CNET News Tech Culture Game on: Sony won't block used games ... Game on: Sony won't block used games -- analyst

(Credit: Sony Computer Entertainment America)

Sony won’t try to block used games on its PlayStation 4, despite a patent application indicating plans to the contrary, one analyst says.

Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter, who has followed the industry for years and conducts research on a wide range of game companies, said in a note to investors yesterday that any claim that Sony would try to block used games on its next console fails to realize that the company “benefits little from a unilateral decision to block games.”

“Sony would be materially hurt if its console blocked used games and competitor consoles from Microsoft and Nintendo did not,” Pachter wrote. “The Wii U is already on the market with no used game prohibition, and we believe that Microsoft would take advantage of Sony’s prospective decision to block used games by marketing that its own next generation did NOT block used games.”

CNET News Tech Culture Game on: Sony won't block used games ... Game on: Sony won't block used games -- analyst