PlayStation 4 'Orbis' Rumors: AMD Hardware, Hostile To Used Games

[Sam I Am]

I've bought my last console. I won't buy anymore. Especially with this anti-used game DRM crap.

=========================================

Kotaku reports some 'details' about Sony's next console given to them by a 'reliable source.' They say that the console's codename is Orbis, and it is planned for release by the 2013 holiday season (http://kotaku.com/5896996/the-next-playstation-is-called-orbis-sources-say-here-are-the-details). Developers are reportedly being told to plan for an AMD x64 CPU and AMD Southern Islands GPU (http://hothardware.com/News/PlayStation-4-Reportedly-Codenamed-Orbis-Will-Feature-AMD-Hardware-Lock-Out-Used-Games/). Further on, they mention that there will be no PS3 backwards compatibility and, like rumors about the next Xbox (http://games.slashdot.org/story/12/01/26/1829232/xbox-720-might-reject-used-games), will have anti-used game DRM (http://kotaku.com/5879439/why-an-xbox-with-anti+used-games-tech-makes-perfect-sense). Specifically, 'new games for the system will be available one of two ways, either on a Blu-Ray disc or as a PSN download (yes, even full retail titles). If you buy the disc, it must be locked to a single PSN account. ... If you then decide to trade that disc in, the pre-owned customer picking it up will be limited in what they can do. ... it's believed used games will be limited to a trial mode or some other form of content restriction, with consumers having to pay a fee to unlock/register the full game.'"

[Dallas]

I've bought my last console. I won't buy anymore. Especially with this anti-used game DRM crap.

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Kotaku reports some 'details' about Sony's next console given to them by a 'reliable source.' They say that the console's codename is Orbis, and it is planned for release by the 2013 holiday season (http://kotaku.com/5896996/the-next-playstation-is-called-orbis-sources-say-here-are-the-details). Developers are reportedly being told to plan for an AMD x64 CPU and AMD Southern Islands GPU (http://hothardware.com/News/PlayStation-4-Reportedly-Codenamed-Orbis-Will-Feature-AMD-Hardware-Lock-Out-Used-Games/). Further on, they mention that there will be no PS3 backwards compatibility and, like rumors about the next Xbox (http://games.slashdot.org/story/12/01/26/1829232/xbox-720-might-reject-used-games), will have anti-used game DRM (http://kotaku.com/5879439/why-an-xbox-with-anti+used-games-tech-makes-perfect-sense). Specifically, 'new games for the system will be available one of two ways, either on a Blu-Ray disc or as a PSN download (yes, even full retail titles). If you buy the disc, it must be locked to a single PSN account. ... If you then decide to trade that disc in, the pre-owned customer picking it up will be limited in what they can do. ... it's believed used games will be limited to a trial mode or some other form of content restriction, with consumers having to pay a fee to unlock/register the full game.'"

The push back will be huge if so. Talk about pissing the customer off further. If fans dont' have the assistance of used / trade ins etc, they devs could be biting OFF the hands that feeds them.

They companies are getting terrible advice from industry experts.

How to stop your customers from finally buying your products substantialy, do this.

I just don't see it going that route unless they drastically decrease the cost of console games and even pc titles.

Everyone must learn it I guess. I just see this blowing up in their faces.

[Hoofbite]

That's the lamest thing ever.

We're gonna lock you out of playing used games?

What a joke.

So video game rentals are just obsolete?

How can they even do such a thing?

[Cajuncowboy]

That's the lamest thing ever.

We're gonna lock you out of playing used games?

What a joke.

So video game rentals are just obsolete?

How can they even do such a thing?

It's gonna kill companies like Gamefly and Gamestop.

They can essentially close their doors.

It's a stupid business practice.

[BraveHeartFan]

I don't see any shot of that actually happening.

To do such a thing would make it pointless, and near impossible, to bother renting games and it would kill sales for places like Gamestop who do a lot of money in trading games and such.


I just don't see this actually happening cause there is no way you could possibly sell this idea to a consumer.


Either way it won't effect me. I've only had a 360 for just under 2 years and I don't plan on upgrading to any new systems any time soon.

[Ren]

I don't really buy used or trade inn my games so while it's a Richard move it's not really a deal breaker for me.

No backwards compatibility is though, I still play some PS2 game and i need a PS2 to play them and the PS3 is more then capable of running them but doesn't. Early models can play PS2 games and you can buy PS2 games in the PSN store to play on your PS3.
Having to keep the old PS2 around for PS2 games is kinda lame having to keep a PS3 around for those game on top of that is REALLY lame

[basstapp]

ummm... http://global.christianpost.com/news/ps4-rumors-analyst-says-sony-will-not-block-used-games-72394/

[Sam I Am]

ummm... http://global.christianpost.com/news/ps4-rumors-analyst-says-sony-will-not-block-used-games-72394/

At some point it will be true. That point is stated in the article. Once games go download only, you won't be able to trade them in.

[Alumni2k11]

It's gonna kill companies like Gamefly and Gamestop.

They can essentially close their doors.

It's a stupid business practice.


Yup. The only reason I've kept playing games is because I can purchase used ones for so cheap. It's rare I pick up a game that just came out.

[Ren]

Yup. The only reason I've kept playing games is because I can purchase used ones for so cheap. It's rare I pick up a game that just came out.

In Europe retailers who don't do trade inn drop the price of new games within months of release to compete with the once that do.
I can get new games only a few months old cheaper then gamestop sells used games.

All game publishers need to do is drop the price after the initial rush of sales and suddenly used games doesn't look all that attractive anymore

[JonJon]

The push back will be huge if so. Talk about pissing the customer off further. If fans dont' have the assistance of used / trade ins etc, they devs could be biting OFF the hands that feeds them.

They companies are getting terrible advice from industry experts.

How to stop your customers from finally buying your products substantialy, do this.

I just don't see it going that route unless they drastically decrease the cost of console games and even pc titles.

Everyone must learn it I guess. I just see this blowing up in their faces.
If anything, I think the games would be fully playable offline, but if you want to go online, you will have to purchase some sort of online code. It is already in effect for most games coming out recently, for example, Madden 12. All the offline features are available if you buy it used, but you must purchase an online pass if you wish to play online.

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

Ridiculous.

[arglebargle]

Richard move??! That's funny.

Agree that it is one. The game publishers have been peeved at the secondary resale market that they get no profits from, so this sort of thing just follows.

Will be interesting to see if there is a backlash. Sony has not been the best at handling things lately. This could be another misstep. Though the NeXtbox could do the same thing.

At least it is a move up from the dated, hamstrung, six year old technology on the console boxes that have been holding back game design for so long.

[viman96]

I agree this is crap. I rarely play games any more but have several consoles for my kids. We let me buy new and used games. We let them trade in their old games for credit at Gamestop to help them offset the costs on new games.

[Cythim]

Is this any different from what has happened on PCs since the beginning of the computer gaming industry? Has anyone ever bought a used copy of a PC game?

[speedkilz88]

How long would that last if consumers just said "NO", I'm not buying your system then.

[Alumni2k11]

In Europe retailers who don't do trade inn drop the price of new games within months of release to compete with the once that do.
I can get new games only a few months old cheaper then gamestop sells used games.

All game publishers need to do is drop the price after the initial rush of sales and suddenly used games doesn't look all that attractive anymore

That wouldn't be to bad then.

[Duane]

If they went to a Steam model it wouldn't be too bad. Continuous sales of various games, lots of indie games at low prices, sign in online and play anywhere you're at, etc...

[casmith07]

I'll still buy games. I buy all my games new anyway.

[BraveHeartFan]

How long would that last if consumers just said "NO", I'm not buying your system then.

If the vast majority of people did that and actually followed through with it then that idea would be dropped super quickly.

The problem is that you won't get enough people to actually go through with it to hurt their sales enough to make them think twice about it.

[Doomsday]

That's the lamest thing ever.

We're gonna lock you out of playing used games?

What a joke.

So video game rentals are just obsolete?

How can they even do such a thing?

I am sure they will be happy to unlock it for you, for a small fee.

I wont buy the system if they go forward with something like that. I would assume you wouldnt be able to bring your game to a buddy's house either, as it will be tied to your system or account.

[TheCount]

This strictly targets used game shops, not necessarily consumers. You, obviously, aren't going to pay near full price like GameStop currently charges for used games if you're going to have to pay an additional fee. That means those stores will have to resell for a heavy discount.

The bad news is that they will probably pass that loss onto their customers, by buying games for even less than they currently pay.

Either way, I'm out of the market if this comes to pass. My brothers and I share games from time to time, and I see no reason why Sony or Microsoft should have any say on what I can and can not loan my family.

If they said, oh we're also going to be selling all our games for $20 or less then maybe I could understand that, but they won't.

It's also worth noting that this is basically what Apple does with their apps. You can't share, trade or resell apps.

[casmith07]

It's also worth noting that this is basically what Apple does with their apps. You can't share, trade or resell apps.

And consumers gobble them up.

[Reality]

At some point it will be true. That point is stated in the article. Once games go download only, you won't be able to trade them in.

There was already a ruling by the courts that it is legal to resell legally purchased mp3 files (http://yro.slashdot.org/story/12/02/08/2123257/selling-used-mp3s-found-legal-in-america). The game companies will try, but lose this battle as well.

The game companies would have a better chance at preventing resell if they rented/leased their games rather than sold them. With the transition to online accounts being required for more and more games as a form of DRM protection, it would not be too hard for them to try to transform that system into a rental system.

Consumer anger will ignite though if they try to do that AND keep the upfront fee (and they very likely will). By that I mean take most non-F2P (free-to-play) MMO games as an example. You have to spend $40-$60 to buy the game and then spend $10-$15 per month and most of them have EULA's that do not allow you to resell your accounts.

At some point, entertainment consumers (music, movie, game, etc. buyers) will stand up to the industries. It was the same with the music industry when it refused to sell music online. Eventually, consumer demand, either through the courts or through lack of spending will force the companies to find a better solution. For now, they will try to grab every advantage they can hoping to either slide things by consumers or to establish as much of a foothold as possible so they can use the "it would be detrimental to our business if we changed now" argument in the courts.

#reality

[dez_for_prez]

I would assume you wouldnt be able to bring your game to a buddy's house either, as it will be tied to your system or account.
With the PS3 I can go to a friends house sign in using my PSN account, then if you go to the PS Store you can download any games that you have already purchased. Also I assume that Play Station would sell the older games for cheap after they have been released for awhile.