Both big players in the console developing game have dealt their next generation hands now thanks to the Xbox One reveal a few weeks ago. With that reveal it was announced that the Xbox One would be limiting used games, thanks to a ‘Pre-owned tax’ that means outlets have to pay a fee to buy/sell used games. In short, Microsoft can control the price of pre-owned Xbox One games.
PlayStation remained relatively quiet during this news, likely to monitor the fallout and debate a similar announcement of their own. Fans of the PlayStation console have been up in arms petitioning through twitter (with the hash tag #PS4noDRM) to try and get Sony’s attention and save used games.
What Is DRM?
DRM stands for Digital Rights Management and refers to technologies used by designers/developers/publishers and manufacturers with the intent of controlling digital devices after sale. In terms of used games, DRM will refer to the control of sharing and re-using games once purchased. But what does this actually mean? What’s the big deal about not being able to play pre-owned games and should we worry that the next generation seems to be phasing it out?
High Street Market
First and foremost is the obvious affects removing used games will have on the high street market for gaming. At the moment a considerable portion of games are sold through pre-owned dealerships, some stores simply have sections dedicated to used game (GAME, GameStop) whereas others such as Computer Exchange (CEX) only sell used games. If the next generation doesn’t enable used games it’ll be another sore blow to the high street game industry that is still recovering from the effects of digital downloads, another trying holiday season seems on the horizon.
Finances and Franchise Establishment
Another obvious effect of not having used games is simply how many people will be able to play games. Pre-owned games are usually around half the price of new games, sure they lack things like DLC codes or shrink-wrap freshness but you’re still able to play the game. Pre-owned games dodge the ridiculous price tag but deliver the goods. If used games were to be phased out then less people are going to actually play the games, not everyone can afford a $600 console and then buy a selection of $70 games to go with it. Used games basically enable a far wider audience to access gaming, an audience that’ll inevitably be lost with the removal or tax on pre-owned games. The subsequent results of less people buying the games means new game franchises will find it harder to establish themselves as they’ll be reaching less people even though the developers will arguably make better profits.
Sharing Is Caring
Ultimately one of the biggest problems no allowing used games will cause is the aspect of sharing. You won’t be able to take your copy of Halo 5 over to your mates for beer and a few games of infected, you wont even be able to borrow your older brothers copy of Call of Duty Ghosts. Ironically these social entertainment systems intend to remove the ability to be entertained socially in reality and replace it with digital communication. They’re removing the gamers rights to do what they want with their purchased product, if you want to use it as a coaster you can, why cant you lend it to your neighbor then?
If you feel strongly about the issues raised in this article then get involved. Here are links to some petitions relating to used games on next generation consoles. If you’re on twitter then hashtag #PS4noDRM at the end of your tweet to try and get Sony’s attention as, at the end of the day, your rights as a consumer are being manipulated and contested unnecessarily. Hopefully more clarity will be given at the E3 event in June and we’ll get to see concrete specs and capabilities of both consoles but until then make sure both Microsoft and Sony hear you voice and listen to their consumers. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the blocking and/or limitation of used games in the comment section below as we’d love to hear from you!
PlayStation remained relatively quiet during this news, likely to monitor the fallout and debate a similar announcement of their own. Fans of the PlayStation console have been up in arms petitioning through twitter (with the hash tag #PS4noDRM) to try and get Sony’s attention and save used games.
What Is DRM?
DRM stands for Digital Rights Management and refers to technologies used by designers/developers/publishers and manufacturers with the intent of controlling digital devices after sale. In terms of used games, DRM will refer to the control of sharing and re-using games once purchased. But what does this actually mean? What’s the big deal about not being able to play pre-owned games and should we worry that the next generation seems to be phasing it out?
High Street MarketFirst and foremost is the obvious affects removing used games will have on the high street market for gaming. At the moment a considerable portion of games are sold through pre-owned dealerships, some stores simply have sections dedicated to used game (GAME, GameStop) whereas others such as Computer Exchange (CEX) only sell used games. If the next generation doesn’t enable used games it’ll be another sore blow to the high street game industry that is still recovering from the effects of digital downloads, another trying holiday season seems on the horizon.
Finances and Franchise Establishment
Another obvious effect of not having used games is simply how many people will be able to play games. Pre-owned games are usually around half the price of new games, sure they lack things like DLC codes or shrink-wrap freshness but you’re still able to play the game. Pre-owned games dodge the ridiculous price tag but deliver the goods. If used games were to be phased out then less people are going to actually play the games, not everyone can afford a $600 console and then buy a selection of $70 games to go with it. Used games basically enable a far wider audience to access gaming, an audience that’ll inevitably be lost with the removal or tax on pre-owned games. The subsequent results of less people buying the games means new game franchises will find it harder to establish themselves as they’ll be reaching less people even though the developers will arguably make better profits.
Sharing Is Caring Ultimately one of the biggest problems no allowing used games will cause is the aspect of sharing. You won’t be able to take your copy of Halo 5 over to your mates for beer and a few games of infected, you wont even be able to borrow your older brothers copy of Call of Duty Ghosts. Ironically these social entertainment systems intend to remove the ability to be entertained socially in reality and replace it with digital communication. They’re removing the gamers rights to do what they want with their purchased product, if you want to use it as a coaster you can, why cant you lend it to your neighbor then?
If you feel strongly about the issues raised in this article then get involved. Here are links to some petitions relating to used games on next generation consoles. If you’re on twitter then hashtag #PS4noDRM at the end of your tweet to try and get Sony’s attention as, at the end of the day, your rights as a consumer are being manipulated and contested unnecessarily. Hopefully more clarity will be given at the E3 event in June and we’ll get to see concrete specs and capabilities of both consoles but until then make sure both Microsoft and Sony hear you voice and listen to their consumers. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the blocking and/or limitation of used games in the comment section below as we’d love to hear from you!