Sony tries out new anti-piracy measure with PSP game, hits used game market hard in the process
By Donald Melanson 
posted February 18th 2010 4:11PM
posted February 18th 2010 4:11PM
Sony's already taken a pretty big shot at the used game market with the download-only PSP Go, and it looks like it might now be going some way towards taking physical media out of the equation as well. In what's described as a "trial run," Sony has added a new authentication measure to SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 for the PSP that will require gamers to first register their game on PSN before they play online. Once that's done, you won't be able to use the UMD on another PSN account, and anyone buying a used copy of the game will have to shell out $20 for an additional voucher to play online. According to Sony, that's being done primarily to combat piracy, but there's no getting around the fact that it also makes used copies of the game a whole lot less attractive to potential buyers. No word on any future games that will employ similar measures, though we wouldn't count on Sony giving up on this one too quickly.
This will invariably produce an excess of ghey lussuc and a minimum of Gay Lussac.
This is to stop people from trading games, plain and simple. The piracy argument is a smokescreen. They want to get paid over and over for the same game disc. But why don't they just sell the game digitally only, and not even bother with physical media?
@Stephanie C
Um have you ever played FTB 1 or 2? The games are a joke because of pirated and then hacked games. there is so much more that is good about this that the trade value at GS. Which MS, Sony, and Nintendo and all devs hate...
@Skyyo210
You have to pay $20 every time a disc is used under a different account? Clear attempt to destroy trading and used sales. Since the incentive of buying a used disc is now non-existent.
But they would have acheived the same result bypassing the discs entirely and going download only. If they want to get rid of physical media and get everyone to go to all DRM downloads, fine(well actually that sucks big time), but don't try to pull the wool over consumers' eyes with the "piracy" excuse!
I disagree. I think it's going to affect those that sell their used games. I could be wrong but I have a feeling gamestop may not take this game used because of the $20 fee. I could be wrong. We'll see.
@rchapoteau Doh! This was supposed to have been a reply to someone that mentioned it would only hurt pirates.
@swanle The consumers need to boycott this product, then Sony will back off the ill-fated attempt and not try similar means.
@swanle Strange after many years of sony not doing much for the psp because to many ppl hacking it and pirating games, and to many ppl buying used games, I feel sony had enough. And if this works sony will keep doing it and other developers and games companies will do it to, so get use to it.
Sony is trying to prove to developers to keep coming back the the psp to make games, if they cant then the psp handheld is going to die. The biggest problem has been piracy and used games, this little thing sony is doing helps fix 2 things with one secutity mesure. If this does work and the developers are happy and get their profits, then the prices of the games can go down and the developer will rest asured knowing they will keep making games for a device that can bring in money.
@swanle
Yea, what you said.
They also needed to make more games and encourages third party to do the same. Privacy is just an excuse for not making top chart sale.
@juanvaldez Yup yup! This is why my PSP is collecting dust.
This strikes me as a really dumb idea... I suppose it also means you're not allowed to share your games with friends... Excess stupidity.
@Heratiki
Actually, they don't make money off of Gamefly, except for the original sale. Once you by a game, movie, etc. you are able to do with it as you please, including renting it out. This is how Netflix works. They buy the DVD and then rent it. In fact Netflix used to buy their DVDs from Best Buy.
this will actually drive more to do piracey those people who onlyway of getting new games is by selling them
@swanle
This is a huge slight against video game rentals, Gamefly. Let hope Sony does NOT extend this to other titles and or other platforms.
I can't wait till these companies finally realize--hardcore pirates aren't going to pay for the game either way. Can't pirate it? Oh well, won't buy it.