PlayStation 4 DRM policies get a bit more complex


Recommended Posts

Seems to be the Xbox fans which are invading PS4 threads trying to drag them down and giving them 1 stars. Shame it doesn't log who votes things down, I would be interested to see who keeps doing it.

well you and Audioboxer have been doing it for years on the Xbox side so why complain.

It's also funny how you both removed your forum pic at the same time and now you both are sporting them again at the same time. Some coordination there.

You can keep playing them as long as you're a PS+ sub. Same as this gen. You do not need to have an internet connection to play PS+ games. When downloaded a time bomb is attached to them, that is the length of time you have left on your sub. Obviously if you resub that is extended.

In other words, you do need intermittent connection to keep playing those free games. Got it.

It's exactly like the xbox minus 24 hour check. Everything is left to the publisher.

http://www.polygon.c...r-own-drm-terms

not "exactly" like. the PS4 is NOT backed by an API that will block games that are played on other consoles without the original owner logging in. this isnt happening.

well you and Audioboxer have been doing it for years on the Xbox side so why complain.

It's also funny how you both removed your forum pic at the same time and now you both are sporting them again at the same time. Some coordination there.

Ignoring the fact that I've had a 360 longer than PS3, I had it from launch till 2011. I hardly go into Xbox forums, other than recently because of E3, so don't know how you come to the conclusion I have been doing it for years.

I like that you think it is some kind of conspiracy or collusion. I removed it because I got whined at by Xbox fans. Now you guys are tasting bitter tears I thought it would be funny to sport one again.

In other words, you do need intermittent connection to keep playing those free games. Got it.

How else would you insert a PlayStation plus code or subscribe from the PS Store?

You don't need an online connection to play the games, but obviously if your sub runs out how else can you resub?

Ignoring the fact that I've had a 360 longer than PS3, I had it from launch till 2011. I hardly go into Xbox forums, other than recently because of E3, so don't know how you come to the conclusion I have been doing it for years.

I like that you think it is some kind of conspiracy or collusion. I removed it because I got whined at by Xbox fans. Now you guys are tasting bitter tears I thought it would be funny to sport one again.

well audio for years and you as long as I can remember in recent years. Your avatar changes are funny coincidence no need to get defensive on that.

How else would you insert a PlayStation plus code or subscribe from the PS Store?

You don't need an online connection to play the games, but obviously if your sub runs out how else can you resub?

If the games are free, why do you need to validate PS+ if you stop subscribing?

well audio for years and you as long as I can remember in recent years. Your avatar changes are funny coincidence no need to get defensive on that.

You are the one getting defensive trying to imply that we put them on at the same time for a reason.

If the games are free, why do you need to validate PS+ if you stop subscribing?

Because you don't get to keep them once you stop subscribing, it's not rocket science to figure out so stop trying to bait him into saying something you can scoff at, it's pathetic.

Because you don't get to keep them once you stop subscribing, it's not rocket science to figure out so stop trying to bait him into saying something you can scoff at, it's pathetic.

why are you meddling in a pretty normal back and forth between me and Audio?

As I've been saying....

People think it's publishers who pushed Microsoft into DRM, Microsoft thought up the cloud processing as the sugar that helps you swallow the bitter pill of DRM which is the only reason they thought it up.

Are you going to stop spreading FUD like mixing up two entirely different systems like the cloud processing and the DRM. they're not the same thing, they don't run on the same servers, they don't even run on the same server platform, one runs on the XBL servers the other runs on the Azure platform.

one is there to make sure the fully digital distribution of games isn't abused while giving you all the benefits you can from a digital system.

and your claim that MS pushed it on the publisher is as ridiculous as it's picked out of the sky. MS wanted a digital distribution system with disks as an alternate distribution to keep the retail happy and alive and so people can get the games right away without downloads if they have slow lines. they also wanted people to have certain freedoms in this digital system, like being able to share the games with the family, lend it to friends and so on. in order to provide this, publishers demand DRM. MS designed a system with the freedom to keep the players happy and the restrictions necessary to keep publishers happy.

and no the DRM has nothing to do with the cloud. so stop making stuff up already. This is almost as bad as when you made up the rumor that Forza 5 wasn't full HD and 60 despite it already being confirmed. your lying isn't helping your credibility any.

I think it's hilarious how certain people are trying to sabotage the PS4, even at the worst case it's FAR better than XB1 situation.

You mean like. making up rumors, spreading FUD that has already been debunked... yeah... why would people do that... I'm asking you.

Are you going to stop spreading FUD like mixing up two entirely different systems like the cloud processing and the DRM. they're not the same thing, they don't run on the same servers, they don't even run on the same server platform, one runs on the XBL servers the other runs on the Azure platform.

one is there to make sure the fully digital distribution of games isn't abused while giving you all the benefits you can from a digital system.

and your claim that MS pushed it on the publisher is as ridiculous as it's picked out of the sky. MS wanted a digital distribution system with disks as an alternate distribution to keep the retail happy and alive and so people can get the games right away without downloads if they have slow lines. they also wanted people to have certain freedoms in this digital system, like being able to share the games with the family, lend it to friends and so on. in order to provide this, publishers demand DRM. MS designed a system with the freedom to keep the players happy and the restrictions necessary to keep publishers happy.

and no the DRM has nothing to do with the cloud. so stop making stuff up already. This is almost as bad as when you made up the rumor that Forza 5 wasn't full HD and 60 despite it already being confirmed. your lying isn't helping your credibility any.

I know they are freaking different, my point was they are using the cloud as added value to disguise the fact that it is DR FREAKING M. No one would accept DRM if it didn't have added value hence why they are letting you share games and such.

Believe what you want, the sun shines out of Microsofts ass I get it. The very fact PS4 has no DRM is fact that publishers weren't pushing Microsoft.

well audio for years and you as long as I can remember in recent years. Your avatar changes are funny coincidence no need to get defensive on that.

Well he said my avatar and sig made me a fanboy for the little period where he removed his PS sigatar, so I guess his change back to PS sigatar means according to his own statements....

I know they are freaking different, my point was they are using the cloud as added value to disguise the fact that it is DR FREAKING M.

NO, they are not. they are very clearly separating the DRM and digital copies of the game issue from the cloud computing, YOU are the only people who are making this ridiculous claim.

They are using the benefits of a fully digital distribution as a defense for the DRM. not the cloud. the cloud computing is being marketed on it's own. it's only been stated that for a few games, you need to be online anyway to take advantage of the cloud computing, not in defense of the DRM. like Forza 5, to drive against other people's drivatars you need to be online. being offline you lose a lot of the advantages that the cloud offers. this has nothing to do with the DRM, just about being online and the cloud.

Just because they don't run on the same servers doesn't mean it wasn't implemented as a form of DRM.

Do you really think people would just accept it if there wasn't any cloud computing or benefits such as not having a disc in the drive?

Hard not to be a fanboy in the face of such disgusting anti-consumerism coming from Microsoft, just because they added a couple of features doesn't mean you should bend over and take it.

I don't feel like I'm bending over and taking anything. I get a lot of benefits. I can play my games on my console in the living room, the upstairs living room, at my mothers on the xbox there. I can switch games instantly and flip between games without juggling disk until I decide what game I want to play when I'm in that kind of undecided mood. my GF can play games from my library on the upstairs xbox when I'm downstairs. My cousins can share in my library. I can digitally lend games to and from my friends. I can digitally rent games from OnePlay. I don't need to worry about scratched disks.

For that I'll gladly trade a 24 hour online check that can still be abused to make me and my GF play the same game at the same time for as long as we want on our two xboxes, all I need to do is be offline on the main one.

your defintiion of bending over and taking it is missing a key ingredient. it would imply there are no benefits. when there's a basket full of them.

Just because they don't run on the same servers doesn't mean it wasn't implemented as a form of DRM.

Do you really think people would just accept it if there wasn't any cloud computing or benefits such as not having a disc in the drive?

OMG. of course it does. you can play Forza 5 without online, but you won't get the Drivatars(if you've seen the less capable previous generations of them, you know they are pretty damn awesome, far better than driving against the on the rails with random "driving errors" opponents you get in every other racer). That is nothing to do with DRM. that is an online function. Are you calling the floating blobs in Fable 3 and the other online players in Test Drive unlimited DRM as well ?

DRM is DRM, online functionality is online functionality.

Also not having a disc in the drive IS a benefit, among the other such as the sharing and such. that's kind of the point isn't it. it isn't online drm for the sake of it. the DRM is there BECAUSE you don't need the disc in the drive, BECAUSE you can share games. NOT the other way around.

Hard not to be a fanboy in the face of such disgusting anti-consumerism coming from Microsoft, just because they added a couple of features doesn't mean you should bend over and take it.

well you are ok with paying for previously-free online play - so why blame him? Aren't you "bending over and taking it"?

I already said I am very disappointed that they have chosen to go pay to play online.

OMG. of course it does. you can play Forza 5 without online, but you won't get the Drivatars(if you've seen the less capable previous generations of them, you know they are pretty damn awesome, far better than driving against the on the rails with random "driving errors" opponents you get in every other racer). That is nothing to do with DRM. that is an online function. Are you calling the floating blobs in Fable 3 and the other online players in Test Drive unlimited DRM as well ?

Good lord, I know they are different functionality wise, but cloud computing is just a trojan horse to force the DRM onto players, reading comprehension is great.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • Microsoft Weekly: 5 years of Windows 11, more support for Windows 10, and expensive Xbox by Taras Buria This week's news recap is here, with Microsoft giving Windows 10 one more year of support, Windows 11 getting new taskbar settings in preview updates, Steam Machine prices, higher XBOX prices, and many more. Quick links: Windows 10 and 11 Windows Insider Program Updates are available Reviews are in Gaming news Great deals to check Windows 11 and Windows 10 Here, we talk about everything happening around Microsoft's latest operating system in the Stable channel and preview builds: new features, removed features, controversies, bugs, interesting findings, and more. And, of course, you may find a word or two about older versions. On June 24, 2026, Windows 11 turned five. The controversial operating system was released half a decade ago, and during these years, it received a fair share of criticism (such as poor Windows Search and its web results), which Microsoft is now actively addressing with regular preview updates that deliver missing, long-requested features. With Windows 12 nowhere to be seen on the horizon, it will be interesting to see if Windows 11 can stay on the market for as long as Windows 10 did. Speaking of Windows 10 and staying on the market, this week, Microsoft quietly prolonged the Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10, allowing users to get one more year of security updates if they do not want or cannot upgrade to Windows 11. Finally, Microsoft released this month's non-security update for Windows 11. KB5095093 arrived with a traditionally long list of new features, including point-in-time restore, new Windows Update settings, quieter Windows Widgets, new accessibility features, File Explorer updates and performance improvements, and more. Windows Insider Program Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week: Builds Canary Channel Build 29617.1000 and build 28120.2374 These builds bring new accessibility features, new Windows Update controls, audio improvements, and more. Dev Channel Build 26300.8758 This build includes redesigned taskbar settings, File Explorer improvements, and more. Beta Channel Build 26220.8754 and build 28020.2366 This small update fixes the OneDrive bug in File Explorer, tweaks system sounds in dark mode, and more. Updates are available This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updates (released and coming soon) delivering new features, security fixes, improvements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third parties. If you use AI-powered browsing history search in Microsoft Edge, the company has bad news. A new update on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap revealed that Microsoft is discontinuing the feature. Despite using on-device models for natural search, some users found it creepy, claiming that Microsoft lacks trust in features like this. While the ability to find pages without using 100% precise words may sound cool, customers argued that it was nothing but another feature to bloat the browser with more AI. Good riddance? PowerToys received several updates this week. For one, Microsoft released version 0.100.1 with several improvements and bug fixes for the recently arrived version 0.100. A couple of days later, Microsoft dropped another update, this time fixing memory leaks in Command Palette Dock. In addition, the company is working on a new module that will make it easier to switch between windows within one application using the Alt + ` shortcut. The new module should make it to the stable release somewhere soon. Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting: New Ventoy update adds Windows 11's mandatory update support and more Microsoft updates Visual Studio Code with chat cost tracking and multi-agent chats Microsoft is building an AI datacenter that "uses less water than a fast food restaurant" Microsoft adds new AI study and teaching tools for free to Microsoft 365 Education Researchers claim Microsoft's quantum breakthrough is flawed by basic Python errors Microsoft is bringing a much-needed Recap app to Teams Microsoft's fast coding model, MAI-Code-1-Flash, comes to Copilot Business and Enterprise Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week: AMD Radeon Software 26.6.2 with FSR 4.1 support for RDNA 3 graphics card. However, the driver contained a bug, which prevented installations on Windows 10 PCs. AMD fixed that with a quick hotfix update. Reviews are in Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week This week, Steven Parker published several reviews. He shared his experience with the Creative Sound Blaster AE-X PCIe, a high-quality sound card with a headphone amp, low-latency communications, great build quality, and DSD256. However, it is on the pricier side of the spectrum, and it lacks EMI shielding. Check out the full review here. The second review is about the TerraMaster F4-425 Pro, an octa-core Intel NAS with a stand-out feature: built-in AI (OpenClaw). We also published a few Hands On reviews, which you can view below: We check out the SKG PS700 Neck Massager SKG Hand Massager with Heat OS500 hands on Hands-on with BOOX Tappy: cute little reading accessory Hands on with the ProtoArc EM25 affordable ergonomic mouse On the gaming side Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more. If you plan to purchase a new Xbox, it's time to act now. This week, Microsoft announced yet another Xbox price increase. Starting August 1, 2026, all Xbox Series X|S models with 512 GB of storage will cost $100 more. As for the 1TB models, they are going up in price by a whopping $150. Finally, Microsoft is discontinuing the 2TB Xbox Series X. To make up for that, Microsoft announced a few programs to make its consoles more accessible. Those include BNPL, interest-free financing, pre-owned consoles, certified refurbished consoles, and more. Valve also shared some not-so-welcome news. The company has finally announced prices of the upcoming Steam Machine console, and if you plan to buy one, get ready to spend a whopping $1,049 on the 512GB configuration. The Steam Machine is now available for preorder, with shipments scheduled for June 29, 2026. Grand Theft Auto VI also received its official price tag. Rockstar Games announced that the long-anticipated game will launch at $79.99 for the base edition and $99.99 for the ultimate edition. The latter includes an exclusive collection of premium vehicles, weapons, apparel, and action threaded across all aspects of Jason and Lucia’s story." Those who preorder the game will get extra bonuses, including a Vintage Vice City Pack of cosmetic items as well as a free month of GTA+. NVIDIA announced new games for its GeForce NOW streaming service. Those include Dark Scrolls, SAND: Raiders of Sophie, Deer & Boy, EMPULSE, and more. Steam is running its annual Summer Sale, during which you can purchase plenty of various games with big discounts. It runs until July 9, so in case you missed it, you can still get some games at a lower price. Also, you can get two games for free in the Epic Games Store, plus more deals are available in this week's Weekend PC Game Deals issue. This link will take you to other issues of the Microsoft Weekly series. You can also support Neowin by registering for a free member account or subscribing for extra member benefits, along with an ad-free tier option.
    • Text extractor hasn't been working great on 0.99.1 but I am now updating to this version, hopefully it's better!
    • Yet you did exactly what they wanted you to do - is it better now without "Europrats"? BTW, UK had joined EU (EEC back then) and was one of the leading member states, it never joined Schengen Zone though 😉
    • Weekend PC Game Deals: Steam Summer Sale 2026 Edition by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe Weekend PC Game Deals is where the hottest gaming deals from all over the internet are gathered into one place every week for your consumption. So kick back, relax, and hold on to your wallets. The Epic Games Store's freebie offer brought two more games to keep this week too. What you can grab this time are copies of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition and Voidwrought. Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 is an enhanced version of the classic title that comes with enhancements like widescreen and 1080p resolution support. Its two expansion packs are included here too. Meanwhile, Voidwrought is a 2D action-platformer with tight platforming and high-speed combat against cosmic horrors. The double giveaway is slated to last until July 2. On the same day, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream and River City Girls 2 will take the same freebie spot. The Humble Store introduced a couple of new game bundles earlier this week. The Going Rogue collection begins with Rogue Legacy, UnderMine, and None Shall Intrude in the starting tier for $5. If you pay the $10 it's asking to complete the bundle, you also get copies of Brutal Orchestra, Moros Protocol, Nightmare Reaper, Home Behind 2, and Lynked: Banner of the Spark. If it's fighting games you're looking for, the new Arc System Works Evo bundle is carrying plenty. The three tiers of this bundle that go up to $20 carry games like Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code, GUILTY GEAR Xrd REV 2, KILL la KILL - IF, Blazblue Cross Tag Battle, Guilty Gear -STRIVE-, Blazblue CentralFiction, and more. Big Deals One of the biggest sale events of the year, the Steam Summer Sale, has just kicked off, and that means almost every PC game available is now featuring discounts. We have plenty of games for you to look over in our special hand-picked big deals list for the weekend below: Baldur's Gate 3 – $44.99 on Steam Anno 117: Pax Romana – $41.99 on Steam S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl – $41.99 on Steam Indiana Jones and the Great Circle – $41.99 on Steam NINJA GAIDEN 4 – $41.99 on Steam Dying Light: The Beast – $39.59 on Steam Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR'S CUT – $35.99 on Steam Battlefield 6 – $34.99 on Steam Cities: Skylines II – $34.99 on Steam The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered – $34.99 on Steam The Outer Worlds 2 – $34.99 on Steam Borderlands 4 – $34.99 on Steam Sid Meier's Civilization VII – $34.99 on Steam Mafia: The Old Country – $34.99 on Steam Split Fiction – $32.49 on Steam Assassin’s Creed Shadows – $31.49 on Steam HELLDIVERS 2 – $29.99 on Steam Diablo IV – $29.99 on Steam ARC Raiders – $29.99 on Steam Forza Horizon 5 – $29.99 on Steam Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition – $29.99 on Steam No Rest for the Wicked – $27.99 on Steam Metaphor: ReFantazio – $27.99 on Steam Ready or Not – $24.99 on Steam Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – $23.99 on Steam No Man's Sky – $23.99 on Steam Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered – $23.99 on Steam DOOM: The Dark Ages – $23.09 on Steam Mewgenics – $22.49 on Steam Persona 3 Reload – $20.99 on Steam Hades II – $20.99 on Steam Two Point Museum – $20.09 on Steam Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord – $19.99 on Steam God of War – $19.99 on Steam Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader – $19.99 on Steam Returnal – $19.79 on Steam Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – $17.99 on Steam Cyberpunk 2077 – $17.99 on Steam Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora – $17.99 on Steam Star Wars Outlaws – $17.49 on Steam REPLACED – $15.99 on Steam Days Gone – $15.99 on Steam Age of Mythology: Retold – $14.99 on Steam Crusader Kings III – $14.99 on Steam Red Dead Redemption 2 – $14.99 on Steam Half-Life: Alyx – $14.99 on Steam Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced – $14.99 on Steam EA SPORTS FC 26 – $13.99 on Steam The Crew Motorfest – $13.99 on Steam Sea of Thieves: 2026 Edition – $13.99 on Steam Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition – $13.99 on Steam Dead Cells – $12.49 on Steam Schedule I – $11.99 on Steam BioShock: The Collection – $11.99 on Steam Fable Anniversary – $11.54 on Steam Hearts of Iron IV – $9.99 on Steam Kerbal Space Program – $9.99 on Steam Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands – $9.99 on Steam The Riftbreaker – $8.99 on Steam Stardew Valley – $8.99 on Steam Total War: WARHAMMER III – $8.99 on Steam Sons Of The Forest – $8.99 on Steam Assassin's Creed Origins – $8.99 on Steam Risk of Rain 2 – $8.24 on Steam Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 – $7.49 on Steam Call of Duty: Modern Warfare® II – $6.99 on Steam CONTROL Ultimate Edition – $5.99 on Steam Dead Space – $5.99 on Steam The Quarry – $5.99 on Steam RV There Yet? – $5.59 on Steam Euro Truck Simulator 2 – $4.99 on Steam Terraria – $4.99 on Steam PEAK – $4.95 on Steam Detroit: Become Human – $3.99 on Steam Far Cry 3 – $3.99 on Steam A Plague Tale: Innocence – $3.99 on Steam The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – $3.99 on Steam Assetto Corsa Competizione – $3.99 on Steam PAYDAY 2 – $2.99 on Steam Wreckfest – $2.99 on Steam Rain World – $2.49 on Steam Watch_Dogs 2 – $2.49 on Steam Planet Zoo – $2.24 on Steam Bendy and the Dark Revival – $1.99 on Steam CARRION – $1.99 on Steam The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth – $1.49 on Steam Plague Inc: Evolved – $1.49 on Steam Don't Starve Together – $1.49 on Steam Metro 2033 Redux – $0.99 on Steam Hotline Miami – $0.99 on Steam RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 Complete Edition – $0 on Epic Store Voidwrought – $0 on Epic Store DRM-free Specials The GOG store is in the middle of its own summer sale. Here are some highlights from the DRM-free store: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - $39.99 on GOG Hollow Knight: Silksong - $14.99 on GOG Resident Evil Bundle - $12.49 on GOG Tomb Raider I-III Remastered Starring Lara Croft - $11.99 on GOG Alpha Protocol - $9.99 on GOG Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines™ - $9.99 on GOG Fallout: New Vegas Ultimate Edition - $9.99 on GOG Disco Elysium - The Final Cut - $9.99 on GOG Dino Crisis Bundle - $8.49 on GOG Cold Fear - $8.25 on GOG Star Trek: Armada II - $7.49 on GOG Star Trek: Starfleet Command III - $7.49 on GOG Warhammer: Dark Omen - $7.49 on GOG Hollow Knight - $7.49 on GOG Mortal Kombat Trilogy - $6.49 on GOG Soldier of Fortune: Platinum Edition - $6.49 on GOG Heroes of Might and Magic 3: Complete - $4.99 on GOG SWAT 4: Gold Edition - $4.99 on GOG RollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Triple Thrill Pack - $4.99 on GOG Stranglehold - $4.99 on GOG ANSTOSS 3: Der Fußballmanager - $4.79 on GOG Firewatch - $3.99 on GOG Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom - $2.99 on GOG Myst Masterpiece Edition - $2.99 on GOG Settlers 3: Ultimate Collection - $2.49 on GOG World in Conflict: Complete Edition - $2.49 on GOG Keep in mind that availability and pricing for some deals could vary depending on the region. That's it for our pick of this weekend's PC game deals, and hopefully, some of you have enough self-restraint not to keep adding to your ever-growing backlogs. As always, there are an enormous number of other deals ready and waiting all over the interwebs, as well as on services you may already subscribe to if you comb through them, so keep your eyes open for those, and have a great weekend.
    • Yup, that's a doozy right there 😄
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      flexorcist earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Woland13 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Woland13 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Year In
      bernmeister earned a badge
      One Year In
    • Week One Done
      Scoobystu earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      502
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      226
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      158
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      75
    5. 5
      FloatingFatMan
      71
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!