PS4 uses NFC to crack down on used games
04 January, 2013
category: NFC
Sony has announced an NFC patent that could effectively prevent the use of second-hand game discs on the next iteration of the PlayStation console.
According to a Gameranx.com report, Sony Japan has officially filed for a patent that could make used games a thing of the past. The solution would pair an RF tag with each physical copy of a game, which — independent of a Web connection — would identify if a game has been tied to a specific console or user account.
The PS4 console would check this RF tag prior to booting a game, rendering any game without proper RF tag identification useless.
While the patent is official, the actual implementation of the technology is anything but concrete. Needless to say, used games comprise a major commercial portion of the gaming industry, but a burden for console manufacturers’ bottom lines.
Pairing a disc to a specific device could prove troublesome and costly as concerns over hacked accounts and malfunctioning consoles will also need to be addressed.
Any technological constraint of this magnitude has far-reaching effects and will require significant consideration before implementation. This solution would not only eliminate used game resale, but would also prevent loaning discs between friends.
View the full patent here.
