Developer Zenimax Online Studios has confirmed that disc-based copies of The Elder Scrolls Online forXbox One and PlayStation 4 will require users to register a unique code. Thus, people who buy a second-hand copy or rent the MMORPG will be locked out.

"You will need a unique game registration code in order to play the game, and used copies will not be eligible to receive a key if the code has already been redeemed," a developer said in the game's forums.

This is much the same way that it works on PC.

"The code included in the box is to activate your ESOTU account and the discs are for installation purposes," Zenimax said. "If you own the disc but don't have a key, you'll be able to install the game and reach the login screen, but you won't be able to log in and access the game without an active ESOTU account."

Since The Elder Scrolls Online has not yet been released for consoles, it remains to be seen how rental companies like Gamefly and Red Box, along with retailers like GameStop and Best Buy, will handle this situation. You would hope they would alert shoppers to the game's unique scenario.

We'll have more information as it becomes available.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/elder-scrolls-online-xbox-one-ps4-locks-out-people/1100-6427322/

This is one thing I wonder about games like this, it's online only as it's an MMO but without the subscription model which they've dropped for the Buy To Play model comes to question over 'right to play'.

If it's a buy to play model, then they've got this one wrong. A user who buys to play it, then sells it, has sold their copy and therefore their right to play the game, this right to play is attached to the disc and if then someone else buys that disc they then have the right to play as it came with the disc not the game, you know, like all games you can buy in a used store or new.

I guess, at least with Online Pass from last gen, you had the single player mode with the game even if the online part locked you out.

... whatever, their money to lose.

This would sound a lot better if the title said "Game company blocks content for people who didn't pay the game company for said content".

Wow, That's very low for them to do this.. That is unacceptable.

DRM

I suppose that means only people who know for sure they are going to like the game and put lots of hours into it will buy it. If you're on the fence it's best to avoid it because you won;t be able to trade it in or re-sell it if you try and decide you don't like it.

They could at least give you a 7 day trial period or 10 playing hours trial period. If you don't like it you can de-register the code/account within 7 days of first activation or before you get to 10 hours of play time and pass it on to someone who will like it. Unlike with SP games that you can finish within a very intense weekend most of the time a MMO is meant to be played for hundreds of hours, so a 7 day / 10 hour trial period means you won't get much out of the game before passing it on.

If this game sells gangbusters on consoles it won't be long before CoD, Fifa, Madden, Battlefield, Destiny, etc etc all follow suit and that will be the death of used / rental games and Sony and MS can bot say "What? It wasn't us! Blame them!" and point their fingers to the 3rd parties.

If on disc DRM becomes mainstream on Playstation I'm switching to Nintendo.

I'm a big fan of Steam ;)

On an unrelated note, I went to Disneyland yesterday with a used ticket that I bought from my friend. For some reason they wouldn't let me in. Even though he already paid for entrance once. What a bunch of dicks.

I was never a fan of the XB1, but I agree with killing used games - especially ones like this case.

There is no subscription, but the game is entirely online. If they allowed used copies to work, they would bankrupt themselves.

They have a projected cost (estimated play time) per player which could not be controlled if unlimited resales were possible. In a period of 5 years, the single game could be resold 2-12+ times. That's both server space and guaranteed service for all those people that contributed NOTHING for the said service.

Additionally, the price is going to drop. How can they justify unlimited server time to an unknown number of players for unknown number of years for 10-30?

YOu could resell Xbox One games under the original Xbox One plan.  The only issue was a daily check in.  Other than that it was fine.

For the record i dont agree with used game sells when used games are being sold only a day old

If we want the industry to survive long term, DRM will be necessary. I think when it comes to physical copies, locking people out is going to far though.