News: Serial keys may come to PS3 games

According to a recent article published on Dutch website PSX-Sense, Sony may be preparing to introduce serial keys to future PlayStation 3 game releases.

The keys will function in the same way as serial keys on current PC titles do, requiring the user to enter the unique key before they can install the game. In this case though, the code will only be able to be used with up to five consoles.

The move comes as Sony continues to fight a losing battle against hackers, who have already succeeded in breaking down the PS3's security system in its entirety.

And while adding serial keys to games might result in a temporary setback for pirates, they will surely be able to find a way around it. PC titles all contain serial keys and this has hardly stopped piracy.

At the end of the day it seems that the measure will have more negative effects on legitimate game owners than on pirates themselves. If Sony introduces this measure it would mean entering long codes into your PS3 every time you want to play a new game, with the controller hardly making this an easy process.

More importantly, it would mean a virtual end to the days of lending out games between friends, as your copy will only be able to be enjoyed on so many machines.

It would also spell an end to the second hand PlayStation 3 games market, which would in turn have a huge effect on gaming retailers the world over who depend on the revenue from these sales.

One of the only things left that makes gaming on the consoles easier than gaming on the PC is serial keys and the ability to easily play games on any PS3, no matter who it belongs to.

We believe Sony has to be very careful on how they proceed, as they could very well alienate a large portion of its player base (as well as simple game sales) by implementing this measure. Wouldn't this just make piracy more appealing, Sony?

Serial keys may come to PS3 games

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