gaming The DRM on PS4: An unknown problem?

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,202]

As many may remember, back when the Xbox One was revealed, it was said that it was going to have a full on DRM on all games including physical copies and digital downloads. Obviously this blew up in Microsoft's face and now they seem to be a totally different company after that, the One is now one of my favorite systems ever. It has no DRM to speak of now on any games.

 

Now, my friend owns a PS4, he prefers Playstation and I think that is awesome, we all should just enjoy what we enjoy, hence why I do not want any insults thrown around in this topic whatsoever, I just want a serious discussion on what I think is a legit issue with the PS4 that I wish did not exist, for the sake of gaming.

 

The PS4 actually has a DRM that seems to go unnoticed by most of the gaming community. It is for all downloadable titles. How this works, is that if you are disconnected from the internet for more than 45 minutes, then all of your downloaded games will become locked and 'Ineligible' for startup, meaning you cannot play them at all until you log back in and verify the license. This will happen every time if you are disconnected for more than 45 minutes, your downloaded titles, no matter what they are, no longer are yours to play. They are then 'ineligible'. 

 

 

 

 

 

My friend who owns a PS4 actually has a decent amount of downloadable titles and his internet currently is off for specific reasons. Because of this, the vast majority of his game library is unplayable. This is such a shame too because the PS4 is a very good system too, and he really enjoys it, and this DRM is currently impeding his enjoyment to a great amount.

 

I am just wondering why this issue is not more known and discussed more in gaming, especially after the outrage over the Xbox One DRM now never existed thanks to backlash. Granted its version would have been worse definitely, but now that system has no DRM at all and for the sake of gaming, I really wish that the PS4 did not have this either.

 

Your thoughts? (Remember, please keep this civil)

[Megas 28,139]

Early rumors said it was also gonna have DRM. Also remember early launch speculation saying that the launch patch involved removing DRM

 

Anyway, surprised to hear DRM on the PS4, as this is actually the first time hearing it. At the very least, it makes me hesitant on Downloading games on the console if I ever get it

[long gone 8,929]

I'm unsurprised by this. Consoles have always had some form of DRM. Or, at least they have since the NES, with the only exception being the Dreamcast.

 

I'm guessing that the reason why Sony's DRM isn't as widely publicized as Microsoft's or Nintendo's because Sony was more quiet about it instead of being more upfront about it, like they should be. For that reason I actually like Microsoft a bit more, because they are more transparent about the Xbox's DRM policies than Sony is.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,202]

Early rumors said it was also gonna have DRM. Also remember early launch speculation saying that the launch patch involved removing DRM

 

Anyway, surprised to hear DRM on the PS4, as this is actually the first time hearing it. At the very least, it makes me hesitant on Downloading games on the console if I ever get it

I think this is the case with many people who have considered getting the console. They usually have no idea that the system even has a DRM of any kind, and it comes as a surprise. It surprised me a lot, 

 

I am not sure if the reason for this is to prevent piracy or something, but I feel like Sony should abandon this DRM strategy down the line. 

[Mutemutt 773]

It's probably flown under the radar because a lot of the outrage over DRM was over it affecting the discs themselves, taking a shot at the used games market. People sure do love their discs, man.

 

From what I remember, Sony's policy left the power to use DRM on 3rd party games to that game's publisher for the downloaded games at least. Can't say I really know all of the details though...

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,202]

 From what I remember, Sony's policy left the power to use DRM on 3rd party games to that game's publisher for the downloaded games at least. Can't say I really know all of the details though...

I am rather curious if that is true, because I do remember hearing about it. From what I seen on my friend's console, all of his downloaded titles were unplayable once his internet service was shut down. There could be more to this really, but the technical details are very weird with it all it seems.