The patent explains that games will come with contactless tags that will be read by your console in much the same way as modern bank cards. When a disc is first used, the disc ID and player ID will be stored on the tag. Every time the disc is used in future, the tag will check if the two ID’s match up and, if not, then the disc won’t work.
The document goes on to explain that such a device is part of Sony's ongoing efforts to deter second-hand games sales, and is a far simpler solution than always-on DRM or passwords.
It's worth noting that Sony has not confirmed the existence of the device, and the patent doesn't state what machine it will be used in, with later paragraphs also mentioning accessories and peripherals.
If Sony actually goes through with that patent and makes it a real thing, all Microsoft would have to do is announce the next machine will allow secondhand games and they would be in a pretty dominant position until whenever Sony goes and fixes that.
Won't game rentals and places like Gamestop die eventually anyway? Once we reach the time where all games are distributed digitally and physical copies are a thing of the past? They should just wait it out and don't do this with any current or upcoming consoles.
WoW is a lot more dominant than I thought. I mean I knew it was big but the fact that they've still retained such a huge chunk of players is impressive.
Um, Elder Scrolls was NEVER an Xbox exclusive franchise^ Well said, Fading. You made me wonder how susceptible to a lawsuit this would be.
And with Microsoft, we were having this discussion in the next Xbox thread. Will Microsoft deliver more exclusive titles and franchises next gen, especially considering that during the latter parts of this gen they lost 2 key exclusive franchises (Elder Scrolls and Mass Effect).
Thats only bc the PS3 wasnt available when Oblivion was released. It was always being developed for both systems and was supposed to be a PS3 launch title till it got delayed. MS never had any exclusivity deal on that gameIn terms of consoles, Morrowind was only for Xbox and Oblivion was out for Xbox 360 a whole year before the PS3.
Thats only bc the PS3 wasnt available when Oblivion was released. It was always being developed for both systems and was supposed to be a PS3 launch title till it got delayed. MS never had any exclusivity deal on that game