Did Sony Overlook the Seriousness of DRM

Microsoft’s recent decisions for the X-Box One and its plans to handle the DRM have caused gamers worldwide to raise up their arms in protest. This has gotten me thinking that this will actually help Microsoft win this generation yet again.

[Mikelarry]

you have made a very strong point about publisher and developers flocking to the xbox one because of the drm blocking used games i can definitely see activision going this route, but if the ps4 does really well which developer in the right frame of mind will want to miss out if the idea is to get as much money as possible would it not make sense to put you game on as much platforms as you can. but only time will tell

[RiPPn]

Except activision is the one company that didn't cave to tactics like online passes. But yeah EA might be the one who does do it. But if you read their new stance on DRM at least on paper it looks like they aren't so much about it either. Ubisoft has supported the Wii U and still does and it has none of the DRM BS.

If PS4 has a higher install base than the Xbox, developers won't be able to ignore it.

[nveenio]

One might argue that, even if PS4 is outsold by One 4:1, developers and publishers will still be unable to ignore it. After all, that's an extra 25% market share. That's no small bean.

[gaffyh]

"If PS4 has a higher install base than the Xbox, developers won't be able to ignore it."

Give the man a round of applause! Although, I would argue that having an equal install base would be more than enough.

[DragonKnight]

There are rumours that Gamestop is fighting back against the DRM. If true, then you have the largest retailer for games, and the PS4, fighting back. Publishers would be stupid to ignore the PS4 then.

[da_2pacalypse]

@inveni0 I agree with your point, but a 4:1 ratio is actually 20% (1/5) :P

[justastranger10]

Sony allows used games for PS4. So that's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna buy all Sony's 1st party games used. Thanks Sony.

[badz149]

Now it's all about used games which are still legit copies which is sad! It's like saying "screw you poor gamers who want to save some money!!" "Buy new or GTFO!!"

[noctis_lumia]

which it will have the biggest base since the xbone wont be available in all countries cause of the always online thing

also sony owns europe,asia

[Kleptic]

but...even EA said they weren't informed, nor requested, any changes be made on a hardware level for additional DRM...

the online pass structure has been working perfectly this generation...Sony is still allowing publishers to do that...What MS did was take a working system and now put as many of their own fingers in it as possible...These spin articles keep saying 'Sony has no DRM, but that will be bad for business deals!!!'...wrong...Sony has no NEW DRM measures...very big difference...

If Sony translates the current PR advantage into tangible sales...none of this matters...publishers will handle used sales of their own titles how ever they see fit, which very well could turn into single player games from 3rd parties requiring an online check...that could happen...but the difference is simple. Sony won't be doing that on their own content...but will allow 3rd parties to do things like that, and therefor you make the decision at the time of purchase whether its acceptable...

MS, on the other hand, has forced it to be an integral part of the hardware...in which all choice is removed...

and its not going to work...

[Gaming101]

lol yet another troll website which not only thinks Microsoft "won" last generation (which it didn't if worldwide sales are what you're basing that off of) but there isn't a chance in hades that X-bone is going to sell more units or software than PS4.

Pretty much every large developer is going to be making multiplatform games, so don't hold your breath on exclusive stuff from activision, EA, Kojima productions, Ubisoft, or any other large dev that hasn't been handsomely paid off by either Sony or Msoft.

[loulou]

microsoft are backed into a corner. they need to implement a new firmware before november which removes the features that everyone is hating.

http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/x...

they do say at the bottom that things might change before launch. i would have thought that the pre-orders have gotten their attention

[UNGR]

Who needs online passes when you have the best selling game 5 years in a row, and second place doesn't even hold a candle? Sales wise it was completely unnecessary to have one, it would have lost more sales than it made.

[dcbronco]

Kleptic MS and Sony have the exact same DRM policy for used games. Both have said they will leave it up to the publishers. The only difference is that Sony won't just admit that. MS has designated retailers, but any publisher wanting their game blocked will have to block it completely or have specific retailers the game has to be taken to so that the developer can get a cut. So there is no difference, Sony is just being disingenuous. It's lying by omission.

If you look at a game like CoD that sells 20-25 million copies, Activision may very well block that. It remains $55 dollars which means it sell s pretty well used. So 3 or 4 million used copies wouldn't be a stretch. If half of those people buy it new, that's an additional 100 million for Activision. That's a lot to walk away from. Also if GS is offering $15 on trade instead of $25, a lot of people will just keep their games. Which plays into the developers hands.

[morganfell]

"This has gotten me thinking that this will actually help Microsoft win this generation yet again."

They've won before? I am really unsure what the writer is attempting to convey.

Restrictions never work. As soon as you begin reducing a consumers freedom with a medium or a device they will become frustrated and abandon you for a device or medium that is more friendly.

[coolfool]

@morganfell

That's not true. Here's my one word proof: "Apple".

[morganfell]

Apple? You mean the one that people became fed up with and now are being buried by Android? Thanks for proving my point.

[Serg]

DRM slut EA broke speed records rushing to initiate damage control after Sonys press conference. The articles kept popping up left, right and center about how EA doesn't support DRM and what not. The crowd was cheering and chanting "SONY" after Jack Tretton mentioned used games. I hardly think publishers will ignore what happened there. If they do, they shouldn't make business decisions any longer, if they want to stay successful.

[TrickyMic]

EA only dropped their "online passes" cause they knew they would be covered by Microsoft's DRM plan

[T2]

The biggest issue too is how many people will buy a game they know they cant sell... It would cut down my purchases by at least 20 percent ... Developers better watch what they hope for

[Polysix]

@TrickyMic - EA recently said they had no problem with used games and felt no need to restrict them. As Serg says, even if they are BS'ing post E3 no publisher is going to chance such a finanical loss that could come from bad word of mouth or a boycott on the levels we are seeing against the XBone. The 'used game' losses (pah! yeah whatever - they keep the industry flowing like any food chain) are minor compared to a boycott and publisher's bad image.

[GamersRulz]

X1 won't sell enough outside the US, publishers won't risk developing exclusively for a failing system.

[tiffac008]

I think that's almost a given since it will only work on certain countries because of the restrictions applied on it.

[noctis_lumia]

the xbone is only available in 21 countries
that alone is pretty bad

[FunkMacNasty]

GamersRulz,

Not sure where in the world you live, but I live in the US.. and believe me, no one here wants an XboxOne either! I think the x1 will struggle worldwide, to be honest.

The 360 is a very popular console here in the US, but even those who have loved their 360's this generation are steering clear of the X1 for obvious reasons. There will always be die-hards and brand loyalists (fanboys) to buy the X1, but not enough to really sway sales I don't think.

[JoGam]

What the author forgets is Sony left DRM up to the developers. Sony said their first party game wont have DRM.

[TrickyMic]

I didnt forget it! I mentioned it in the article when I said Sony can say "It's not us, it's them"

[JoGam]

@Trickymic....Cool

[CYCLEGAMER]

The author also needs to make a correction to his graph.

You can loan your games to 10 of your friends/family members, I call it a "preferred friends list", where you can let them play your games free of charge, without the disc.

You can only GIVE your game away once (and who in the hell gives a game away more than once???) NOT LEND/BORROW the game once.

[RiPPn]

Xbox fans trumpeting the family share plan, you don't know enough about it to think it's the holy grail, just know if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Some of the tactics I can see them doing is blocking sharing and reselling for 30 days after the release window. And if publishers are losing more on it then used games, it will get pulled back. Same thing happened on the PS3 when they allowed 5 people to share. So keep that in mind if that's what's pushing you to buy an Xbox One.

[CYCLEGAMER]

@Rippn
If you are referring to me, you are barking up the wrong tree. I for one will be getting both (when I can afford both). I hate the fanboyism on this site,I feel like if you are going to spread information, at least spread the correct information.

His graph is factually incorrect!

[god_o_war]

@MELMAN26

I think he is referring to the shared library. Not completely sure how it works but you nominate 10 people to be on the list and in turn you become on their list? This is the only way it seems to makes sense for me.
No way in hell will a company that only lets you lend a game once to one person let you share all of your download library with 10 people without some sort of restriction.

@RiPPn
I think the main reason they changed it from 5 to 2 was because of PS+, all those free games for free!

[jmc8888]

ROFL no it doesn't.

So you mean to say that they'll like losing 8 million game sales because they don't get money they never would have anyways?

It's so incredibly stupid to think that publishers would not make games for PS4.

Also many of the same publishers are ones that tons of people hate anyways.

Publishers don't lose much money from used game sales. Know why? Because if some games aren't used, they would never be bought.

Others when they sell their games, they would then use that money to buy another game.

So used game sales led to new game sales.

SO if you spent 100 million making and marketing a game that can easily run on PS4/One/PC that could sell 20 million units, you're going to lop about 10 million or so off just because of this?

That will cost say Activision 600 million in game sales for not making it on the PS4.

Anyone stupid enough to do that should never have any decision making power in a business again.

[dlocsta]

I think you are forgetting that Sony said that the DRM restrictions of the publishers are up to the publishers so if they want to do the same thing with the PS4 there is nothing stopping them. Sony said no DRM on their first party games, third party is a totally different story.

[H3ADWOUND81]

Yes some devs will want drm for certain games, difference is consumers have the choice and will do all their voting with their wallets.
Where as xbone gamers have no choice..

[dlocsta]

@H3ADWOUND81
How do the consumers have a choice? If the publisher restricts DRM it doesn't matter which console you own it will not be resellable on either, Sony confirmed this already. Also everyone on here tends to act like they never heard MS say ONLY first party games will be restricted at resale. Other resale is again left up to the publisher. If there is a code included with the game it can not be resold or gifted more than once as it will be track. If not you can sell or give that game to as many people as you like. People on here really need to listen to what is beibg said and stop hearing what you want.

[duplissi]

meh, i think sony will be fine. after e3 the developer support for the ps4 quadrupled. 130ish to over 500 (dont remember the exact numbers)

edit: found the article, its from an official sony pdf press release.

"PS4 has earned great support from a wide variety of game publishers, including many
indie developers. Since February 2013, the number of developers joining has increased from
126 to 505."

http://www.scei.co.jp/corpo...

[Gamer1982]

The thing is if a developer loses the supposedly 20% of sales to trade but sells 50% more copies on ps4 it wont matter. Why would it sell more on PS4? Because as things stand it looks like more PS4 consoles will sell thanks to pre-order numbers and unless its a shooter or first party game it doesn't sell as good on xbox as playstation. Especially games like JRPGs. Look at FF13 which sold 5 million on PS3 compared to 2 million on 360 for example and at that point in time MS were still a few million ahead of Sony worldwide. What do you think wil happen once thats removed?

Oh and 5 million is a 250% increase I think you can take trades out of the equation.

[avengers1978]

When publishers were asked about this they didn't seem to favor one system over the other in any way... Keep in mind no publisher will ever overlook the larger instal base.
For the sake of argument let say XB1 sells 7 million the first year and PS4 sells 12 million, publishers are not going to ignore the 5 million more users on the PS4 because of DRM.

Besides that Sony also said they would leave DRM up to the publishers

[Gardenia]

Doesn't matter what developers do with this. What is more important are the gamers. So many of us can't or won't buy a game at full price. It might seem good for publishers to make as much money as possible by restricting a console, but in the end the gamers are gonna hate you for that. The positive reactions worldwide of the PS4 prove that

[blacktiger]

COPY & PASTE TO XboxONE fans and Anti Consumer:

Let me make it clear the disadvantage of Shared Game!

Friend#1 buys Halo game, and plays the game, next day Friend#2 don't have to wait till Friend#1 finish the game, because he can just download it and share it :)
Friend#1 & Friend#2 can now finish about the same time.

Disc base convince Friend#2 to buy because Friend#1 will never share until he finish. We all know that's the true because if you lend you'll never get it back until he finishes it! lol!!!

So if this whole MS is anti consumer and DRM is necessary crap what makes you think Shared up to not 2 BUT TEN ???

That's going to destroy the insdustry faster the piracy I bet! Because this time it's actually legal! lol!

[Death]

If EA, Activision, or Ubi want similar DRM, it will happenon the PS4. Sony wouldn't survive without third party support. They simply do not have the financial backing for it. The 24 hour check in is for the games ripped to the One's HDD. Without it, the disc would need to be in the drive or it would be a pirate dream console. Devs and publishers would be very unhappy. When a game is traded, it needs to be unlocked from the original owners library. This is the second part of the DRM and also a step in the 24 hour check. When the game is unlocked, Microsoft will not collect a fee unless they publish the game. On third party games, a fee is paid to the third party. I can't think of any publisher that will not want to recover some of the lost revenue used games take. Sony has stated they will not stop a third party from wanting the same thing with the PS4. Currently Sony does not tie a game to the console. In order for third parties to get the same protection, Sony would have to make a change. If the XboxOne is more proftiable for developers, it may get more games. If this happens, Sony will get less console sales and game royalties. This would create a snowball effect that would be very bad for Sony.

[Godmars290]

So long as the PS4 isn't hacked, especially within months if not days of release, there's no reason for publishers to not release games on it.

[Ryo-Hazuki]

"MS win this gen YET AGAIN"?

They are in 3rd place this gen based off total sales. And obviously didn't win last gen so where do you get "yet again" from?

And MS has no chance winning next gen. They still lost this gen when they were cheaper and launched a yr ahead. Now they don't have that luxury. PS4 is obviously getting back a lot of marketshare from the U.S and UK with the cheaper price tag and good policies. MS has nowhere else in the world. Its common sense that PS4 will win next-gen.

[oof46]

One point no one has thought of: Yes, Microsoft has a system in place to help developers get money back from used games...but what if not enough people use this system? What if people slow the number of games they resell or trade in this next generation. Then what?

[DARK WITNESS]

except if most gamers flock to the ps4 because it does not have drm who are the publishers going to sell their games to?

what is the point of having DRM to secure your game sales if you have nobody on that platform to sell the games to?

it's simple, no matter how much the publishers love drm, in the end they will have to go where their customers are. The only people who thing this is going to work the other way round are the sheep who just don't get it or don't think they have a choice in the matter... News flash, You do have a choice!

[Death]

If "most" gamers flock to the PS4 so they can buy more used games, rent them or borrow them, Sony will lose money on hardware and make nothing on software. The DRM in the XboxOne is used to verify we possess a physical copy of the game we ripped. An added bonus is the publisher getting a cut from the used sale. If your biggest gripe about the XboxOne is you buy used games only, you aren't their customer anyway. The only one getting paid on used sales is the retailer.

Fighting DRM is fighting progress and technology. Having access to all your games at all times without physical media is where we are all headed. Digital Downloads are the future. No trading, re-selling, or gifting there. The XboxOne gives you all the advantages digital offers and still allows you to trade the physical media if you choose. Digital rights management is what makes it possible.

[dedicatedtogamers]

"this will actually help Microsoft win this generation yet again"

But Microsoft hasn't "won" a generation even once, unless you're going to participate in some geographically-redefining moving of the goalposts (like people have been doing since Kinect launched). Xbox sold less than PS2, and Xbox 360 sold less than Wii and PS3. How is that winning?

Anyway, moving on...

"why wouldn’t you want to develop games for a console which people will be forced to buy your game new?"

Because publishers/developers are businesses, and they know that the pittance gained from locking/restricting used games is nothing compared to the total loss of sales if people boycott their game and boycott the Xbox One. If publishers were willing to make nearly every 3rd party game multiplat this past gen (Bioshock, Dead Rising, Mass Effect, Final Fantasy, Devil May Cry, etc. etc. etc.) then what makes you think they'd stay exclusive on a system that might not sell well?

"Is it any surprise that Microsoft came out during their reveal and E3 press conference mentioning several times how many exclusives they have nailed down?"

No, it's not a surprise, because Microsoft always front-loads. They do it for every product they release. If you're still falling for this in 2013, then you deserve what's coming to you on the Xbox One.

"I do not want to start over on another console and lose all the hard work I put into getting all those trophies."

Brand-loyalty (or in this case, Achievement loyalty) is something that has been shattered time and time again. There is only one instance of brand-loyalty in the history of videogaming: PS1 to PS2. Every time a new gen begins, the reset button gets pushed. You can't count on Xbox One doing well simply because "those Cheevos, bro!"

[RiPPn]

I also think Sony was brilliant for not bundling the camera. Especially with all the privacy concerns as of late, I've already been hearing other parents saying they don't want their game console spying on their kids.

Microsoft declaring war on consumers and retailers means someone who walks in to GameStop, Best Buy, or ma and pop stores and are on the fence, not only are they going to see a lower priced PS4, but the clerk is going to push them in that direction because it's not a threat to their business like the Xbox One is.

Microsoft is in a bad position, and they will throw a lot of money at it, but will it be enough?

[NateCole]

Lol! Thats what i thought as well.

Either he is ignorant or an xbot.

going from 2nd to 3rd this gen is not my definition of winning a gen.

[Utalkin2me]

Not only that. But weigh in on the other factors of being out a year earlier, 100-200 cheaper, decent library of games, and all the momentum. They still come in last place, actually it is kinda sad really.

[RiPPn]

@Utalkin2me: Don't forget the 360s sitting in landfills thanks to RROD.

[Tetsujin]

What gets me, a lot of people forgot PlayStation 3 didn't really get hacked until the USB key was stolen back in 2011 (and the PSN outage April-May); and the Vita hasn't really been cracked 100% (some unconfirmed youtube videos).

Sony I give credit to since stolen property was required to actually open the system 100%; and before people start arguing "Other OS" keep in mind that it was removed unless you wanted to stay offline, and not required for gaming.

[omi25p]

Going from the Dominance of the PS2 in comparison the the OX MS not only cut Sony lead in Half with the 360 they also sold more software for the 360 then Sony did for the PS3.

Microsoft won from a business standpoint this generation. Which means they won this generation.

I could care less about the disagrees im about to get.

Its a fact.

If a football team starts of a season being promoted to the premier league but is expected to come last that season. Then they end up being right at the top of the league above all the favourites. That team is the winner. Thats exactly what Microsoft did this generation.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Like I said

"geographically-redefini ng movement of the goal posts"

I remember when "first to 10 million wins" was the goalpost. I remember when it was then "first to 100 million wins". I remember when "Metacritic score" was the goalpost. I remember when "total number of exclusives" was the goalpost. I remember when "sales numbers" was the goalpost.

Now the goalpost is...they did "the best" as a business? And that isn't even true, because the Wii was a much more successful product - from a business standpoint, even - than the 360.

[omi25p]

No the goal post is they came from last place, Built a huge fan base and is now joint with the PS3 which was the next version of the most popular console of all time the PS2.

I have never said that its review score, or first to 10 or 100 million. It was overall sales and final fan Base.

[Wh15ky]

The team that wins the league wins, not the team that was promoted last season and did surprisingly well this season, unless they finished first.

From a business stand point Nintendo are winning this generation at this point, they have sold the most consoles, made the most profit and gained the largest market share compared to the generation before.

Theres no way microsoft have done as well as they should have done this gen compared to the amount of money they have thrown around.

In fact heres a wee analogy for you, a rich consortium buys majority shares in a football team, then spends more money than any other team buying top players but still only manages to finish mid table. Thats what microsoft did this generation.

[TRGMatt]

But...there are far more PS3's and far more CONNECTED PS3's in peoples' homes worldwide. Software sales are tricky. WHat sold 300k-500k units in Japan may never have reached the global charts but still counts for sales and I'd venture to predict that PS3 software GLOBALLY outsold 360s since there is a FAR larger library of games on the machine, sold in different markets but popular there nonetheless in their own right.

From a business standpoint...in America? Sure, they got their meta victory for not allowing Sony to dominate the core console market there. But they are non-factors globally and from a BUSINESS STANDPOINT that isn't a victory at all.

[NameRemoved0017]

"this will actually help Microsoft win this generation yet again"

Sony sold more PS3's than xbox 360s.
The wii sold more consoles than both.

Who won?

[Why o why]

bu b marketshare dupid ;)

[Transporter47]

Well if the Wii is on Par with the PS2 and Xbox and the Wii U on par with the PS3 Xbox360, but not PS4 or X1 you ask yourself that.

[NameRemoved0017]

Actually contrary to the belief of many many people the Gamecube was actually more powerful than the PS2 but not as powerful as the xbox "one" (original). The wii was between an original xbox and xbox 360 in terms of power.

[WolfOfDarkness]

I had a dream yesterday , it's About the "Chines hackers are getting ready for Xbox 1 release date " it looks like They will find away to hack DRM restrictions , finding another way to download Xbox 1 games for free.

[TrickyMic]

To this date, more 360's have been sold than PS3, unless you count the 360's that had to be re bought cause of the RROD

[CGI-Quality]

I think you meant this the other way around. To date, more PS3s have been sold than 360s.

[Utalkin2me]

No he meant to say "More PS3's have been sold, even with the rrod fiasco."

[Utalkin2me]

How well has the Wii been selling the last 2 years? Trends, people love to follow them. My stepmother bought a wii and bought 2 games and hasn't played it in over 3 years. That tells you everything you need to know.

[MegaMohsi]

if PS4 is outselling XBone 2:1, publishers will stick with XBone because of DRM....

/sarcasm

[Hicken]

Yeah, people don't seem to think things through all the time.

If the console isn't popular, then publishers will be flocking to a system that won't get them any games sold. I could be wrong(I was wrong about Microsoft), but I don't think publishers are stupid enough to not realize that.

... then again, they could be just like the "journalists" that think it's possible to sell lots of copies with no consoles on the market.

[ExPresident]

The spin of these so called gaming journalists is getting really fricken old.

[MonChiChi]

There is still money to be had on ps4, a smart publisher would not pass this up. If a publisher does then screw em, their game is most likely some sequel piece of crap.

[Unicron]

Publishers will go where gamers go.

[BABY-JEDI]

Publishers will go where the money is. Which will be down to the gamers. Do gamers want DRM? Hell no!

[Imalwaysright]

Exactly. We control this industry and MS will be "educated" on this simple fact the hard way.

[Rockstar]

^^^^^
This

[MasterCornholio]

Hmm i remember that there were many posters claiming that if Sony didnt adopt the same DRM system as Microsoft no one would support them.

Guess what happened?

[Why o why]

these pseudo annalist, part time apologist seem to forget the fundamentals.

Gamers = revenue

∴ More gamers = More revenue

[TrickyMic]

That is true! I even mentioned that in the article. Problem is, if the games go to X-Box One, that is where the gamers will go!

[Transporter47]

I think that M$ overlooked the seriousness of DRM as how they think this helps the game developers but screws their consumers over, as you can see there is no win scenario with DRM.

[SilentGuard]

How does the DRM and used game restrictions help developers when MS is going to allow you to share your games library with ten people. It doesn't make sense. It just goes to show the how the whole used games boogie man is nothing more than a red herring, an excuse to implement control.

[Transporter47]

They let you share games that are not yours to begin with.. so yeah..

[jmc8888]

Exactly.

Used game sales would hurt less then if M$ actually allowed one game to then be given to 10 other people.

So something isn't correct.

Again if Activision would have said no to putting the original CoD Black Ops on the 360 because of 'used game concerns' then they would have lost out on 12 million sales

12x60 = $720 million dollars split amongst all parties (retailer,distributor, etc)

[Neko_Mega]

Don't know, if more people are buying PS4. Then the developers have to be pretty dumb not to put anything on PS4, money is money.

[Mikelarry]

hey i don't want your money its ps4 money :)

[Codeman420]

Funny thing is Devs still make money from used games in the form of DLC, not as much but they still get some. DRM is only tarnishing MS image with its customers, Devs will go where the gamers are and Gamers will go where they feel they have to most power and fun. and right now Sony has done everything right with its consumers, devs and pus will see this and makes games for it because it will make them money

[Pro_TactX]

The author's premise is flawed. Publishers might be enticed by DRM on a console, but consumers will not be. Consumers will likely go with whatever product offers the least restrictions, and publishers will invariably follow the consumers.

[Yo Mama]

Really? You think DRM is what is going to win over developers and publishers? Because the news post a few spots down from this one says that the President of Warner Bros IE thinks DRM is stupid.

http://www.gamespot.com/new...

" Regarding the Xbox One's used game stance, Tremblay said he was "surprised" by Microsoft's choice to leave decisions about allowing or denying secondhand sales up to publishers

"You've got to listen to your consumers," Tremblay said. "You've got to listen to people playing the game. That's very important. I think I was a little bit surprised, to be honest…Now that we see that coming and we see what people want, just go with it. That's the way I look at it."

[MysticStrummer]

"this will actually help Microsoft win this generation yet again"

Gotta win once to win again.

"why wouldn’t you want to develop games for a console which people will be forced to buy your game new?"

Why would you want to develop games for a console where one person can buy a new game and share it with 10 people?

[Mikelarry]

Why would you want to develop games for a console where one person can buy a new game and share it with 10 people?

easily i might add, at least with the physical copy its harder to share the game with 10 people at the convenience of thier home, but with this share with your family i can play your game till i get bored and move on to the next title without having to leave my house

[FrigidDARKNESS]

It is serious because Sony do have a DRM plan just hasnt been revealed. EA Ubisoft Activision and others have all got together design and crafted a DrM plan. Third party publishers will not put their large budget titles on a no DRM platform to lose money. They could very easily put those large big budget titles to the xb1 to get a profit from used games.

[NihonjinChick]

Sony doesn't have a DRM plan. They announced that during E3.

[FrigidDARKNESS]

They are lying to you. cliffy B. Knows they have a plan.

[Grindlefly]

So, assuming Sony are being straight and ps4 has no drm, and assuming the projected pre orders turn into sales and ps4 outsells x1 15-1, do you honestly think any publisher would turn their back on a huge install base just to make some money off used games?

I understand my point has "if's" but potentially you are saying that a publisher will turn down 1 million in sales to make a fraction of that in the used game market?

I can't see it happening

[NihonjinChick]

Cliffy B is a fool who doesn't know what he is talking about. Let me refer you to the PS4 used game instructional video.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWSIF h8ICaA

P.S I'm probably going to buy a XboxOne too but I'm not going to ignore the fact the the PS4 is infact better for consumers. I'm not going to ignore what was said and confirmed in clear word by Sony and troll Sony articles, as you have been doing.

I'm going to buy both consoles. I'm a gamer and I like games. Both consoles have them.

Bro, just stop it. If you like the XboxOne, buy it. No need to troll articles though.

[Game4life]

@ frigid
you sir are so delusional

[firelogic]

I really don't know how many times Sony has to say it. The PS4 does not have any inherent DRM features like the XB1. Sony is leaving it up to the publishers JUST LIKE THEY DID WITH THE PS3. Is it really that hard to comprehend?

MS on the otherhand, built-in DRM features such as the 24hr authentication, the installing of games and tying it to your XBL profile. The friendslist requirement. The same IP address for game sharing with family members. Making deals with retailers for trade-ins/resales.

Sony outright said they aren't doing any of that. But if publishers decide to do online passes again or something else, it's up to them. The PS4 is an open system.

[givemeshelter]

This will all come down to consumers. If consumers flock to the XboxOne as they did the Xbox360, this won't bode well for gamers. Why? Because it will validate this business model and you can bloody well know 3rd party publishers will follow suit.
The saving grace is the PS4 is One Hundred Dollars cheaper so it should sell better....

[FrigidDARKNESS]

....and the shareholders of these publishers will start breathing down the CEO necks when one platform allows them toturn a profit on used games and the other doesn't.

[Game4life]

not if a publishers game sells considerablely better on the platform with no drm and no restricting used games

[BlackTar187]

except the xbox 360 is in last place this generation. What do you mean flock? You mean flock to the 360 when it was the only next gen HD unit on shelves in stores? If thats what flock means then I've been reading the wrong dictionary

[givemeshelter]

Don't kid yourself. The Xbox360 and PS3 sales difference overall is minimal at best and the Xbox360 took the lion share of the the biggest gaming market. North America.
It's that reason why I am concerned for the issues I brought forth above...

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

Yeah, let's just pretend the Wii doesn't exist.

[ape007]

you'll see the seriousness in sales for ps4 against xbox one

[sensor21]

One thing is certain online is solid long as your connection is as well.

[dmonee]

The points of this article are valid. However, whats the point of making exclusives for a console that can only sell new games, while abandoning a console that will allow resale of games? What if in the first year or two, the playstation 4 out sells the xbox one 10:1(which is rumoured based on preorders). So you sell 100,000 copies of a new game. Yipee! But because your timid about your game being resold on the PS4, you just jipped yourself out in a possible 500,000 to 1,000,000 copies of your game. Why? Because you shun the fact that gamers might resell your game? I would love to go into a development studio and find out how many of them have actually paid for music in the last ten years. With the tech at their fingertips, I would doubt any. That's a different argument. If your a soldier, you can't play an xbox on a military base? That sucks, considering that's what the 1,000,000's of troops overseas do on their downtime. Are you freaking kidding me? The only reason third party developers will
Make games exclusiy for the xbox1 is because their product will be mediocre, and this guarantees a doubling of their sales. But, this doesn't work if the xbox1 never quite gets off the ground. Great developers don't worry about this problem because their products are so good the majority of gamers will buy on day one. There is no way microsoft keeps this policy for the life of the xbox one, or it will fail. Unless, activation of a used game comes with a modest price. Lets say between $1-$5. Tops! Since the beginning of this debacle, it seems like a Microsoft pocket lining to me. Shady!

[illtownNJONE]

share ya game library with 10 people ......who needs trade in or resell honestly .....drm= more support from devs because theyre guaranteed non piracy and always online is a plus just think of mmo ps4 will have drm on 3rd party which will require an online connection.....its all bout to be a norn

[firelogic]

It's not sharing with 10 people. It's sharing with up to 10 family members. They made a clear distinction between friends and family members which means it's probably IP based. Share with up to 10 family members that are on the same public IP or IP range.

[CoLD FiRE]

They already said it's not IP based and not to mention the official statement states clearly that any one who has access to your shared library can play from anywhere "regional restrictions will apply.. I think".

Phill Spencer also confirmed that even if people weren't family they'll get "creative" and use this feature to their advantage.

[strifeblade]

Your library can only be accessed by one person at a time. So it does not matter if you have 10 ppl, only one at a time can enter and play the library.

pros? you dont need the disc, access library digitally.

Sony allows your friends to borrow how ever many games they want at the same time. ie. lend few games to how ever many friends at the same time.

cons? need physical copy to be in the system

[mydyingparadiselost]

The publisher CAN use DRM on the PS4 as well if they choose to do so which makes the point of this article kinda mute. If the pubs are just THAT worried about what happens to new games after they're sold either system is set to allow them to do something about it. I don't like it, I won't support it, but it's still true. This gen may be more about picking and choosing over publishers more than anything else.

[Cmk0121]

NG4 needs to screen these articles before posting I counted at least 3 things inaccurate that potray x1 falsely. Firstly that you can't trade in games this is untrue. 2nd that friends can't borrow your games, you can add 10 friends to access your whole library of games and two can play concurrently offline ,one if online. Meaning no more worrying about scratched disc, friends losing your game, not returning etc. your library grows big time this way. One friend buys madden and two can play for price of one as long as not playing at same time. I could go on but people just wanna hate without doing research.

[cleft5]

The Last of Us just made more money than the opening day of Man of Steel. That's a PS3 game that you can rent, sale used however you like, and the only drm is the online passes which hardly matter since most people just want to experience the sp for this game.

If anything, I think developers overestimate the importance of DRM. It's not about making the game hard to steal or hard to rent or sale, it's about creating an amazing game that people want to buy. This is what Miyamoto has said and I completely agree with him. It's funny because Nintendo seems so left field in their approach to gaming, but clearly they know how to make and sale a great game.

[SilentGuard]

The flaw in this arguement is that although they are restricting used games which will benefit publishers, they are also allowing you to share your entire games library with ten people. Any money saved/earned is lost by all the game sharing. It goes without saying that if I can access ten of my friends game libraries and play their games I won't buy them myself. I forsee much less games being sold for the One and thats not taking into consideration that PS4 looks like its going to far outsell The Xbox. The game library sharing with ten people makes the DRM restrictions for used games pointless.

[BlackTar187]

the 10 people isn't that awesome. I mean think about this.

Limited used game sales
30 day friend list before you can let people borrow a game.

and 10 friends sharing games. Which doesn't sound right? Which is out of place?

[D-riders]

whao this makes no sense.
If i dont buy your game new how will i ever know if i like the series. then if i do buy the game new ill never buy your games again. sounds like the dev sloose with drm. its why th epc market hurt so bad.

[NateCole]

This is stupid.

Lets get one thing straight. The power is with gamers/consumers and not 3rd party publishers.

I will make it simpler for you folks that don't understand.

Gamers/consumers will dictate with their wallets who will win this gen. Not 3rd party game publishers support.

Therefore the console holder that caters for the gamers/consumers is the one that gamers/consumers will support.

So far the gamers/consumers are flocking to the PS4 and that where 3rd part publishers will also head towards.

The 1st year of a console is extremely important. We have seen how hard it was from Sony to catch up with MS this gen.

This time around things are so much in favour for Sony.

[Imalwaysright]

These "journalists" don't even know this industry's history. If they knew what happened in 1983 they wouldn't be saying that publishers control the industry.

[ZBlacktt]

Sony just gained millions of former Xbox gamers. Then you have 3rd party dev's giving content to the PS4 like Destiny, AC BF, Watch_Dogs, GTA... That and Sony has a strong internal gaming division.

[jmc8888]

This is like a guy holding a gun to his OWN head and saying he'll pull the trigger if you don't give him what he wants.

[lgn15]

Yes they did. They missed out on an opportunity to please game developers. No DRM policies may seem great to the average PS4 fanboy, but in the long run PS4 will suffer from less exclusives, ect. So in fact their decision to stay old fashioned instead of looking to the future will come back to bite them in the ass in the long run.

[xboned]

xbot is xboned

[mmj]

Developers aren't going to boycott a console which sells the most games and looking at things so far that will be PS4.

Put it this way, if you are a developer and sell 10 games on PS4 and 1 game on Xbone, are you going to choose not to release your games on PS4 in the future just because you're not making any money on second hand sales?

[cloak365]

I could be mistaken but isnt it really hard to pirate blu ray disc based movies/games? so if that is the case why is drm needed?

[Shreddie]

The consumers decide the success of DRM with their wallet and with their feedback, Microsoft has unfortunately put themselves in a horrible position by now. Everyone is backing off, including huge publishers.

EA`s own Peter Moore is claiming they had no part in imposing DRM or restrictive used games policies (which tells us that Sony is absolutely right on the money when they distanced themselvses from these ridiculous ideas) - and alludes to their own failed "online pass"

“Online Pass was more trouble to the consumer than it was worth. It was a mistake. The consumer’s feedback was that this thing gets in the way of a good experience so let’s get rid of it.”
Peter Moore - EA
http://www.vg247.com/2013/0...

[spoonard]

Flocking to a platform that is terribly outsold by the competition means that it's the publishers that made the mistake. Consumers ultimately decide what stays and what goes. If they are allowed and are able to think for themselves and not be blinded by their stupid brand loyalty then they will choose against this DRM shit.

[SpinalRemains]

All this DRM is horseshit. I'm sorry.

According to the idea of these restrictions, video rentals, libraries, RedBox and Gamefly are criminal enterprises.

Make no mistake. They are not.

What we have are a few, having a temper tantrum because someone else is creating revenue for themselves. This is free enterprise and if you manufacture a disc, and I buy the disc, you no longer own the disc. You already sold it. Done deal. Walk it off.

[ghostgaming]

I do worry about companies like Activision enforcing a used game ban even with the PS4 - think about it, MS has made it very easy for them to block used games, I can't imagine them using it for one console but not the other. For example, they could easily put an activation code with every PS4 game and the user would not be able to play the game until the code is activated - That is the only thing I worry about with the PS4, however, we do know their first party games will not have that issue.

[T2]

So then give activision the big f u ... Boycott their games.. Honestly there will be tons of games dont be worried

[solinox]

Gaming is a hobbie, it's nto by force. If the publishers think we are forced to buy their products, they will go bust like they did in the 80's. Why? Because many of us wil find new, cheaper hobbies.

[Monkeysmarts]

This whole thing has been ridiculous. DRM is only a discussion because of the assumption that everyone has to follow Microsoft, who finished this generation in THIRD PLACE. Nintendo gave the whole DRM thing the finger. Sony pretty much did. Then there's Microsoft, with their anti-consumer garbage console that so many people for some reason think everyone else must follow. Ehhhhhhhh wrong.

[evilhasitsway]

doesn't matter cause all those games that are exclusives are they are also on pc so not really exclusives.

[greedybear88]

M$ are making a big mistake with all this DRM and online check-in crap. Just look at the Amazon top 10 list for gaming and the number of pre-orders everywhere for PS4 outnumbering xbone preorders.

[Panthers]

Everyone talks about not being able to sell/trade games, but no one seems to mention the fact that you also cannot rent games (at least without some hurdles). This is the biggest issue in my opinion. Before I made good money (and the internet was not nearly as big) I got burnt on a lot of video game purchases. I still make it a habit of renting some of the lesser known games before I buy. Also, without renting, I would have never tried Gran Tourismo or Resident Evil.

[SpinalRemains]

DRM!

ITS SUPER SUPER SERIAL!

[isyourhouseonfire]

Sony is operating like its 1995, Microsoft is operating like its 2020. I don't know about you, but I hate to be stuck in the past. The XBOX ONE is the way to go this time.

[Monkeysmarts]

Not really.

Sony is operating like people have a choice. Microsoft is operating like people don't.

[TOBLERONE538]

DRM is certainly the future but MIcrosoft is forcing it to happen when it will just naturally happen by its self

[Kidmyst]

If the PS4 sells 5 million to Xbone 1 Million, do you really think Devs will sit back and say "if you build it they will come" and their bank accounts dry up? Nope! Looks at Valve and gabe, he trashed the PS3 early on, but when he say the money and market was really there, next thing he strongly supported it. Gamers, we will decide with our wallets.

[Harmonizer]

Customers flocking to the PS4 means only one thing, Publishers HAVE to go for PS4 because that's where the money is.

Besides, it's entirely possible for Publishers to put DRM on PS4 if they wish so as stated by Sony themselves.

4 > 1

[JohnS1313]

That's dumb. DRM won't help anyone win the console war. It will kill their console if they're the only ones using it. This having to connect every 24 hours is stupid. If you only play single player games you shouldn't even need an Internet connection.

[iliimaster]

i dont see it that way at all i see the xboxone struggling HARD once a GAMER realizes wtf is going on or an internet outage there will be RAGE and disgust.... its a problem that will happen eventually,,,,

[Godlovesgamers]

Whatever you need to tell yourself in order to justify your stupidity for buying one.

[ziggurcat]

" This has gotten me thinking that this will actually help Microsoft win this generation yet again"

x360 is third in global sales, so no, they didn't "win" this generation, and they certainly won't win the next one.

[Neurotoxin]

They haven't experienced piracy the levels of the 360 has. Guaranteed if the PS4 is hacked to shite the next gen of consoles after PS4 will have aggressive DRM

[Gamer Muzz]

I think the major flaw in this (articles) logic is that Developers do not want to publish their games on a console that does not have a large installed base.
If the Xbox one fails to gain a foothold, If gamers shy away from it, then Developers have no option but to abandon it as well.

I've been an Xbox guy since the beginning, Supported the format for 12 years between their first two consoles, Payed for XBL gold for 7 years, and built up a respectable gamer score of 40K+...I have a lot invested in the Xbox brand.

That said, there's no question, that I will not be buying into the X1.
many gamers think Like I do and if we are a majority, then who will develop for the console?
Hell, we saw what happened to the Wii U's support when they failed to sell enough consoles for EA. They abandoned them after all that "we're gonna support the Wii U" talk. Does anyone here honestly believe they wouldn't do that to MS as well?

[dmixwell]

developers should be grateful that we chip out 60 bucks to buy most of their games. i remember some time ago that the next gen games were said to be 49.99 . don't get greedy . do as Nintendo do. make more quality games that the owner would treasure for many years to come

[ShowGun901]

I wonder how this articles author feels now that M$ flip flopped on the whole DRM thing...

still not buying an xbone... PS4 baby!