Sony patents new technology to tie discs to user IDs or specific consoles, could cause problems during tournaments

sony are you retarded don't use this it will ruin you.

I hate this idea... it's to prevent used game sales & it's ticking me off

People don't panic. I'm pretty sure it's just a patent and nothing else.

Microsoft wants to do the same

i smell bankrupt if this happens

More than likely for bluray players rather than video game consoles

I am a fan of ps1-3 but if sony really goes through with this I will switch to mirosoft

Yeah needs to be mentioned that there are a lot of rumors of anti used game technology in the next Microsoft console too. So does that mean Wii U will be the standard?

#4

Psst, you do realize that Microsoft and Sony don't sell just games and consoles, right?

Even if there was a global console and gaming crash, Microsoft and Sony would be doing just fine.

this would be the worst move sony could possibly make i think. the game industry is built on people sharing their experiences and the games they play. imagine if the super nintendo had a similar setup and would only play a game on the first console it was used in, and you were never able to borrow that game from your friend or take your game over to their house and play over there. this would make it impossible for a game rental service to exist and would also eliminate the most fundamental part the gaming experience, interacting with the community.

DONT DO THIS SONY. this would go way beyond shooting yourself in the foot and would be like chopping off the entire leg

i can most assuredly say i would never buy a system with such a feature

wow, what bitches. greedy BASTARDS.

Translation:

Buy the next XBOX NOT PS4 because sony is and ALWAYS HAS BEEN overly proprietary and greedy. Think back to the "sony memory stick" when everyone else was using standard SD cards for camera's....etc.

and TO THE TOURNEY ORGANIZERS:

PLEASE SWITCH TO XBOX. Sony is too proprietary and even if they pay to sponsor you, it hurts the scene overall.

Microsoft isnt perfect, but they are better than sony as of right now on this topic.

Plus MS is moving to cross platform play with PC and that is a step in the RIGHT direction for the PLAYERS.

Allow us to install the game to the console, like PCs, so it can be run without the disc itself, then it'll be somewhat acceptable.

That or don't pull this sh!t at all.

Actually no one is asking themselves why it might be a problem, it's blatantly obvious.

I won't think they'd use this, like @3 said. Lots of companies get patents and never use them, plus I'm sure they know that if they use this on the PS4 there will be a lot of backlash. If they do use it though, to minimize the damage, it may be implemented into something like a budget version a year or two after the initial release. In any case, no one should worry and blow this out of proportion (though some undoubtedly will lol).

@BlankaBeast and microsoft is not any less greedy jeez both are greedy.

@12 FOOL. What do you think the next xbox discs will be? THEY WILL BE BLURAY DISCS. Also Microsoft wants to do the EXACT SAME THING. Read and look up the facts before you type. Then again you are the idiot that's always saying PC AND SFXT FTW on every post.

RIP Console Gaming.

We need more fighting games on Steam!

#8 i know they sell more stuff but most people dont be buying a new tv or computer every year...........in christmas what most people buy? gaming consoles and if they do this it's a bad move

anyways watch if they go through with it nentendo will make a come back that would be hilarious but if they do it on ps i will no way in hell switch back to the scrapbox no way.

i think we have just about gotten to the age where we dont need more Fighting games. There are so many good games overlooked and outright forgotten that need love. Heads would probably rediscover Garou or Samurai again and just get into it. im thinking that if this happen for either mS or ps3 I will most likely stop trying to keep up. Alot of these games are so good that they can be played for years.So why bother, this may usher in the rebirth of playing with your friends in person once ps3 and xbl go offline.<----- Big issue --- Im all about that.

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On second thought............Switch to PC and you wont have to play on either one of these new proprietary consoles/hardware.
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@18 - YES

What he said.

I'm 70% sure Microsoft has confirmed to be doing this as well. A dark age in gaming is upon us.

@23 - Correct. :)

You silly PC boys. There's a reason why console gaming is more popular than PC. Stay delusional.

This is something i would expect from microsoft, not sony. If they really wanted to but the kibosh on used game trade, make all games digital ffs.

# 10 couldn't have say it better

Chances of this happening are small... It would ruin the Playstation and it would cripple any profit for Sony from the Playstation brand.

#26

ohohoho Leaving Aside the Inferior Specs of Consoles, Even the most popular Console FPS in there prime days can't hold a candle to the amount of activity of PC Gaming. You Can thank the East for that. Now Would You Kindly think next time before you Post?

Wow if this happens then me and my friends won't be able to borrow each other games anymore. I won't support this.

@31 Foolishness. Consoles are more popular than the PC simply because of the affordability. People that aren't PC enthusiasts don't have the time or money to put into building a gaming rig. Like I said before stay delusional fool, and think before you post, but considering all of the nonsense you usually post, that'll be hard for you to do :)

TIME 2 GET Wii U, Wii HAS SMASH BROS TOO...dis some ol bs, it better JUST b a patent n not put in action, they may not go bankrupt but they'll lose TONS of money, here that Sony, TONS, so lets not get crazy

@34 No one was even talking to you in the first place, so how can you possibly insert yourself into someone else's conversation, call them a troll, and then hop on your high horse and say you're done with them? You are quite stupid.

This is smart from sony and anyone using their ps3 system and psn store knows what im talking about, for months now the store has been introducing digital titles at full retail price. (sometimes even at a higher cost than buying the physical copy in a store)

It suggests that they wanna move away from a disc format and go fully digital, probably to lower costs of production on games while making that $$$. This could be a way to make the masses move into that movement that is taking place.

I personally hate it but it seems to be the way corporates are shifting

I also heard Microsoft wants to do this :/

#@37
F*** digital! I rather own physical copy of my games than digital copy because what would happen to your Hard Drive, or your account gets hack, or MS/Sony servers gets hack and goes out of wack? I feel more secure owning a hard copy.

Sooner or later, consoles won't have disc drives at all.

@37 If they do that then I hope their next systems will come shipped with bigger hard drives, or that the cost of console hard drives will be cheaper because a lot of these full digital games take up 12GB or more.

Console war in3....2....
Oh wait Kappa

Pretty retarded if you ask me. They will destroy the secondary market, which I know most companies hate since they dont profit off it, but without the ability to even have a secondary market, consumers wouldnt bother with your product in the first place. Are they too dumb to realize this?

If this patent goes through and Microsoft doesnt do this, we can expect the majority of gamers to switch to the next Xbox.

I'm glad Sony patented it so no one else can use it.

Once again, I'm faceplaming at all you naive children who are calling businesses, whose primary goal is to maximize profits, "greedy".

But it is true that this would most likely be a very bad (potentially ruinous) business decision. Not because of the act itself since, as #37 says, it's de facto direct download which is the way the industry is moving anyway, but rather because of the loss of trust Sony would cause in its customers. But it is just a patent at this point. I would guess that Sony has no intention of actually doing this anytime soon; they're just establishing contingencies should this kind of thing become necessary to stay competitive in the future.

Everyone knows that consoles are more popular than PC because they are better.

That's why Twilight is so good. It's so much more popular than almost any other book or movie.

Nickelback. Olive Garden. Angry Birds. Psy.

Kappa.

Hmm...how about...they keep the disc that is tied to the system...IN the system it is tied to? Holy sh*t, BRILLIANT!!

Whether or not this is corporate greed or not is a whole separate issue.

I have heard that both companies planned to do this for they hate the concept of people being allowed to purchase used games and feel it steals money from them(not like they have not been doing this for years). If this happen the gaming community may actually be changed in more ways than one.

Hopefully they see that this will do nothing but effect business and make people feel the companies are being more greedy than needed.

If they do this and Microsoft doesn't, Sony is going to crash and burn harder than Sega did :|

@43 actually most ps gamers would either go to nintendo,pc, or flat out jump ship since a good majority of ps users myself included either hate xbox or just don't want any thing to do with it. but you do know microsoft has the same thing in store right? and they are just not as open about it as sony.

Actually, before you buy your next CONSOLE.......
........Think a little.

Q: What is a game console?

A: Computer based HARDWARE system that is made to be as good as current technology allows at that point in time.

Specs are NOT advanced - It is what it is when it comes out and stays that way for the most part.

A non-proprietary based personal computer(PC) is by default superior in many ways since it is:
1)Hardware Upgradeable with many brand choices and in many ways.
2)Not controlled by the brand MS, Sony, Nintendo, etc...

You are buying a branded computer that requires branded parts that are overpriced.

....and soon to be inferior performance-wise.

YOU PAY TOO MUCH FOR A BRAND.

Go on, take your pick, but they are all the same.

Conclusion:

----------------------------PC FTW--------------------------------

End of discussion.

Well, it's a good thing I am going to end up building a PC then. Screw this game ID crap, I heard the next xbox will do the same thing. Next gen is gonna suck, just get a Wii U and PC people.

Also, I heard that GameStop shares went down after this story was spread around.

I'm against it, but eh you can't blame em'. Take a look at the PSP, Nintendo DS R4 cards, flashed 360's-- if anything I do want the developers to be paid for their hard work. If it takes something like this, well, whatever.

Personally, I welcome a digital only console gaming market.

I love Sony, but they really bound to destroy themselves.

@51: Yeah PC ftw, I love waiting for patches console players got months ago. And I love FPS, RTS and MOBA-games so much too!

sony has no intention on doing this for their games, etc, etc. They've even said they hold the patent so this WILL NOT happen for games

I they do that, I will sell my console immediately and buy a XBOX 360. I am sure lot of people will do the same.
WTF, so I can't bring my games when I go to my cousins during Holiday? Sony, you better don't do it, you will regret.

@58 did you not pay attention to my comment?
@51 yeah pretty much
watch this be nintendos triumphant return and the pc will get stronger should this happen.

This would be ridiculous and I wouldn't support it. And I do not want a digital only market. I get it for indie developers, but I like to have a physical object in my hands. I don't even use iTunes for music cause I like having my CDs. Plus with the digital market, I have to pay too much for some of those games. Far Cry 2 was $30 or so on PSN, while I could buy it in Craigslist for $10, maybe even $5 and have a physical copy.

Markers and stickers. You're welcome.

@56 THANK YOU. And if Sony does do this I don't care, I rarely buy used games anyways. I'll still stick with the playstation, AND I'll have a wii u as well, because *GASP*, some people buy consoles they like and don't care which one is better. I know that's a foreign concept though. I'll never an xbox though. Just don't like the system, the games, or the fact that online play costs money.

@62 same here man, ive had 5 xboxs, thats more than enough for me to stop buying them

Huzzah for console DRM!

We have online passes
We has season passes
we have disk locked content
We have liscence transfers for content you bought
AND NOW we give you....... THIS BOLLOCKS!

Sony, if this is true, if I ever buy this PS4 then I expect to get a REAL giant enemy crab.
This'll lighten your mood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH2w2l...

Smh... If implement, no purchase or delay my purchase...

@63 Dang 5 xboxes? That's ridiculous. I guess I can't really talk since I've had two PS3s. My first one was the fat 40GB and it redlighted after 4 years of use, and I had to get a slim. It's not as bad as 5 xboxes though. I feel your pain

These days, developers are only concerned about one thing; turning a profit, quality be damned. So you get a game and its either ass or you beat it in 6 hours. So I'd basically be stuck with a game thats ass or I beat in 6 hours. I paid 10 bucks an hour for a 60 dollar game. Thats rediculous. Now, these developers are getting mad because no one wants to buy a game new anymore. Renting is out of the question, they (the developers) have pretty much killed renting games. Now they want used games out of the way just to turn more profit as thats when gaming was at its highest degree of quality. And thats the problem; they SACRIFICED QUALITY FOR A PROFIT. If they want to turn a profit, they should make a game that is so good you can't find a used copy of it anywhere. Well, unless you go to EBAY and see someone selling it for 100+ dollars. Gaming needs to go back to the Super Metroid, Final Fantasy 4-8, Zelda: Link to the Past age if they want to turn a profit. Well, I know who to boycott now and if Microsoft does the same, I'll be playing my xbox 360 for a long time. Speaking with your wallet is working as they pretty much killed renting games and are moving on to killing the used game market. Guess its time to speak even louder. Boycott everything these punks make.

@67 Your little attempt at boycotting will do nothing. It won't even put a dent in Sony or Microsoft.

And on that day Sony lost all the customers it ever did have.

@18 I don't think Steam games can be transferred between PCs, can they?

If not, then Steam games have the same problem.

@70 As long as you are logged into your account, you have your games everywhere on steam, saves, settings and all.

@70 It works like the XBLA in a way, games you purchased on your account can be played as long as you're logged in to said account. Also works for offline mode as well.

Oh look, more kiddies having a console vs PC debate, even though there is no debate. You do realize that they aren't mutually exclusive, and that you can have both, right? The only people that have console vs PC wars are teenagers who are unfamiliar with the term "spending money." If your whole view of money revolves around your parents money, then you don't know what having money actually is.

Are you honestly this stupid? You do realize this is 2013, right? You realize that pretty much everyone that owns a PC also owns a console by now, and vice versa. There is no debate on the issue, you're whining for the sake of whining on an issue that is no longer an issue. Are you going to argue the SNES vs Genesis debate again? Are you going to show some "Genesis does what Nintendon't" ads?

I have heard this is more in a vein to help stop piracy.. Sonys master key got hacked for ps3, meaning it would be very easy for pirated games to played on the console... this is an attempt to circumvent something like this happening with PS4...

I dont agree with it myself due to the other problems like the one this post covers, but end of day people should stop being cheap bastards and just buy games and support the industry and not pirate stuff...

but that is just my opinion and I am lucky enough to have a career that pays me enough that i can afford to buy most new games.. I know not everyone is in that position but alas this is the world we live in.

@74
But this whole DRM thing is the reason why piracy keeps existing. another good reason is for getting games you can't own due to region restrictions (looking at you P4A). Not only that but the ridiculous amount of DRM crap put into the game which makes it unplayable under certain conditions. You might as well pirate it since it bypasses all the headaches of DRM.

Developers should stop with this whole DRM business going. Also on disc DLc.

Wait, why is the PS3 used for tournaments anyway is it a lot cheaper than a 360 or something? Almost everyone plays on Xbox so they are used to not playing with that stupid delay PS3 has.

@71 Oh cool, I had no idea about that. And all this time, I didn't install Steam on my laptop because I thought that I couldn't play my games on there. That's really great to know.

Well... If Capcom would give better support to their PC titles, then I suppose PC-based tournaments would work. It'd be even better for gamers, since both 360 and PS3 sticks/pads work on PC.

As for this Sony DRM: They should only put it in the PS4 if they want to go bankrupt. Also, the EU will never let it fly, I'm sure.

@75 your P4A example is very true... being in the uk it sucks I have not been able to play it yet.

But i worked in the games industry and I know how much piracy hurts developers, but i can see the flip side, where games like COD can make a $ billion in a month and for companies it is a cash cow and dont really expand on games and just chuck out a sequel every year..

It is a very touchy subject ( my first xbox was modded as i was a student and couldnt afford to eat let alone buy games at full price ) so i resorted to basically stealing buy purchasing pirated games... now i have grown up and worked for sony i wouldnt even consider pirating a game as why should i work my ass off to make a game for some one to get it free and jeopardise my career...

end of the day as long as there are digital devices piracy will happen.. companies need to find a better way to stop it from happening, and if sony does go down this route for ps4 i really hope they drop prices of games from around £45 to around the £20 mark that would seriously help

@76 Because Sony supplies the consoles in alot of tournaments for advertising etc so if Microsoft pull their finger out then alot more tournies which use Xbox

and lol @ people thinking this is only Sony and it might not happen. Xbox fanboys. Both Microsoft and Sony are working towards this method as it equals more money to remove piracy and the used game market because it's worth more than the new game market.

They will remove stores like gamestop, game etc which will make further people jobless adding to alarming statistics of unemployment. Then think of how the world is getting overpopulated. The future is going to be grim.

Damn Sony giving away the next gen console to Microsoft b4 its even begun

what i really fear is Microsoft and Sony going through with this because the CASUAL CONSUMER doesnt know ne better and just hears "next gen console" and rushes out to get one, not knowing the mistake theyve made. And we all know casual market brings in dat $$$$$? Thanks Nintendo

@51 go ahead then and play TTT2 on your beloved PC :D
well, i still prefer consoles because they have exclusive games...

Realize this would not be forced on any publishers. Capcom obviously wouldn't employe such a system for games that might be played at tournaments, etc., in the way described. It would always be their choice to use it or not, so don't start panicking, please. We're smarter than that.

If this is implemented this gen, I guess the US will join Europe on 360?

@76 There is no delay you fool.

why is this news on eventhubs?

lol if sony and microsoft do this i guess ill get a wiiu next gen

PC has more fighting games than any console to date.

Just go on Kaillera/Supercade/GGPO/ArcLive

KOF rooms have hundreds of people playing.

Stuff gets patented all the time, I wouldn't jump on the Microsoft bandwagon just yet.

@86

Hear hear!

If both Sony and Microsoft goes through with it and then Nintendo have already won the next gen already. LOL!!

God damn it Sony, are you trying to make people hate you!? Well if this doesn't scew up friends abilities to give a friend a game so he can try it out and maybe buy a copy himself, making you more money.

Sony being greedy as always.

i find this to be a bad idea, not only are tournaments are gonna be effected, but what if my game console breaks i would have to buy my games all over again, horrible idea they wont do it, not only will they lose money but xbox will be the next gen console

A company like Sony isn't spending the time and money towards R&D for it not to be used at all. Maybe they tweak it to be less obstructive, but it's definitely going in.

If it's tied to a user profile it wouldn't be THAT bad. At least I can bring a game from my bedroom PS3 and play it in my livingroom PS3. At a friend's house you've just gotta sign in and it works. Of course with the 5 console profile limit it would be a pretty big pain for tournaments.

What I'd be really worried about is marrying them to a particular console. It's bad enough if your system crashes you can lose all of your save data, but if you've gotta re-buy an entire new game library?! F THAT!

@95 Above: "A company like Sony isn't spending the time and money towards R&D for it not to be used at all."

Um... have you looked at how simple and non-descript this patent's diagram is? It looks like something they drew up in less than an hour. There's no proof telling that they've poured a lot of money into the idea yet.

So now when I beat a game I cant lend it to my little brother or friends unless they have an account or share the account for it or get a used game just to try it out which if I like it I would buy the sequel. So F**king greedy man. I swear i'll boycott the system if that happens I don't care what exclusive titles it has!

@96 My point in that part of my statement can be expressed by a tried and true cliche: Hope for the best, but expect the worst. My saying "it's gonna be in" is much more likely to be right that anyone saying it won't.
And BTW, You can bet your ass that that one picture is not the sum and total of Sony's work and progress so far.

this has got to be one of the worst things that could ever happen in the video game industry. this sucks, used games stores like games stop might suck at times but they provide us with a service that allows us to trade in games we dont like and purchase used game for not only less but with a opportunity to return for a full refund or exchange if we do not like what we purchased. i disliked the idea of the online pass, trying to force people to buy new or have to pay $10 for the online pass if we buy used but this is easily 100x worse. now i have to not only purchase games new for a ridiculous price of $65 after tax (assuming prices dont go up for the next gen consoles) but if i end up not liking the game im stuck with a $65 piece of plastic that i cant trade in cuz it only works with my console.

If you have a brain, use it. Don't go thinking this will only affect blu-ray; this is a serious thing and you should really consider how this will affect us (gamers) down the road. "US" also meaning consumers. Ever hear the expression “give them an inch and they take a foot?” They will do more to see what they can get away with and eventually it can come back to bite us in the ass if we do nothing about this. I'm telling you, this exactly what it will come down to. If this happens we need to boycot (MS,PS3 and whomever else) - plain and simple. Sadly I don’t think the unity is there in this community to boycott such a thing. Hopefully you guys will prove me wrong. I seriously hope this doesn't come to pass!