Rumors are beginning to surface regarding the next generation of console systems, and some of these have given me good reason to be concerned. We already know a fair amount about the Wii U, as it is scheduled for a release later this year, but we’ll have to wait a little longer for Sony and Microsoft’s next console installments, rumored to be released in the holiday period of 2013. Information is slightly sketchy as to what we can expect, but the Playstation 4, codenamed ‘Orbis’, and the Xbox 720, codenamed ‘Durango’, may have just pulled a fast one on their adoring public…
The rumor goes that both Sony and Microsoft will be implementing a restriction on access to used games. This is an issue that was raised back in 2011, when EA started releasing online passes with brand new versions of their games. This meant that when a player traded in their old EA game, or passed it on to a friend; the new recipient would have to pay an extra charge in order to play online. It caused a bit of controversy, as the second hand gaming industry is an extremely popular one, and let’s be honest, EA make enough money as it is. However, if you really tried, it was possible to sympathise with EA, as after the brand new version of their product had been sold, they weren’t receiving any of the profits from second hand sales, which went straight to the retailers.
What Microsoft and Sony are suggested to be implementing though, is taking EA’s idea, and reproducing it on a much larger scale. It is rumored that every game you buy will be locked to the first console it is played on, and in order to access content from another system (if this is even permitted), you will have to pay some additional fees. If these rumors come into fruition, it will effectively render the second hand market obsolete, and could have a harmful impact on gaming communities. So here I am, to propose 3 reasons why this is a bad idea, and to hope that Bill Gates and Sir Howard Stringer accidently stroll across this post on one of their more charitable days…
1. Firstly, this could spoil gaming communities. One of the great things about us gamers is our generosity. If a fellow gamer is stuck, we are there to give them a helping hand. If the game we are playing is reaching an out of this world level of amazing (ahem, Skyrim), then damn we will lend it to a friend (once we have completed it of course)! Hell, if I’ve completed it I might even give it to them (or trade for a game of equal worth). I think this has been something that is overlooked, as an open-handed way that fan communities operate. I live in a house with three PlayStation 3’s, because three of us are avid gamers. This means that a lot of the time, if we all want to play a certain game, we may just purchase one copy, which is shared between 3 different consoles. So sometimes it cause’s a few rows, true, but it’s better than paying £120 just so we can all play it at the same time (we’re student’s don’t you know). Having a console restriction in place will ruin this, and I believe it is something that is worth savouring.
2. Secondly aren’t we effectively being told, once you have completed this game, it is now worthless? Current trends in Business and Journalistic practices focus on us completing a game as quickly as efficiently as possible. This way we can still trade it in while it’s worth a few bob, and put that towards the purchase of the next blockbuster hit. This is especially the case now single player campaigns are getting shorter and shorter, sometimes only including around 8 hours of game play. Now what are we supposed to do? I’ve finished the game; I can’t sell it, or even lend it to a friend. It just has to sit on my shelf, un-played until it starts to physically degrade. That would definitely make me think twice about buying a brand new game.
3. Thirdly, we have already seen in the early months of 2012 that gaming retailers are taking a bit of a hit in the current economic climate. Game & GameStation in the UK are shutting down hundreds of stores in an attempt to keep themselves afloat, but how much longer will this last if the second hand gaming market is obliterated? Because let’s face it; if we’re going to buy a brand new game, unless you really want to play it right now, you’re quite likely to buy it from the internet. Why? Because it’s cheaper. High Street retailers charge a premium, I’m not sure what that is, but it sure does exist. But they can still throw down a real good bargain in second hand games and consoles; after all, it’s probably how they make most of their money. You’re high street games retailer is surely something worth saving.
So Sir Howard Stringer and Bill Gates, if you’re reading, please do us this solid and don’t implement any console restrictions. Also Backwards compatibility would be a great feature in your next generation consoles. Oh, and please stop trying to wear out your own products. We like them you know.
Article by Sean House
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