Power Pros Forum

Read me!

If that technology isn't implemented into the PS4, this is a non-issue. So for the sake of this thread, let's hypothetically assume Sony does do this for their next console.

If this were to go through, it could be devastating to console gaming. It's monkey-see, monkey-do in entertainment, and if Sony does this, there's no doubt that Microsoft would likely follow suit for their "XBox 720". With this, you can't buy and sell pre-owned games, so GameStop takes a severe hit (which, in turn, could cause them to lay off 5000-10000 employees). You can't rent games, so GameFly dies. You can't even borrow your friends games or bring your games to their houses. And if your console breaks, you've just lost your entire library of games. Suppose you want to buy a game that came out towards the beginning of a console's lifespan, you'd almost be forced to buy it online or get it digitally.

Now, there might be some pluses to this. Games would hopefully decrease in price from $60, to maybe something like $40. And if they don't, then well, *(censored)* them. Nintendo with the Wii U could possibly increase in sales due to already putting out their new system without all this technology. And PC gaming would definitely see an increase in sales.

But think about this in any other context. It would be like not being able to buy used cars, or letting your friends borrow your car. There would be outcry everywhere! (I realize video games aren't important compared to cars, but you point of the analogy). There will always be people who buys certain things regardless, but there would likely be plenty of people who would boycott any system that implements this. /rant

So, four questions!
1. Do you think Sony (and/or Microsoft) will implement this feature?
2. Would this be like suicide for Sony (and/or Microsoft)?
3. If this goes through, does it affect your decision of buying the new consoles?
4. What are your feelings on the possible elimination of second-hand games?

EDIT: Also, I forgot to point out, I don't think this will actually happen. This is just about if it does.

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No
4. I'm indifferent until it affects me

This is easily the most significant aspect in my mind. I mean, you have to spend about $300 or something to replace the console, and it makes the games you bought, which could easily range between $60 to over $1000 in value completely worthless.

I've only bought used games when they can't be bought anywhere new, and never sold any used games, but if something that did that was implemented, I would not buy the console. I already had a PS3 break on me, and just estimating the cost of a few of the games that would be made worthless if that was implemented, it would cost easily over $1000 to replace everything, and that's if the games could still be found.

Could you clarify this whole "used games" thing? I still don't understand. Is it that you can only buy new games, and not used games, or do used games that you bought from GameStop just not work on the console? Do I have it right, or no?

It means that any game must be new. If it were to played on any system before yours, it wouldn't work. Sure, you could still buy used games, they just wouldn't work

Well, that sounds stupid. Why would they do that? Oh wait. Money.

If a console kicks the bucket, there should be some sort of insurance policy on your game library.

I believe the plan is to have your games tied to your PSN or Xbox Live account so that a record of all your purchased games are stored online. The one major issue I see with this is making it harder to buy cheap old games at gamestop, but with a system where games stay on the market and continually drop in price, it wouldn't be much of a problem. Steam already does this for PC gaming and it's immensely popular.

If they tie it to the online account of someone it isn't much better, imagine a family Christmas where the 3 children and 1 of the adults in the family all get the same game for Christmas, and they have to because they all have interest in playing it.

I don't know how well that would work with real games (discs). If you prefer getting digitally, there would be no problem, because there isn't one right now. But if you like getting hard copies like I do, there might be an issue. For example, last year 111 PS3 games were released last year, so good luck trying to make sure every one of them is in stock. And then you have to account for every year the PS3 has been on the market, and you're looking at probably close to 750 games.

I'm gonna say neither, because it sounds like a stupid move that would hurt both businesses rather than help them.

In terms of having to still have a ps2 to play games, I don't see why sony didn't make the ps3 play ps1 and ps2 games no matter the console version, I mean the first version was ps2 compatible, but why not the 250 gig one I have? I mean I don't mind having a ps2 and ps3 but cmon' man, it's plain ridiculous.

Thanks for asking this. I'm still not sure where this concern came from and was totally missing the issue here.

You think PS4 and other providers will code things so that a used game can't be played? That would put game rentals out of business, right?

What I think is more likely is for games to get purchased and downloaded online - I think Xbox does this now. i think the wii does this to a more limited extent. Anyway, they'd be able to track what you downloaded so you could get it again by entering passwords through another machine, but no selling used games to GameStop or anywhere else.

Well, that's basically what it said in the article

What article?