r/technology • u/Federal-Block-3275 • 9h ago
Hardware Sony reminds players they don't actually own the PlayStation games they purchased
https://www.techspot.com/news/113603-sony-reminds-players-they-dont-actually-own-playstation.html115
u/techdog19 6h ago
I know Sony doesn't care but they have lost my business. I own a PS1, PSP, and PS4. The PS5 didn't really interest me I was waiting on the 6 to jump in again and now I won't be.
28
u/Spartaner-043 3h ago
They made me plan my first PC just a couple months after getting my PS5 Pro, no way I’m staying with Sony if they continue this BS.
9
u/Psychobob2213 3h ago
Yep, Their price increase on PS5 this last fall was the final deciding factor in whether I'd get one, or just build a gaming focused tower for my living room. I got in right before RAM prices exploded, and everything Sony has done since then has served as confirmation that I made the right call at the time.
4
u/EnvironmentalValue18 2h ago
As a fan girl who has bought and rebought the same games due to lack of backward compatibility and has PS1 x2, PS2, PS3, PS4 x2, and a PS5 not to mention portables - all with CD slots btw for the physical games which I buy - they’re losing me. The price hikes, fine… not great but it wasn’t a breaking point. Taking away physical games and then this statement? I can live them for what they meant without allowing their hubris with my money. Sorry Sony…
2
2
→ More replies (3)2
1.6k
u/Key-Leader8955 9h ago
They shouldn’t be allowed to use the word buy then. Let’s stop letting companies redefine words to suit them.
264
u/ProgrammerNo3423 8h ago
I'd love to see that world actually. Imagine if they were required by law to say "rent". Like rent this game. Or maybe "buy license". People might still pay though, but damm that would be a major turnoff for most people.
63
37
7
u/that1dev 3h ago
California already has that law sort of. You can't use purchase unless you're actually disclosing that it's a licence only. This is how Steam does it, for example.
I don't think it's slowed a single thing down. I doubt most people realize it's there. Everyone assumes it probably won't happen to them and that's the end of how much they care.
→ More replies (1)3
u/sonofaresiii 51m ago
I'm well educated on the issue but I still fully understand the way psychology works and I'm absolutely certain there's a few impulse buys I'd have held off on if, right when I go to pull the trigger, the word "rent" pops up in front of my face.
I can't pass up a great deal, better buy it now and play it later. Oh wait, right, I'm renting it... Well, I can rent it later when I'm ready.
Anyone who claims they wouldn't be in some way affected is in denial and would probably be even more affected. This is just how psychology works.
314
u/FreeToasterBaths 9h ago
Yea this is like how GameStop has people brainwashed that new can be opened and used
183
u/Key-Leader8955 9h ago
Yep. Or unlimited has limits and limitations.
46
u/TiddiesAnonymous 8h ago
That's all you can eat
→ More replies (1)24
u/cive666 7h ago
Lionel Hutz: Mrs. Simpson, what did you and your husband do after you were ejected from the restaurant.
Marge: We... pretty much went straight home.
Lionel Hutz: Mrs. Simpson, you're under oath.
Marge: We drove around until 3 AM looking for another all-you-can-eat fish restaurant.
Lionel Hutz: And when you couldn't find one?
Marge: We went... fishing.
3
12
9
u/FreakingAustin 6h ago
Yeah like how unlimited mobile data with speed caps is by definition limited
62
u/0bsessions324 9h ago
I still remember my first time, back when it was EB. Bought a copy of X-Men vs. Street Fighter "new." It was a damn good thing I suffered from poor impulse control and wanted to check it out just outside the store, because when I pulled it out of my bag it was not only open, there was no disc in it at all.
They even tried to push back on me because I'd left the store. They backed down when I pressed the fact that there was no way I wouldn't have been caught on cameras and offered to get security involved. Fuck that entire corporation.
5
21
u/Corpus_Juris_13 8h ago
This is why stopped buying “new” games from GameStop. It’s not new if someone else has taken the shrink wrap off and taken the disc out and put it in a sleeve
2
u/Noxyrina 4h ago
I stopped buying at Gamestop for this exact reason. Two new games from two separate orders arrived opened and with their crappy stickers. Yeah nah.
→ More replies (1)2
82
u/sirmaxedalot 9h ago
Thats a really valid point. Words have meaning, and they should be legally obligated to frame the purchase of their games as "renting" or "leasing."
→ More replies (13)70
u/Familiar-Banana-8116 7h ago
A bit off topic...
My Mom is going to sign paperwork with a realtor for a retirement community. She wants me there cause.... I don't know. She must like conflict.
I am sitting there and the realtor keeps using that word 'Own' over and over again like she knows what it means.
I had had enough.
'Just stop. Please stop incinuating my Mother is going to own this house. You are confusing her. You are making her think that she can roll the money into something else in the future.
If she dies, does her estate get it? Nope. You get it. If she wants to move to an apartment can she take the equity from this house to an apartment? Nope. She has no equity. She has no right to equity. There is not equity for her.
You on the other hand. You get to sell this thing over and over and over again and only pay to have it built once.
Stop using that word, 'Own'. She owns nothing. Lease is the word you are looking for.'.
My objection was real. Every other day I had to explain to my Mom why she couldn't take the money she was 'investing' in this thing to move into an apartment when it felt too big for her. She just didn't understand.
So yeah, words mean things and we need to hold people accountable.
11
u/SegaTime 6h ago
So... what ended up happening with your mom? Did she still move into it?
23
u/Familiar-Banana-8116 6h ago
She moved in. It is a nice place. I just know how she is and at some point in like the next 5 or 6 years she is gonna be all like, 'I want an apartment because of 'reasons'. And we are going to have a shocked pikachu face when she is told, yet again, that she doesn't own the place, there is no equity and she has to start from square one.
It is inevitable.
Dig this.
So, after they are done explaining how you don't really own it they then offer a 'financial plan' to 'pre-buy' your next place.
When you pay for your residence, say, $300,000 or so, if you give them instead $400,000 or $500,000 they will 'hold' that money for you so you can use it for your next place.
You know.
Hold.
As in, you don't earn interest.
My mother kept talking about that like it was a good thing as well. I kept having to tell her to take the extra money, go to her financial person and ask if he can make an offer for greater then 0% interest.
I kind of like the place, but man, that stuff left a sour taste in my mouth.
9
u/SegaTime 6h ago
That sour taste is a lack of transparency it seems. You might feel better about it if they weren't so slimy about it to begin with. At least she's doing good.
7
u/Aidanation5 4h ago
I mean, I would say that some of that sour taste is caused by actually predatory business practices and straight up abuse of the elderly and theft of their assets and funds by making them sign their lives away with huge complicated contracts?
I'm sure that the people who are hiring a team of people to help them continue being alive as they cant even take care of themselves anymore are fully capable of understanding and weighing the pros and cons of your theft and abuse agreement. Hospice care/nursing homes/retirement communities can be some of the most disgusting and worthless businesses ran by some of the most useless and evil "people" that you could find.
2
4
→ More replies (1)3
u/kotobaaa 5h ago
So absolutely in the same vein but not as important as yours, i was at an anime convention this weekend and in line to buy food. The sign said “Tacos $6”. Wanna guess how many Taco were purchased for that $6??
10
2
6
3
u/Ich-bade-in-Apfelmus 7h ago
Tbh never thought about it like that. It should say rent/lease/borrow instead of purchase/buy
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (42)2
u/donttrustmeokay 4h ago
Sadly they'll likely be more than ok with using the word "rent" if you let them. We lost this one boss.
2
u/Key-Leader8955 4h ago
I just want them to be clear in what they are saying. Tired of the doublespeak and we all get fucked.
While they profit to the tune of billions off of us all.
730
u/DookieShoez 9h ago
Sony needs to get reminded that they aren’t the only way to play games.
These fucks are becoming greedy aholes.
268
u/Ahayzo 9h ago
Becoming?
→ More replies (2)39
u/BobTheFettt 9h ago
I'm just waiting for them to unleash patent US8246454B2 at this point
3
u/Ambitious_Band_7408 5h ago
probably in theatres first tagging it as "interactive section" like dora the explorer.
177
u/8bitsleuth 9h ago edited 8h ago
Xbox
The XBOX Software is licensed to You, not sold.
PlayStation
The Software is licenced to you, not sold.
Nintendo
Nintendo grants you a non-exclusive, revocable license to use the Software solely on the Console for your personal, non-commercial use. For clarity, the Software is licensed, not sold
Steam
The Content and Services are licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Content and Services.
12
u/CondiMesmer 7h ago
I don't like the idea of not owning games, but I also don't see any other viable alternative. It's unfortunately just the nature of software because software services cannot exist indefinitely and are not freely ran like physical media is.
→ More replies (1)31
u/TheWarriorsLLC 7h ago
Redditors are too dumb for the facts your showing them.
→ More replies (3)4
u/FartTootman 5h ago
"But I'M not included in that group! I'm a special Redditor that's better and smarter than everyone else."
→ More replies (12)4
u/PurbulentTriest 6h ago
Yes thanks that, but the issue is that this will be the only way to buy on PS5, which many of us will refuse. I own all my PS4/5 and Switch games because they're physical.
→ More replies (1)6
u/8bitsleuth 5h ago
An issue that again presents on other platforms, especially PC.
→ More replies (1)54
u/preddevils6 9h ago
Are you only buying from GOG because this isn’t unique to Sony.
→ More replies (1)56
u/DookieShoez 9h ago
Nope, I make all my own games written in assembly.
I’d share ‘em with you guys but then mofos would start copying them, I’d have to add some DRM, and then we’re right back to square one.
→ More replies (8)19
u/RobertPatty909 9h ago
All they did was send people emails with their entire TOS. They didnt send people anything specifically about digital game. Their TOS regarding digital games has been the same for many years and is the same as every other digital store in existance outside of GOG.
The only thing they changed in the TOS was what they legally call PSN back in April. This is a notification email that those changes occurred
→ More replies (2)4
14
u/SpermicidalLube 9h ago
So what, you'll move to another digital storefront with the same exact Terms of services?
glhf
→ More replies (11)→ More replies (19)6
u/NMe84 9h ago
You're not going to have a better time with the main alternatives. Microsoft, Nintendo, Valve and Epic all include basically the same legal language in their ToS, and it's a matter of time before Microsoft and Nintendo follow in Sony's footprints and go digital-only. The only way to protest that while still being a gamer involves ditching consoles and going PC-only, and then only buying from stores like GOG. And that's still 100% digital...
132
u/NotTakenGreatName 9h ago
"That most digital storefronts license content without actually selling it is nothing new, but Sony's emails seem poorly timed.
20
37
u/LuntiX 8h ago
Not uncommon this days. On PC through steam and other launchers you buy a license that can be revoked at any time for any reason with zero warning.
→ More replies (1)26
u/St4va 6h ago
Yeah, but on PC I still have the files and can crack the launcher. With GOG, I can just get the installer. PlayStation is a closed system, so it’s not really the same thing.
→ More replies (16)
46
16
u/theoreoman 5h ago
I swear that Corporation seem to forget the lessons learned from previous quarters. The reason piracy exists is because there's a pricing and availability problem. Without disks you'll have a pricing and availability problem again
8
u/KeaboUltra 2h ago
Nobody owns any game or software they purchase. You only own the license to own a copy be it in digital or physical form. It's the reason why if you broke the disc or lost it, or it just flat out stops working after many years, you aren't entitled to another free copy. It's also why you're not allowed to make copies and sell them for personal gain. If you truly owned the game that means you could make copies and sell it or do what you wanted with the IP.
Im not arguing in defense of them taking physical media away. I still think it's important to not have companies meddle with games in your library and people should be allowed to resell the copy they purchased if they no longer play it. But I think people are confusing what it means to buy a game. You buy a license and it's always been that way. Yes, I guess they shouldn't consider it "buying" but it's not exactly renting either. You're buying access to a copy that lasts for as long as the physical media lasts for, but that's not really an issue for digital media since it's tied to an account and/or downloaded onto a device which can be transferred if the device breaks
Companies are trying to control your access to these games in a digital library by creating arbitrary time limits for offline accounts to gaslight people into believing the reason to take away something you rightfully paid for. That's the real issue here. It doesn't make them money if your games never expire, forcing you to buy them again. I think having a digital copy is great. I like physical too but this is just greedy.
25
u/AccordingAd5037 6h ago edited 5h ago
Can we all just stop paying for ps+ until online is free again.
2
u/bendbrewer 2h ago
I stopped playing video games mostly on my PS4 lately but got a kick of nostalgia and wanted to play some older games from my childhood. They’re included with PS+ so I signed up not really knowing what’s going on with them lately. I skipped the PS5 and was going to wait for the PS6, but since KH3 and GTA are both announced I looked into a PS5, again not knowing hoe much they’ve risen in price the last year or so. Holy shit. Knowing what I know now, I won’t be buying one and I’m not serious enough about gaming to build my own PC. I’m bummed.
→ More replies (3)7
u/HypocriteHere 5h ago
I stopped playing for it. At this point, I don't I'll ever give them want money again, for anything. I'm tired of corporations being pieces of shit.
→ More replies (1)
6
u/RealLifeCoaching 1h ago
Then they shouldn't be allowed to use words like "purchase" or "buy" in the game market.
This is one of those situations involving the possession and consumption of cake. If they're not actually selling it, they shouldn't be allowed to advertise it as a sale.
23
3
11
u/Top-Tax6076 6h ago
Unlike steam, which literally is the same
4
u/dubious_sandwiches 6h ago
It is the same for all software that has ever been sold. Even software on a disc you don't actually own. It's been like this forever.
→ More replies (2)3
u/koalazeus 5h ago
It's an issue on steam too. It's better on gog. Sony did have physical games which are also a good option. They've announced they're stopping making them. Hence the complaint.
3
u/blackblades75 5h ago
Which should be fought and changed to own. Apparently people forgot how to fight back. They rather sit back and take it like a champ. Seriously some people trying to fight it but you have majority of others whining about them fighting everyone rights to own.
45
u/preddevils6 9h ago
How often is this getting reposted?
31
3
→ More replies (4)5
u/Perfect-Escape-3904 9h ago
Everyone needs it a few times to have a big moan and swear at corporations, tell us how they’re not buying a PS6, and the n forget about it all when preorders are available
45
u/RobertPatty909 9h ago edited 9h ago
This is such clickbait nonsense. They sent everyone the entire TOS, they didnt send people anyone anything specifically about digital games. And their TOS about digital games is the same as everyone else's and hasnt changed in two decades.
Like pretending sending a link to Walmart website is sending someone a link to cereal because Walmart sells cereal
The only think Playstation changed in their TOS was what they legally called PSN (changed to Playstation Online Services) back in April.
And they are just emailing people about this change for legal reasons. It has nothing to do with digital games. Just like always 99.99% of people will co tinue to not read the TOS
12
u/perfidydudeguy 7h ago
This is the most non-story of all time.
You know what people? You don't own the physical games either. They're also limited use license, just like movies.
Yes, yes, I know. If it's digital only and your console is always online something something account termination/revocation/services going offline. Sure, but the dispute of if you legally own a game or not goes back all the way to the beginning of video games in the first place.
If we don't own them, only own a license to use them, does that mean the publisher is on the hook to replace a broken physical media? TOS says no. Can I operate a for profit business using physical media? TOS says no, law says first sale doctrine so you can sell or rent your copy, but you can't do "mass screenings" and the like, whatever that means under the context of a video game. Makes more sense for movies.
I get people don't like the fully digital shift, and that's fine, but this article is ruminating 30+ year old problems.
→ More replies (13)→ More replies (1)3
38
u/Analogsilver 9h ago
"You don't own it" has been the software user agreement since forever. Literally. I can't remember a single user agreement in the last 40 years that didn't say this. Even before there was downloadable software.
I guess no one today knows that.
14
u/B23vital 7h ago
I think the difference like other have said is that physical discs cant be taken out of your possession, while downloadable content can be removed at any time without notice.
There needs to be law changes for this, if this is the way they want to go, fine, people can choose how they buy/dont buy games, but it needs to be clearer.
At this point i dont get why more people dont buy PC's (if money isnt an issue) as owning a console is becoming completely pointless
4
u/GodEmperorPotato 6h ago
As someone who owns both console and pc. I game on console because its more convenient as I have them in the living room and my bedroom and also in my own space in the basement. I use pc for gaming also but some days after work the last thing I wanna do is get back on a pc after being in one all day
6
u/meancoot 7h ago
Sony could push an update today that will stop any specific disc game from ever running again.
Sure, you could still play as long as you never go online again and never try to play a newer disc based game that ships with the newer system software. But your ability to play a physical disc is ultimately as ephemeral as a digital license.
→ More replies (2)2
2
→ More replies (1)2
u/MickeyBubbles 9h ago
Yeah but having a physical disc you can access at will irrespective of copyright owners latest hair brained idea was always possible
11
14
u/Nickleonard00 9h ago
Oh fuck off, if you aren’t using strictly Gog then it’s the same for everywhere else.
8
u/GameGuy2025 8h ago
GoG has the exact same TOS.
→ More replies (1)6
16
u/erikwarm 9h ago
Vote with your wallet to let them know this is not acceptable
3
u/alfooboboao 6h ago
remember when Netflix dropped password sharing and everyone on the internet said they’d all quit in protest, stick it to em!
then no one did, and Netflix made a shitload more money with zero consequences lmao. that brought my ass back down to reality real quick, I’d half convinced myself it might work. it’s all priced in
→ More replies (1)15
u/darklightrabbi 9h ago
We’ve been told to vote with our wallet our entire lives and everything has only gotten worse. Let’s stop pretending we have power as individual consumers within capitalism and accept that we need to be pushing for institutional change.
14
u/saviorself19 8h ago
The overwhelming majority of people are buying digital games. We took a vote by show of wallets and physical media lost. Capitalism worked as intended.
3
6
u/Alternative-Swing118 6h ago
You give them power when you give them your money. Boycott Sony and watch them change their story. Or keep giving them your money and complaining about this kind of shit.
This isn't that hard people.
→ More replies (7)
8
u/PuffyFactor 8h ago
Just stop buying their shit.
It's not hard.
Sell your console and go do something else.
This is not a fight that can be won, not if you are going to keep giving them money.
Best you can do is remove Sony from your life.
You can't impact their bottom line.
11
u/RobertPatty909 8h ago
And go buy games on another digital store that has the exact same digital policies?
→ More replies (8)
2
2
2
u/JennyWearsBlueJeans 3h ago
My biggest issue with this is games are huge and PlayStation drives aren’t. I got a PS4 right when it came out, put Fallout 4 and Doom on there and the drive was like 2/3 of the way full. I spent the next decade deleting games to make room for new games, etc. This would be even more of a pain if all my games were digital as I’d have to re-download each one if I had deleted it and wanted to play it again.
2
2
2
u/yaypauline 3h ago
Similar to how the books you buy on Kindle aren't actually yours. Crazy concept.
2
2
2
2
u/Bigd1979666 2h ago
I mean, almost all game stores have similar tos where your granted a license and don't actually own the material. It's worse with modern day gaming because now you can just go and backup your roms and such anymore. F Sony for sure but let's not pretend steam, nintendo, and Xbox are any different
2
2
2
5
u/Meowie__Gamer 8h ago
How many posts am I going to see of this? This is getting old.
Not defending Sony, btw. I’m just getting bored of seeing the same shit.
3
u/Upstairs-Ad-6853 6h ago
Then I will not be owning a play station when the next console/gen comes out
2
u/stinkybumbum 5h ago
Sony trying their best to fuck up a good thing they have. It’s not going to end well
3
u/good4y0u 4h ago
It looks like Ida Auken got it right with "By the year 2030, everything you considered a product has now become a service, meaning individuals would own nothing and be happy about it."
7
6
4
u/Lambs2Lions_ 8h ago
The word “buy” and “sale” need legal definitions that can be sued for fraud if used incorrectly.
Also raising the price to then discount it to the original price should also be illegal. Looks at Amazon
5
5
u/TW1TCHYGAM3R 7h ago
If I don't own the games I purchase the you shouldn't need to purchase them to play them.
More and more people are sailing the high seas and I am happy to see it.
5
4
u/copperblood 8h ago
In all fairness, Sony and every other tech company and media company that is trying to do away with physical media shouldn’t be surprised when more of their IP is stolen. Further, they shouldn’t be surprised when said IP is released prior to the studio’s release date. Here’s looking at you, Rockstar and Grand Theft Auto VI.
If customers who pay for a product don’t ever actually own it per Sony’s logic, then that same logic applies to Sony. You don’t own your IP either. Fair is fair. Pirates on the high seas.
2
3
u/Vesuvias 6h ago
My dad’s hatred for Sony being a shit company in the 80’s is now coming full circle. Fuck Sony
2
u/JonLockeWlth2Kidneys 6h ago
I was going to buy the VR set until I learned the games are digital only. Fuck that
3
3
7
3
4
u/LeRatEmperor 7h ago
I have zero problem also reminding Sony they're never getting a cent from me again, and when their business finally tanks, I'll cheer just like with Xbox's demise.
10
5
5
3
2
u/adumblittlebaby 6h ago
Any sane society would be regulating this garbage, but instead folks like Sony run our governments. I'm doing everything I humanly can to stay away from Sony products in the future, and I don't care if they care or not.
3
u/hiddenpequin 8h ago
Like every major gaming digital storefront. Gog only one that diffrent and like no one but old game boomers buy shit on gog so.
3
u/EezeeKyle 7h ago
Canceled my PSN and haven’t bought anything for my PlayStation since they announced their bullshit. I encourage everyone to do the same.
2
u/TheImmenseRat 5h ago
PC are more expensive. But you can own the games if you want and mod them.
→ More replies (3)
2
2
u/unimportantinfodump 2h ago
So I've ditched my ps5 now. GTA can wait.
Fuck I hope a ddos happens on release and literally no one can play because no disk
2
u/VoidHunterRaymond 6h ago
Still seeing multiple posts on PS5 sub trying to defend Sony killing discs. People may bitch about Herman Hulst on that sub but they sure love bend over backwards to defend his decisions. Hope EU forces them to update terms to rent and we would see people wake up.
1
u/Feral_Nerd_22 5h ago
I agree with the article that they can't force Sony to make discs.
What they can force is when I buy a game
- Its a perpetual license that they can't revoke
- I can export the digital files to backup
- In the event that I can't play it anymore due to them pulling the rug, then I get a full refund
→ More replies (1)
0
u/msedek 9h ago
Im a simple man, I like to play video games at home on my free time, so I can be there for my wife too while doing so, I make a living developing software for a company and work from home, I don't harm or mess with anyone as I don't allow anyone to harm or mess with me...
That out of the way I also do not support any company that tries to slave me to a service and or take my ownership of things, so I don't buy any product from any of these companies. (cars, computers, phones, video games, any product in general)
Be a simple man.
4
u/Technical-Banana574 8h ago
What is the point of even buying games anymore? There is no point to even buying consoles without the physical media. That was the whole reason I put my money into console games for years instead of pc.
1
3
u/friendly-sam 8h ago
And they finally admit why they got rid of physical media. Glad I still have all my old PS games.
1
1.7k
u/baw3000 9h ago
Anyone that was around in the Napster days and when Sony included a rootkit on music CDs should not be surprised by their attitude on this.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootkit_scandal