UPDATED: Link for English translation.
UPDATE 2: Sony Denies it. Per Joystiq and other places.
And so that ends that!
Hi folks, Cooper Hawkes here with an interesting scoop from a visitor to our site who calls himself Ethan.
For those of you who can read Japanese, the link is here.
This is supposedly a Japanese patent site, and this was the body of the e-mail from Ethan:
SCE has secured the patent for a new disc technology that, if used, would not allow the PS3 to read used games for that platform. The technology was invented by Kutaragi himself, as well as two others.
Details regarding the patent are featured here:(ED: The link I posted above)
It is indicated specifically that the technology is to prevent the use of used as well as pirated software.
The technology involves actually rendering a authentication code originally encrypted on the game disk unreadable to other machines once the disk it is used.
This would mean that Net-based and other such games will not be the only ones to be affected by the technology.
Naturally third software developers would embrace this technology, and it would ensure sales of the inevitable "Best series" for the PS3, but used games shops would be put out of business if the PS3 were to become the primary platform in the next generation.
While information regarding the patent does not specify outright that the technology will be used in the PS3, Kutaragi has gone on record saying that copy management is absolutely necessary in order to endure that no "Napsters" of the game industry create problems in the future.
Ok, if true: This is the biggest load of horse shit since the Kentucky Derby.
Now before I go off on a rant, let's talk about the positive aspects of this little scheme.
My biggest problem with places like EB Games and GameStop is that they basically double-dip the customers and do not compensate the developers for it. You buy a game from them for $49.99, now let’s (for the sake of argument) say the game cost them $39.99. That’s $10.00 profit right there. Then two weeks later you resell the game BACK to them which they will happily buy from you for $15.00 if you’re lucky. They then repackage it as used and since its only two weeks since the game came out, put it BACK on the shelf for $44.99. Once purchased by someone else, that’s an extra $29.99 in their pocket.
Amount to developer of game? $0.00
And that’s bullshit.
Now you can argue that they already received a profit from the initial sale, but that argument becomes torn down when you realize that not only is the developer getting screwed, so is the gamer.
Try this sometime, buy a game you really want, do not open it, then walk into a GameStop and ask how much they will give you for it, bear in mind that you purchased it just that day. You will get less than half the price you paid and they will profit and not share said profit with the people who made the game.
Now you’ll say: Well what about when I sell a game to someone, does this mean I have to pay the developers?
No, that’s completely different, your one person selling one game and you’re not profiting on it, you’re only getting some of it back. GameStop and EB Games are already making a decent buck, they are turning around, screwing the customers and the people that provide them with their merchandise to dip deeper into our pockets.
And you wonder why Valve uses Steam?
Ok, for that I’m in agreement with. And that’s about all I can say.
Because Sony’s little proprietary (if indeed it is going to exist) system check takes away our choice of ever using it at a friends house, or sell it to someone later on because we didn’t like it, or trade it for something else from a friend of yours. Also: How will it take into consideration if your system has to be REPLACED due to malfunction? Don't even get me started on the brick GameFly, Blockbuster and other rental places would shit.
I would normally file this under Bullshit, but considering Sony’s recent Rootkit debacle, I can’t help but wonder if it is true.
I’m keeping an eye on this one, and so should you: This is the removal of your freedom to do what you want with games you have legally purchased, and that sucks. I'm all for protecting intellectual property, but not at the expense of taking choice away from the consumer.
Keep your eyes open folks.
Questions? Comments? STFU? Send them to Hawkes
Semper Fi!
UPDATE: Joystiq managed to find an English translated version of the patent. Click here to read it all.
Good news for sony bad news for consumers, isn't that how it always works (just like blu-ray V. hd-dvd), btw check out how sony's rootkit can be used for online game cheating.
What about renting games? As much as I like seeing Sony continually shoot themselves in the foot (i.e. no unified online experience), I seriously doubt this would happen.
It reminds me of those 48 hour DVDs Disney was trying to push, thank god it never came to fruition (it didn't did it?).
F the consumer we're sony. http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comic.php?d=20051104
also dont neglect to report on the latest jack thompson development
You know, I've kinda been sitting on the Jack Thompson story because I feel like we give him too much attention, but you're right - It needs to be known :)
I'll throw it up now
If this were Microsoft or Nintendo, to be honest I'd dismiss this thing outright. But Sony...I'm surprised they've gone THIS long without screwing up the PS platform. It's only a matter of time until they do something like that.
And it does say pretty clearly in the patent application that this is exactly what it's intended for. And I agree with you personally on the whole used game situation. Rented games are a little different to me..I just really don't like EB/Gamespot. Without them, I think we might have some sanity in the emulation market.
I was looking into opening a video game store some time ago and here's the big problem with this as I see it.
If you're a small-medium sized store, you will usually get your games from a distributor, not direct from the manufacturer. The distributor will charge anywhere between 47-49 dollars for a new title (current gen). This means that you make 1-3 dollars per sale assuming that you pay nothing for shipping.
Additionally, these retailers take a loss on the consoles as the price that they are listed for is the price they pay to get them into their stores -- again, let's assume free shipping and it's a break-even proposition (not counting registry tape, the cost of credit card transactions, etc).
The only way the retailers make money is on the accessories that are sold and on used games. If the retailer can no longer sell used games, you have 3 options:
1) They'll up the price on new games to maintain their margin.
2) They'll up the price on accessories (not likely as the margin is already pretty high).
3) They'll close up shop.
In the end, you'll only have GameStop, EB Games (blech), Best Buy, and other massive retailers that can get these games direct from the publisher. I have no idea what their margin is, but I can feel confident that it's not 10 dollars a disk. If Wal-Mart discounts titles at $47.00, and they have HUGE volume, I can't see them still pulling $7.00 and would imagine they're pulling maybe $3-$4 a sell.
One thing Hawkes there is a possibility that they could start putting out multi use games (i.e. windows) and buying more activation codes (spending hours on the phone).
hey do you smell milk?
I work at gamestop and can tell u this. After shipping and handling we make 3 to 4 dollars per new game sold. And if the price goes down on that game while we have it we lose money. We thrive on ppl selling used stuff to us and buying used stuff. If Sony implements this we more then likely will not carry many PS3 products (in comparison to our current PS2 section wich is about 40% of our store and 25% for XBOX and GCN the rest going to misc. items). So I hope Sony does not go through with this or else it may close the doors to Gamestop (we now own EB btw) if Nintendo and Microsoft catch on. It maybe be a while but once the Current Gen games sell like Previous Gen titles we will
I don't supposed anyones realised that if your PS3 breaks down and you decide to buy another one instead, you'll have yo buy all your games all over again as well?
So we'll have to keep repairing the same machine over and over. Which will make Sony a nice big profit as there'll always be a market for parts long after the machine has become obsolete.
Then theres Sony's tactic of a few years down the line, Lets release a slimline version, opps you'll have to buy all those games again. Sorry!
This is cracks for Sony, Their getting arroganr, and this was Nintendo's downfall. They make technology that they expect the consumer will buy, even though they don't like the ideea.
Filed in 2000? I think people are getting their panties in a bunch over nothing. This is doubtful to be in PS3.
I just want to comment about the used game sales not putting money back into the developers hands. So what? If you bought a used car did you send money to the manufacturer? How about when buying a house, does the develepor or the architect get a cut? When people buy something, they own it (thats the way it should be). They dont own the concept or reproduction rights, but they own the one copy, unit, car like all the others, etc that they paid for with their purchase. Its only that since computers have become such a big market, that this inherent right of consumers has been weakened.
Want proof? Look at all the MMO games that once you purchase and play for X, Y, or Z amounts of time, you cant sell it back to anyone ever and if they find out they will eliminate service to you, no matter how well the sale is documented, or secured.
I'm all for developers making money, or else there will not be new games. However demanding money from the secondary market is ridiculous. If they want to ensure their profits, and continued success, they need to make quality games that people enjoy. There is a reason companies like Blizzard have succeeded and grown to where they are now. Sadly theres reasons copanies like Microprose no longer exist in the manner in which they did when I was younger.
If you really want to help out the developers, buy their games early before the newness fades and discounts hit. Dont think however that software companies deserve a better deal in the secondary market than car companies or anyone else. That goes for Hollywood too, once I bought it, if I want to sell the one copy I own I should be able to.
Maybe I am old fashioned though, I thought the people deserved a better deal.
Wish I could edit the last post, the reason I used cars and houses is in fact that both when resold are very OFTEN resold by companies, rather than always being individuals which you dont seem to mind. Point being if as an individual I want to sell to a company then be done and they can resell for any price, fine by me. Could they discount it more, yes they could. However if Johnny after me is willing to pay 39.99 for a used version of a game thats $10 more right next to it on the shelf, he isnt really getting hurt unless I did something to it, lost parts of it, that makes it less valuable through play and use.
Corporate fat-heads love to fuck the customers.
The only surprising thing about all this si, You
guys loved Sony when they were just milking you
wallets.
How out of date is this blog. Sony have dropped that idea ages ago. Seriously update the blogs
lol Gaz,
seriously man - This entry is out of date because its old... You have to browse the archives to find it. Isn't that the whole thing about NEWS? it's current, and then you move on? Maybe try hitting the main page instead of just lurking the archives
andy
didn't the pubishers, developers, creators & all those guys get their moola when the games were originally sold??!!
I'm sure these "used" games were NEW before they became a used game!! so now they want to get payed continuously off the same disc over and over again, if this happens i might have to go back to playing board games! stingy bastards!!!!!
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