing that the answer was so worthless.

I wonder if the title could be changed to reflect the fact that nothing was learned.

 

[Freezie KO]

"WHY AREN'T GAME JOURNALISTS ASKING ENOUGH QUESTIONS"

"ASKING QUESTIONS? YOU MUST BE TROLLING FOR HITS"

I understand your frustration. Thank you for asking the hard questions. Please continue to do so.

Can you please ask Reggie where Kirby's Dreamland 2 is?

 

[SMT]

Asking questions is sleazy now?

Probably because they know they won't get any answers, but ask them anyway to get hits for their blog. And I handily associate Kotaku with slime, for one reason or another.

Sometimes Metal Slime, other times Magic or Purple Slime.

"WHY AREN'T GAME JOURNALISTS ASKING ENOUGH QUESTIONS"

"ASKING QUESTIONS? YOU MUST BE TROLLING FOR HITS"

I like this user, I didn't know he worked for Kotaku, small world.

 

[Master Genesis Dream]

I agree but what about the 24 hour drm, do you think Sony will do something similar there as well?

I don't know. Why can't they just require someone to have a disc in?

But I plan to buy most games digitally anyway so that won't be an issuer. There a lot of things that need to be worked out.

 

[ironcreed]

Original plan still intact. Will be up to publishers. That's how i see it

The likely scenario.

 

[jmdajr]

we're all fucked

 

[The Blue Jihad]

You can just have a one time activation and tie the game to an account. Killing used games completely.

And yes, every big third party has such a system. They are called Origin, Uplay, Bnet ect..

Plus, the ones that don't have systems like that are basically non-factors in determining the direction of the market. Dark times ahead, pushed by the likes of EA, Activision, Ubisoft...

The more I think about it, the more steadfast my resolve to outright skip this upcoming generation. I might pick up a WiiU when it's cheap, and I'll definitely continue on the PC side, but for everything else...I'm really not that keen.

 

[Master Genesis Dream]

Used game sales are down, DLC sales are up. There is no chance in hell that used games profits would outweigh a whole platform's sales. Ever.

If it were up to publishers, there'd be no used games market at all. That's why you're going to start seeing day-and-date digital distribution of games.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

I don't know. Why can't they just require someone to have a disc in?

But I plan to buy most games digitally anyway so that won't be an issuer. There a lot of things that need to be worked out.

Multitasking + suspend. Vita set the precedent with those amazing features, would be silly if the console took steps backwards in that regard.

 

[Man-is-Obsolete]

Actually they didn't say they that. They dodged the question when asked if their own would use it.

"When you purchase the disc-based games on PS4, it should work on any hardware. So that's what I'm saying,"

That was their statement after the reveal. Sounds very different than what Microsoft is doing, at the very least it would allow borrowing and private sale.

 

[Master Genesis Dream]

If they weren't and given the backlash MS has gotten you'd figure they would be very eager to clarify they are doing something different than MS.

DING! In one.

If they were definitely NOT doing any DRM (or online requirements) they'd be crowing from the rooftops right now.

Or maybe they're saving it as a gut-shot at E3?

 

[alstein]

You can block used games outright without online, CD key is all that's needed. Trading a single game multiple times is where it becomes an issue either that or don't allow installs.

If a console never goes online, how is it going to verify the key isn't used before?

If it does, folks who only put it online for patches will get a nasty surprise.

I think the difference will be MSFT way will lock games on and offline, Sony way will be this gen's online pass.

THe question is , if Sony said to the publishers they would do this, then yanked it "due to consumer demand", what could the publishers really do about it? Not much.

 

[sneaky77]

That was their statement after the reveal. Sounds very different than what Microsoft is doing, at the very least it would allow borrowing and private sale.

how is it different? Xbox One discs will run in all Xbox One consoles.. you may not be able to play it without the original account logged in or without paying a fee. But it will install.

 

[Nevergiveup]

There is no "used" game on the XB1 if you have to pay full price to activate it. Who would buy a "used" XB1 game from GS just to go home and pay $60 to activate it?

Do we know that? as far as I remember Phil spencer was referring to our "friends" paying to unlock the game code outside of our accounts. Basically like digital downloads.

 

[Master Genesis Dream]

There is no "used" game on the XB1 if you have to pay full price to activate it. Who would buy a "used" XB1 game from GS just to go home and pay $60 to activate it?

GS pays the activation fee. That's what I read somewhere. So many crossed messages...

 

[Miles Quaritch]

There is no "used" game on the XB1 if you have to pay full price to activate it. Who would buy a "used" XB1 game from GS just to go home and pay $60 to activate it?

Don't Gamestop, etc pay the activation fee?

 

[twobear]

I don't understand how this Gamestop activation fee rumour is supposed to work from an economic point of view. It just seems like a losing prospect for Gamestop.

 

[Man-is-Obsolete]

^^^^It is, even if they get $5-$10 cut for each used games they are cutting their current profit margins by more than half.

how is it different? Xbox One discs will run in all Xbox One consoles.. you may not be able to play it without the original account logged in or without paying a fee. But it will install.

That's a weird definition of "should work on any hardware". Whatever, we all basically know nothing. I think they will leave it up to publishers but may have a system level thing in place for those publishers to use if they want to block used games. That way if EA wants to block used games so badly they could but it wouldn't force CDP to make Witcher 3 follow the same route. Sony has positioned the PS4 as a very open ended platformer. Self publish if you want, price and release when you want, and it is my belief put in your own form of DRM or not if you want.

 

[Nevergiveup]

I don't understand how this Gamestop activation fee rumour is supposed to work from an economic point of view. It just seems like a losing prospect for Gamestop.

Probably similar to how online passes are now basically, GameStop can print out activation codes

 

[AgentP]

Do we know that? as far as I remember Phil spencer was referring to our "friends" paying to unlock the game code outside of our accounts. Basically like digital downloads.

I don't know anymore than you guys. I'm just trying to interpret all the different things they said. I guess it is feasible that the game is deactivated from the original owner's account and then the disc could be resold and the activation code re-used? How would GS know it was deactivated? I guess they could have a web page to type the code in and see the status?

Also wouldn't the publishers get zero money from this transaction? At least now they get some cash from online codes for MP play from used sales.

 

[3rdamention]

Yup, expect the EA hate to hit all-time highs here on NeoGAF come next gen.... They will be the worst offender of this by far.....

I am already trying to stop supporting them. I love Battlefield, and enjoy Madden. Those are going to be the 2 bigs one that really want my money. If I can hold out on those 2, I probably wont be supporting EA at all any more.

 

[RobotMafia]

"WHY AREN'T GAME JOURNALISTS ASKING ENOUGH QUESTIONS"

"ASKING QUESTIONS? YOU MUST BE TROLLING FOR HITS"

You know I've not been a fan of you or your site but I'm with you here. At least you tried to get some info from Sony.

 

[Jondoyle123]

Frankly I only really care about online only because I will not buy a console knowing it will kill of my collection in a few years

Like I said surly after yosp and cerney saying it in no way has to be connected they can't go back on that

 

[RMI]

*nevermind

 

[Beer Monkey]

"WHY AREN'T GAME JOURNALISTS ASKING ENOUGH QUESTIONS"

"ASKING QUESTIONS? YOU MUST BE TROLLING FOR HITS"

I'm not saying they shouldn't ask questions, I'm just saying it's not worthy of a new story. Just add an update to one of the many existing stories. If you are going to run a headline, just put 'no news out of Sony regarding online DRM'. The whole thing is sensational.

'No News' is not worthy of a new story.

 

[Shaanyboi]

This more or less just exemplifies the key problem with games journalism... and it kinda doesn't even have to do with the journalists.

The publishers don't have to answer shit if they don't want to. They give empty answers like this without answering anything, and the media-person can't really do anything...


However I don't see how a completely vague answer warrants its own news story if nothing has been changed or clarified.

 

[Impeccable]

If it were up to publishers, there'd be no used games market at all. That's why you're going to start seeing day-and-date digital distribution of games.

And next generation, in 2023 rolls around we will be ready for all DD and deal with it then.

 

[Knux-Future]

Rumors of hardware in both consoles turned out to be true. XO's rumors turned out to be true. EA killed online passes just like that. Sony used online passes for their games.

I don't know, it doesn't look too good for gamers at this point.

You mention rumors...but.

Most rumors for the PS4 stated that they wouldn't have any system in place like the XBone. Edge who basically called damn near eveyrthing on the XBone, leaks said that Sony would not put an system in place.

So the rumors only count for one side?

regardless, It's weird that some many of the same arguments have been spouted "Microsoft is doing it so Sony must", or "EA killed their online passes", "every publisher will do it" or "they won't put games on the PS4" as if they are factual.

Microsoft has the tools to do it, Sony doesn't. EA killing it means little in the long run. Every publsher didn't do online passes this year. And avoiding the PS4 is a lot riskier than avoiding the Wii U.

I'm not saying they won't do it but people need to stop acting like it's a done deal. The whole twitter thing was inacted because of Sony wavering and apparently they decided not to do it. The Tweets are to make sure that stays that way.

an aside that troll job a few days back, would look really awful if they went ahead and actually placed DRM on the system.

hell maybe Microsoft will soften their attempt too.

The pessimism and acceptance around here is kinda depressing.

TLDR; Nothing is set in stone. Chillax

 

[Man-is-Obsolete]

And next generation, in 2023 rolls around we will be ready for all DD and deal with it then.

It would be much easier pill to swallow. Actually really think the backlash would be far less if Microsoft approached the Xbox like a Steambox and said all games are sold through the marketplace and we will allow offline play of all games, like Steam. It's when you keep things around like discs that makes it physical to people and physical things carry with them an expectation to work whenever and where ever.

That's why this whole DRM thing is a terrible approach. Want to stop used games sales? Then put your money where your mouth is and heavily discount the Live/PSN version. The new Call of Duty and Battlefield should be $50 on those store fronts and $60 as a disc. People will begin downloading more and more to get the cheaper version and sacrificing their ability to resell in the process, all over $10. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out.

 

[Zukuu]

Sony will maike a big fuzz about their non-online used games friendly stuff so they'll look like the white knight in comparison to XBone. Smart tactic actually.

 

[RulkezX]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but given the mainstream attention the GAF campaign garnered this week, its weird as hell that Sony have had nothing at all to say about this.

It's either bad marketing or hoping the noise is going to calm down and go away.