Sony has patented a new disc-tagging technology that will hypothetically stop gamers from playing pre-owned games on the PlayStation 4.
According to NeoGAF member gofreak and reported first by IGN, Sony's patent application was filed on Dec. 9 by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, and works by associating an individual game discs to a gamer's user account without an internet connection being necessary.
The patent states that contactless tags will be attached to games and will be read by the console. The tag will be matched with the user's account and stored on the tag, meaning every time the disc is used in the future, the tag will check to see if the ID's match. If the IDs do not match up, the game disc will not work.
According to IGN's report, the document explains that the technology is part of Sony's efforts to discourage second-hand or used video game sales. The tags are simpler solution than always-on DRM or some form of password.
Sony has not confirmed the new technology and the patent document does not mention what video game console the device will be used in. IGN attempted to reach Sony for comment, but was told the company doesn't comment on rumor and speculation.
As IGN points out, the devices potential raises many question including what the ID tags mean for video game rentals, homes with multiple system and of course bring the game to the home of a friend.
The technology would prevent GameStop, Best Buy and other retailers from selling used video games and gamers from getting a few dollars for games that they do not necessarily like.
The next generation of Microsoft's Xbox has also been rumored to feature a technology that can prevent the use of used video games on the system. Last January, several sources told game site Kotaku that Microsoft intends to incorporate this anti-used game technology as part of the potential Xbox 720.
Kotaku speculated that this could be achieve by linking a game to a specific Xbox Live account, but that gamers would easily be able to avoid this by not connecting their system to the Internet.
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