Last week, Microsoft upset quite a few people when it was speculated that the just-announced Xbox One would not allow for the playing of used games. This rumor would later go on to be thorn in Microsoft's side as several company spokespersons attempted to calm the storm by stating the Xbox One will in fact be able to play used games. The only question remains — at what cost? Despite the console's ability to play used games, there's even more speculation that Microsoft could charge some sort of fee to play these pre-owned games (side note: the fee would be paid by the retailer, but you know those costs will be passed on to the consumer).
The point is, out of all this, Sony has emerged as sort of a white knight with the PlayStation 4 — despite no official stance on pre-owned games. We know the PS4 will allow you to play used games, but we don't know if there will be similar restrictions. There are some new rumors, however.
GameTrailers TV host Geoff Keighley seems to have sources that indicate they know Sony's plans — and gamers aren't going to like it. According to the sources, Sony is looking at employing a similar form of digital rights management for the sale of used games. Speaking on the Bonus Round TV show, Keighley said the following:
"…The one thing that is amazing to me is that right now we're not hearing a lot from the game publishers about what their view is on this. The console companies are becoming the bad guys. And, you know, Microsoft is getting beaten up a lot on it. Sony, I think, has been seen as this kind of white knight so far that's not going to restrict used games. Based on some of the things I'm hearing, I don't think that's entirely true, because I can't see publishers allowing one system to do one thing and one do another."
The speculation does fall in line with rumors we heard last year regarding anti-used game tech. Back in March 2012, it was believed that both the PS4 and Xbox One would implement some sort of anti-used game technology; as we all know, Microsoft's DRM with the Xbox One has been met with lots of consumer backlash. It seems we all immediately forgot about Sony's own anti-used game patent, discovered in January of this year.
Maybe Sony won't be the savior we all thought they'd be after all. Would you still purchase a next-gen console if both the PS4 and Xbox One have a form of pre-owned game restriction?
[Kotaku]
