PS4 Won't Block Used Games

In the months leading up to Sony's big reveal of the PS4, which took place earlier today by the way, there were rumors that suggested the next-gen console would block used games from being played. Backlash instantly arose, especially with GameStop, a retailer that makes a good deal of money off the sale of used games.

Thankfully, those rumors will not come to pass, as Sony Worldwide Studios' Shuhei Yoshida has confirmed the PS4 will play used games. That means, at least for now, retailers like GameStop and services like GameFly are safe.

Eurogamer sat down with Yoshida a few hours after the PS4 event, and skirted around talk of whether or not the console would play used games. Yoshida, in turn, entered into a hypothetical discussion that ultimately resulted in him confirming the PS4 won't block games. Put simply: because consumers wouldn't want that, Sony doesn't want that.

"Yes. That's the general expectation by consumers. They purchase physical form, they want to use it everywhere, right? So that's my expectation."

Yoshida's use of the word "expectation" gives us pause about the console blocking used games, but it seems like all's clear on the used games front.

And what about that patent that reportedly blocked used games? Eurogamer claims that was for something completely different, and was never meant for the PS4.

So gamers can rest easy knowing that the PS4 won't be the first step in major publishers' battle against used games. That doesn't mean that future technology — namely a streaming service or digital downloads — won't render the sale of physical media obsolete, but for now they are safe.

As a matter of fact, Sony didn't make any mention of physical media during their PS4 event. Yes they revealed that digital downloads will be made much easier thanks to a dedicated processor, but should we just assume that the Blu-Ray is still the format for Sony?

Make sure to check out all the information from the PS4 event, including some of the new games revealed (Killzone: Shadow Fall, inFAMOUS: Second Son, and Knack).

Are you happy to hear that the PS4 will not block used games? Do you think a console that won't play used games is in our future?

The PS4 is targeting a holiday 2013 release.

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Source: Eurogamer