Next Step in the Videogame Industry's War on Consumer Rights

I've shown you that the videogame industry believes that used games are tantamount to theft and worse than piracy, and I've shown you that digital distribution is how they tried to combat used games this generation by seizing more control over games and forcing online passes, etc. But what is the next step?

Stephen Totillo has offered up a rumor that Microsoft's next console, Xbox 720, will have some sort of mechanism that blocks used games. He's even claimed that his source is "very good". Even though videogame rumors are usually wrong the idea that something like this might happen is not far fetched at all. In fact, it is the next logical step in this ridiculous war against used videogame sales.

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Physical media is not going anywhere anytime soon in spite of the claims of a digital only future by "hardcore" fanboys and overly optimistic suits. That means that to stop used game sales you have to stop the physical media from being able to be played on a console. That means implementing some sort of chip or code that blocks used games, and the hardware manufacturer would have to do it. However, the hardware maker would not be alone because he would also need the backing of the industry to support this move and back them in case things go wrong.

We know the industry is against used game sales. We know they are actively looking for ways to stop the sale of used games. So it's not that crazy to believe that the next generation of consoles will come with some sort of used game blocker, but would it be successful? Well, if the history of the "hardcore" gamer is anything to go by then chances are good that it will be successful. The "hardcore" have happily accepted $60 games, online passes, paying for basic online play and insanely overpriced downloadable content so why would they change their tune with something like this?

Just go to any "hardcore" forum thread about this issue and see how many people actually stand up and defend the industry in trying to usurp our consumer rights. It's disgusting. You'll hear a lot of talk about supporting developers, f*cking Gamestop and 'it doesn't affect me so who cares' nonsense. When you stop to think about how much the industry is already getting away with you can only conclude that they aren't going to stop pushing for more. They've proven that they can get away with so much so why the hell not?

I want the industry to try this. I hope they do because it will just hasten the second videogame industry crash. Yeah, it'll work, but in the long run it will just shrink the industry down even more and speed up its demise. It's time for the "hardcore" idiots who dictate what console gaming is about and have allowed the industry to become the monster that it is to go the way of the Dodo. When they're gone and have become irrelevant then maybe gaming can build itself up again as a truly mainstream hobby.

Console videogaming has become oppressive. Everywhere you turn there is some sort of scheme that tries to usurp your rights as a consumer or rip you off - usually both. It's scary knowing that it's only going to get worse, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel if it means the industry crashes and is forced to reset itself. That is my hope, and why I want all of these stupid things to take effect. The faster the second crash happens the faster things can improve for all of us.