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Post by ringsyde on Dec 7, 2005 21:41:26 GMT -5
Sony has decided to include an encryption code in their PS3 games. What this means is that your new PS3 copy of Madden 2007 will only work on the first system it's played / saved on.
While this may not seem like a problem to some, Sony was speechless when asked how people are supposed to play their games at their friend's house, what gamers are supposed to do if their system breaks (necessitating a new system purchase - which wont allow the correct encryption code), or what impact this will have on pre-owned trade-in business.
I suspect that the various videogame companies will have ways for consumers to obtain new encryption codes, so that handles part of the problem. However, does this mean that if I take my copy of Killzone 2 to my friend's house to play, I have to get a special code?
I applauded Sony for reducing the size of the boomerang controller and for getting rid of the regional coding on ALL systems (meaning that you can play ANY PS3 game from around the world without modding or tricking out your system), but this is just stupid. I can't wait to see the phone lines light up when a bad batch of systems or games hits the shelves (and they will), and consumers are angrily calling to get encryption code updates or tech assistance to play.
With a $600.00 pricetag (this is what the Sony gang is saying internally), a stripped down system (no hard drive, reduced USB ports and additional purchases for internet hook-up), the threat of no retro-compatability, and now this fiasco waiting to happen, I'm praying for the mother of all launch line-ups. Otherwise, I'll be passing in the PS3.
Of course, all of this could change by the launch. I have reason to believe it wont.
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Post by Mike M on Dec 7, 2005 22:15:16 GMT -5
They're worried about piracy, but this is just plain stupidy. Thanks for pointing it out- I think that I'll have to consider the new X-Box more seriously.
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Post by Big Bri on Dec 7, 2005 22:41:57 GMT -5
They're worried about piracy, but this is just plain stupidy. My thoughts exactly. |
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Post by pikemojo on Dec 8, 2005 3:25:49 GMT -5
How in the world can this work. It is a disc. How can the systems code be saved to that disc to say that it can only be played on that system. I just don't get it.
I will buy the PS3 down the line. The X-Box 360 is a disaster right now. From early reports roughly 15% of people who bought it on the first day could not play it. That is not a good number. Someone has even already filed a lawsuit against Microsoft saying that they intentionally released an incomplete product to try to beat Sony and Nintendo to the punch. The PS3 will probably have issues too but hopefully they will be smart enough to make sure that they are all taken care of. I am also pretty sure that Sony will have that pricetag down to a more reasonable level by launch. It may still be higher than 360 but I am pretty sure that it will be worth it.
I really hope they keep backwards compatability in though. That is important to me.
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Post by Darth Turkish on Dec 8, 2005 6:37:18 GMT -5
I think that if the backlash is severe enough (which it seems to be) Sony will reconsider. They have some stiff competition , and do not want to get behind in the sales race due to some silly and avoidable flaw such as the encription code.
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Post by ringsyde on Dec 8, 2005 19:55:20 GMT -5
Hey Pike . . . .
- The XBox 360 defective ratio is 1.4%. The "beat Sony to the punch" thing is a fairly unsubstantiated rumor. The truth is that Sony fell so far behind when developers couldn't complete builds until (Sony) made a new controller (because they were sued for stealing the dual shock concept), and Microsoft saw an opportunity to go worldwide instead of regionally with the launch. In a hurry? Hardly. More like unprepared to deal with American and European succes at the reported levels.
-Talk about lawsuits. Did you read the numbers Sony just shelled out for the class action suit filed by gamers in regards to the PS2? The PS1 suit almost halted financial growth of Sony's videogame divison (leading to a really bad run of games -did anyone wonder why Gameday went from Madden rival to hunk of garbabe?), and the PS2 suit is why the PS3 is getting carved down to nothing.
-Game encryption is something that has gone on with PC games for years, so doing it for videogames is no problem. Simply program the disc to issue anumber that completes a series of preset numbers on the PS3 (usually the serial number), and viola.
Unofficially, backwards compatability has been axed. So much for playing Smackdown 06 on the new system.
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Post by pikemojo on Dec 9, 2005 2:47:37 GMT -5
I was simply reporting what I had read recently. An X-Box fansite held a poll that was asking how many people who had purchased the 360 on the first day were having problems. There were something like 900 people that responded and 15% of those reported the problem. The "beat Sony to the punch" thing was how it was cited in the same article I read the aforementioned facts in. It was referring to the reason that this certain guy was filing suit.
The PS2 had issues but honestly I bought mine the day it came out and it has lasted me this long. That is not to say that plenty of people out there haven't had problems. I know a guy that told me that he had gone through 6 PS2s at one point. But the guy was an idiot and I could easily see him spilling his beer on it or stepping on it or anything.
As for Gameday, I don't like football so I would never play that anyway.
I still don't understand the encryption stuff. Not saying it isn't possible but I don't understand. PC games have codes that you have to enter to be able to play that game on a certain computer. I could easily take a PC game and install it on all of my friends computers using that code. Now the internet connections to games has helped to stop that type of thing but if you have to pay to get the required hardware to connect to the internet on PS3 then that is not possible either. A disc cannot store the serial number from the first system it was played on because it is a disc and cannot be saved to anymore than it already has.
I am not the only one who is somewhat pessimistic about the 360. If any of you watch G4 tv then you know there are plenty of gamers who question Microsoft's gaming abilities. It is very hard to argue that the X-Box would be any where near as popular as it is right now if Halo hadn't of been on there. I didn't know a single person who owned an X-Box until Halo came out. PS2 was kickin X-Box butt for quite a long time after Halo came out. PS2 is still often at the top in game sales.
And last but not least if anyone has seen the difference in graphics between PS3 and 360 then that might just be enough to convince people to spend a bit extra.
360 will probably do fine in my mind. I am sure it will have plenty of great games which is the very most important thing. I am just a Sony and Apple fanboy who has high hopes for his company to release a great system.
On a side note I had heard that it was pretty unlikely that they would get rid of USB ports because they are so cheap as it is. Just something I heard.
I am picturing my house in 10 years with all the systems that my fiance and I own between the two of us stacked one on top of the other in such a way that they can all be used. I have PS1, PS2, Gameboy Advance, Dreamcast, and N64. She has NES and Sega Genesis. She is the best Dr. Mario player I know.
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Post by Mike M on Dec 9, 2005 9:37:19 GMT -5
I was simply reporting what I had read recently. An X-Box fansite held a poll that was asking how many people who had purchased the 360 on the first day were having problems. There were something like 900 people that responded and 15% of those reported the problem. The "beat Sony to the punch" thing was how it was cited in the same article I read the aforementioned facts in. It was referring to the reason that this certain guy was filing suit. Typically, people who have had a problem with the system are more likely to respond to these polls (since those who's systems are working are probably playing them rather than surfing the net ;D). In addition, I don't know how the poll was worded. That can influence results strongly as can the traffic of the website. The PS2 had issues but honestly I bought mine the day it came out and it has lasted me this long. That is not to say that plenty of people out there haven't had problems. I know a guy that told me that he had gone through 6 PS2s at one point. But the guy was an idiot and I could easily see him spilling his beer on it or stepping on it or anything. Agreed, but that "slimmed-down" PS2 was a disaster of epic proportions on release. I still don't understand the encryption stuff. Not saying it isn't possible but I don't understand. PC games have codes that you have to enter to be able to play that game on a certain computer. I could easily take a PC game and install it on all of my friends computers using that code. Now the internet connections to games has helped to stop that type of thing but if you have to pay to get the required hardware to connect to the internet on PS3 then that is not possible either. A disc cannot store the serial number from the first system it was played on because it is a disc and cannot be saved to anymore than it already has. Not necessarily, especially with the increased number of games going to on-line only. In those cases, they can save a hardware profile for your machine, as well as any serial numbers for software, effectively locking them out of on-line play. Also, if the PS3 has a limited "burn" capability, it could burn the console serial number onto the disc upon initial use, thereby making it unusable for any other console. I don't know if either of these techniques are being used, but they are possible. For the record, I think that this effort is an over-the-top effort to eliminate piracy. It will certainly have ramifications on the return and resell business (which could be their intention). If not, they'll have to come up with some hardware that "wipes" the code from returned games for the stores, which means that there will then be a black market for these items, which will then result in the pirates getting their hands on everything anyway. I am not the only one who is somewhat pessimistic about the 360. If any of you watch G4 tv then you know there are plenty of gamers who question Microsoft's gaming abilities. It is very hard to argue that the X-Box would be any where near as popular as it is right now if Halo hadn't of been on there. I didn't know a single person who owned an X-Box until Halo came out. PS2 was kickin X-Box butt for quite a long time after Halo came out. PS2 is still often at the top in game sales. True, but Sony was on its 2nd generation console and initially had trouble against Sega and Nintendo (especially the later), but the PS2 pushed it well past the others- and its backward-compatibility had a lot to do with it. Many systems struggle on launch and need a signature title as well as a number of other factors to propel it to success. X-Box is still around as a result, while the Atari Jaguar, Sega Saturn and a number of other consoles have "died on the vine". And last but not least if anyone has seen the difference in graphics between PS3 and 360 then that might just be enough to convince people to spend a bit extra. 360 will probably do fine in my mind. I am sure it will have plenty of great games which is the very most important thing. I am just a Sony and Apple fanboy who has high hopes for his company to release a great system. It should have a "successful" launch, if only for the money Sony will put behind it. Another strength that Microsoft has is in the development community. A friend of mine has worked for years in the video game industry as both an executive and an analyst. He's told me on more than one occasion how "developer-friendly" Microsoft is. In the long run, that could help them. I am picturing my house in 10 years with all the systems that my fiance and I own between the two of us stacked one on top of the other in such a way that they can all be used. I have PS1, PS2, Gameboy Advance, Dreamcast, and N64. She has NES and Sega Genesis. She is the best Dr. Mario player I know. Well, I'll have the PS1, PS2, Genesis, NES, Atari Jaguar and Atari 2600- so you'll have me by 1 unless I find a Saturn or something.... |
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Post by pikemojo on Dec 12, 2005 3:59:25 GMT -5
Some good points Mike M. I was only stating what I had read in an article though. I still wouldn't buy a 360 quite yet even if I did have the money. I won't buy the PS3 right when it comes out either.
I had never heard any thing about the slim line PS2 having problems. I had a friend that bought one and had no problem. Again this doesn't mean there was no problem but that is my only experience with it.
Again with the disc protection. I certainly hope they don't actually do a limited burn as you described. Imagine what that would do to rentals and pre-owned sales. I buy most my games pre-owned.
As for the actual online only games, I could care less. If it can only be played on one system at a time online which I believe they are already doing then it makes perfect sense. I honestly never play games online ever and don't see myself doing it much in the near future. I am a solo gamer for the most part. I prefer a great solo game with a great story and gameplay to something online. My friends and I will get together every once in a while to play Halo 2 all over someone's house but that is about the extent of my multiplayer gaming. I am in love with the Prince of Persia series and can't wait to play the new one. I am also looking forward to Black by the makers of Burnout. It is a great looking fps that focuses on the single player part of the game. A novel concept, I must say.
I just played the 360 the other day and I must say it looks amazing and the controler is pretty dang nice. Much better than the previous X-Box controllers. I played a racing game, I think Ridge Racer. It was an ok game with great graphic though from what I have heard it is easier to get car games to look good. I wish I could have been able to play Perfect Dark though. To me that is the reason to own that system right now.
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Post by ringsyde on Dec 12, 2005 8:14:11 GMT -5
Perfect Dark is fun, but I think it got trumped pretty hard by Call of Duty II. This game is among the very best videogames to ever be published.
I have to say that I'm eager to play the PS3, and as much as I bash it, I will likely buy it on launch day (a tradition I've maintained since I got the N64 on launch day and began working for EB Games shortly afterwards). Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2 and the prospects of Madden and Smackdown (which really fires me up) have me pretty stoked to play.
ALSO, from the good PS3 news department, Sony has axed Regional coding on all PS3 systems. This means owners will be able to buy and play ANY (PS3) game in the world without modding the system or buying any gadgets. This little nugget of info was made all the more interesting when I found out that a FirePro and a (qoute) " . . . Definitive Godzilla game that truly honors the monster icon" are being made for the Japanese release.
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IPPON!!