The Death of Used Game Sales? 168
xtracto writes "The Inquirer has an interesting piece about a new Sony Patent on a technology that may possible prevent DVD disc media users from using their purchased disks in other machines after they have used them on a specific reader. Commentary also available on Joystiq. From the Article: 'While many are aware of the double profit companies make on pre-owned games, this would ensure the death of trading games between friends and even going to a friend's house to play a little multiplayer.'"
That Spells "Problem" (Score:5, Insightful)
Oh, then it's very simple (Score:5, Insightful)
Of course, with Sony's DRM kick and some other things, they're making it easier for me to decide to ban them outright. I can live without a lot of movies (I have 3 small children, so I hardly go these days anyway).
So if they want to break the existing system in the hopes of getting more money, then screw them. I have an entire back catalog of games I haven't gotten around to playing. I can wait a few years.
Can you, Sony? Yes, I know, you won't miss me. But I wonder how many other people you'd piss off along the way - and in a looming battle between Microsoft and Nintendo, can you *really* take that risk?
Well? Do you feel lucky, punk? (Apologies to Clint. I couldn't help myself.)
are they nuts? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:That Spells "Problem" (Score:5, Insightful)
No, not really... (Score:5, Insightful)
Copy protection as it currently exists hurts no one but legitimate purchasers of the material. It costs the pirates maybe a few hours of time or in worst case a day.
So long as the hardware isn't secured, the data that is being read in it can't be secured.
Alot of this new BS with sony and drm/copy protection/etc is seriously making me consider NOT buying a PS3. I don't want to support this kind of stupidity.
Be the first significant console I didn't own since the Nintendo days.
death? (Score:2, Insightful)
The death of trading games? Sure. Just like DRM has brought about the death of trading music. Yep! That's going to happen! When oh when will the "death of..." articles stop?!
Re:Good goal, bad implementation (Score:5, Insightful)
What's so special about game developers that they deserve protection from their products being resold used that the rest of the world doesn't have?
I don't see a problem with selling or purchasing used games at a small fraction of the cost of a new package as long as the games themselves are marked as used and aren't already 'tied' to an individual like most MMO's are.
Secondly, if a developer can't get the majority of people to purchase their games at the new game price point, that's a good sign their product deserves the bargin bin or that they need to lower their prices.
What if my game console breaks (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:The line up so far (Score:5, Insightful)
Not quite that simple. Where exactly do I insert the NES, SNES and N64 games that I already own? I will have to buy them again to get the privilege of playing them on an emulator on the Rev, and even this is limited to the games from publishers that agree to be part of this whole system.
Even old NES games will probably cost "a couple of pounds" according to Nintendo: http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=6
Probably not going to happen (Score:5, Insightful)
Secondly, there's already a system in place to do this for Online games at least - the DNAS copy-protection system can enable this behavior (locking the disc to a specific console) but no publishers enable it, for the obvious reason that it would piss a lot of people off.
While console makers would no doubt like to stop second-hand sales, I think they realize that people would be less likely to buy the hardware if they're unable to play second-hand games, and that game retailers make most of their money on second-hand games - killing that market would kill the retailers.
Of course, I woudl have said the same things about rootkits on audio CDs. So we'll see.
Re:Sony products (Score:3, Insightful)
They did get my money on the games, though... =[
The revolution will get the majority of my games money in the future, like the cube and DS do now.
It's not even a rumor! It's just speculation! (Score:5, Insightful)
The article describes Sony's new patent, and then speculates on one possible use for it. Everyone here seems to have their panties in a bunch based on that alone.
Therefore The PS3 will incorporate said technology.
QED
I think a few people here are overdue for a nap.
Re:AES/EBU (Score:3, Insightful)
I can't help but notice the first line of the URL you referenced says;
Sounds to me as if HTH NE1 was rather correct.
Yes, the low level protocol support is nearly identical but the cabling, connector, signal level, subcode information and max resolution all differ. (Again from the very URL you referenced).
This is a great example of what happens when a person who knows little to nothing about a subject arms himself with Google (or Wikipedia) and posts the results on Slashdot.
See, had you worked with any of this technology in the Real World (or, had you read the entirety of your reference material) you'd know that the S/PDIF format is a lower cost, more readily available variant of a professional format used by music studios. It is a joint venture between electronics companies to provide low-cost digital audio to consumers. Another large difference is the size and cost of the cabling required. Professional equipment uses XLR connectors (3 pin, very cumbersome head, thick cables) which is higher cost and complexity. Also, home consumers don't need the ruggedness of the XLR connection as most home theatre equipment is connected once and ignored until the next major component upgrade whereas studio equipment is constantly re-connected depending on the equipment in use at the time.