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American Sony Boss is Anti-Anti-Used Tech, Says Pachter
On GameTrailers’ Bonus Round show, industry analyst Michael Pachter revealed that Sony America’s CEO Jack Tretton isn’t a fan of technology that would block used games from running on consoles. It’s been rumored for months that Microsoft and Sony’s next-generation of consoles will somehow stop gamers from enjoying used games on consoles, a move that Tretton isn’t down with.
When asked about when we might hear about the two companies’ next systems, since Sony and Microsoft have said that neither will show off new consoles at June’s E3, Pachter said that Sony will make their reveal in 2013, possibly at GDC. Then he began to talk about the system itself, confronting the persistent anti-used games tech rumors:
“I think it will play used games. I think that’s the dumbest rumor I’ve ever heard. Actually, I have to say, in my NDA meeting with Sony, when we talked about the E3 announcements, I did ask Jack Tretton point blank, what is your view, your personal view, on the next-generation console from Sony limiting used games or not, and he said that, for the record, ‘I’m totally opposed to blocking used games. I think it’s great for the consumer that they can buy those. We have a customer that buys our consoles late in the cycle, pays less, is looking for value priced games. And I think it would be anti-consumer for us to do that.’ And then he said, ‘I don’t know maybe Japan will think something different, but that’s my feeling.’”
Pachter’s not always right about everything, but he’s got a pretty good idea of what’s going on in the industry as a whole. If nothing else, this statement, as well as gamers’ widespread revulsion at the anti-used-tech idea, may be enough to put this rumor to bed. Guess we won’t know for about a year though…
Via Bonus Round
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I watched this Bonus Round, very good stuff.
the way the markets been, we have to assume that any negative rumor is based in fact just because the consoles themselves may not be antiused games doesn’t mean the publishers aren’t, and given they way the publishers are pushing market we’re in for a cattle milking industry. As it is EA recently removed server support for battlefield 3 in favor of pushing the rental servers that cost 30$ a month to use, because “they don’t have a lot of physical of digital space so they need a way to take care of the upkeep” sounds familliar doesn’t it, I thought the online passes were supposed to cover this cost but now since its an industry staple now its time to charge more. We have to be carefuly of companies that think charging a dollar for ammo is a good idea or that there should be no distinction between disk locked content vs downloaded content, any draconion practices that assume the consumer will always be there to take the beating.
Its a self destructive market that is only focusing on the short term goal and not the long term impact.
we really need an edit button, there is a lot of grammatical errors in that paragraph.
I agree wholeheartedly. If publishing companies charge more for their video games, then its just simply discouraging other costumers to enter the world of gaming. Parents are obviously not going to pay $70 for a video, then pay another for $60 for online services on their console, than ANOTHER $40 for a server because the game company does not have “enough space for additional servers.” (Imaginary scenario with XBox.)
Tretton is correct, Used games provide an easy entry point for consumers to try out a product. If they like the product, then they are more likely to purchase a new copy as soon as a sequel comes out/a game by the same developers come out. By locking out used games, not only do you eliminate the easy entry point, but you also discourage consumers from trying your product, resulting in less sales. It’s just doesn’t appear to be a viable solution.