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Can Sony Really Ban Users Without PlayStation Network Access?

There's an editorial circulating that Sony could put the kibosh on hacked PlayStation 3 consoles without PlayStation Network access at any time. The piece conflates speculation about what Sony might do with what they might be able to do, and comes in the wake of news that Sony is suing the hackers responsible for reverse-enginering the PS3's core security routines and offering a root-level workaround that allows users to sign and execute code indiscriminately.

SeanScythe5650d ago

I like how people defending this try and make up stuff to make it sound like it's nothing. Look at one of the comments on that site.

"If you replace an engine in a car does it stop working?" Uh no but you void any warrenty and the Manufacture doesn't have to be responsible for it anymore either.

Guess what if you put stuff on the car that's illegal then you can't drive on the road with it legally. You can still try but if you get caught your car is impounded.

Sony is both the Manufacture and the law on their road(PSN) so if they catch you doing something you're not supposed to be doing they can kick you off and lock out your modded PS3.

ct035650d ago

Piracy is illegal. Installing a custom firmware is not.
If I replace my car seats with a different brand I'm still allowed to drive on public roads.

fail0verflow5650d ago (Edited 5650d ago )

an article responding to not confirmed information? this is enough

/@ct03, downloading mp3's in my country is 100% legal, don't know about yours

koehler835650d ago

What's legal in your country doesn't stand everywhere else in the world.

Peppino75650d ago

I can't see SONY banning without PSN access because the hacked ps3s don't know they're hacked. PSN might be able to tell. Unless SONY isn't just using a scare tactic, and using a firmware update(which has been said to be useless), I can't see SONY bricking/banning anyone. But... I don't work for them so who knows???

DJMarty5650d ago

CFW is illegal cos to make a CFW they had to reverse engineer Sonys code which is illegal, not to mention using parts of Sonys firmware code for the CFW itself which is also illegal. Also all SDK and Service tools are copyrighted too.

joeorc5650d ago (Edited 5650d ago )

"Piracy is illegal. Installing a custom firmware is not."

custom firmware is illegal unless you do not use any of the owners copyrighted code an not just the code but any real semblance of the visual makeup of the program.

IE: just adding "install packge"
to the XMB would still be illegal for you to copy an distribute. it is still copyright infringement. you would have to change everything about the XMB. an not just the color. the sound. ETC.
there is a big thing about that, yes you can put in new seats or new tires or even tinted windows, but unless they pass an inspection by the police you can be handed a ticket.

for instance if your car sits too high off the road you can be handed a ticket.

if the seats you put in blocks a rear view view you can be tickted.

ExplosionSauce5650d ago

Modding it will only void your warranty.

As long as you stay offline, you won't run into trouble.

ct035650d ago

You are both wrong, and the outcome of this legal battle will prove it.

gamingdroid5650d ago

There is no way for Sony to ban your PS3 from PSN, unless they figure out that you have a custom firmware.

The only way that could happen is if a) custom firmware contains some code to tell Sony b) Sony picks it up from some other parts of Sony software i.e. their games/applications to thwart all of that, don't connect to the PSN and your problem is solved.

Of course, I would rather enjoy my PS3 un-modded until I see some really cool homebrew.

SeanScythe5650d ago

No that's no different then putting stickers on the PS3, but when you start messing with the hardware and software in a way that it wasn't intended to be used then you have a problem.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5650d ago
madpuppy5650d ago

Who cares, as long as they are not on PSN that is good enough for me. PSN doesn't need a community of scumbag cheaters ruining multiplayer gaming for the honest customer that buys his games.

Kewl_Kat5650d ago

Thank you! Let the pirates download their games. The games they pirate are the ones they weren't planning on buying anyway. Just don't let them access PSN, 'cause they've already leached off sony and now they're gonna ruin other gamers' online fun?

cemelc5650d ago (Edited 5650d ago )

@Kewl_Kat

Dude almost every game now has some sort of online youre missing a lot, and i mean A LOT from not doing so.

Since the typical douchebag pirate is hiding in the fact tht they are modding their consoles(and since law protect them from companies...usually), the devs are simply investing more in online to screw with them, thats the best antipiracy method there is. You dont buy??? well you just miss all the replay value in the game.

In ten year from now you will barely see a non online game

Look at cod that game is not even worth the case without online.

cemelc5650d ago (Edited 5650d ago )

Sry for double post.

Didnt read well Kewl_Kat post

He is right.

bigevilworldwide5649d ago

Too late though they are already infecting games. MW2 and black ops are really bad now with people that don't die even though you unload a clip into their face from 2 ft away or they shoot you through walls from across the map one guy got a tactical nuke in mw2 in the first 15 seconds of a match.

madpuppy5649d ago

@bigevilworldwide,

It may be happening but, that doesn't mean that Sony won't start hardware banning these sacks of useless garbage.

I really Hope that Sony man's Up and kicks these losers in the balls. I mean, C'mon! why bother playing a game on line at all if you are going to cheat? what benefit is there to it? If you cheat to win a game you really didn't win anything and everybody knows it. If you collect every trophy without actually doing anything to win them they are useless.

You are just a legend in your own mind. to everybody else your an idiot poser.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5649d ago
Blaze9295650d ago

hey, if they can, I'm sure they would have done a few by now and we would have heard about it.

Just sayin'. Less talk more proof in the action Sony.

/kanyeshrug

cemelc5650d ago (Edited 5650d ago )

If they could theyll probably wait for a million ppl to mod their ps3 and do a ban wave, but NO, in Blaze929 imaginary world is impossible to do so.

Its not even worth the effort of crushing your also imaginary ps3, and the 30 other muppets that want to pirate games... no wait i remember you call it homebrew right???.

Youre a joke and your FailOverHero dupe account is also a joke.

Blaze9295650d ago

Duplicate account? What the heck do you be going on about sometimes? U are so weird lmao I swear. Funny ass dude you are.

cemelc5650d ago (Edited 5650d ago )

From all my post the only thing you defend is likehood of the duplicate account???? (witch could be true btw). LOL

No argument at all.

SephireX5650d ago

Sure downloading free stuff is illegal but its so easy to avoid getting caught. PSN doesn't matter a damn. Fact is, pirates can buy another console and still save money by getting offline games for free. Most games have most of their value offline anyway. Though also expect hackers to formulate ways of avoidng detection. Its easy to play on xbox live with a modded dvd drive without being detected apparently so what's to stop hackers here?

Druarc5650d ago

But that's when games start coming out with Requires internet connection to play even with no multiplayer, to force checking.

HolyOrangeCows5650d ago

So long as they ban the hackers/cheaters online, I'll be satisfied.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5649d ago
trounbyfire5650d ago

i "think" the ps3 even when signed out of PSN is connected to Sony. If you have internet to your PS3 then it is communicating some how to sony.

can sony send updated with out you being logged in who knows. They could in theory send a update that makes it so it shows log in and update in order to do anything. so even if you don't have internet you would have to go online and get the update.

just thinking

UltimateIdiot9115650d ago

It is connected even if you're not signed on to PSN. That's how the What's new get updated and to my memory, you can get the updates without being signed on.

Gothdom5650d ago

well, that's also how you get "you need to update to the latest firmware" message. As long as the machine is somehow linked to the internet, it doesn't need to be logged in the PSN.

bananlol5650d ago

Connecting it to the internet and not using psn seems kinda redundant to me. I mean the web browser is fucking horrible. That said sony must do something about the people that manipulate network code, like the cod video. Now people complain about piracy but thats the real problem, its fucking unaccepable. I mean if pirate a game thats just really a potential loss to the developers and sony, but if i use hacks online and ruin for people who actually bought it, well thats just plane evil. Played a lot of halo 3 about 2 years ago and sometime me and some friends used to run into these "lagswitches" and that was annoying as hell. But this... it doesnt even compare.

Corrwin5650d ago

It's not like there isn't enough room on BluRay disks to contain code to detect hacks and brick the console.

Nicaragua5650d ago

errrm i would think that the people who might be playing pirated games wouldnt be using offical Sony Blu-Ray disks which contain some kind of console bricking software.

Dark_king5650d ago

Then they just need the data hidden within the game data.Think they couldn't work it so the actually game engine could detect and disable a PS3.

Amplitude5650d ago

@Dark_king:

Loooool. Yeah, cause they wouldn't find a way around the most simple thing ever. xD

Dark_king5650d ago

@Axecution really Im thinking something like LBP2's engine actually scanning the PS3 for hacked files.If any were there it could just lock you out of the OS permanently.Then the hackers have to find and edit the entire game engine before they could release a digital copy for people to play.

Corrwin5649d ago

@nicaragua

True, but what if the protection was built into the game itself?

Like Batman's ability to glide in pirated versions of Arkham Asylum, or a lack of any instructions or tutorials in pirated Zelda Spirit Tracks.

All it takes is for SONY to get the devs to add it to their games, and since the highest rated games on PS3 are it's exclusives by 1st or 2nd parties, it wouldn't be difficult.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5649d ago
CYBERSNAKE5650d ago

I remember when my PS3 got banned for 1 month for gamesharing.
When I phoned up Sony about it. They knew I got 8 User accounts on my PS3 even though 3 of them were never registerd to PSN.
So yeah I do think Sony can ban you without PSN access.

Vegetom5650d ago

Did Sony ban you for that reason? That's just sad :')

AssassinHD5650d ago

Why is it sad? The ToS is pretty clear about the licensing restrictions and it states clearly that you are not allowed to share your account information (which you have to do in order to game share).

CYBERSNAKE5650d ago

To be honest I didn't know gamesharing was not allowed, loads of my friends used to do it. we never realised it was illegal until we were suspended, then Sony explained it to me on the phone. (I don't really read the terms and condition thing anyway, infact I dont think anyone does)

Dart895650d ago

Wait so we can get banned for gamesharing?I'm at least game sharing with 4 buddies of mine but i've never been banned.

CYBERSNAKE5650d ago

Yeah I was gamesharing for months too, but I got banned as soon as I started sharing the inFamous demo which I recieved before everyone else cos' I pre ordered it. I guess that caught Sony's attention
But I've noticed people still do it, I guess I was unlucky

Corrwin5649d ago

The TOS say you can share with up to 5 other machines, 3 in some cases.

it's for people who have more than one PS3 (or a PSP, or an internet-enabled SONY TV, they count as shareable devices) in their homes.

It's ok if you share maybe one or two with a buddy - I've shared a few game with my younger brother who's still in school. I'd be happy to gift them, but SONY have yet to enable that on the store.

ALFAxD_CENTAURO5650d ago

Thanks for the Info.

Didn't know that, and I was decided to share Dead Nation to a friend.

Apotheosize5650d ago

So..they dont connect to the internet? Then what? youre free

Show all comments (65)
80°

(For Southeast Asia) New Price Changes for PS5, PS5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal remote player

For Southeast Asia, new price changes.

Prices effective starting May 1st, 2026.

Read Full Story >>
blog.playstation.com
67d ago Replies(1)
BeHunted67d ago

Looks like PlayStation took a hit with Marathon and is now quietly adjusting prices worldwide to recover the losses

andy8567d ago

Lets be honest raising prices doesn't do that when no one's buying it. I imagine the profit it greater selling 10 times more at a lower price

Pergele66d ago

Whatever you say buddy, let's all wear the tinfoil hats.

IceKoldKilla66d ago (Edited 66d ago )

LMFAO Your comment alone says a lot more about you than anything else. When has one game not selling 10 million copies made a company raise the prices of their console? Then Xbox would be costing $5000 by now lol. You remind of the crazy drug addicts on the street rambling on about conspiracies. xD You sure you don't need a hug, buddy?

ChunkyMonk66d ago

One game that Sony payed $200 million for. lol
Also, you sure were quick to get triggered. Maybe your the one who needs a hug?

Eonjay66d ago

If nothing else, we should be united against the real issue here. AI and unnecessary tariffs that are effecting all gamers.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 66d ago
Athlon10167d ago (Edited 67d ago )

The price increases are due to the RAM demand associated with AI and the US-Iran war. You can look to any business news website and local news to see that. Heck, even the 2026 Asus Zenbook Duo I've been eyeing has faced delays and has had a price increase of $400; that laptop has two specs. Asus is doing a staggered release with per-orders for the lower spec now and shipping in May and pre-orders for the higher spec that I'm eyeing starting in June. Basically, all computer manufactures are affected. It'll most likely start affecting smart phones too if it hasn't already. I can't remember the last time any major console maker (Nintendo, Sony, Sega, etc) increased the price of their console mid cycle outside of Microsoft just to make more profit.

S2Killinit66d ago

Its not the war. Its the RAM issue.

jznrpg66d ago

War is causing gas prices to rise. Transport of everything requires gas so the prices of those items go up as well. So it does have an impact

Athlon10166d ago (Edited 66d ago )

The blockage of the Straight of Hormuz due to the US-Iran war has affected raw components used in semi-conductor manufacturing such as bromine, aluminum, and helium. Iran had attacked the liquified natural gas (LNG) plant in Qatar which is a large producer (1/3 globally) of helium which is used in semiconductor etching. So it's the both the war and the RAM crises.

badz14966d ago

Oh no...should I get the Pro now before the price increase?

80°

Former Xbox Exec Says Developers Didn't Want a Sony Monopoly

Former Xbox executive Ed Fries comments on the early days of Xbox, the opinion of Japanese game companies, and more.

Read Full Story >>
insider-gaming.com
80d ago Replies(2)
Reaper22_80d ago

I dont think that'll ever happen. But i must say back in the day, they were definitely trying because they were more cash rich than their competitors.

CosmicTurtle79d ago

I think MS were and still are the richer company. They tried to acquire Sega back in the day (and considered doing so again more recently), they obviously bought exclusivity to Halo which was originally shown as a Mac title. I don’t think as a company MS can claim the moral high ground here. It’s a wilful lack of self awareness.

Of course Sony would try exactly the same if they had the resources, but when the PS2 dominated the industry was in a much healthier place with an abundance of great third parties.

This has been a depressing generation as far as first party decisions are concerned. The fact we are debating business plans rather than which game is better is a sad reflection of the state of things.

Darkseeker80d ago (Edited 80d ago )

There was Nintendo as well, Sony wouldn't have had a monopoly. In fact, the world would be better today if Xbox never existed in the first place. They pretty much brought all bad practices we have today. We might have gotten all of it either way, but not this early. In term of franchises, I don't think there is anything Microsoft released that would actually be missed if it didn't exist. Even Halo the world wouldn't notice if Halo didn't exist.

S2Killinit79d ago

MS was definitely a bad influence on gaming.

raWfodog80d ago

I think almost everyone will agree that a monopoly is not good for the industry. But that being said, the competition needs to be smart and strategic with their business. Simply buying up publishers and traditional third-party studios just to keep them out of the other companies reach is not a sustainable practice. That goes for all parties so don't think I'm just referring to Xbox.

I'm no business guru by any stretch of the imagination but I firmly believe that the best way to drive consumers to your software and hardware is to invest smart in your first-party studios. Give them full support and guidance in making unique, fun games that are only available to play in your ecosystem and the gamers will come.

Reaper22_80d ago (Edited 80d ago )

But first party studios aren't enough. They only make up a small portion of the industry. Without 3rd party there would be no industry for Microsoft or sony.Developing games take time and money and sometimes you gotta make moves to stay competitive.

raWfodog80d ago

Nah, I never said first-party was enough. I said it’s the ‘best way’ to drive gamers to your platform. 3rd-party is a free-for-all and there’s no guarantee that gamers will use your hardware to play the game. If you want to push your own software and/or hardware you need first-party, or at least exclusive deals with third-party studios.

SimpleDad80d ago

They Shure did a great job... 25 years later Xbox is dead.

Reaper22_80d ago

Then why be so emotional and continue to talk about it. Xbox will never die be ause it stays in so many people's head.

lodossrage80d ago

How can you even see him being "emotional" in that comment?

If anything, you're the emotional one, constantly trying to go at anyone that says anything against Microsoft. So when you call him emotional, it comes off as deflection

Elda79d ago

I own an XBSX & I can say it's becoming irrelevant out of the 3 current consoles.

80d ago Replies(2)
Show all comments (34)
40°

Sony Shows Off 20 Minutes of Crimson Desert on a Base PS5

Sony uploaded gameplay footage of Crimson Desert on a base PS5 running in what appears to be Quality Mode at a stable 30fps at 4K.

Read Full Story >>
powerupgaming.co.uk
BlazedKong106d ago

looks god awful on the base systems