Updates to this story
Sony will introduce a serial key system for its games on the PlayStation 3, according to a “very reliable source” cited by PS3-Sense.
The move follows the revealing of the PS3's root keys at the beginning of this month, which opens the doors to piracy. The root keys are used as part of the authentication process to verify the legitimacy of a PS3 game, but with them out in the wild hackers can trick their way past the protection measure.
The exposing of the root keys caused massive embarrassment for Sony and could cost it millions in pirated games. It has taken the threat to heart, suing over 100 hackers involved in the case.
That may help recoup some losses or keep the hackers at bay for a bit, but it won't repair the breach in the PS3's hull, so clearly it is hard at work trying to find a new authentication system.
New games are expected to come with a unique serial key relating to that specific Blu-ray disc, which must then be entered on the PS3 for verification, much like standard serial keys for software and games on PCs. However, it can only be entered a maximum of five times, obviously to prevent further piracy, but it may cause severe restrictions for genuine gamers also.
Sony is already working on this proposal and has, according to unnamed source, already updated the PS3's firmware to enact the new protection measure. Of course, old games that have already been shipped cannot have the serial keys introduced, so either Sony will have to forfeit its losses on those or come up with another security measure.
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And also the used the used/ trade market.
Although this does not solve the problem of single player games, or games with LAN support.
I guess it's time for xlinkai and other similar programs to shine again.
Still... I'm wating for a XBMC port for the PS3, I never had any will
It would kill the used market.
It would kill the rental market.
In addition there are a TON of ps3 systems not hooked to the internet. "hackers" are a tiny slice of the pie. I'm talking about the average family user. Forcing EVERYONE to connect their PS3 to the internet in order to use a new game or movie would be a PR disaster. It would cause more harm than good and simply does not make sense to me...
I know it says that serials are unique to the disc but in order for there to be a limit on the amount of machines it can be used on I.e 5 in this case, there must be some internet connection required in order for any particular installation to be registered.
I can't see this as being workable if an Internet connection is required. Some users more than likely do not have the Internet and this would "disable" those gamers from playing games on the system they bought to play ps3 games. When buying the system I'm quite sure that they won't have been told they will need an internet connection to play all future releases