Sony: PS4 Will Not Block Used Games

In the months leading up to Sony‘s big reveal of the PS4, which took place earlier today by the way, there were rumors that suggested the next-gen console would block used games from being played.  Backlash instantly arose, especially with GameStop, a retailer that makes a good deal of money off the sale of used games. 

Thankfully, those rumors will not come to pass, as Sony Worldwide Studios’ Shuhei Yoshida has confirmed the PS4 will play used games.  That means, at least for now, retailers like GameStop and services like GameFly are safe. 

Eurogamer sat down with Yoshida a few hours after the PS4 event, and skirted around talk of whether or not the console would play used games.  Yoshida, in turn, entered into a hypothetical discussion that ultimately resulted in him confirming the PS4 won’t block games.  Put simply: because consumers wouldn’t want that, Sony doesn’t want that. 

“Yes.  That’s the general expectation by consumers.  They purchase physical form, they want to use it everywhere, right?  So that’s my expectation.” 

Yoshida’s use of the word “expectation” gives us pause about the console blocking used games, but it seems like all’s clear on the used games front. 

So gamers can rest easy knowing that the PS4 won’t be the first step in major publishers’ battle against used games.  That doesn’t mean that future technology — namely a streaming service or digital downloads — won’t render the sale of physical media obsolete, but for now they are safe. 

As a matter of fact, Sony didn’t make any mention of physical media during their PS4 event.  Yes they revealed that digital downloads will be made much easier thanks to a dedicated processor, but should we just assume that the Blu-Ray is still the format for Sony? 

Microsoft won’t do it.  At this point with them being essentially last out of the gate and the other two competitors not blocking used games they would be committing suicide to attempt it.  All three of them are better off letting technology kill the used games market which will feel a lot more like natural progress and more difficult to lay blame on any one company than to forcefully block the consumer. 

Wise choice Sony, I wish companies would realize that the used game market is what keeps these developers in business. 

Think about it, the people who buy used games are more inclined to buy DLC, and pre-order the sequels.  You know who didn’t buy the DLC?  The guy who first paid $60 for the game then sold it.  The people who purchase used games have been helping the economy. 

But gamers be advised: any random software update could change the PS4’s “used game tolerance” if used games become a problem for them.  So be sure to handle used games with moderation. 

phew… even though i dont buy used games unless i have too (the game is only patinum new or i cant find the game new at all).  last time a bought a used game was portal 2 last year because it was only new in platinum. 

It’s unfortunate but was inevitable.  There had to come a point when the physical media from the previous generation was not supported right from the start.  At least they have plans to allow players to stream the games in case their old console dies. 

SO, its like they are doing us a favour by ALLOWING us to play a game used on another console? 
Seriously? 
Wow… how altruistic… oh they all want only downloaded games huh.. thats where they are going with all this… and the internet providers.. they sure will want people running huge bandwidth to stream everything…

The end of consoles will be the day that they have no more physical media, have to be online at all times for the console to function, pay for each little piece of content with the DLC, when “HE WHO HAS THE DEEPEST POCKETS WILL BE THE MOST POWERFULL CHAR IN AND GAME, and you can’t sell a game you are finished with. 

I don’t know how in the world you assumed they were coming off like that.  They were trying to make potential consumers rest easy to know that they’re not going to block you from playing used games.  You know, that hellstorm that has been kicked up by everyone with internet access, an opinion, and a tendency to overreact with both of them?  Also, digital distribution is the future whether you like it or not.  It’s more convenient for the consumer and it costs the company less to do it.  You can’t blame any company for rolling with the technology that consumers are showing they like. 

maybe but I guess there are more than enough ppl who don’t like digial distibution.  Especially not if they do it like they do it on the PS3, where you mostley have to pay more for game (you still have to download) than if you buy it otherwise. 

good to hear…against me Sony would have lost the Fight if they would have blocked the use of used games.  I simply wouldn’t buy a ps4 then.  Now on the Ps3 i buy mostley used games or games that are under 30 EUR’s.  Because over 60 EUR for new game is just ridicilus, so I wait for a while and get it then.