The issue of used games as it pertains to the upcoming to PlayStation 4 remains, to this day, one of the biggest unknowns.
Shortly after the unveil last week, Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida stated that the PS4 would not block used games. But shortly afterwards, statements from other members of the company seemed to betray those sentiments. Or at the very least, painted a fairly noncommittal picture, by essentially stating that it would be largely up to the discretion of publishers.
At the very least, Sony is aware of how big of a deal the matter is. When speaking with ComputerAndVideoGames, Sony's Worldwide Studios VP Michael Denny stated:
"It's a massively important issue and I understand why it's one that keeps coming up and will keep coming up, because people want to know what the exact stance is.
At this moment in time the announcements have been about our philosophy and vision for PlayStation 4, our motivation to put the gamer at the heart of it and why we've got the development community on it.
In relation to points like that, of course we're mindful of what the game development community wants and what the wider industry issues are with those things. I think in good time that will become clearer."
When CVG (thankfully) continued to press the matter nonetheless, Denny responded with:
"It's not something that I feel I have any further announcement or comment to make on, other than to acknowledge with you that it's a massively important issue and of course we are going to do the right thing."
Again, it's somewhat of a stark difference in tone that Yoshida exhibited, and is again not quite decisive. But hearing that Denny and company will do the "the right thing" is somewhat assuring. Somewhat.
Still, one can't help recall that patent that was discovered not too long ago that would block the operation of second-hand titles. Ultimately, it's somewhat of a safe bet that Sony will wait and see what Microsoft does. It has been heavily implied that their Xbox successor will block used games. If so, will Sony go along for the ride, or will they use the matter to further differentiate themselves.
