Ban on PS5 Game Resale is Nothing New; Controversial Provision Explained
The alleged ban on reselling and sharing PlayStation games has outraged Internet users, even though the provision is neither new nor of any significance to gamers.
This past weekend, it seemed that Sony had ruffled some feathers. However, the alleged ban on the resale of physical copies of PlayStation console games is not what annoyed gamers thought it is.
The fury of many was aroused by a provision spotted in the updated PlayStation software terms and conditions (via X/Twitter). Item seven reads:
"You may not resell games on disc or games in digital form unless express authorization has been obtained from us to do so, and if this Software is published by another company, additional authorization from that company is required."
It is probably unnecessary to elaborate on the reactions of gamers to this "fresh" point in Sony's license. The problem is that the the provision is by no means new and its "modification" changes virtually nothing. Back in 2013, it was referred to by Shuhei Yoshida, then president of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios (the entity now known simply as PlayStation Studios; via X/Twitter).
The Japanese official confirmed that gamers can resell or borrow their game media. The provision is to apply only to wholesale, and in its current version the only novelty is the inclusion of "downloadable software."
Among the widespread complaints and invectives aimed at Sony, there were also a handful of Internet users who pointed out that a similar "rule" is at least as old as the first PlayStation. Heck, "resale ban" can be found on the cover of the first Sonic from 1991 and its sequels, and these were by no means exceptions (via X/Twitter / NeoGAF). However, no one seems to have punished for not enforced this ban.
Of course, Sony could also have taken the opportunity to change this provision so as to spare "surprises" for unaware players. At least Internet users got a reminder (another) why it is better to be cautious about unverified information on the web.
