Sony to block pre-owned games on PS4

Sony has patented a new disc-tagging technology which will potentially eliminate the ability to play pre-owned games on the PS4.

The technology tags discs with information such as whether the game has been played on another device, meaning it may suppress second-hand sales and purchases, reports MCV.

The patent filing argues that the development of electronic content is costly and that it is vital to distribute proceeds of sales to the studios.

It also states that authentication systems requiring constant internet access are inconvenient to the consumer, while offline measures fail to tackle the problem.

“In view of the foregoing problems described above, according to the present embodiment, a recording medium and a radiofrequency (RF) tag storing the terms of use (use condition) are included in the same packet (package) of electronic content,” reads the filing.

“Proposed is an electronic content processing system where a usage mode of the electronic content is determined based on whether a reproduction entity, such as a reproduction device or user of the electronic content, fulfils the use condition or not.

“According to the present embodiment, realised is the electronic content processing system that reliably restricts the use of electronic content dealt in the second-hand markets.”

Sony has previously distanced itself from a pre-owned sales block, saying that it would be “anti-consumer”.

Sony will reportedly announce their next-generation console at an event prior to this year’s E3 Gaming Expo.