New Sony pre-owned block tech patent

billyboyd · 4 Jan 2013 at 06:13

The tech-heavy document describes a process that sees the console tag discs with information, including whether or not they have previously been played on a different machine or associated with a different PSN account.

The technology would also allow for consoles to block pre-owned titles even if the hardware is not connected to the internet.

This should be interesting. So for example you build up a library of say 20 retail disc based games and then Sony's oh so well built console decides to go belly up. Your warranty has expired and it is cheaper to buy a new console but wait.... what about your games :confused:

No wonder more and more people are becoming retro gamers.

biron_w · 4 Jan 2013 at 09:13

billyboyd said:
This should be interesting. So for example you build up a library of say 20 retail disc based games and then Sony's oh so well built console decides to go belly up. Your warranty has expired and it is cheaper to buy a new console but wait.... what about your games

That's actually a very good point. I'd be extremely peed off if I was forced to buy all my games new and then at some point I was no longer able to play them because my console broke.

mame · 4 Jan 2013 at 10:13

It's more likely that a game will come with an activation code and activates that game on your PSN account. This is why I stoppped buying boxed PC games really and just used Steam and the PS3. I just see the box + disc as worthless and pointless once it's been activated. If it was like that then if your console broke, you could just sign in on a new console.

It would be a bit like wanting to sell DLC, you can't but you still need the game disc to use it.

I can see why they would want to do it. There was some stat out of Uncharted 2 3-4 months after its release saying that it had been sold more times 2nd hand than it had new.

msmalls74 · 4 Jan 2013 at 10:25

Doubt it would be used, maybe just a back up as has been mentioned that MS may do something like it anyway. On the publishers side if one console lets you get all the money from sales and can gaurantee no piracy, pre-owned or rental use, then surely you would favour them as your platform of choice? Steam doesnt allow for second hand sales, nor do most shops take in PC games so if has already happened to the majority of PC gamers, if the pricing and sales are correct, like stean, i dont see any need for second hand sales.

ShortWarning · 4 Jan 2013 at 10:27

I doubt they will include this in the PS4 but to be honest if you shop around online most games can be bought for roughly the same price new as they can be second hand on the bay/CEX etc. You also don't have to worry about online passes if bought new.

mame · 4 Jan 2013 at 10:37

ShortWarning said:
I doubt they will include this in the PS4 but to be honest if you shop around online most games can be bought for roughly the same price new as they can be second hand on the bay/CEX etc. You also don't have to worry about online passes if bought new.

That's why I stopped buying 2nd hand games really. I bought a couple of new release games 2nd hand for £20-25 only to see them for the magic £17.99 new pretty much straight away. I did exactly that with Uncharted 2.

Manbatius · 4 Jan 2013 at 11:38

mame said:
That's why I stopped buying 2nd hand games really. I bought a couple of new release games 2nd hand for £20-25 only to see them for the magic £17.99 new pretty much straight away. I did exactly that with Uncharted 2.

This is true when a console is at this later stage of life. But when systems are new, generally the games command a higher price and tend not to drop to such a low amount.

I think this trend may change this time round perhaps recession and all, I also just noticed you mentioned that happened with uncharted 2 (I have no idea when this was in the PS3 life cycle though)

I have often seen games etc more second hand than some new offers.

I read the Sony article this morning, the fact I am pc gaming again made me a bit "meh". Would be interesting if one company say Sony impliments a system like this and another rival console does not.

Skeeter · 4 Jan 2013 at 12:25

Um, anyone heard of Steam? I hear its doing quite well in the PC games market...

Vonhelmet · 4 Jan 2013 at 12:40

T345 said:
Preowned is dumb anyway. Well for some reason all the preowned games are £1 less than new...

Only in shops that sell both new and second hand, and can thus abuse the market. If you go somewhere like CeX, it's much more competitive.

ShortWarning · 4 Jan 2013 at 13:52

Vonhelmet said:
Only in shops that sell both new and second hand, and can thus abuse the market. If you go somewhere like CeX, it's much more competitive.

I don't see CEX as that competitive. The only time I ever buy from there is if I want to sell a game and buy another quickly. The prices aren't good enough for me to walk in with cash and buy something.