So, PlayStation is in the gaming news yet again, but this time is another weird business decision. Before we go into it, let’s read on the reason why they went this route. Coming from Google, here are the key reasons behind the DRM.
- Preventing Refund Scams: Analysis shows that the 30-day license requirement is a temporary check that becomes a permanent license after the 14-day refund period, suggesting an effort to close a loophole where users could refund games on modified consoles while keeping them.
- Fighting Piracy: The move is part of an ongoing effort to prevent console jailbreaking—where hackers bypass security to run unauthorized apps or games.
- Managing Digital Licensing: The system enforces the policy that users purchase a license to access games, rather than ownership of the content itself, which has been part of Sony’s terms of service.
Source: 80.lv
Does this hold weight?
On the business side of things, sure, it can. But I think the fighting piracy part is when Sony started putting their games on the PC, which opened the floodgates, but again, this does not have anything to do with people who purchase games. When we purchase physical or digital media, why are gamers worried about owning either one? Ever since that executive from Ubisoft stated, “gamers need to get comfortable with not owning their games.”
Now, the gaming industry seems to be going down a horrible hill. Price hikes on 5-year-old systems and now Sony with this new stranglehold on gamers. This is always causing an uproar among physical media fans to share their “information” on the matter. But, let me be clear that even if you have physical games, it doesn’t mean you don’t need an internet connection to play them. Furthermore, disc games since the PS4 era now require an install, so you technically don’t have the full game on the disc. Now you just have a box to display. Which personally, physical media no longer holds the weight that it used to.
Final Thought Update:
All right, Sony has finally gotten in front of all the speculations and misinformation as they should have. This is coming from Gamespot, where SIE’s response to the DRM is.
“Players can continue to access and play their purchased games as usual. A one-time online check is required to confirm the game’s license, after which no further check-ins are required.”
To put it simply, it is a one-time verification that is to prevent the one-time key from being used for piracy, which I can understand. Hence, why Steam can’t do that because it is difficult when it comes to PC software. There has been a spike in pirated PlayStation titles once it became available on PC. Bottom line: Sony got ahead of this properly, so no need to panic, I guess. But still keep an eye out for these companies, or we might end up with that EA Online key nonsense again. – Beast Out –