120°

Pre-Owned Game Blocking Tech Won't Improve Sales

Sony has applied to patent a piece of technology that if implemented will prevent gamers from playing second-hand and pre-owned games on their consoles. However, personal experience has proven that this won't improve the sales profits they're hoping for.

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sticktwiddlers.com
TheLyonKing4549d ago

Depends how people view the situation, am on placement ATM so I can afford to buy brand new games but last year at uni I was struggling and when I needed a game I had to buy it second hand.

We have seen with big releases that a lot of people will buy a game brand new but for some games buying it second hand and cheaper is a better alternative when you are unsure about it.

Sony shouldn't go through with it but I think there emphasis is on Gaikai and getting as much users involved in it for the ps4

JoGam4549d ago (Edited 4549d ago )

If doing this keeps companies from closing down like the many who closed down this year and year before because people don't want to buy games new then so be it. I just freaking hate how so many people complain about this. They act like Game Stop makes the games. People developers needs to get paid. It cost money to make these games and the reason why some developers turn to mobile games because its a cheaper risk with potential bigger outcome where as making a game and selling it for $60 and expecting it to be successful is tough. especially when some people by new then trade in used just so some potential person who don't have the game go's and buy the game used, developers miss out. So when a game is being sold used, developers lose. I understand both sides of the coin. People like me who has two PS3's. How will Sony fix the ability to play one game on both systems? If they can do that, then great

TacoTaru4549d ago

I think the whole problem could be solved if used versions of games couldn't be sold until say six months after a release. The big issue with the used games sales is the $5 discount on almost new used games that Game Stop gives. This would still allow people to buy and sell used games but wouldn't cut into the profits that occur during the first 6 months.

MostJadedGamer4549d ago

Heres what would happen. Big name established games will sell more while the other 90% of games will sell less. People would be much less likely taking risks buying games because they know they will not be able to get any of there money back.

So overall this would be very bad for the industry, and mean even less new IP's since gamers will be even less likely to take a risk.

NYC_Gamer4549d ago

I doubt any console brand would block used games that wouldn't be smart..

P_Bomb4549d ago (Edited 4549d ago )

Sony's Jack Tretton has already gone on record at E3 saying blocking used games is anti-consumer and he's opposed to blocking them http://www.escapistmagazine... .

Thing is, the strong push from pretty much everyone towards a digital future already has one foot on the path. XBLA's huge self sustaining Games-On-Demand library isn't exactly EB Games compatible.

MikeMyers4549d ago

Digital sales continue to rise, so that path is already there. What I would like to see is alternatives. Why are we still living in an era where you cannot rent games through services like Live?

This is just another case of publishers/companies not willing to work with the consumer. They see it as a buy it once model and throw it away. We should be able to trade our games online or be used as credit towards new games. That's what they tend to forget, people who buy used games often trade in their old ones so they can use that credit. If people are no longer getting credit they are likely to buy less new games.

EddieNX 4549d ago

If Sony do this , they lose me as a customer for ever.

Simple as that. Some games NEED to be bought pre owned. I just bought Darksiders 2 for £14 for example pre owned in mint condish. It only came out a few months ago and was £45.

Most games I buy brand new. But some simply don't deserve the full price....

The_Klank4549d ago

That is utter bulls**t, No game 'NEED's to be bought. Also if a game is to expensive for you, you can wait. If you can't wait then you want that game more then you're letting on.

And you can buy DS2 right now on Amazon for £17. Hardly breaking the bank .

ziggurcat4549d ago

well, you can rest easy because this won't get implemented. patents are just patents, they very rarely see the light of day, and all of the major tech companies have patent lists a mile long that never get implemented.

TopDudeMan4549d ago (Edited 4549d ago )

Exactly. These people who are buying the game pre-owned clearly impulse-bought the game. They saw it was cheap and bought it. The reason for that is because they don't feel the game is necessarily worth the full price. They need to make more games that people need to have.

Cutting out pre-owned games won't improve sales, making better games will, though.

JoGam4549d ago (Edited 4549d ago )

Sir, so you're saying all the games sold cheap and bought on impulse, developers shouldn't get paid? Just because the game is sold cheap has nothing to do with it...As long as it sold new developers get paid. the problem is the "USED" games. How can developers get paid from "USED" sales? Now you also said making better games will improve sales. IF YOU DON'T BUY NEW HOW CAN IT IMPROVE SALES?....I DON'T CARE HOW POOR OR GREAT THE GAME IS...SALES MATTER.

TopDudeMan4549d ago

I'm not saying they shouldn't get money from it. I'm saying they were never going to get that money, so taking away the option isn't going to solve anything.

And the quality of a game can be obvious before you buy it. It's like saying you should buy cars without taking a test drive.

ronin4life4549d ago (Edited 4549d ago )

Pretty sure the devs got their money when the disk hit the rack. Me buying used doesn't evaporate anyway: it goes into the games industry to be spent on MORE GAMES.

The fact that so many on here are so deluded they will believe anti used tech is good for them just because it might be implemented by their console of choice is disgusting. The fact that there are so many others here that simply believe used games are bad for the industry just shows a lack in forsight... both of which I am used to seeing on n4g, so I guess I'm not all that surprised...

The_Klank4549d ago

One thing I don't understand about used games sales is why buy them used?

Why not wait until they are discounted in a few weeks? Then you still support the developer and get em cheaper.

If you just have to have a game when its released then you should of already been saving for it.

I never trade or buy used games, I just don't get it.

P_Bomb4549d ago (Edited 4549d ago )

Unless I absolutely wanna buy week one, I'll almost always see a $39.99 sale a month or so later.

New releases at EB Games are only like $5 cheaper used. Far as trades, they offered me $1.75 for the sealed Rainbow Six Vegas 2 I got with my Far Cry 3. The incentive to buy/sell/trade with them just isn't there for me.

Tetsujin4549d ago

Too many people have the "I NEED this game day 1!" attitude instead of waiting. Very few games I'm like that with anymore, and I'm willing to at least wait a couple of months for a price drop.

I personally prefer at least playing it first due to motion sickness with a lot of games lately that I've played; and I don't want to spend $60+ on a new game only to find out I can't enjoy it due to health issues. The games I like are either rarely on demo, or someone near me doesn't actually own a copy to test first, hence why lately I've been using Red Box if it's available there.

Brian1rr4549d ago

If they drop the price to $40 at launch I'm in

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170°

Sony Aims To Sell 15 Million PS5 Units This Year, but Is Shifting Focus to Monthly Active Users

Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki and CFO Lin Tao talked about the state of the PlayStation business and the strategy and targets going forward, including how they're responding to the tariffs.

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simulationdaily.com
1Victor35d ago

I wonder how the USA tariffs war will affect that projection. 🤔

S2Killinit35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

I think they take that into consideration when they announce their projections. Currently, after the xbox price increase, the PRO is cheaper than the series x! That is ridiculous, and it can’t last.

darthv7235d ago

you keep saying that but the price of a PS5 Pro is S699.99 (US) and the price of a Series X is $599.99 (US)

S2Killinit35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

The series x with 2 TB storage space is more expensive than PS5 PRO which also has 2 TB storage space.

darthv7235d ago (Edited 35d ago )

Oh so you are pitting a regular Pro with a special edition X... got it. If you are going so far as trying to compare apples to apples... please add in the optical drive and stand to the Pro. Seeing as the X has both of those by default.

I will help you if you are unable to do so.
PS5 Pro 2tb: $699.99, Optical Drive: $79.99, Stand: $29.99 = $809.97
Xbox Series X Galaxy Black Special Edition 2TB: $729.99

35d ago
S2Killinit34d ago (Edited 34d ago )

The PS5 PRO has 2TB storage. The series X with 2TB storage and much weaker, is… more expensive! So yeah, Im pointing out that fact.

Also, the PRO does not require a stand.

Ps: regular series 2TB is $749 (where did u get 729?)

darthv7234d ago

Its right here on the official XB site: https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

Okay, so no stand for the Pro, but you might still want the optical drive. So $779.98 vs $729.99. A properly outfitted Pro is still more $$ than a 2tb X.

S2Killinit34d ago (Edited 34d ago )

Do I need to mention that the series x is not nearly as powerful as the PS5 PRO?

And no, the PS5 PRO runs just fine without a drive, and people don’t have to buy the drive right away, assuming they want it.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 34d ago
drivxr35d ago

I wonder why they are shifting focus to MAU.

RaiderNation35d ago

Because that's where the real money is made, in microtransactions.

Profchaos35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

People are spending less time playing is a typical trigger for this.

The less time spent playing the less likely you are to spend more money on games and services including subs or even the next console.

Increased engagement equals more money.

35d ago
DarXyde35d ago

Same reason Microsoft does it: it looks better to investors and it's a solution when unit sales slow down.

Personally, I'm not a fan of this metric; and by using it, you're kind of signaling that you're moving into the "This is a PlayStation" era.

Z50134d ago

Because the PS4 also has users and not necessarily sales

Obscure_Observer32d ago

"I wonder why they are shifting focus to MAU."

Because they´d finally realized that MS wasn´t wrong after all.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 32d ago
35d ago
35d ago
310°

Sony Announces Large Profits Growth for PlayStation; Expects Further Wins in Current Fiscal Year

Sony announced its financial results for the fiscal year 2024, and things are certainly looking up, despite a decline in PS5 sales.

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simulationdaily.com
CrimsonWing6935d ago

Expect sh*t to slow down if prices aren’t kept in check.

Redgrave35d ago

Who downvotes the truth?

Even PSN itself is too damn high.jpg

S2Killinit35d ago

Gamepass is already at 20$ per month if im not mistaken.

toxic-inferno35d ago

@neutralgamer1992

Not all of us. I'm a big PlayStation fan, and have been since the PSOne. But I can't begin to defend what's happening currently.

At least Nintendo release a large number of games from their major franchises. Sony is just not banking on their established franchises, and yet are raising prices. Not great.

S2Killinit35d ago

Im pretty sure we are going to see a price increase for PRO. I mean think about it, its currently cheaper than xbox series x! That cannot last.

Eonjay35d ago

I'm absolutely sure we will not see a price increase. I don't think we should 'expect' to see price increase because it just adds validity to what Nintendo and Microsoft have done.

darthv7235d ago (Edited 35d ago )

Sorry to pop that bubble but the Pro is not cheaper than a series x... generally speaking (like you are). It is cheaper than one specific version, and doing so by not including the optical drive and stand like the X has by default.

So keep on trying to convince people you are right when everyone knows it's quite the opposite. A stock Pro is $699.99 and a stock X is $599.99. A special edition galactic black 2tb X is $729.99. And if you really want to compare apples to apples... adding the aforementioned optical drive and stand brings that Pro to $809.97 and then they would be on equal footing.

Twisting truths to fit a narrative... I expect better from you S2.

S2Killinit34d ago (Edited 34d ago )

The PS5 PRO has 2TB storage. And the series X with 2TB is more expensive. Which in my opinion is insane conseidering how much more powerful the PRO is. The PS5PRO does not need a stand, it can be used without a stand.

TheKingKratos35d ago

So the Pro is not offering any push in sales at all ?

CrashMania35d ago

It's still an expensive, niche product ultimately. And they exceeded their sales projections for units sold by half a million.

lawox35d ago

"18.5 million units have been shipped during the full fiscal year. This is actually ahead of the 18 million units target set by the company."

They beat their yearly estimate. It's not broken down by device, but it's clearly performing well enough. Since it's been released it's consistently been the second best selling SKU on Amazon only after the the Slim with disc.

35d ago
Bathyj35d ago

18 million a year is in the toilet?
I remember when 10 was considered good
Hell Microsoft would take that right now.
Probably pay $100b for it.

35d ago
BeHunted35d ago

If their profits fall next quarter, we'll probably see more price hikes. I can't imagine having to pay £20 a month for PlayStation Plus.

S2Killinit35d ago

I think gamepass is already paying that much.

35d ago
drivxr35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

Decline in hardware sales.
Behind on lifetime sales and decline in first party sales.
Third party content and PSN came through to save the day.
Things will improve starting with the next Ghost game.

Hopefully a steady flow of first party content by end of '25

rlow135d ago (Edited 35d ago )

I guess you get downvoted for stating facts from Sony’s own lips. What I’m curious about is what their top games of the year were and how much Xbox games contributed to the increase?

CrashMania35d ago

Well, generally 3rd party publisher games contribute the most anyway, so no different to capcom, EA and so on contributing to this figure.

lawox35d ago

That's because the report is actually really good.

They beat the console sales estimate that they set last year March, they have increased users both due to the record numbers of PS4 users and strong PS5 sales which is leading to great profits in sales and user spend.

This report is about the financial health of the PlayStation brand and as a platform PlayStation is stronger than ever. Heck they even have Microsoft putting their biggest franchises on the platform.

35d ago
S2Killinit34d ago (Edited 34d ago )

Well, the facts in the article are positive. Nothing wrong with his comment, but in my opinion it doesn't correctly indicate all the facts and nuances that give context to the reality of things. I downvoted for that only.

Make sense?

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 34d ago
Lightning7735d ago

This is exactly what happened to Xbox year's ago. They had no first party and started seeing decline in 1st party sales, which effected their third party games which eventually effected their console sales. A slow decline across the board.

Calm down PS fans I'm not saying PS is becoming like old Xbox. I'm showing examples of the importance of first party output. Look how Xbox finally has compelling first party and things are on a up swing(despite years going on a downswing). I know thanks to PS releases which helps a ton, (which is why Xbox hardware only dropped 6% instead of 30+% like it usually does) The point still stands despite what Genz Trends may go, first party and compelling games sell hardware and software still. Sony's financial quarter is an example of this, of what lower First party output looks like.

No matter they'll be right back on track in due time any time especially with DS2 (not my type of game but I know many like it) and Yotei. They're not Xbox and let things get bad for so many years on end.

crazyCoconuts35d ago

"I'm showing examples of the importance of first party output. "
First party is mostly relevant for the sole purpose of creating EXCLUSIVES that are needed to stay competitive. With Xbox consoles collapsing and no more Xbox exclusives, first party is way less important. PlayStation as a platform now has free reign to profit without the high expense of needing exclusive first party titles.

red2tango35d ago

Sony has been very lazy with 1st party games compared to the PS4 era. And even the PS4 era was nothing compared to the PS3 era in terms of games.

S2Killinit34d ago (Edited 34d ago )

We have Ghost and Intergalactic coming. And then Marathon which is not exclusive to PlayStation. I think Covid and that chip shortage put a speedbump in game development because game manufacturers dont want even more risk that their game will arrive to too little hardware, but the games are starting to show up.

Lightning7735d ago

"With Xbox consoles collapsing and no more Xbox exclusives, first party is way less important."

Absolutely not. If that was the case then Nintendo would put Mario on Sega Genesis and Sonic on Super Nintendo. I know things are way different 30+ years later but not much has really changed in terms of exclusives and their impact on hardware. Especially early in the console life cycle.

Sony made all the money this quarter handover fist. Profits isn't a issue for them right now. I was just saying lower hardware sales and lower first party sales will hurt them or any console manufacturer of they don't have the compelling games in the long run. Just like it hurt Xbox. IF Sony keeps up not having lower first part output. Which we know they're not.

crazyCoconuts35d ago

Well no big exclusives in the last two years yet PS is doing great. What are people gonna do? Buy an Xbox?

S2Killinit34d ago

I agree with you. But they have had plenty of exclusives so far. Has it been ideal? Nope. I have a feeling we are seeing a resurgence with the effects of covid and that chip shortage now behind us.

Lightning7735d ago

No it's just like 360 where they had no games yet ppl still bought it because they sold ppl on the games early on that gen the fans were locked in and invested. They were riding the good will and was dubbed the shooter, racer box. The games dried up and they never recovered from it which hurt them in the long run. Same here with PS they still make the big bucks because they had games early on and the fans locked in and will continue to lock in for a little while longer despite lacking in first party.

S2Killinit34d ago (Edited 34d ago )

I agree. But the problem with xbox was that for some crazy reason MS thought game development wasnt all that important to a platform holder. They literally did not fund games with their own studios. When they lost marketshare they couldnt justify paying for exclusives with large install bases making it too expensive. That is not the scenario with PlayStation.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 34d ago
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150°

PS5 shipments top 77.8 million

PlayStation 5 has shipped 77.8 million units worldwide, Sony announced in its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

italiangamer35d ago

Perfectly in line to reach 100 million by March 2026.

Profchaos35d ago

Theys have to clear 22.2 million to do this.
When you average out the current number over 5 years it's unlikely.

If the console was going down in price it would be possible but they have not been able to reduce the cost in fact it's gone up so this is working against them.

gta Vi has also been pushed out of the financial year and there's likely millions of GTA v players still on ps5 that have not made the jump those players would for GTA vi

The overall poor market conditions and uncertainty doesn't fill me with confidence trade war, weak yen and the ongoing cost of living crisis. We're not talking core gamers picking up a new system were talking gamers who wait for the back 9 to enter a new generation.

I think 2027 they will but 100 not this year.

italiangamer35d ago

They will reach 100 million during 2026.

S2Killinit35d ago

It might actually get a boost considering that even the PS5 PRO is currently cheaper than the series x. This will of course be over soon as Im expecting a price hike for the PRO.

Travesty35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

I know Sony said they are considering raising prices.. Well as of yesterday China and the US lifted their tariffs standoff. At least for 90 days until they can agree on a trade deal that would benefit both parties. So with manufacturing in China and shipping them to the US I’m hoping it will not affect the prices.

Although I kind of doubt Sony will top 100 million since GTA 6 will be releasing next year by March. Could be wrong and I’ll be glad to be.

Xbox shooting itself in the foot or more like nailing their own coffin with rising prices. Hopefully Sony will stay put.. Ghost of Yotei is releasing for $70 still so that’s a god sign hopefully.

senorfartcushion35d ago

Is this a good thing for someone with no shares in Sony stock?

italiangamer35d ago

More PS5 on the market = higher chance of getting even more games.
It's not rocket science.

gold_drake35d ago (Edited 35d ago )

very nice.
in almost 5 years too.
some big hitters are yet to come

badz14935d ago (Edited 35d ago )

come on...don't say that! that slogan "Greatness Awaits" is haunting me everytime someone says this and yeah...1st party output has not been a highlight this gen which is a huge bummer! personally, I would rate their 1st party output this gen 4/10!

gold_drake35d ago

to be honest, when i typed it out, it did sound like a slogan for that ha