120°

Opinion: THE DRM AND USED GAME ISSUE

A look at how the Used Game debate is defining issues with the gaming industry.

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bemoregeeky.com
Narutone664360d ago

Sometimes it can't be help. Some niche games are out of print and are not being published anymore. Second hand/used games are my only option.

Bigpappy4360d ago

I don't see this issue like most of what I read is seeing it. I but and support the used game market. But I also understand that Digital Distribution is the way forward. I see many benefits to DD over physical. I will list some: convenience; impossible to damage; easier to adjust the price; Better sharing... ; but we need to focus on having owners ship over digital content we buy (Like how amazon sells music as apposed to apple). I think the ownership fight is worth fighting, but the use game fight is really not that important. It will be gone sooner that you think.

Gamers tend to like to try and hold on to thinks that are familiar. But, you need to look at this realistically. Physical media in gaming will soon be insignificant, whether you accept it or not. If the DD is release at the same time as physical and is priced compitatively

eots4360d ago

I would agree that digital distribution is going to be the future. However I do prefer physical media, mainly because I know that when whoever switches off servers etc in the future I will still be able to play the games just by sticking a disc/cartridge in.

I have a digital library on my 360/ps3 and think PS+ is great. But my concern is the one form of DRM that keeps threatening it's head is having to be always online to play. What happens to SimCity for example in 10-15 years when EA have replaced it with a new one(s) and switched the old servers over/off. How will I be able to play the game I paid full price for if it needs to connect each time I want to play it and there is nothing to connect to?

I doubt EA will keep a server running just for the weirdo's like me who play old games every now and then just out of nostalgia.

Bigpappy4360d ago

I don't agree with having to be always online to play, even though I am always connected. What if they allow you to store all your content locally as a back-up? This is what I am getting at. We need to demand the distributors of Digital content give us more ownership of what we by and still enable flexibility of sharing and trading digitally. we have that with physical, but that is going to go away.

bjmartynhak4360d ago

Most of the times at Game or Entertainment Exchange (UK) a 6-month used game is more expensive than a brand new one on the internet. GoW Ascention was £20 used and £15 new at Amazon.

So, the only benefit for me it being able to sell the discs that I don't want anymore. If someone is not clever enough to find cheaper anywhere it is not my problem.

I do like to borrow my games to friends. If digital and physical are at the same price, I prefer the disc.

Most of the times digital, PSN or Live, is more expensive than retail. As long as retailers don't start selling digital versions of the games, just like PC, we won`t have competition and Sony and MS prices will keep more expensive.

Animal Mutha 764360d ago (Edited 4360d ago )

I support the right as a consumer to be able to sell something you own if you wish when you wish. As a partial collector I like to be able to keep my old systems with their most well known titles in storage knowing that they will likely work fine if I use them or sell them in years to come.

The grey area and the one that annoying know-it-alls keep quoting me is the issue of licensing. In the old days when you bought a game on floppy or cd you buy the game. You own it and it's protected by copyright etc. I can still load up sonic - its mine and can't be turned off remotely or stopped fom being sold.

These days when you buy a game on physical media it feels like you are only buying the right to use the game on their terms, that it isn't really truely ever yours to do with as you please. They can enforce restrictions now because we have allowed them to do so. I know this is a simplistic overview of software licensing but it's how it's perceived by average consumers like me and I don't think I have as much freedom with my belongings as I used to.

This will probably become a one way road to digital and I for one will resist it for as long as I can because I hate the idea of not having full control of my stuff within the law. If I sell my Beatles CD, the record company doesn't get a say in it or a cut of the fee. Same with my car.

Games seem to be heading toward a counter position where they are treated like commercial software.

I think the success of the used game market has actually been its own worst enemy and the resulting response from publishers will end up killing it and the freedoms of ownership that we currently enjoy. You know they must hate the thought of game shops making money out of second hand in such volumes but is it much different to CES or Music Magpie in the UK or a used car dealership?

I normally only buy new games when the price has come down a bit. Hardly ever buy used except for my collections or the odd older PS3 game that I never got to play.

mcstorm4360d ago

I did not have an issue with the DRM but I see why people did. I think if Microsoft ect could come up with a way to deregister the game your self when wanting to sell the game could help get around the issue. For me one of the big things I liked about the one was jumping from game to game without the disk and it would be nice if we could still do that.

I think next gen will got down the drm rout and im sure they will find a way to let you activate and deactivate the game for selling and giving it to friends.

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300°

Looming Xbox layoffs threaten Microsoft's reputation

Even as the company sets out to overhaul the very definition of Xbox, cuts at its studios risk creating a negative image reminiscent of EA's worst era

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gamesindustry.biz
Jingsing3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

I appreciate the article but this guy must be living in a delayed universe, The reputation was ruined 10+ years ago and hasn't recovered since. As such people have voted with their wallets and stopped buying Xbox products in large amounts.

YourMommySpoils2d ago

Their reputation was lost way before that. From the moment Microsoft said they entering the console business, we all knew it would be a downgrade.

Bathyj1d 21h ago (Edited 1d 21h ago )

That's not true at all the OG Xbox had drive and they had hunger and they wanted to accomplish something. It was a great console.

they didn't quite reach their goals and they gave up prematurely because they couldn't win. It was halfway through the Xbox 360 when kinect released and that was when they lost their way and we're a rudderless ship ever since

Agent751d 19h ago

In all fairness, Xbox had some great games with online play, Xbox 360 even better. Xbox consoles started to die with the Xbox One. Ditch consoles for the PC and PS.

YourMommySpoils1d 11h ago

@Bathyj hard to compute ay. Xbox was never better than a PC and that's all they ever were. A demo box. Doesn't get more true than that.

3d ago Replies(1)
isarai3d ago

What reputation is this threatening exactly? 😂

Lightning773d ago

Rumors of Turn 10 being either shut down or hit with massive lay offs is on the horizon.

The issue is MS will do something right only to do something very, very wrong. And they do this what seems calculative at this point. Doesn't matter what they do the Investors and leadership want more and more money an endless bottomless pit of purr insatiable greed. A company that acts like it's broke or hurting is what really, really infuriates me. They've surpassed apple again well over 3 trillion who acts like they're a million dollar company is fk stupid. Pivots and changes for no reason and can't do things for more than a year with out a pivot or changing their metrics.

Christopher2d ago

That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest.

1Victor2d ago

@christopher: “ That would be really bad since Phil just hyped up next year as a big Forza year at Summer Game Fest”
The key word big can be ether good or bad 🤷🏿only time can tell

DarXyde2d ago

First Forza being generated entirely via AI?

If any company would do it, it'd be them.

Nacho_Z2d ago

Isn't the point that it's irrelevant how profitable MS is, the suits have decided it's time that the Xbox division started making them money. Hence the layoffs, the pivots.

hennessey861d 22h ago

That wouldn't surprise me, as motorsport has been heading down hill since the great number 4. Where as playground have consistently put out better games. I think the two studios will be merged under playground games banner.

2d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (63)
90°

The 'Stop Killing Games' initiative is close to its final deadline

Ross Scott—also known as Accursed Farms on YouTube—has been fighting tooth and nail for almost a full year to help spearhead game preservation. Starting after it was announced that Ubisoft's The Crew would be shutting down, permanently ending support for the game, Scott launched the "Stop Killing Games" initiative.

That makes a twofold deadline for the Stop Killing Games initiative. Or, at least, one headed up by Scott: The UK petition, which ends July 14, and the EU Citizens' Initiative, which ends July 3.

M3talDiamond6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

If you live in the EU then Please sign this or our game ownership rights and game preservation is
at stake. I know there isnt much time left but please consider signing the petition

-Foxtrot5d ago

I never knew Ross Scott was doing this

I love Freemans Mind

Inverno5d ago (Edited 5d ago )

People whine and in the end don't do a thing. Then whine more when they get screwed some more smh. If this makes it then it'll be monumental for consumers. That Pirate software guy was no help either smh.

GazCBG5d ago

The EU Date is the 31st July not the 3rd

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170°

Xbox June Update: Copilot for Gaming Available on Mobile, Aggregated Gaming Library, and More

There are many exciting updates this month for Xbox. Copilot for Gaming is available now for early preview on mobile and will be coming to PC soon. Xbox PC app introduces a wave of new updates: Aggregated gaming library gives players quick access to games from Xbox, Game Pass, and other leading PC storefronts, and with publisher channels players can browse their favorite franchises. Updates for the Xbox Console includes customization for Most Recently Used, free-to-play benefits, Game Hubs, and dialog improvements for game saves.

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news.xbox.com
darthv727d ago

"Players can now hide system apps, pin favorites to the list, and reduce the number of tiles displayed. This update is part of our ongoing effort to make Home more personal, flexible, and responsive to feedback."

This is welcomed, i like a less cluttered home screen.

Profchaos7d ago

Not everything needs co pilot ms

1Victor6d ago

Gotta be a slow news day when a 18 hours and 3 comments (now 4)makes it to the front page🤷🏿
.
Well anything that adds and help gamers is a good thing even if some don’t need it there’ll be more that will use it.

darthv726d ago

Well its MS news... those are usually pretty dry, unless it has something to do with another game being ported to PS. then its top of the pops.

Obscure_Observer6d ago

"Well its MS news... those are usually pretty dry, unless it has something to do with another game being ported to PS. then its top of the pops."

Oh look no further than the "Upcoming layoffs at MS" topic. It will easily top the Hottest of the week.

Special guests like Mr. Dead might also show up. You just watch.