Sony US boss 'opposed to blocking used games'

[garyopa]

Also admitted that his overlords in Japan 'might think something different'



Looks like SCEA CEO Jack Tretton has admitted that he personally does not support the idea of potentially blocking the use of pre-owned games, but...

Analyst Michael Pachter told in GT program Bonus Round, that he had asked SCEA CEO Jack Tretton about the possibility of consoles which block used games.

Tretton responded that used games are “great for consumers” and that it would be “anti-consumer” to take steps against the trade.

However, apparently, he also stressed that his view is entirely personal and admitted that his overlords in Japan “might think something different”.

So, does that means he knows what SCEJ is thinking?

This could as well indicate that anti pre-owned tech WILL be included in PS4, as previous reports said!

Let's hope not.

NEWS SOURCE #1: http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/trett...d-games/095996
NEWS SOURCE #2: http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/201...ng-used-games/

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news story!

[Cyber Akuma]

This could as well indicate that anti pre-owned tech WILL be included in PS4, as previous reports said!

Let's hope not.

Do we really need this kind of sensationalist fear-mongering? The whole used game thing is nothing but a RUMOR, and a pretty bad one at that. Every console manufacturer knows it would be suicide to include such tech in their consoles.

[garyopa]

Do we really need this kind of sensationalist fear-mongering? The whole used game thing is nothing but a RUMOR, and a pretty bad one at that. Every console manufacturer knows it would be suicide to include such tech in their consoles.

Well it is news as 'SCEA' CEO himself Jack Tretton started it his statement being against it, but ending it with this line:

However, apparently, he also stressed that his view is entirely personal and admitted that his overlords in Japan “might think something different”.

So really Sony is causing the 'sensationalist fear-mongering' themselves by talking about this matter in the first place!

[BlckAdr]

The config for PS4 I've heard is a machine that neither runs PS3 games (meaning that $ony expects to "resell the same old game for the umpteenth time to the same consumer) and block used games. Also MS seems to be moving in this direction.

This of course means theres going a lot of people who will not be buying the consoles in the first place, one can hope.

Ive got BOTH a PS3 (and PS2) and XBOX 360 but strongly suspect this is my last console generation if the above scenario turns out to be right.

Well I've got TONs of PC games in my shelf.

[IJTF_Cinder]

You're right, it would be my last console purchase if used games were blocked. Or at least I'd wait to buy one until I could pirate them instead.
I have a 360 and PS3, neither of which are "modded" and well over 100 games for both, 95% used...they'd be forcing my hand by blocking used games, and ENCOURAGING piracy.

[JonathanD]

The config for PS4 I've heard is a machine that neither runs PS3 games (meaning that $ony expects to "resell the same old game for the umpteenth time to the same consumer) and block used games. Also MS seems to be moving in this direction.

This of course means theres going a lot of people who will not be buying the consoles in the first place, one can hope.

Ive got BOTH a PS3 (and PS2) and XBOX 360 but strongly suspect this is my last console generation if the above scenario turns out to be right.

Well I've got TONs of PC games in my shelf.

Yeah my gut feeling on the PS4 is that it will not be BC at all, or that it will be an upgraded PS3 to retain BC. If they stick with the Cell CPU it will enable them to retain BC very easily, but will keep the PS4 an expensive machine to make. (the Cell is an expensive part.) Ditching Cell would help them lower costs but at the price of any sort of BC.

With Sony hurting for money I am going to bet they ditch Cell and go the non BC route for the PS4.

I myself am just going to get a Wii-U at launch then wait a bit to see what Sony and Microsoft offer and then decide on my second or third machine.

[Diztructor]

funny to read yet again another release based on a rumor yet the guys who approve the news refuse to post negative rumors because its insulting their beloved nintendo.

i mean why would devs want anti pre owned games on the next sony/ms console but not nintendo??

only idiots are falling for this cr@p, what itll actually be is some sort of DRM check to see if the same copy of a game is being played at the same time and block that person.

anyone also fail to see that if this is done, come the end of the systems life you cant trade anything in other than the system, and would you then buy their next system?? like feck you would.

[garyopa]

funny to read yet again another release based on a rumor yet the guys who approve the news refuse to post negative rumors because its insulting their beloved nintendo.

Funny - Give me one good news source (cough) rumor of Nintendo planning the same thing (blocking used games) -- Nope, I have not seen any, I guess all the other news sites are also pro-nintendo, anti-m$/sony also! -- Weird!

So for the only negative rumor I seen on the Nintendo is that its going to be less power then the current-gen, or at best on par with the x360 cpu power, but there is no proof in that either and no real backing for this rumor.

Don't forgot this story got started by CEO from Sony America himself, all he had to do was keep his big mouth shut, but instead he comments in interview that he personally would NOT like to see PS4 block used games, but then ends his comment with well I have no idea what Sony Japan wants, so that opens up a can of worms.

Sometimes it is better just to say NO COMMENT, but when you have a CEO in large division of Sony talking about the subject, of course it is going to spread like wildfire across the world!

[GaussTek]

Yep, and I only kinda posted what the sources said:

And considering that Tretton is likely to have a firm grasp on what SCEJ is thinking, this is surely the biggest indication yet that anti pre-owned tech WILL be included in PS4?

[msanchez]

It's pathetic that some of you feel the need to shoot down this constant rumors every time. Now you've got a sony big wig touching base on the issue and yet you still refuse to see the very real possibility that they are planning to do this? If it helps we know you'd still buy a ps4 even if it cost $1.5billion and your mother's kidneys.

[kcvfr400]

Don't forgot this story got started by CEO from Sony America himself, all he had to do was keep his big mouth shut, but instead he comments in interview that he personally would NOT like to see PS4 block used games, but then ends his comment with well I have no idea what Sony Japan wants, so that opens up a can of worms.

Sometimes it is better just to say NO COMMENT, but when you have a CEO in large division of Sony talking about the subject, of course it is going to spread like wildfire across the world!

No the source was Patcher asking about rumours and the CEO answering the question. It would only be started by the CEO if he had talked about it without being questioned. If he had said no comment then people like the admin on this site would take that as being fact. His answer seemed a obvious one to me give personal feeling but do not talk for whole company, its not an ideal answer but all he could do.

[Cyber Akuma]

CEOs and other big wigs have commented on wild rumors before.

The problem with these out-of-control rumors is that so many people start spreaking them around that people start believing its fact, and if the corporartions continue to ignore it it could hurt their business.

I have also hilariously seen PR managers before comment on activities they didn't even know were just an unfounded rumor, THATS how prevalent some rumors have gotten before in the tech world.

[msanchez]

Now think how many times we have said "They would never do that" only to have them (whichever company) do that which we thought impossible... Heck I seem to remember a certain company pledging support to a certain feature not so long ago only to go back on their word. This rumor started because of something, somebody said, now we have to choices... pretend that the aholes would never do something to harm or interests, or b*tch & moan all around the place so they know how we feel about these sorts of things.

Just today we were having problems with Google Music, with the authorization/deauthorization of devices, we complained to them, opened threads all over, started petitions, and lo and behold 5 hours later the problem is fixed; would google have been so speedy to fix the issue had we all just stay shut?

[Cyber Akuma]

Yes, I agree that we should let our voices be heard when they pull crap like this. After all, it has gotten companies to reconsider DRM and region locks before, but to do something like block used games would severely destroy them, I don't think they would be stupid enough to. And all this started from a rumor, not any leaked info or confirmation or anything. Its as ridiculus as those claims that the Wii-U is more powerful than X or not as powerful as Y.