Microsoft's Xbox 720 'to block second hand gaming'

[Jazzy]

Microsoft’s new Xbox will include a system that could make it impossible for owners to play second hand games, it’s been claimed.



The forthcoming “Xbox 720”, as the follow up to the Xbox 360 is known, will compel owners to sign in online every time they play and register games to their account, according to developers.



The claims were reported by Edge, a leading video games magazine. Although Microsoft's new console will always be connected to the internet, games could still be sold on physical media, it said, as it will include a Blu-Ray drive. The main source is likely to be an online store, however, allowing more flexible pricing.



“It is believed that games purchased on disc will ship with activation codes, and will have no value beyond the initial user,” Edge reported.



Microsoft refused to address the report.



“We do not comment on rumours or speculation,” a spokesman said. “We are always thinking about what is next for our platform, but we don’t have anything further to share at this time.”



The move would be a heavy blow to the second hand games market, which in Britain was worth £90m to retailers in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to industry analysts NPD. The report promted a sharp fall in shares of GameStop, a major American second hand games retailer.



It is also likely to spark a battle with hackers who will seek to circumvent the restrictions.

Full article



Your thoughts?

 

[Sinon]

A similar claim has also been made about the Playstation 4. Additionally, this self-same rumour went around before the PS3 came out, and nothing came of it.



Makes no difference to me, though. I'm not getting any next-gen consoles.

 

[Evil Eye]

Some EU lawyers will probably fine/ban the thing till they get rid of such a feature.

 

[Jazzy]

[font=tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif]

It is also likely to spark a battle with hackers who will seek to circumvent the restrictions.

Aww, the poor hackers!

 

[Sinon]

Some EU lawyers will probably fine/ban the thing till they get rid of such a feature.

It's poor sportsmanship, but it's not illegal by any means. The only real method of boycotting it would be under the banner of we don't like this rather than any sort of evil act. Besides, this already exists. Any digital downloads you purchase on your consoles or PC are tied to those accounts/consoles.

 

[Evil Eye]

Any digital downloads you purchase on your consoles or PC are tied to those accounts/consoles.

True, but even so:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20...sued-germany-over-right-to-resell-games.shtml