RFID tag will prevent the console's owners from playing second hand games.
According to a Sony patent related to near field communication (NFC) technology, the company could suppress used games to run on the PlayStation 4.
A patent application filed by Sony Japan for NFC technology points towards the a console not allowing its users to play second hand games. The way the console will be able to enforce the rule is Sony supplying an RF tag with each copy of a physical game, which will remember if a game has been associated to a different console or user account.
Consequently, the PlayStation 4 won't be required to be connected to the internet to determine whether a user has inserted a second hand game.
Relevant details pertaining to the patent is as follows:
According to the present embodiment, realized is the electronic content processing system that reliably restricts the use of electronic content dealt in the second-hand markets. As a result, the dealing of electronic content in the second-hand markets is suppressed, which in turn supports the redistribution of part of proceeds from sales of the electronic content to the developers. Though in the following description a game application (AP) is exemplified as the electronic content, the present embodiment is similarly applicable to various kinds of electronic content such as an office suite, images, and music content.
By employing the game playing system 1000 according to the present embodiment, the use permission tag 220 together with the game disk 210 is supplied to the user, and the use permission tag 220 actively determines the use permit/rejection of electronic content. Thereby, the use of game AP stored in the game disk 210 can be restricted as appropriate according to the attribute of a reproduction device. Consider, for example, a case where used is a game package 200 distributed in the second-hand market. Then the ID of reproduction device for the game disk 210 differs from the legitimate use device ID stored in the use permission tag 220, so that the game disk can be reproduced in a mode which is predetermined for those bought and sold in the second-hand market. Also, for example, a content key may be supplied to the reproduction device 130 and the encrypted game AP may be decrypted using the content key only if the reproduction device ID matches a legitimate use device ID. Hence, use of game APs bought and sold in the second-hand market can be eliminated.
Not sure I would want to upgrade to a PS4 now with this kind of possibility on the horizon.
But it goes to show you how locked into a console you can be.
I wonder how sony will fix this innevitable issue.
when I had ps2, I had alot of used games. I had MGS2, GTA3, and ICO, and a bunch of others. If I hadnt bought any of these games used I can honestly say I wouldnt have bought MGS3, GTA:VC, GTA:SA, and Shadow of Collosus NEW on launch. I was dirt broke kid back then, so I bought what was cheap. And when I liked a game, I saved up money to play the games I knew were going to be good. So, if any kids are like I was, I believe Sony will lose alot more money than they would make by implementing this. also topping to this loss would be the people against this drm. this is fail waiting to happen.
Not sure I would want to upgrade to a PS4 now with this kind of possibility on the horizon.
But it goes to show you how locked into a console you can be.
But yes this is BS.
BS all around, for the end consumer and the commercial area.
the Ouya is looking better by the day.
I wonder how sony will fix this innevitable issue.
when I had ps2, I had alot of used games. I had MGS2, GTA3, and ICO, and a bunch of others. If I hadnt bought any of these games used I can honestly say I wouldnt have bought MGS3, GTA:VC, GTA:SA, and Shadow of Collosus NEW on launch. I was dirt broke kid back then, so I bought what was cheap. And when I liked a game, I saved up money to play the games I knew were going to be good. So, if any kids are like I was, I believe Sony will lose alot more money than they would make by implementing this. also topping to this loss would be the people against this drm. this is fail waiting to happen.
- you can you usually buy it cheaper from a discount retailer
- you get no physical media
- there is no middle man bricks and mortar retailer
- the game takes up more space on your HDD
- like this new patent, you cannot transfer the game to the new machine if your machine dies or you sell it for the newer slimmer model
I am against hacking machines and piracy but I am even more against console manufacturers screwing us like this.
Consumers should have the option of recoup lost money (most games don't warrant half the price it MSRP into new product prices) and that option is obviously 2nd hand trade-ins. Let along it is being transfered from a broken console to a new one within same person.
I foresee NFC hacking coming.
Hope this idea works for them because they will lose more customers and I will jump to another platform.
There is NO WAY I am paying $50+ for any but a select few video games. Remove the "2nd hand market" and not many will buy non main stream titles. $50+ for game from little known developer is not worth it for me. $20-$30 - worthy of thought.