Rumor: Sony Planning to Use Serial Codes on Future PS3 Game Releases

February 7, 2011

Dutch website PS3-Sense claims that "a reliable source" has told them that all future PS3 game discs will contain a unique serial code that players will have to input into the system prior to launch. The source also claims that a similar system already exists on Sony’s PlayStation Network. The code will also make it so that a game can only be used on five different systems. This would serve as a way to keep a game from being resold more than five times, the Dutch site posits.

Naturally, Sony is not commenting on this story. PC gamers are very familiar with serial codes. They are now second nature to anyone that has bought a PC game in the last ten years. They have also proven to be ineffective in doing anything other than inconveniencing gamers.

Still, this is just another rumor about what methods Sony is using to combat the leak of the system's root key. Another recent rumor was that Sony had enabled some sort of backdoor method to execute code on systems that were jail broken. That rumor has yet to be proven true. We will keep our eyes peeled for expert testimony from the hacking community or official word from Sony confirming that these rumors are true. The latter is unlikely.

Source: Next-Gen

Posted in

Comments

Re: Rumor: Sony Planning to Use Serial Codes on Future PS3 ...

Submitted by tallimar on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 11:07.

as if it's not enough that they phased out support of the older systems, removed advertised functionality and continue to be all around douchebags, they decide to top it off with requiring CD keys and install limits... i just dont know what to say anymore.

Re: Rumor: Sony Planning to Use Serial Codes on Future PS3 ...

Submitted by kurifu on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 07:17.

Sony's way of handling business has already resulted in me prefering 360 titles where there is an option. If they really want to go this route they will loose my business entirely.

Re: Rumor: Sony Planning to Use Serial Codes on Future PS3 ...

Submitted by Shahab on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 01:47.

This isn't the first time I've seen this stated but I think Sony would be very stupid to actually do it. Who want a console that requires a key code with every game?

Re: Rumor: Sony Planning to Use Serial Codes on Future PS3 ...

Submitted by Sleaker on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 00:46.

Interesting, I just wrote a post about console protection on my blog on how I thought it was dumb that Console push retarded DRM on their machines to try and combat online cheating, rather than just using a serial code system similar to PC games. Valve seems to do a pretty amazing job even while they have openly stated they do not focus on DRM.

I'd like to see consoles go more the route of PCs.. but given what that might mean it could kill off the used game sales pretty harshly. PC used games don't sell worth beans anymore mostly because of the online element and being required to register the serial with the manufacturer.

Re: Rumor: Sony Planning to Use Serial Codes on Future PS3 ...

Submitted by Monte on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 00:35.

Ya serial codes, i don't care about... already have to deal with on computers and its only one extra minute out of my life... but limited installs is inexcusable and utterly pointless. Gamers should be allowed unlimited installs. So what exactly does limited installs have to do with combating the leak? Ya we know the REAL reason for limited installs...

Re: Rumor: Sony Planning to Use Serial Codes on Future PS3 ...

Submitted by Neeneko on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 11:58.

My big issue with serial codes is often I loose the original packaging, meaning that if I want to install the game years later (which I do occasionally for a craving) I may or may not have the number around. So I end up being unable to play something I own, which pisses me off.

Re: Rumor: Sony Planning to Use Serial Codes on Future PS3 ...

Submitted by Craig R. on Tue, 02/08/2011 - 00:10.

And yet that won't stop them from finding more and creative ways of pissing gamers off.

Poll

Shout box

DorthLous: Anybody tried Hiversaire? Thoughts?05/22/2013 - 5:48pm

E. Zachary Knight: New Humble Bundle Weekly Sale. Alan Wake: https://www.humblebundle.com/weekly No Linux or Mac support. :(05/22/2013 - 1:46pm

E. Zachary Knight: Microsoft talks about the lack of backward compatability. You're backwards. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/192801/If_youre_backwards_compatible_youre_really_backwards.php05/22/2013 - 1:39pm

E. Zachary Knight: That is absolutely nuts there. As bad an experience XBox Indie Games was, the problems weren't with the self published side of things. Forcing a publisher onto independent studios is not going to help.05/22/2013 - 10:43am

MaskedPixelante: http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-22-microsoft-wont-let-indies-self-publish-on-xbox-one And the hits just keep on coming.05/22/2013 - 9:20am

E. Zachary Knight: AE: You beat me to it. That's what I get for taking the night off.05/22/2013 - 7:40am

E. Zachary Knight: To continue the confused and convoluted messaging system present in EA, They are making Wii U games: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/192753/EA_is_working_on_Wii_U_games_after_all.php05/22/2013 - 7:33am

Imautobot: I gotta admit, I seriously believed Microsoft was going to "Bring It" with this new console. But they failed, and I think that failure might be Epic.05/22/2013 - 7:27am

Andrew Eisen: Well, the Xbox One reveal certainly had an interesting affect on the big 3's stock prices. https://twitter.com/AndrewEisen/status/33705126448977100805/21/2013 - 10:45pm

PHX Corp: http://kotaku.com/so-the-xbox-one-reveal-screwed-up-a-lot-of-peoples-kin-509179256 So The Xbox One Reveal Screwed With Some People's Kinects05/21/2013 - 10:36pm

Zen: On a funny side note...both of my boys have already voted NOT to get the Xbox One as soon as they found out Minecraft won't transfer lol. Some people have priorities damnit! ;)05/21/2013 - 9:27pm

Andrew Eisen: Here's the full quote on EA making Wii U games according to Neogaf: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56112105/21/2013 - 8:19pm

Andrew Eisen: Xbox One may not be always on but that doesn't mean you can use it without an internet connection. http://kotaku.com/xbox-one-does-require-internet-connection-cant-play-o-50916410905/21/2013 - 7:39pm

Andrew Eisen: Polygon says EA's CFO says it is developing games for Wii U but doesn't provide that quote. http://www.polygon.com/2013/5/21/4351844/ea-developing-wii-u-games05/21/2013 - 7:11pm

Andrew Eisen: Well, I was right. Both Sony and Microsoft's consoles will be out by the year's end and both will be significantly more powerful than the current gen.05/21/2013 - 5:06pm

james_fudge: thnx05/21/2013 - 4:47pm

Zen: Just to let ya know...you called it the "Xbox 260" in the backwards compatibility article lol.05/21/2013 - 4:26pm

Zen: @PHX Awesome, I will hit those up after class tonight. Going back to college finally! :) My kids have had a blast telling ME to do my homework now lol.05/21/2013 - 4:19pm

PHX Corp: @Zen I sent you a friend request on both PSN and XBL, just a heads up05/21/2013 - 4:16pm

Zen: I noticed it with the football players when EA showed off Madden as well.05/21/2013 - 4:11pm

All shouts

<< Return To Top

Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :