@BionicRadd said:

@Seppli said:

@BionicRadd said:

@Deathawk said:

So Kotaku ran a story today about the next Xbox. It's generally uneventful except when they mention the possibility of an "anti-used game" aspect to the system. This would be terrible if it is true, and would just be another case of people who buy used games being treated like second class citizens.

if you buy used to save 5 bucks when a new copy is sitting right next to it, you are a second class citizen.

that said, this will never happen. one-time digital codes for installs to go disc free may and probably will happen, but they aren't going to give used game retailers like Gamestop the finger. Console manufacturers especially aren't going to.

Why? They can easily use ISPs/Telecommunication companies as distributers for their hardware.

you obviously dont understand how many consoles are bought on a whim while people are out shopping for other crap. hell, the last three consoles I bought were because I was standing in a store for some other reason, had the money in the bank and said screw it, let's do this. consoles are a luxury item and the best way to sell luxury items is to put them in people's faces as often as possible. Retailers drive electronics sales and used game sale do, too. Console manufacturers have no need to deter used game purchases.

the solution to used games is digital and I think we'll see that in this next generation on Sony and MS's machines. Not on the Wii U, because Nintendo doesn't understand the internet, but definitely on the PS4 and 720.

Their cut (licensing fees) is just as lost to the 'middle man' retailer as it is for publishers/investors/producers/developers. It doesn't even make sense for us gamers for our money to get into the hands of a slimey reseller instead of videogame producing entities. And it is only postering anyways, retailers will put consoles on their shelves, as long as they get a decent cut. It's not like people stop buying PC games. They're all bound to a single consumer. The only company really losing significant business are second hand centric retailers like gamestop.

FUCK GAMESTOP

I don't see this happening. Besides, I would like to think Microsoft has bigger concerns for the next console. Such as... not breaking right out of the box like last time.

@The_LMFAO_Guy said:

Then Sony and Nintendo have an edge over Microsoft if this is true. To be honest, I never really cared for Microsoft's console anyways, I only bought a used Xbox just to play Jet Set Radio Future. Though I feel bad for those that are considering buying the next Xbox because they like Microsoft's gaming franchises. This also could affect me if Sony decides to go for this. I'd imagined Xbox fanboys will be defending this shit because fanboyism equals easily manipulative and stupidity.

Sony have been against the used game market a lot more than Microsoft, all their official games these days come with online passes. If this rumour is true, you can guarantee Sony will be behind it as well.

PC games already have this kind of protection, so it really wouldn't surprise me.

@g6065 said:

Imagine a Hamburger that eats you!

You made me laugh amongst all this paranoia.

@TooWalrus said:

They'd probably just charge a $10 unlock fee.

Rofl, could you imagine paying 10 bucks to unlock the game and then another 10 bucks to play it online? Christ...

There was the exact same rumour about the PS3 last time round. It didn't come to fruition, and I'm not expecting this rumour to either.

What if....

Every disc came with a built-in online pass. When you put the disc in for the first time it says "hey, do you want to use this disc's code on your account?". If you do you can install the game to the hard drive and no longer need the disc in the drive to play.

This makes the online pass idea ubiquitous across all 360 games, but now with an actual benefit for the new-buyer.

Now if you sell the game, an offline-only person who buys it will see nothing is different; they can't play the online anyway. If a connected used buyer puts the disc in it says "hey, this disc's code has been used, 10 dollars for another one please".

@Demoskinos said:

Not going to happen. They would be shooting themselves in the foot because not everyone has internet access.

The PlayStation 2 exists for these people. For the rest of us...

I don't see it happening. They would be pissing off one of the biggest distributors in their supply chain, which is bad for MS and this said retailer. The only way MS would implement such a system would be if Sony and Nintendo do the same, as this move would put Microsoft at a serious competitive disadvantage.

@msavo said:

I'm tired of these idiotic Xbox successor rumors.

This, and it'll never happen. If it does, I'll probably stop playing video games. They're expensive enough as it is.

@Lunar_Aura said:

Imagine GameStop not selling the next Xbox if this is true.

Pretty much this. The sales that MS will see come from units shipped, not units sold at retail. They wouldn't risk damaging any relationship they might have with their retailers.

What happens if a friend brings over a game to play? It's unplayable?

@Demoskinos said:

Not going to happen. They would be shooting themselves in the foot because not everyone has internet access.

People that don't have internet access don't matter anymore.

I doubt it. So, basically, I can't even loan a game to my friend. I can't bring a game over to his house so we can play co-op together. I can't give a game I've finished to my nephew. Yeah, I'm not buying that rumor too much. I can see locking a player out of online, but not being able to play the game at all? Sounds like a software publishers wish, but it can't go over big with a hardware maker. Oh, and currently my Xbox is offline so that would mean the new system would basically be a brick. Yes, it's smart to exclude a section of the marketplace that isn't online 24 hours a day. Good way to sell consoles. I'm calling shenanigans on that feature.

If that was true that would suck.

Well, that sucks. I wouldn't care for shit if GameStop went away but this is a really really dumb idea if it's true.

@Deathawk said:

would just be another case of people who buy used games being treated like second class citizens

Well, they are if you are looking at this from a developer's business perspective.

Hell, they're not even that. They're parasites

I would bet if there is any truth to this it would have to be a console wide agreement to in force this tech. Because anyone who does this will be dead in the water if the other two does not partake on this. So i don't know how this would work other then coping the PC model of every game will have a key of sort that unlock so many times or gets linked to a system.

When will people realize that moving AWAY from DRM will cause less piracy?

Damn it's hard being a gamer on budget, if they're going against used games so strongly. Many times I find myself buying used games because, let's face it, games are freakin' expensive (and the used games I buy range from $10-$40). Or many times it's a game I'm curious to play but did not feel it was worth 60 bones. Locking people from playing used to games is ridiculous and feels like "Big Brother". Why I can't I lend my friend a copy of game I already finished, who are they to stop us.

And it's also a headache for those who rent games, I just started Gamefly around November and the first game I rented was Battlefield 3. Single-Player was meh..but when I tried to play multiplayer I had to put in access code and I totally forgot about that whole online gaming pass. Even though paying $10 dollars wasn't too bad, I wasn't expecting to spend money. Now when I'm choosing games to rent, I have to mindful that they do not require any online pass (like Arkham City).

I wish there was some type of agreement game companies can make with Gamestop (and the like) where they can make some money off these used sales as well.