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New SOCOM on the PSP Takes Aim at Software Pirates
by Jeff Mattas, Feb 17, 2010 3:20pm PSTThe finally released SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3, Slant Six's portable shooter with a not-so-portable name, requires players to complete a unique online registration via the PlayStation Network in order to access its online gameplay components.
All UMD copies of the game are packaged with a voucher for the activation and digitally-download versions of the game will register automatically when downloaded. Gamers who pick up a used copy of the game will also be able to download a $20 PSN entitlement voucher for access to online play.
IGN followed up with SCEA's director of hardware marketing, John Koller, who explained that while SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 is the first PSP title to implement this type of DRM protection, it may not be the last. Though no other PSP games were announced as potential candidates for future efforts at this type of copy protection, Koller admitted that Sony is evaluating and "investigating future opportunities."
Though the game was just released for Sony's PSP yesterday, the new DRM implementation wasn't mentioned by Sony until today. When IGN asked Koller how gamers would respond to the new online-activation process, he responded:
From our research, this will be received quite positively. Remember, piracy affects more than just the creators of the game. It also affects the consumers who purchase titles expecting a high-quality gaming experience. Game development is a long and costly process that can take years to create and many more dollars to develop, manufacture, market and distribute.
Our goal is to keep this development pipeline flowing with creative new IPs, well known franchises and pick up and play experiences that all can legally enjoy. That's something that all fans can be happy about.
Considering that SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3 retails for $39.99, and that those buying the game used would have to shell out an additional $20 to play online, buying a previously owned copy and the online add-on will be more expensive than buying a brand new copy for quite some time.
Comments
What about the steel processing plant that the Focus came from, should he get paid when Ford buys the steel, then again when he sells it to me?
Same deal, should the plastics company that produces the UMD / DVD / BD get a cut too?
Answer to all of them is no, it's just that Sony / Microsoft / Bioware / whoever have the *ability* to charge, and therefore will. It's money for doing NOTHING and they will profit from it all they can. I own 37 legit XBox 360 games, I bought Mass Effect and Dragon Age, both new. I have pirated Mass Effect 2 because I won't abide by this DLC nickel and diming bulls**t
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You just don't see that many people lamenting piracy. Instead people are blissfully content to lay the blame at the feet of developers time and time again. Im surprised no one has come out with "well they are only doing this because they're game sold bad!!11" yet.
Sure consoles have less piracy than PCs (unfortunately no one seems to realize why this makes consoles a more appealing platform) but it's growing everyday. Piracy is very real and it's a serious problem. Just because it's "behind the scenes" doesn't mean it's trivial.
When they start giving people jail times for running piratcy sites, DRM or copy protection will not be necessary. Sure, people will still exchange games, but when owners of piracy sites receive a DMCA takedown notice, they will definitely realize that it isn't an empty threat. The FBI really needs to start taking these things down. There was a recent hearing in congress on internet piracy, which is promising. I think we can expect better laws and more expedient action when it comes to enforcing them. At the moment, there are hundreds of piracy sites. This number could go down to a few if they really got on it. IsoHunt, The Pirate Bay, torrent reactor, kickass torrents, etc. All these need to go down. Same with all the private "release groups."
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but I doubt they were looking out for the actual paying customers.
also paying $20 for a key? i'll wait until its a 'greatest hits' label.
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1. What does this give the consumer? A pretty voucher and a second-hand value down the toilet. Since the game content is the same. Sony needs to update the platform to appeal more to the "pirate" (aka. homebrew) community - ofcourse people say "fuck it" when they [Sony] even went out and said they'd never introduce a Trophy-system for the PSP. A feature that could revive the PSP.
2. Why would anyone care about the online portion of the game, at all? The only thing I got from testing SOCOM on my long-gone PSP was awful frame-rates, crappy controls and 150% auto-aim. Hot.
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