Jack Tretton Against Anti-Used Games Technology

Not a fan

by Sammy Barker Mon 14th May 2012

According to rumours, the PlayStation 4 (also known internally as Orbis) will supposedly block the sale of used games. But speaking as part of this week's Bonus Round, industry analyst Michael Pachter has revealed that SCEA executive Jack Tretton is firmly against the technology.

Pachter claims that when quizzed on the rumour, Tretton offered his personal opinion that used games are “great for consumers” and that it would be “anti-consumer” to take steps against the under-fire trade.

Of course, regardless of Tretton’s opinion, it’s possible that Sony could go ahead and implement anti-used game technology in its next system anyway, but it’s reassuring to know that the executive will at least have a voice in that decision.

It’s also refreshing to hear a big name in the industry speak out in favour of the market. Typically these snippets take the opposite stance.

[source gametrailers.com, via thatvideogameblog.com]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Sakura_Moonlight2421
Mon 14th May 2012

Well if Sony does implement that then PS4 will not be in my household. {I have no room anyway. =.=;}

2
Jamouse
Mon 14th May 2012

What would the games industry be like without Tretton...

3
rjejr
Mon 14th May 2012

I don't think it matters what he says, though it is nice to hear somebody w/ some sanity. Sony may not be worse than anybody else in industry, who knows maybe they are the best in the industry, but they spent SO much time promoting BC w/ the PS3, and then stopped selling it, and then they pulled OtherOS, and now some online games are charging $10 for online pass. What Sony says today doesn't mean anything for tomorrow.

4
James
Mon 14th May 2012

@rjejr They're not charging for online passes if you buy your games brand new

5
Kayoss
Mon 14th May 2012

@James This is what happen when people dont get their facts straight. Information get skewed and people get angry for no reason. If you buy brand new games you shouldnt have to pay for online passes for all games. But for a select few, if you buy a used game then yes you have to pay for the online passes. Well unless you are playing games on the Xbox live then you have to pay both the online pass and the Xbox live gold subscription.

6
rjejr
Mon 14th May 2012

@James
If they were charging for online passes on NEW games then actually I probably wouldn't have a problem with it - as it relates to this story. I wouldn't be surprised if the PS4 allows used games to be played, but every game comes w/ a code that needs to be entered, so every used game owner would need to pay extra. That would probably be a lot easier to implement than somehow magically having your PS4 know if the game was "used" or not. How does the PS4 know if the game is bought "used", or borrowed from a friend, or rented from Redbox?
Though I suppose anybody who isn't signed in online would be ok playing used games. Sony probably doesn't care too much about offline players as they aren't taking up any bandwidth or spending any $ on PSN anyway.
So no, Sony won't BAN used games, they'll just make everybody pay extra to play them. They could call it the "cost conscious gamers tax".

7
James
Mon 14th May 2012

I personally have no problem with online passes: I think they're a decent way of publishers getting money from pre-owned sales that would otherwise be lost. Like rjejr I think we'll see more online passes rather than banning used games, though I would like to see more publisher-wide passes: your PS Plus subscription should function as your Sony online pass, for instance.