Over the next few months, the UK retail chain GAME will actively phase out trade-ins and pre-owned game sales. Standalone GAME Stores across the UK will continue selling pre-owned games, but only until stocks last.
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Sony have updated the Terms of Service (ToS) for the PlayStation Network, with new clauses added to prohibit reselling of software and permission to monitor your online activities, should they deem fit. The software clause (section 7.1) states that users cannot resell their games without authorisation from Sony – effectively stopping you from selling games to others.
Jack Tretton has confirmed that the PS4 won’t impost any new restrictions on used games, allowing owners to freely give away or sell their old games. In fact, Sony has confirmed that games won’t be tried to your PSN account, or require any Internet connection of any sort to verify the game you’re playing.
Despite the Xbox One requiring gamers to pay a fee to play a second-hand game, GameStop President, Tony Bartel, has told Forbes that the company will still sell pre-owned Xbox One and PlayStation 4 games. For Xbox One owners, it will mean that consumers will have to pay for the game twice – once at point of purchase and again on Xbox Live.
Sony Worldwide Studios boss, Shuhei Yoshida, has told Eurogamer that the PS4 won’t be blocking used games, contrary to recent rumours, but good news for gamers. Speaking in a interview hours after the PS4 was revealed, Yoshida confirmed that “used games can play on PS4.” It turns out the recent patent filing by Sony to block used games wasn’t related to the PS4 at all, thankfully.
