PlayStation 4 'Orbis' Rumors: AMD Hardware, Hostile To Used Games 371
silentbrad writes "Kotaku reports some 'details' about Sony's next console given to them by a 'reliable source.' They say that the console's codename is Orbis, and it is planned for release by the 2013 holiday season. Developers are reportedly being told to plan for an AMD x64 CPU and AMD Southern Islands GPU. Further on, they mention that there will be no PS3 backwards compatibility and, like rumors about the next Xbox, will have anti-used game DRM. Specifically, 'new games for the system will be available one of two ways, either on a Blu-Ray disc or as a PSN download (yes, even full retail titles). If you buy the disc, it must be locked to a single PSN account. ... If you then decide to trade that disc in, the pre-owned customer picking it up will be limited in what they can do. ... it's believed used games will be limited to a trial mode or some other form of content restriction, with consumers having to pay a fee to unlock/register the full game.'"
no used games, no sale (Score:4, Interesting)
what exactly is going to be so cool about this console except better graphics?
$60 games with no resale means i buy one or two awesome games per year
i mostly game on my x-box and use the PS3 for movies and netflix. the xbox has enough $20 GOTY editions of good games that i have years left to play them and no need to buy any of the new systems for a long time.
my dream system for next gen is x-box with blu ray and backwards compatibility. i'll buy it even if the new next gen games are locked down since i'll play the old and use it as a blu ray player after dumping my current x-box and PS3
Can't wait! (Score:5, Interesting)
... until Sony gets hacked, PSN accounts are lost and everyone's games are rendered useless. That lawsuit should be epic.
Sigh... (Score:4, Interesting)
If you buy the disc, it must be locked to a single PSN account
no PS3 backwards compatibility
Sony, I really want to enjoy the games you and your partners put out, but if you go through with this? I have two words for you.
Buh-Bye.
(Either that or Yo-Ho, if someone finds a reliable way to pirate games on to the console)
If any Sony Executives Are Reading (Score:5, Interesting)
You really need to learn to think in the long term. People will pay a lot for a game when it first comes out, but if you do this DRM crap, you MUST follow through and offer older games at much lower prices, and continue to do so for YEARS if not DECADES. Used game stores do this for you, and allow people with less money to remain rabid fans, and buy your big games when they first come out. If you kill the used game market, you cut those players off. Once they are cut off, they will find other things to do. YOU DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.
If you must have DRM, you need to offer games from old systems that run on emulation on your new systems for free or next to nothing, and you need to offer older games at prices that used games get now. You need to keep people playing. If you keep playing these stupid DRM games without offering a substitute, then people will stop playing, and you will go the way of the music industry. Maybe someone like Apple will come along and save your sorry ass, and drag you kicking and screaming into a new, profitable business model, but I wouldn't bet on it.
What about rent a game? (Score:5, Interesting)
A rented games is an used game right? What will happen with services like redbox,blockbuster or gamefly?
Re:Say it ain't so, Sony! (Score:4, Interesting)
Seriously, when was the last time you legally bought or sold a used PC game?
Been a while.... almost impossible to do and leave the game intact and unaltered. So now I just refuse to pay for PC games. If it's good it'll get cracked. The Nintendo Wii was likely my last console purchase. I have refused the PS3 and XBox 360 because of this insanity and "pay-to-play" paid content bullshit. I won't buy one for myself OR my 3 children. And after explaining why to my son.....*gasp* he understands.
I depend on the used game market for affordable games. If they can't lock down a book and keep me from selling it intact, then they can't do it with my fucking software. Without it, I'm not buying. I'm not going to put up with being treated like a criminal and I'm not going to let them believe that playing games I paid for is a privilege that they have the right to control.
My kids whining for Sony's overpriced shit is not going to make me capitulate and give up my rights. F**K YOU SONY. There's plenty of used PS2 games out there and I have a feeling we'll see a wave of 3D-enabled multicore ARM-based low-cost game machines soon WITHOUT the bullshit.
Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Say it ain't so, Sony! (Score:2, Interesting)
Steam ADDS value
Yea, the value Steam adds is tremendous:
- you only rent games and you can lose any game at any time
- you get to troubleshoot their software, when you run into problem, which you regularly do
- if interferes with other programs (causes UI rendering errors in other programs, pushes itself in front of other windows)
- adds time to start (30 seconds to start steam, more often than not another 20-30 secs to start the game while you can stare at the "launching game" window)
- Want to play? No, fuck you, I'll force a 30 min update on you first!
- bloatware (resources wasted for nothing but drm when running games)
- adware (ads by default when you start steam or exit games)
- spyware (logs hardware, installed software, what you play, how long and you can bet a lot more; also "encourages" you to stay online - can't have people not providing precious data)
I hate Steam with a passion. Unfortunately they are very close to a monopoly when it comes to PC games by now.