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Tretton "Totally Opposed" To The PS4 Blocking Used Games

The used game war continues, and major industry executives continue to take sides.

While several developers are very much against the idea of pre-owned games, SCEA president Jack Tretton says he's "totally opposed" to a console that blocks used titles.

During a recent Bonus Round episode, Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter said he asked Tretton "point-blank" if he'd like to see the PlayStation 4 block pre-owned games. Here's Jack's response:

"For the record, I'm totally opposed to blocking used games. I think it is great for the consumer that they can buy those. We have a customer that buys our console late in the cycle, pays less and is looking for value-priced games. I think it would be anti-consumer for us to do that."

He added that Japan might "think something different," but that's his personal view on the issue. The rumor that the next-generation of consoles would block the playing of pre-owned games began a few months back and although it generated plenty of argument and discussion, most analysts (including Pachter) dismissed it as exceedingly unlikely.

Tags: sony, ps4, playstation 4, used games, preowned games

5/13/2012 8:51:46 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (34 posts)

bigrailer19
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 9:23:04 PM
Reply

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Tretton's always had a good eye for these things.

Agree with this comment 24 up, 1 down Disagree with this comment

AcHiLLiA
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 11:18:09 PM

yep, I was waiting for him to say something like this.

Agree with this comment 6 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

79transam
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 9:44:23 PM
Reply

Still think there is a more fundamentally fair way to implement used game sales that don't hurt the devs as much. However I'm glad to see somebody come out in support of used game sales

Agree with this comment 6 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bigrailer19
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 10:42:57 PM

There is a retailer (forget the company) that gives the devs or publishers like 5-10% of used sales.

Ben wrote an article about it. I think that should be a standard. But that's hard to tell a big company like Gamestop.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 11:35:07 PM

My solution is for devs and pubs to SELL us their DLC instead of just releasing it and expecting sales. That's how you get used game buyers to buy more.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

Cesar_ser_4
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 10:24:22 PM
Reply

I would like to request all those who really thought this "feature" would be a possibility to stfu and refrain from calling themselves gamers. Thank you that is all.
Last edited by Cesar_ser_4 on 5/13/2012 10:26:29 PM

Agree with this comment 4 up, 3 down Disagree with this comment

Underdog15
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 8:51:59 AM

Weren't they already shutting tfu? I ask because I don't remember anyone saying it was a possibility or good solution.

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TheAgingHipster
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 9:14:25 AM

...I did... I'm a big fan of the idea.

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Cesar_ser_4
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 10:13:42 AM

I'm referring to the ones that were against it and made a huge uproar about it.

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Underdog15
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 10:50:43 AM

Ah yes, then you are right. There were a TON of them. They even took it personally, many of them, if I remember.

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Crabba
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 10:41:34 PM
Reply

That's nice to hear, because if those rumors are true I'm not so sure I'll be getting a PS4 anytime soon after release...

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Snookies12
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 10:44:47 PM
Reply

Ah, thank goodness... Tretton has common sense at least. I'm sure there would be a massive loss in console hardware sales for a system that doesn't play used games. o_o

Agree with this comment 4 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

tes37
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 11:13:38 PM
Reply

I don't buy used games, but I don't want a console that blocks them. I'm glad Jack Tretton is opposed to the idea because it will ultimately create problems for everyone.

Agree with this comment 4 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

firesoul453
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 11:33:14 PM
Reply

This is greate news


I am all for supporting game companies but preventing used games is just stupid.

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 13, 2012 @ 11:35:44 PM
Reply

Finally a man with some business sense.

Agree with this comment 8 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

bigrailer19
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 2:19:59 AM

Pretty much!

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Killa Tequilla
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 4:57:39 AM

Finally, a boss.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

JackDillinger89
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 12:02:47 AM
Reply

Im going to put up a giant picture of Jack on my wall in my living room, like the iraqis did with saddam. Spoken like a true business man Jack.

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PHOENIXZERO
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 12:53:00 AM
Reply

Do people remember when this SAME thing was rumored for the PS3?

Yeah, still nothing but a rumor and not gonna happen. What will happen is "Online Passes" becoming more prevalent. Hopefully the industry won't continue to be stupid with DLC schemes but alas that's too much to hope for.

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AshT
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 2:42:57 AM
Reply

I like this guy.

Agree with this comment 1 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

___________
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 3:40:09 AM
Reply

and forcing them to cough up extra for a online pass is not "anti-consumer"?
i swear to god this guy loves contradicting himself!
i call BS, hes just saying that to win some respect, and sadly the sheepel are lapping it up like the mothers warm milk!

Agree with this comment 4 up, 5 down Disagree with this comment

Neo_Aeon666
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 8:29:36 AM

I think the Online Pass is a legit idea and the only solution. You want to play on their servers or use their network... At least contribute to the online maintenance fees. Don't want to? Well just play offline.

It does not stop you from playing the game or selling it. Or lending it to a friend. Some used games also provide the user with an online trial I think.
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 5/14/2012 8:31:26 AM

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___________
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 9:23:21 AM

and that has what to do with what i said?

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Neo_Aeon666
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 2:48:42 PM

Yeah as in I do not think he is contradicting himself by promoting the *online pass* and at the same time promote used games.

I just thought you would come to that conclusion without further explanation.
Last edited by Neo_Aeon666 on 5/14/2012 2:50:23 PM

Agree with this comment 3 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

___________
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 @ 9:05:28 AM

how is saying blocking used games is "anti consumer" but than forcing every first party title to have a online pass not "anti consumer"?
one blocks half the game if its used, the other blocks the whole game but there still the same thing, stopping users from playing the game they paid for.
what its blocking is beyond the point, the point is there doing the same thing, stopping customers from purchasing used games and playing them to their full extent.

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Beamboom
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 5:36:19 AM
Reply

Of course, this coming from a representative of a hardware manufacturer obviously used sales is more an advantage than issue to them, but still it's a very important statement coming from those who after all set the score here, the platform supplier.

Also, if Sony work against a block like this it will force the software developers to choose an alternative route, namely the online/"new buy" passes. And between two evils that is the by far preferred way to go.

Last edited by Beamboom on 5/14/2012 5:38:08 AM

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Underdog15
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 8:49:18 AM
Reply

"you -ARE- my boss, Jack!"

-points to anyone that knows the reference.

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CrusaderForever
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 10:12:04 AM
Reply

Gamestop needs to offer a kick back to the devs and this nonsense would go away. GS should be careful or they may just fall on their own sword.

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telly
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 1:03:27 PM
Reply

I think there will be a system in place where many/most used games require you to pay a small fee to publishers, similar to the online passes of today but more streamlined and user-friendly. Not sure exactly what it will look like, but then most analysts/commentators expect PS4 isn't hitting until 2014 anyway. I think the plan will become clear as more info becomes available for the next generation.

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JLB1
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 1:24:41 PM
Reply

Well, it's his personal feelings. So I'd take it with a grain of salt. He may feel one way, but there's no telling what the higher ups are thinking. For the record, I don't think that technology is even possible. And if it is, and were implemented, I'd tear my hair out. Anyway, it's good to hear that someone on the inside is at least opposed to that idea.

Agree with this comment 2 up, 0 down Disagree with this comment

JLB1
Monday, May 14, 2012 @ 1:26:13 PM
Reply

Well, it's his personal feelings. So I'd take it with a grain of salt. He may feel one way, but there's no telling what the higher ups are thinking. For the record, I don't think that technology is even possible. And if it is, and were implemented, I'd tear my hair out. Anyway, it's good to hear that someone on the inside is at least opposed to that idea.

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LowKey
Tuesday, May 15, 2012 @ 4:25:21 AM
Reply

What do they need to do that for? The devs will just give you a code with your disc so that the disc will be activated... EA is practically doing that along with alot of other companies who's game is strictly single player but you need a code to unlock missions on a disc...

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HazySun
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 6:12:34 PM
Reply

Blocking used games will never happen on the playstation & I will tell you why. Microsoft charges lets say £40 a year to use its online features. To play a used game on your PS3 now you have to buy an online pass which in the UK at least costs £7.99 per game. So lets say that over a 1 year period you buy 5 used games. To be able to play them online would cost you £40 which means Sony potentially has made the same as Microsoft for the year & would be making money just by allowing used games. It's a no brainer!

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ChloeAngelCat
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 10:38:46 PM
Reply

Way to go Jack Tretton and he right
I got ps3 in it third year and still lookng for games for and will get ps4 a year after launch and do same as I'm doing for ps3

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