14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Online Entertainment, the publisher of the MMO DC Universe Online, has confirmed that those who pick up the game at retail for the PlayStation 3 cannot resell or trade the disk because a second-hand gamer has no way of tying the actual disk to a new game account.
The new system means that any one disk of DC Universe Online can only be used with the first account that was set up to use it.
The move seems designed to limit the second-hand market for DC Universe Online and generated more sales directly from Sony.
The PC version of DC Universe Online is not at the moment affected by the system.
The site Lazygamer, which first reported the limitations for the PS3 version of DC Universe Online, has received a response from Sony, saying, “Once the PSN key has been consumed with a disc, it cannot be resold/replayed with the second user.”
The Sony representative added, “Only the original consumer can use that. Disc and account are one.”
The problem with the system and the idea that Sony Online Entertainment is using is that, usually, an MMO aims to generate profit from the monthly subscription and not from the actual sale of the retail package.
The focus on the initial sale could mean that Sony is somewhat worried about the long-term survivability of DC Universe Online and it is trying to make its money as quickly as possible, mainly by eliminating second-hand sales.
DC Universe Online has been quite a success for Sony and the company is saying that close to half of those who have bought the game are currently picking it up to play on the PlayStation 3, with the rest choosing to game on the PC.
It remains to be seen whether the same balance will hold in the long term when players discover that they cannot resell their DC Universe Online package.