As metioned by Kotaku earlier today, Microsoft is reported to be testing a software or hardware method on the next version of the Xbox hardware designed to halt the ability to play used games. While this report doesn’t indicate that this feature will definitely be included in the next version, the appeal to developers and publishers is likely incredibly high. This type of solution would make it vastly more difficult for retailers like Gamestop to resell traded-in games for bloated prices, thus cutting into publisher sales. However, it’s also likely to anger consumers that want to unload old games on sites like eBay and severely harm video game rental services like Gamefly or Redbox.
The most likely scenario of this protection method would tie anyone with an active Xbox Live account and Internet connection to a specific disc of a new game release. However, finding a way to bind one game per system in an offline environment may also strike a severely devastating blow to piracy. Since piracy has increased by 20 percent over the last five years and impacts the gaming industry’s revenue each year to a certain degree, this new system of protection may halt software pirates from distributing game data when the code will only work on the first console that it’s played upon.
Gaming publishers have already been fighting the used game market by locking content within the game until a a one-time use code is entered. This allows publishers like Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to lock Catwoman’s single player narrative within Batman: Arkham City or Electronic Arts to require a code to enable the multiplayer portion of Battlefield 3. Any consumer that purchases a used copy of these games from retailers or other sources is at the mercy of the publisher in regards to the amount of additional money spent on digital codes.
Digital Download Countdown
While this potential used game protection scheme is definitely alarming, the gaming industry is already in a transition period between physical disc sales and digital downloads. As broadband speeds and data caps increase over the next five years, downloading a future version of Call of Duty may become the preferred practice over waiting in line at the local Best Buy.
Sony and Microsoft could also take a page out of Steam’s playbook and allow consumers to download the entire game in advance of the release date to balance server load, then unlock the ability to play the game at midnight. However, storage capacity of hard drives within the next generation of consoles would likely have to start around 500GB or 1TB to store multiple 20GB games. Similar to OnLive’s business model, cloud gaming could also be a potential solution introduced by Sony or Microsoft.
Sony is already moving in the digital download direction with the launch of the PlayStation Vita. While physical Vita games are still sold within retail stores, the digital counterpart of those titles may be acquired for a cheaper cost through download. Since digital downloads cannot be resold, the consumer loses out on recouping costs after completing a game. If the used gaming market is eliminated, publishers may see a drop in sales across all new releases as many consumers that resold used titles to finance new games will ultimately be spending less on software.
According to a related report from IGN, the new version of the Xbox hardware is estimated to be six times as powerful as the Xbox 360. The system’s GPU will be based on the AMD Radeon HD 6670 and begin mass production at the end of 2012. Over on the PC, the Radeon HD 6670 includes 3D and 1080p output, DirectX11 in addition to multi-display output. However, other reports have indicated that the next Xbox will utilize the Radeon HD 7000-series GPU from AMD.
While Nintendo’s Wii U is rumored to have twice the processing power of the Xbox 360, the next version of the Xbox hardware, often called the Xbox 720 by journalists, is estimated to be approximately 20 percent more powerful than the Wii U. The Kotaku article also indicates that the next version of the Xbox will offer Blu-ray compatibility.
I found that I can buy with Amazon for new games at the store’s used prices. Sometimes even less for older games. I would delay replacing my machine if it would not play used or traded games. I think it is going too far to eliminate the ability to use resold games. The game prices are high, and most games are not worthy. It would definitely reduce the amount of different games I would be willing to try.
You know what makes a great backup? A disc.
That’s why you back it up.
I would prefer to download all media as long as it was secure, no more having to change disc’s.Problem is having thousands of dollars worth of movie,game and music collections on a hard drive that could break is a worry.
Someone would find a way to hack it.
Greedy bastards!
No like!
Absolutely ridiculous. So after you buy something, where it is physically yours, they are trying to dictate what you can do with it?
How about when you buy that fridge, you could no longer sell it used? It was tied to you? When you are done with it, you’d have to throw it away.
really really lame.
Not only is there a market for this while the console is popular, but what about when a new version of the console comes out?
Many people then donate their old consoles to disadvantaged youths, or sell them, pawn them, etc. rather then keeping them as doorstops.
Because it worked so well for the PSP GO.
It’ll never happen
I would love to see a report from NPD or someone legit that discusses the business economy of the used game market. According to JJGames (never heard of them, but there are a number of news sites citing their study), the used game market is worth $2 Billion in sales per year.
http://www.industrygamers.com/news/used-games-market-about-a-tenth-of-new-game-sales—report/
So who does this benefit? Game retailers solely, or do console makers also benefit because used games help sell more consoles? I would be curious to find out this information.
Personally, I think it’s ridiculous to get rid of used games. It let’s people with low household income easily buy games where areas they might not purchase as many if they were forced to buy them new. It also opens the wallets of younger gamers who simply cannot afford a lot of new games either.
It sounds like a way for console manufacturers to control where the money flows, and if they control the game downloads directly, the money flows into their pockets and not retailers specializing in traded/used games. This is not what we want in my opinion. Maybe Apple has taught the industry some bad tricked with their App store?
The 6670 really isnt all that powerful compared to existing video cards, im in Canada and I could buy one for $50 after MIR right now if I wanted to.
Agreed, I am really hoping its a modified version of the 6670 if they do use it.
I’d think it would be stupid to put in something any bigger than that.
I mean, I run a 6970 in my computer and it’s a monster in size, at least 11in long and probably 2-3in thick.
I’m not saying that this particular model should be used or anything, but the greater the number of the card the bigger the card actually is. consoles are big enough as is, do you want them any bigger?
Dribble, they would lay out the GPU etc differently on a console, they wouldn’t just slap a video card into it like you are thinking. The fan would be moved, the RAM etc. It would be more integrated into the mainboard of the console.