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13 Jun 2006
Sony's rumoured plan to outlaw the resale of PlayStation 3 games has triggered anger from games fans and industry insiders.
If the plan turns out to be true, each game for Sony's next-generation console will be sold with an individual licence which will make it illegal for anyone to sell or buy a second-hand game.
In effect the consumer will not own the game they've purchased, only the licence to play it. The software will remain the property of Sony.
This would put an end to the sale of used games on sites such as eBay or Amazon. Some reports suggest that Sony has already told UK retailers not to sell second-hand PS3 games, although Sony denies this.
Sony would profit from individual coding by forcing more full-price sales. However, games industry analysts warn that a backlash could be catastrophic for the electronics giant.
Games website Ferrago warned that it would be "nigh on impossible for those who cannot afford full-price games to invest in the PlayStation 3".
The PS3 already faces stiff competition from Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's upcoming Wii, and Ferrago warns that "the individual coding scandal" may add to "a mounting catalogue of black marks against Sony's reputation".
Sony unveiled the PS3 at last month's E3 gaming tradeshow in Los Angeles, where it announced a worldwide PS3 launch date of 17 November. The company aims to sell six million units by 31 March 2007.
Microsoft sold an estimated 1.3 million Xbox 360 consoles in its first month.
Sony has refused to comment on the licensing rumours. The company said in a statement: "We have made all of the official announcements at E3. We will be announcing more news running up to PlayStation 3's launch."
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Do you agree?
Boycott Sony
If sony wishes to go ahead with it's alleged plan to make it illegal to purchase second hand games, it's quite simple, don't buy their consoles and don't buy their games, when sales drop they'll soon learn their lesson. Sony as a corporation has to learn that as we are their customers, it is their business to provide what we want, if they cannot do so there are plenty of companies who can.
Posted by: Phil Caldwell 14 Jun 2006
End of Ps3?
If this did happen I would never buy a PS3 even though I can afford to. It is just too low and reminds me of how Sony doesn't care about the consumerit is just like the rootkit scandal. If they did this it would be the end of Sony!
Posted by: Badmove 14 Jun 2006
This is a false speculation????
This is a false speculation???? I doubt it. Here is why: Sony has done so many stupid thing that the company is in a free full. This company was the biggest innavator of digital age from late 70s' to late 80s' and early 90s' but somehow it started to screw up all innavation it brought to consumer. Here is few of them: Mini cd. This small cd player was a great innavation but sony screwed up this thing when it came to transfer music to it. PSP, a beutifull gadget with a great sceen, but you have to buy the movie that cost $25.00
Posted by: xtreme 14 Jun 2006
some perspective
A little something to think about. When you purchase software for your computer, you are only able to install it on one machine. You've been doing it for years. This is no different. The developers of console software don't make a red cent on second hand game sales. Therefore, it logically follows that developers don't give a flying f*** about them. Sony has signed a patent on a system that is attractive to a sector of the market that is constantly losing money. Suck it up. There's profit to be had. If Sony implements this patent, you'll just have to dig deeper for games.
Posted by: fimshady 14 Jun 2006
BS3
Half the games i own now are preplayed. But now sony wants me to not even own the game...BS. either this is a rumor made by Microsoft, or Sony has dumber execs than the tabacco industry.
Posted by: antonio 13 Jun 2006
This is a false speculation
Sony has already denied this speculation. Do some research before you publish more rumours to confuse people.
Posted by: Ryan Dewsbury 13 Jun 2006
False
This is old rumours and i is confirmed by Sony itself that this is a fake rumour.
Posted by: Yeebles 13 Jun 2006
Old News and a big LIE!
As allready someone said above, this is a rummour that as allready been officially denied by Sony, I'm tired of this stupid reporters saying whatever it passes in their mediocre mind. Hey, Microsoft's 360Box eates litlle babies, why don't U publish that?
Posted by: MK 13 Jun 2006
False Rumors
Everything about this is false. Sony is not stupid. There are people who don't want the PS3 to become the best so they are trying to make it look bad.... Thats all :P
Posted by: someone 13 Jun 2006
what the heck
this has to be a rumor otherwise we would have to go and buy a license for the ps2 games to work on it this is bs but if in some way it is true screw you sony
Posted by: hanky panky 13 Jun 2006
It won't surprised me if it's true
If this is true, it will hurt PS3 very badly. I guess this will mean no game sharing with your friends and no games available for rent?
Posted by: Carlos 13 Jun 2006
no smoke without fire
I will adopt a wait and see approach to this news, if sony do adopt this plan then I for one will see my kids buy a different console. Sony appear to have a history of being control freaks by licencing technology too late e.g. the mini disc, or using draconian measures against consumers to maximise profit. The rootkit debacle being a prime example.
Posted by: tom spooner 13 Jun 2006
Rootkit Anyone?
Of course Sony have denied it. Just as they denied using copy protection on their CDs. Who needs to do their research when the facts speak for themselves.
Posted by: Ian 13 Jun 2006
License not Media - it's the future.
re License to use? you wouldn't have to buy it again when your hardware packs, just put the cd/dvd in your new unit. It's about license rather than media. Isn't single user licensing a natural progression of on-line gaming, mobile phone, internet convergence? It seems natural that in the future we'll buy a subscription to a game service rather than a transferrable license to use. If Sony's thinking this way it's probably thinking ahead of the curve. First mover advantage ? dont think so, Google wasn't the first to invent click through advertising, but it was the first to make it work commercialy.
Posted by: Content guy 13 Jun 2006
duh
yes sony have denied it, as the reporter says! do YOUR research but this doesnt mean its not true fanboy tut tut
Posted by: Duophonix 13 Jun 2006
It was nice knowing you Sony :(
If this is even remotly true, the backlast will put playstation out of business.
Posted by: dedgar26 13 Jun 2006
License to use???
If the PS3 has the same failure rate as the PS2 then this will surely increase software sales as you would have to buy all previous software when you replace the broken console. Provided the the machine is gauranteed to never break or a money back promise on the software purchase then OK. Else GAME OVER sony! Slight bit of arrogance creeping in I think!
Posted by: You Kidding 13 Jun 2006