AfterDawn: News

Sony exec doesn't believe in blocking used games for next-gen consoles

Noted video game analyst Michael Pachter briefly interviewed Sony America CEO Jack Tretton this weekend.

When asked about his thoughts on blocking used games, the CEO says in his personal opinion he is "opposed to blocking used games."



Furthermore, the exec believes used games are "great for consumers" and a move to block them would incredibly "anti-consumer."

Unfortunately, Tretton had to make it clear he was speaking as an individual and not on behalf of Sony. He added he was unclear on Sony's thoughts on the matter.

Since talk of the next-generation consoles have heated up in the last two months, one rumor still persists, that of Microsoft and Sony looking to add technology that will block the playback of games on more than one console, effectively killing the used games market. Neither company has confirmed or denied such a move.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 13 May 2012 23:09

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• 7 comments

• xaznboitx

  I hope not because Gamefly will go out of business and next thing you'll know, movies companies will block used movies as well.

  14.5.2012 07:18 #1

• JGJD2001

  Originally posted by xaznboitx: I hope not because Gamefly will go out of business and next thing you'll know, movies companies will block used movies as well. i bet that is what they want to do.
  
  force you to buy new.....

  14.5.2012 09:59 #2

• hearme0

  Everyone here is all so "panicky" that this is gonna happen. THERE'S NO WAY. First it violates "Fair Use" and second it will obstruct business and kill many. There's no way this is going through. Mark my words.

  14.5.2012 11:21 #3

• djkorn

  First things first, game companies rely on used games sales. IF they didnt have those sales, the companies would fail as people would stop buying games. The entire economy of the video game market would crash, and people would revert back to playing old school games that they can get easily and readily available everywhere.
  
  Amazon, gamestop, gamefly, and independent game dealers wouldnt carry the games as a simple boycot of the industry. These people are geared up for the worst, and the major game companies dont get it. The more you block something, the more people will do it not just for spite, but to show that it can be done. Let sony and microsoft do it, i would love to see the expression on their faces when nintendo goes open source and steals the market share and becomes the only company that not only allows their people to buy used games, but also allows for the creation of homebrew programs. All nintendo would have to do is lower the prices of the games, or make them digital and give them all a flat rate and they would make millions upon millions.
  

  14.5.2012 12:24 #4

• A5J4DX

  Originally posted by hearme0: Everyone here is all so "panicky" that this is gonna happen. THERE'S NO WAY. First it violates "Fair Use" and second it will obstruct business and kill many. There's no way this is going through. Mark my words. hell will be unleashed if it does
  

  14.5.2012 14:16 #5

• djkorn

  hell is already unleashed in some degree, we are entering it with the fact that the internet and everything that we hold dear is going down the drain. Buckle up boys and girls.
  

  14.5.2012 15:40 #6

• harhumph

  I sure hope Sony agrees with him, if not, he may be looking for a new job soon. Personally I hope Sony continues to be anti-consumer so they just go away. I enjoyed video games so much more when Nintendo stood alone with Sega a distant second...

  14.5.2012 16:37 #7