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[BobTheFork]

Shame. I don't have any interest in a system that HAS to be online and has no used games. I don't see myself putting together another PC tower either. It will be 'interesting' to see how this all roles out.

 

[HylianTom]

Hmm, the problem that I see here is if MS and Sony both do this then what is the alternative?

PCs already don't allow for used games and are usually always online by default so there's not much to combat there, Nintendo looks to getting left out of the party once again and any other hardware makers, like Apple or Valve, would most likely have the same policies in place. So where would gamers turn?

MS and Sony (if Sony is really on board) know that after the initial fuss hardcore gamers will cave and buy their systems which is exactly why they're doing this. It will make them tons of extra money and there's no one to stop them or protect gamers from themselves. If you want a good example of how this works out just check the mobile carrier industry. They're constantly making their services less customer friendly and basically telling you if you don't like it then go screw yourself.

I see it playing out precisely like this. Gamers will complain, games will be flaunted, gamers will put-up with whatever it takes to play what they want.

No easy answer here. Gamers are going to get the systems they deserve.

 

[chubigans]

I don't see Sony going through with it given that there's zero insider evidence pointing in that direction, which puts MS in a very awkward position. I wonder how they'll present this.

 

[Eusis]

PCs already don't allow for used games and are usually always online by default so there's not much to combat there, Nintendo looks to getting left out of the party once again and any other hardware makers, like Apple or Valve, would most likely have the same policies in place. So where would gamers turn?

I feel like this takes some sucking up and just going with Nintendo, or at least just going to PC where you at least have modability (and most likely the only games that actually DO require always online will be those trying to make real use of it, or aren't on Steam anyway.) Plus mobile's seen as an essential service, while this logic can cut both ways (games aren't THAT important who cares if the internet flakes out on you or you can't find a game now) it also means we can go ahead and give it up with no detriment to our lives, or just get gaming elsewhere like Nintendo or even mobile. Or at least go PC and choke out Sony/Microsoft and try to drive games back to PC if we have to deal with harder-than-PC restrictions anyway.

I don't see Sony going through with it given that there's zero insider evidence pointing in that direction, which puts MS in a very awkward position. I wonder how they'll present this.

I'm fearing Sony just runs a tighter ship. We'll see in a week I guess.

 

[rdrr gnr]

Hmm, the problem that I see here is if MS and Sony both do this then what is the alternative?

PCs already don't allow for used games and are usually always online by default so there's not much to combat there, Nintendo looks to getting left out of the party once again and any other hardware makers, like Apple or Valve, would most likely have the same policies in place. So where would gamers turn?

MS and Sony (if Sony is really on board) know that after the initial fuss hardcore gamers will cave and buy their systems which is exactly why they're doing this. It will make them tons of extra money and there's no one to stop them or protect gamers from themselves. If you want a good example of how this works out just check the mobile carrier industry. They're constantly making their services less customer friendly and basically telling you if you don't like it then go screw yourself.

I agree. Maybe this is unfair, but I do think there is some implicit hope that Sony does the same, that way all are justified in purchasing the console they were already planning on purchasing. Half the people who claim that they will abandon console gaming will not. And they will "reluctantly" wait in lines at Best Buy.

I see it playing out precisely like this. Gamers will complain, games will be flaunted, gamers will put-up with whatever it takes to play what they want.

No easy answer here. Gamers are going to get the systems they deserve.

Damn. But it's true. We are spineless fucks.

 

[Soriku]

Hmm, the problem that I see here is if MS and Sony both do this then what is the alternative?

PCs already don't allow for used games and are usually always online by default so there's not much to combat there, Nintendo looks to getting left out of the party once again and any other hardware makers, like Apple or Valve, would most likely have the same policies in place. So where would gamers turn?

MS and Sony (if Sony is really on board) know that after the initial fuss hardcore gamers will cave and buy their systems which is exactly why they're doing this. It will make them tons of extra money and there's no one to stop them or protect gamers from themselves. If you want a good example of how this works out just check the mobile carrier industry. They're constantly making their services less customer friendly and basically telling you if you don't like it then go screw yourself.

Save us Based Sony. The Wii U should turn out fine in the end with the type of games I want, but it won't get everything, and Sony really needs to show up MS.

 

[Voice of Reason]

So the best option if you want to avoid a console that doesn't allow for used games sales is to buy the Steambox (a console that won't allow used games sales)? Nice one.

And Steam sales don't help matters if you like to buy games new. I can buy cheap console games at retail if I wait for them to go on sale.

You need to change your name, dude.

It seems like pre-owned games are about to exit from the market for good. We now have to pick our best alternatives. A closed system that can control DD prices and probably won't reduce prices or an open system with various sellers that can compete in terms of pricing.

We buy used games because they're cheap, so if new games already check that box on PCs then there is no problem.

 

[Tripp Daily]

Why all must be black or white? c'mon, the "next Xbox is not a game machine anymore" statement is so negative that looks more like a "troll" statement to me. The same for any negativity news about PS4 (is there any negative news for PS4?).

Agreed, it's also an ignorant statement. Almost as ignorant as "Microsoft is abandoning the core gamer". Nevermind the millions they are pumping into new studios and new IPs.

Yes, Microsoft will continue to add more entertainment applications to their platform (not a bad thing). Xbox will still be first and foremost a game console (it has to be for early adopters and to get penetration into the marketplace).

I also don't believe bgassassin's information (I realize he is considered to be a credible insider). Microsoft has nothing to gain by being online only, unless they go 100% digital, which I also don't see happening.
l

 

[mavs]

Sony: Killzone 4!

Crowd: Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Oh shit! Day one!

Sony: Always Online.

Crowd: Boooooooooo!!!! Fuck that!!!!

Switch the first part with (MS: Halo 5!)

I hope we get a gif of that on the 20th.

"Online?! Whaaat the fuck?"

 

[Rikyfree]

I agree. Maybe this is unfair, but I do think there is some implicit hope that Sony does the same, that way all are justified in purchasing the console they were already planning on purchasing. Half the people who claim that they will abandon console gaming will not. And they will "reluctantly" wait in lines at Best Buy.

Damn. But it's true. We are spineless fucks.

They may be, but when I say something akin to abandoning a console, I make good on it. I refuse to pay for Xbox Live out of principle, and I have no problem abandoning both if I feel they will dick over consumers like none other. At least with PC there's steam and the ability to mod some games.

 

[Glorified G]

I don't see Sony going through with it given that there's zero insider evidence pointing in that direction, which puts MS in a very awkward position. I wonder how they'll present this.

There is a lot of "Well if MS is doing it, Sony must also, right?" which makes some sense, but nothing concrete. I'm cautiously optimistic.

Spoiler

Who am I kidding, there punk asses are probably doing the same thing, FUCK!

 

[Kaako]

They may be, but when I say something akin to abandoning a console, I make good on it. I refuse to pay for Xbox Live out of principle, and I have no problem abandoning both if I feel they will dick over consumers like none other. At least with PC there's steam and the ability to mod some games.

Sadly I believe we'll be in the minority. Most will whine but then gobble this shit right up after a big IP release or two. Still waiting for official confirmation of course, but things not looking good at this moment.

 

[CLEEK]

It seems like pre-owned games are about to exit from the market for good.

For Xbox owners, sure.

We now have to pick our best alternatives.

PS4 and WiiU spring to mind. And 3DS and Vita.

A closed system that can control DD prices and probably won't reduce prices or an open system with various sellers that can compete in terms of pricing.

Publishers set the price for DD games on both XBL and PSN. The open/closed argument doesn't mean anything here

I can't wait to see the mental gymnastics that pro-Valve guys go through when the Linux Steambox is announced and everyone's extensive (Windows) games library won't work on it. "Well, games are so cheap on Steam, I don't mind buying them all again' you'll hear people say.

 

[Grecco]

I don't see Sony going through with it given that there's zero insider evidence pointing in that direction, which puts MS in a very awkward position. I wonder how they'll present this.

Rumor from 2012, and the Patent from this year. To say theres zero evidence of it is a misnomer.

 

[AlexMeloche]

Welp. Microsoft will lose a lot of the younger crowd with this. Most parents I know never connected their 360 to the Internet. :|

 

[AniHawk]

Welp. Microsoft will lose a lot of the younger crowd with this. Most parents I know never connected their 360 to the Internet. :|

they will for call of duty.

 

[rdrr gnr]

They may be, but when I say something akin to abandoning a console, I make good on it. I refuse to pay for Xbox Live out of principle, and I have no problem abandoning both if I feel they will dick over consumers like none other. At least with PC there's steam and the ability to mod some games.

I haven't paid for live in 2 years and I'm proud of it. I'm not willing to make any statements I will regret. I do have money saved that I was intending to spend at the end of this year. Used games do not alter my decision but always online and mandatory Kinect most definitely do. I'm hoping Sony doesn't follow so I have any easy decision -- but if they do -- I have a real dilemma. I'm bitter enough to skip for a few years until I know there is value.

 

[Plinko]

Sony will dominate this generation if they don't go in this direction.

 

[Saint Gregory]

Save us Based Sony. The Wii U should turn out fine in the end with the type of games I want, but it won't get everything, and Sony really needs to show up MS.

I find it really hard to believe that Sony would agree to this given that they've been the most consumer friendly company of the big three but honestly a week ago I would have said that there was no way MS would do this.

My real fear is that Sony doesn't want to be on board but will be given no choice in the matter or risk being Nintendo'd (yes, that's a verb now) in that publishers will surely love this idea and threaten to withhold next gen games if Sony doesn't follow suit. I blame Gamestop for this. If they didn't brag every single quarter about how much profit they make from used game sales it's possible that this wouldn't be happening.

 

[Satchel]

Agreed. When's the Steambox out?

There's something ironic about this post.

 

[CLEEK]

Rumor from 2012, and the Patent from this year. To say theres zero evidence of it is a misnomer.

I have heard that Sony had a fully working anti-used game system in place prior to the PS3 launching, but chose not to implement it. The recent patent doesn't mean they will or won't block second hand games this time around. Companies do a whole bunch of stuff that never sees the light of day in the end product.

 

[Reiko]

Sony will dominate this generation if they don't go in this direction.

If this happens PS4 might miss out on the annual Assassin's Greed.

 

[Dunlop]

Welp. Microsoft will lose a lot of the younger crowd with this. Most parents I know never connected their 360 to the Internet. :|

When the xbox 360 came out 7 years ago this was true, now every electronic device you buy is online.

 

[Grecco]

I haven't paid for live in 2 years and I'm proud of it. I'm not willing to make any statements I will regret. I do have money saved that I was intending to spend at the end of this year. Used games do not alter my decision but always online and mandatory Kinect most definitely do. I'm hoping Sony doesn't follow so I have any easy decision -- but if they do -- I have a real dilemma. I'm bitter enough to skip for a few years until I know there is value.

With that new PS 4 camera you might have "mandatory kinect stuff" on both consoles.

 

[Eusis]

We buy used games because they're cheap

Fuck this, I buy used games because I waited a long time and they're not out of print and hard to find. DD can help with this, but if a game vanishes it vanishes with only a few exceptions. That's why this is a travesty, because it creates a very real risk of games being lost just for short term gain, and why it may arguably be for the best if systems DO get blown wide open, at least they can be backed up and preserved until the copyrights end.

When the xbox 360 came out 7 years ago this was true, now every electronic device you buy is online.

Every device uses the internet, but not every device requires the internet to always be there to do anything with it. That's the big difference, and why people are put off by the always online bit, because internet connections are still flaky enough at times for this to be a real issue, nevermind palces without good service period.

 

[KimonoNoNo]

I still have a hard time believing that anti-used game blocking will get by the EU commission.

 

[AlexMeloche]

they will for call of duty.

When I say younger crowd, I mean 4-10 years old who likes to play movie tie-ins and Kinect games.

I'm pretty sure this market is bigger than what people usually think.

 

[Bgamer90]

I have heard that Sony had a fully working anti-used game system in place prior to the PS3 launching, but chose not to implement it. The recent patent doesn't mean they will or won't block second hand games this time around. Companies do a whole bunch of stuff that never sees the light of day in the end product.

Yeah, there were rumors of the PS3 blocking used games before it released too.

Next week will be interesting indeed.

 

[Gorillaz]

If this happens PS4 might miss out on the annual Assassin's Greed.

Ubi won't be that mad.

Though PS4 will lose exclusive content probably.

 

[Grecco]

I have heard that Sony had a fully working anti-used game system in place prior to the PS3 launching, but chose not to implement it. The recent patent doesn't mean they will or won't block second hand games this time around. Companies do a whole bunch of stuff that never sees the light of day in the end product.

Im pretty sure i understand patents Just saying that the whole " There is ZERO evidence of sony blocking used games spiel" isnt completely acurate. We will find out in a couple of days

 

[Razdek]

Agreed, it's also an ignorant statement. Almost as ignorant as "Microsoft is abandoning the core gamer". Nevermind the millions they are pumping into new studios and new IPs.

Yes, Microsoft will continue to add more entertainment applications to their platform (not a bad thing). Xbox will still be first and foremost a game console (it has to be for early adopters and to get penetration into the marketplace).

I also don't believe bgassassin's information (I realize he is considered to be a credible insider). Microsoft has nothing to gain by being online only, unless they go 100% digital, which I also don't see happening.
l

I personally think it's true as this seems like something that MS would try to enforce. They're trying to go get people locked into their ecosystem to spend money and monetize as much as they can. When was the last time MS did anything good for consumers?

 

[Grecco]

I personally think it's true as this seems like something that MS would try to enforce. They're trying to go get people locked into their ecosystem to spend money and monetize as much as they can. When was the last time MS did anything good for consumers?

Just a couple of hours ago i got a free month of XBL simply because Cloud saves were down for a couple of hours. So i guess a couple hours ago?

 

[CLEEK]

I still have a hard time believing that anti-used game blocking will get by the EU commission.

MS love to go up against the EU. Privacy, anti trust, you name it.

But joking aside, while blocking used games might be legal now, who knows what legislators will do in the future. Recent ruling from the EU have leaned more towards the consumer than businesses.

Anyway, as a European, it's painfully obvious the the Xbox is designed for the US, with other nations an afterthought.

 

[rdrr gnr]

With that new PS 4 camera you might have "mandatory kinect stuff" on both consoles.

That's right. There might not be a lesser evil. I'm actually okay with OS level functionality. The moment I am required to shake my arms or get up in any fashion to do what I could with a button -- I'm done.

 

[mavs]

I still have a hard time believing that anti-used game blocking will get by the EU commission.

The rumors for Sony sounded more like online passes taken to the next level. Meaning, you can play some of the game without paying extra, but not all of it. It doesn't seem like that would be meaningfully different, but I don't know that online passes were ever challenged in the EU either.

 

[Uno Venova]

Im pretty sure i understand patents Just saying that the whole " There is ZERO evidence of sony blocking used games spiel" isnt completely acurate. We will find out in a couple of days

He did say insider info though, that's looking like it's true so far.

 

[NullPointer]

There's something ironic about this post.

Well, if this is all true, its going to come down to what value the consumer gets out of these schemes.

Console maker benefit? Sure. Publishers? Yep. Devs? Uh huh. Advertisers? Hell yes.

But where is the benefit to consumers? If MS (and anyone who follows these plans) doesn't offer something incredible in exchange for these restrictions then they can all go to hell.

But for the life of me, I can't even imagine what they could offer in exchange that I would believe in and that would last the lifetime of a console generation. I see no reason to expect discounts within closed systems, nor reason to expect MS to do anything other than charge for anything and everything far beyond what they've already shown in their past history.

 

[Plinko]

I'd be disgusted if Sony went this route as well. Guess it would give me several years to catch up on my backlog.

 

[Eusis]

Im pretty sure i understand patents Just saying that the whole " There is ZERO evidence of sony blocking used games spiel" isnt completely acurate. We will find out in a couple of days

Admittedly I think if Sony does go through with it it ultimately won't be the way the patents layout. If they do however... this creates an interesting situation, if discs can be reset. That'd mean Microsoft possibly goes with the method more like Steam, while Sony does a third path that may simply force GameStop to give them a cut in order to reset discs and keep selling them. That's still problematic to me though as it still runs into the same "games can easily be lost forever" problem, but that would require GameStop either shuttering or at least dumping stock of the games, and anyone who just wants to cheap will still be giving publishers a cut. It'd probably be more preferable to all the parties involved but consumers, and even for them somewhat better.

 

[Knux-Future]

so does this mean the anti used stuff is also true.

fuck you Microsoft...and you too Sony if you follow this shit.

most of all fuck you publishers.

If true of course.

My internet is very unreliable....especially on consoles. It's all I need is to be playing an offline game and to be kicked out.

Unless this is just a "simple" yo this shit is legit check required to play, this will suuuuuck.

 

[AniHawk]

Sony will dominate this generation if they don't go in this direction.

if microsoft or sony did this, and it was only one of them, then they did this to lock down third party support, and to do it hard. if both do this, it's because third parties were begging them both to do it.

sony's either left with less third-party support, or a comparable console. the latter is more appealing.

that's not to say they'd be in trouble with the former. sony's first-party studios would have to work harder than they have, but they might really make a name for themselves if they're the only game in town compared to crummier third-party offerings.

 

[Soriku]

I find it really hard to believe that Sony would agree to this given that they've been the most consumer friendly company of the big three but honestly a week ago I would have said that there was no way MS would do this.

My real fear is that Sony doesn't want to be on board but will be given no choice in the matter or risk being Nintendo'd (yes, that's a verb now) in that publishers will surely love this idea and threaten to withhold next gen games if Sony doesn't follow suit. I blame Gamestop for this. If they didn't brag every single quarter about how much profit they make from used game sales it's possible that this wouldn't be happening.

Can publishers really afford making high-budget, exclusive games for the Nextbox just because they'll lose out on some new sales that ended up being used? If publishers are pushing for no used games, and Sony disagrees, I'm sure that'll hurt relationships. However, do third parties really have a choice? It's unimaginable that they'll back MS with exclusives when, even if they lose out on some new sales, they'll make much more money if they just swallow the pill and make games for the PS4 as well.

Only Microsoft? Lol

http://kotaku.com/5972787/sony-pate...g-used-games-possibly-on-the-next-playstation

Companies make patents all the time; there hasn't been leaks of Sony implementing no used games like we apparently have with MS.

 

[XtremeXpider]

Only Microsoft? Lol

http://kotaku.com/5972787/sony-pate...g-used-games-possibly-on-the-next-playstation

 

[mavs]

Admittedly I think if Sony does go through with it it ultimately won't be the way the patents layout. If they do however... this creates an interesting situation, if discs can be reset. That'd mean Microsoft possibly goes with the method more like Steam, while Sony does a third path that may simply force GameStop to give them a cut in order to reset discs and keep selling them. That's still problematic to me though as it still runs into the same "games can easily be lost forever" problem, but that would require GameStop either shuttering or at least dumping stock of the games, and anyone who just wants to cheap will still be giving publishers a cut. It'd probably be more preferable to all the parties involved but consumers, and even for them somewhat better.

Pretty sure they'd just do it through PSN. It would make no sense to make Gamestop the gatekeeper if the console is already always online.

Man, that'd be a great way to get the less technically inclined users to start buying stuff on PSN. Whether that meant PSN gift cards or putting their CC info right into the console.

 

[Tripp Daily]

I personally think it's true as this seems like something that MS would try to enforce. They're trying to go get people locked into their ecosystem to spend money and monetize as much as they can. When was the last time MS did anything good for consumers?

What kind of thinking is this? I completely agree Microsoft will try to squeeze every penny they can out of the consumer (like every other company), but to say they will neglect millions of dollars from the people that are not connected to the net and buy retail games in hopes of regaining their losses through digital purchases is crazy. They don't include "always online" and they make money from both.

Anything good for the consumer? Really? Microsoft provides services and products. Do you expect them to give stuff away?

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Only Microsoft? Lol

http://kotaku.com/5972787/sony-paten...xt-playstation

patents don't mean anything. If we took patents seriously we'd have the most ridiculous speculation imaginable.

 

[Eusis]

if microsoft or sony did this, and it was only one of them, then they did this to lock down third party support, and to do it hard. if both do this, it's because third parties were begging them both to do it.

sony's either left with less third-party support, or a comparable console. the latter is more appealing.

that's not to say they'd be in trouble with the former. sony's first-party studios would have to work harder than they have, but they might really make a name for themselves if they're the only game in town compared to crummier third-party offerings.

It's also plausible some third parties aren't going to worry and support both, I think this will be especially true in Japan as to go Xbox exclusive likely requires some idea of what you want to make that works best on that console, only caring about the NA/Europe market, or moneyhats, and after how this generation went I kind of expect Microsoft won't even seriously try for the moneyhat angle. Not that this will help Sony too much in the US, especially after RE likely burning the series credence, but they likely would still be getting anything MGS and FF at least.

patents don't mean anything.

Especially as I really do see it possible for Sony to patent that... only to do something else for locking out used games anyway.

 

[Uno Venova]

Only Microsoft? Lol

http://kotaku.com/5972787/sony-pate...g-used-games-possibly-on-the-next-playstation

lol

 

[Spongebob]

Only Microsoft? Lol

http://kotaku.com/5972787/sony-pate...g-used-games-possibly-on-the-next-playstation

Patent.

 

[Darryl]

Only Microsoft? Lol

http://kotaku.com/5972787/sony-pate...g-used-games-possibly-on-the-next-playstation

"patents don't mean anything" around here

lol