According to a NeoGAF user, Sony have been awarded a patent that could allow its next gen system to block access to used games, something that would definitely delight software developers but would draw the ire of gamers and used game retailers.
The technology patented involves adding an NFC (near field communication, a technology currently used in some cell phones as a mobile wallet, and by retailers to track product) chip to the packaging of each game that is sold. Once the disc is inserted in the system, a unique code written into it would be linked with the user’s gamer profile and wirelessly transmitted to the NFC chip where that information would be stored. Should the game be played in a different system, and the new information received by the chip did not sync with the original code, a signal could then be sent back to the game system and prevent it from playing the game. The most ingenious part of this is that no internet connection is required, as the only transmission of data is between the game’s package and whatever is playing the game.
Sony haven’t specifically said that the purpose of this patent is to lock out used game sales, but considering how hated they are throughout the industry, it’s not too far fetched to assume that this is why they are pursuing this technology.
Due to the fact that a continual investment of time and money has to be spent to keep online play for games like Madden, Call of Duty or Mortal Kombat fresh and running correctly, I am in favor of their requiring gamers to purchase an online pass if you bought the game used. And while I understand why developers hate the sale of used games, (they receive no profit from a game after its initial sale) to drop a nuclear bomb like this on all used gaming is simply wrong and will definitely hurt Sony if they include it in their new system and could damage the reputation of developers that support it. If they want to completely lock out used game sales, the best thing they could do would be to offer games as digital downloads at a significant discount. If a digital download was made available for only $30 instead of paying $60 for it in a retail store, I’m sure the ‘problem’ of used games would diminish significantly.
What do you think? If a next gen system blocks used games, would you still be interested in getting it, or would this completely cross the line with you?