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[ManaByte]

The new PS5’s optional disc drive requires an internet connection to connect | VGC

The online requirement has raised preservation concerns…

www.videogameschronicle.com

As spotted on the back of the box for the upcoming Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 PS5 slim bundle, small print confirms that players who purchase the new model with the optional drive will be required to connect to the internet when pairing it to a machine for the first time.

It’s likely that this is a security measure in order to ensure that the disc drive is a legitimate one and not a third party. However, it has raised some preservation concerns.

Because the accessory will require an internet connection for verification, there will potentially come a time when the servers needed to verify the license will no longer be operational.

 

[StealthGoblin]

Well seeing as it's a digital console then that shouldn't be a problem. You are shit out of luck if you buy that with no internet.

 

[SenkiDala]

Maybe the verification just need to be done once ?

 

[PatientGamer]

"Because the accessory will require an internet connection for verification, there will potentially come a time when the servers needed to verify the license will no longer be operational."

But if it's a one-time verification then this is a non-issue.

They'll likely close the servers when this PS5 model is no longer being produced...like 5+ years after they've closed production.

 

[Schmendrick]

Maybe the verification just need to be done once ?

"when pairing it to a machine for the first time."

sounds like it. still.....eh

 

[Mr Moose]

Wouldn't that be for Modern Warfare 3 or is there an image saying it is for the drive?
I can't read shit on that article they linked.

Edit:Oh there's tweets? I had cookies disabled.

 

[Kurotri]

 

[lh032]

eh for the first time? its fine.

 

[Physiognomonics]

This is normal and expected. Likely needed for 2 reasons: preventing piracy and activating bluray license (using bluray has a still a small cost for Sony as they don't own 100% of the license).

 

[Robb]

As long as it’s a one time thing I don’t really care.

 

[Mithos]

Taken from the twitter feed from the article in the OP.

 

[Reaseru]

Well, the PS5’s optional disc drive it's a DLC alfter all.

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

This is expected tbh

 

[Drew1440]

My guess is so that it can generate the encryption keys in order to play games as part of the copy protection. Could also be Blu-Ray movie-related also.

 

[Mownoc]

They'll likely close the servers when this PS5 model is no longer being produced...like 5+ years after they've closed production.

Even longer. There's basically no reason something like this should ever be shut down. I mean PS3 has been discontinued for over 6 years and that can still download games which has infinitely more server requirements for Sony than a simple online check-in like this.

I expect if in the event it did finally get shutdown there would be unofficial work arounds by then anyway. Just as the PS2 and Original Xbox have unofficial online servers.

 

[TrebleShot]

The console itself required an internet connection when it launched otherwise all you could do is play your offline games via disk and even then I'm pretty sure keys and and encryption was out of whack.

 

[Vroadstar]

Now I wonder, if you don't connect it to the internet, this will probably be the buggiest Sony optical disc drive ever.

 

[FeralEcho]

Even longer. There's basically no reason something like this should ever be shut down. I mean PS3 has been discontinued for over 6 years and that can still download games which has infinitely more server requirements for Sony than a simple online check-in like this.

I expect if in the event it did finally get shutdown there would be unofficial work arounds by then anyway. Just as the PS2 and Original Xbox have unofficial online servers.

Well ofc you can still download PS3 games,If I paid for them i should be able to access my library for a hundred years for all i care, It's not a damn rent. But Sony can fuck around and find out if they really wanna mess with consumer's libraries which is why i don't think they'll mess with these types of servers due to the shitstorm it would ensue.

Still....online only check ins for stuff that has nothing to do with online will never stop being retarded but companies will still be swinging their greedy dicks around and consumers will still be happy enough to defend them while they take it in the rear.

 

[SomeGit]

"Because the accessory will require an internet connection for verification, there will potentially come a time when the servers needed to verify the license will no longer be operational."

But if it's a one-time verification then this is a non-issue.

They'll likely close the servers when this PS5 model is no longer being produced...like 5+ years after they've closed production.

Sony isn’t Nintendo, it will be around for longer.
Still this isn’t good.

 

[Kilau]

Wonder if it’s an online activation or because it needs an update that isn’t ready yet.

 

[Alex Scott]

 

[FrankWza]

Is this "arrogant sony" or PS3 era "take chances Sony" that we all miss?

 

[WoJ]

I'm good with it as long as it's one time only.

 

[adamsapple]

Just first time installing, or any time you remove it and reinstall it, each time?

 

[Mr Reasonable]

I assume it pairs the drive to a console and ensures that the two pieces of hardware haven't been modified in some way? If you think about it, it's a bit of a security / copyright risk. This port is, after all, going to verify purchases.

I assume there's a chance that it requires the two pieces of hardware to remain connected or another verification could be necessary?

 

[Mibu no ookami]

This just seems like a fail to me...

So if you don't have any internet access you're screwed? I feel like that defeats the purpose of this for a lot of people and surprised that version that comes with it attached isn't pre-paired...

 

[Elysium44]

I bought a standalone BD player which worked without ever needing to be connected to the internet.

 

[nicoGec]

Ohhh noooo, asking for an internet connection in 2023?! Horrific

 

[Mephisto40]

My guess is they want to make sure the drive has the latest firmware on it when you plug it in

 

[MayauMiao]

So Xbox One always online was ahead of its time.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

 

[Kenneth Haight]

I for one welcome our all digital overlords

 

[saintjules]

I mean in this day and age, the internet is a primary requirement for gaming, specifically because of patch updates and what not.

I'd be surprised to see anyone trying to game without it.

 

[custardbun01]

Not that controversial, it’s a one time activation. Big difference to always online

 

[JimboJones]

I imagine by the time this is a legitimate issue the thing will most likely be cracked or we'll be emulating PS5 games in 16K.

 

[Xyphie]

I figured they'd so something like that to not jeopardize their security model. I imagine what happens is that a check is done and if it passes it irreversibly blows a series of embedded fuses inside the drive controller that pairs the drive to only work with your specific console.

 

[SomeGit]

I bought a standalone BD player which worked without ever needing to be connected to the internet.

The PS4 also never required an internet connection to enable the drive for games, it was needed for BR movies thou.

I’m not sure this is related to that law, unless it’s because me of the modular nature of the drive.

 

[StereoVsn]

This is dumb and just mind boggling. So in 10 years or whatnot when Sony drops support and manufacturing, if your drive breaks you will be SoL. Or what if it’s 20 years and not 10? Like Why in the fuck is this necessary?

 

[Mr Reasonable]

I assume it pairs the drive to a console and ensures that the two pieces of hardware haven't been modified in some way? If you think about it, it's a bit of a security / copyright risk. This port is, after all, going to verify purchases.

I assume there's a chance that it requires the two pieces of hardware to remain connected or another verification could be necessary?

 

[Sweep14]

This is dumb and just mind boggling. So in 10 years or whatnot when Sony drops support and manufacturing, if your drive breaks you will be SoL. Or what if it’s 20 years and not 10? Like Why in the fuck is this necessary?

It's the same for PS3, PS4, Xbox series X

 

[StereoVsn]

It's the same for PS3, PS4, Xbox series X

PS3 has no requirement around Internet access. You can repair the disk drive as well without they as far as I know. Not talking about movies but games.

PS4 never required it for games as far as I know. I don’t think OG PS5 did either, but could be wrong admittedly there.

 

[Roxkis_ii]

For most jobs in the US, you need to have an internet connection to even apply, so If you don't have access to an internet connection for a few minutess, you probably got more problems then being able to link a disc drive to your PS5.

 

[Three]

I figured they'd so something like that to not jeopardize their security model. I imagine what happens is that a check is done and if it passes it irreversibly blows a series of embedded fuses inside the drive controller that pairs the drive to only work with your specific console.

Why would it need to blow efuses and limit it to one console? It's more likely that an encryption key check is done and paired for that specific PS5. You can still move it to other consoles.

 

[Mephisto40]

This is dumb and just mind boggling. So in 10 years or whatnot when Sony drops support and manufacturing, if your drive breaks you will be SoL. Or what if it’s 20 years and not 10? Like Why in the fuck is this necessary?

You aren't going to be able to buy games physically in 10 years

 

[ReBurn]

Once again nobody is thinking of people in tunnels or on submarines.

I wonder if the drive has to be reauthenticated if you move it to a different console? The back of the box says it is to pair the console and the drive.

 

[Dane]

They do that to curb any kind of physical piracy like the Xbox 360 had

 

[Trunx81]

By the time when Sonys servers aren´t running anymore, this thing will be hacked. I´m pretty sure about that.

 

[onQ123]

Well seeing as it's a digital console then that shouldn't be a problem. You are shit out of luck if you buy that with no internet.

Beat me to it lol

 

[mrmustard]

Not a big deal. There is only one scenario i see where this is could be a problem: You are a collector, keep the thing sealed and want to play it in a future where the Sony servers are dead. But i bet by that time it's hackable.

 

[DenchDeckard]

I don't see the problem. It's only a one time thing. Just hook it up to your phone or at a friends house if you are a pleb without internet.