A Sony Computer Entertainment executive has revealed that Sony will be mindful of games developers and consumers when it comes to the use of pre-owned PS4 games.
Pre-owned games are a hot topic surrounding PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720 consoles, with suggestions that the next-gen consoles will introduce a ban on the sale and use of pre-owned games in an attempt to recover lost revenue. Sony has already patented several technologies linked to the potential prohibition on used games.
Michael Denny, Vice President of Worldwide Studios at Sony has said the second-hand games issue is “massively important” to the PlayStation brand and the company is looking to find the best solution for gamers and developers alike.
“It’s a massively important issue and I understand why it’s one that keeps coming up and will keep coming up, because people want to know what the exact stance is,” said Denny speaking to CVG on the pre-owned games dilemma.
“At this moment in time the announcements have been about our philosophy and vision for PlayStation 4, our motivation to put the gamer at the heart of it and why we’ve got the development community on it.”
At the PS4 launch last week, the Sony Worldwide Studios’ boss Shuhei Yoshida confirmed that gamers will be able to play second-hand games on the PS4, but failed to mention whether players will have to pay for access to the content.
“In relation to points like that, of course we’re mindful of what the game development community wants and what the wider industry issues are with those things. I think in good time that will become clearer.”
Currently, Sony has only revealed that it is shifting their focus to make the PS4 console a more digital platform. Like the PS Vita, every single PS4 game will be available to download from the online store, with only some available as a physical disc.
When pushed further on the pre-owned games issue, Denny wouldn’t add further comment except to say: “It’s not something that I feel I have any further announcement or comment to make on, other than to acknowledge with you that it’s a massively important issue and of course we are going to do the right thing.”
The Sony PS4 was revealed at an event in New York last week, but Sony has yet to unveil what the next-generation console will actually look like. A PS4 release date has been set for some time within the Christmas period of this year.
Will you be angry if the PS4 puts some kind of restriction on the use of second-hand games? Do you think a lot of gamers will not be able to afford new releases until the prices drop if they can’t buy pre-owned games? Give us your thoughts via the TrustedReviews Facebook and Twitter feeds or the comment boxes below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
