160°

Sony’s Used Game Patent Could Also Include the Next Xbox

GOS: "Sony issued the patent first, so of course all eyes are now on them. The next Xbox and PS4 was rumored to block used games last year, but no real evidence has surfaced of Microsoft‘s next generation console containing the technology to do so. If Microsoft wanted to block used games on the next Xbox the company wouldn’t have to look very far."

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gamesonsmash.com
MultiConsoleGamer4128d ago

It's funny because people claimed the Next Box would block used games. Then the chairman of GameStop strangely made a public statement that it definitely would not.

Meanwhile, a rumor spreads that PS4 will block used games and GameStop's stock goes tumbling down.

Something is up.

GribbleGrunger4127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

What's up is that Gamestop's stock went down BEFORE this announcement but the media took the opportunity to link the two events.

animegamingnerd4127d ago

they're the media they pull crap like that all the time

bakasora4127d ago

Time to invest more on steam.

animegamingnerd4127d ago

i bet the chairman of gamestop lied to calm the storm if he or she knows anything about the next playstation and xbox is that they exist and release date

nukeitall4127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

The only thing up is unfortunately this article!

I doubt Sony or MS will be blocking used games. It would severely hurt them. It was bad enough when Sony dropped BC and Linux support so I doubt neither of them would do something as stupid as this, especially at launch.

Anyone of them try this and I will drop them like a freaking hot turd!

DeadlyFire4127d ago

this is just a renewal of the Online Pass system for Sony products already in place I bet.

Sony originally filled this in 2006 and renewing in 2012 possible to add PS4 to the end of the patent.

Saigon4127d ago

Based on the complaints of the developers...I doubt this is false. Most devs hate the fact they cannot make money off of second hand sales. They don't like the fact that this issue exist. I can understand especially if you look at it from a pharmaceutical stand point. Would you as a customer want to use needles and syringes another patient used. No...And its not about profit. This helps against piracy, though someone will find a way around it, and many other issues publishers complain about. This move, though sony is taking a bash from it, is something that the industry wants and needs.

nukeitall4126d ago

@Saigon:

The industry most definitely does not need it, they probably want it though.

I haven't met a single consumer that think this is a great idea.

"I can understand especially if you look at it from a pharmaceutical stand point. Would you as a customer want to use needles and syringes another patient used."

Really? You wouldn't reuse syringes/needles because once used they can carry dangerous disease that might kill you!

Do used video games transmit deadly diseases? No? Hardly the same then, uh?

"No...And its not about profit."

Really? What is it about then? Good will towards the consumers? Charity for all video gamers in the world?

"They don't like the fact that this issue exist."

BECAUSE IT HAMPERS "THEM" THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FURTHER PROFIT BEYOND THEIR FAIR SHARE.

"This helps against piracy, though someone will find a way around it, and many other issues publishers complain about."

This scheme will minimally have any impact against piracy and have everything to do with used games.

majiebeast4127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

The only way there is gonna be a block on used games is if the big 3 and 75% of the big publishers are on board, i dont see Sony lonewolfing it.

BanBrother4127d ago

Sony could easily pull it off for their first party games, as no-one would boycott them. The problem is the third parties going along with it.
The online pass for Resistance 3 is ana example, except now it would be blocking the entire game.

Tbh, I think this will eventually happen with Sony,MS and Nintendo, but not next gen, as they are both trying to win over the Wii U ATM.

Hingle_Mcringleberry4127d ago

Not sure if Resistance 3 is a great example, it didn't necessarily set the charts on fire. UC3 is a good fit though.

MASTER_RAIDEN4127d ago

I dare sony, microsoft or any other company to try and pull this off.

see if any of you ever see a dollar of mine ever again.

Thatguy-3104127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

Many purchase game at retail price and don't mind. Doubt it will stop them. The majority won't care. Just like when they didn't care when they cut out a lot of the features the original ps3 had. I for sure can careless. It's not like I just buy any random shovelware that I can find at a local gamestop.

rainslacker4126d ago

@dboy

It may not be that they don't care, it'll likely be that they don't know. They would care when they take that game in to trade it for a new one, or try to sell it on their own, and come to realize that they are stuck with it. The publishers have been doing a lot this gen to restrict (or at least recoup money from) used game sales. However this going into effect is going to have a huge effect on the industry as a whole, and I think the industry is going to be in for a surprise when it doesn't work out the way they are hoping.

GribbleGrunger4127d ago (Edited 4127d ago )

I'm throwing this out there because it seems that no one has thought about it:

Everyone is complaining that if this patent is implemented, it would mean the end of second hand games, loaning games out or taking the game to a friends house to play. What if, when you first put the disc into your PS3, the ID automatically gets associated with your user account -- rather like trophies.

This means you would still be able to take that game to a friends house and play it because all you would have to do is use your account on his/her PS3. It would also mean that replacing your PS3 would not forfeit your right to play that same game disc. It would also mean that Sony could give you a digital copy of the game based on your purchase of the disc. This way only the second hand market is effected. I was going to write an article along these lines but I really couldn't be bothered.

Hingle_Mcringleberry4127d ago

What about when I wanna swap games with my buddy for the weekend?
Also, I'm new to owning a PS3, how do I transfer my profile on to a flash drive so I can go play using it at my buddy's place? And can two people log in at the same time on one console like you can on the 360? I've been trying but just can't get it to work, help me.

slaton244127d ago

no flash needed just go to ur friends ps3 go to create new user and go to where u sign in and then u enter ur infomation in and u r ready...but if u do this u want have room for another system with ur original account only 2 systems can be used with the same account...if u needed a 3rd u would have to deactivate a system or call sony...back when it was 5 systems people gameshared which made sony a little mad cause people would buy games and let other people download it from them and would cause developers to loose money...so with it now being 2 systems its more of a hassle

DivineAssault 4127d ago

sony may sell this tech to devs who make games for em one day.. It might be at the devs discretion whether or not to block the game from being played on another system.. Who knows but not all patents actually get put to use

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250°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

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theverge.com
darthv7222h ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle9h ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18816h ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio6h ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning771h ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga8h ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

shinoff21837h ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga6h ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan2h ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

romulus231h ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv721h ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

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purple10111h ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos10h ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-27m ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac10h ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad9h ago(Edited 9h ago)

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1019h ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos9h ago(Edited 8h ago)

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic7h ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead49m ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 49m ago
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150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos1d 11h ago (Edited 1d 11h ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers1d 7h ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos16h ago(Edited 16h ago)

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken18h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g1d 3h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing1d 3h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H91d 3h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola23h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn6691d 2h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle1d 2h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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300°

Microsoft Seemingly Closes Bethesda France

As part of its plans to cut 1,900 jobs, Microsoft has reportedly shut down operations at Bethesda France, letting go roughly 15 people

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insider-gaming.com
Hereandthere1d 18h ago

Microsoft should have left them stay 3rd party

GamerRN1d 16h ago

If they are let go, they can be whatever they want. They ARE 3rd party now... 🤦

Barlos1d 13h ago

Yeah, they're also jobless.

GamerRN1d 6h ago

They can form a company if they want, they are just as jobless as if "Microsoft had left them as 3rd party".

peppeaccardo1d 8h ago

"MIcrosoft leaves Bethesda do what they know how to do best" ... close! Oh the irony ....
(Citation from a week old article)

ChasterMies1d 4h ago

I think Microsoft and other game publishers are letting people go because they think ai will replace them. Doesn’t matter how much profit they make. They were always going to be let go.

PassNextquestion1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

Bethesda France was made up of roughly 15 people... they couldn't of being doing much

Bethesda France mainly did publishing and marketing within the region

blacktiger1d 16h ago

that's a shame for you to say that, i'm sure Elite loves hearing what you just said.

Mr Logic1d 2h ago

What a stupid thing to say. The elites give 0 fucks what we say on an obscure website in the comments section.

Crows901d 1h ago

You can always reach out and give them jobs at your company man. Don't wait

Profchaos1d 18h ago (Edited 1d 18h ago )

Bethesda France focused on publishing and marketing in the region. And 15 people lost their jobs as part of the closure.

I wonder if this is part of Microsoft's strategy to abandoned physical media or possibly gamepass advertising makes their roles redundant you don't need to market a game as hard when the majority of players get the game as part of a sub which already promoted upcoming games

Tacoboto1d 17h ago

It's France too, there's a high likelihood only 1-2 people on the team even had an Xbox.

Profchaos1d 17h ago

Possibly guven all the leaks we know the Xbox brand is really struggling in the region.

Yi-Long1d 14h ago

Well, if your consoles and games are barely found in any stores any more, of course you're gonna struggle finding consumers ...

XiNatsuDragnel1d 16h ago

Tbh Microsoft I think Bethesda being 3rd party same with Activision would probably more competitive than thus scenario imo

Profchaos1d 15h ago (Edited 1d 15h ago )

I think it would have been better for all parties really especially gamers

TheColbertinator1d 16h ago

The recently purchased Activision French offices might take over all the licensing and marketing for Microsoft in France from now on.

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