Yes but by doing so the time will be reset and you need to connect to the servers again.
-
Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
Proof you won´t be able to play your PS4 games (digital AND physical) when its battery dies unless online
- Thread starter lunanto
- Start date
It could be solved by buying a PS5, sure but they need to fix it. PS5 too if it does have this issue. Consoles back in the day could be played for ever until they break so they should fix this to allow the PS4 as well to be played until it breaks.
I know they did but they should fix it anyway. They can "correct" the lie.
Actually with PS3 console the situation is better beacuse the server connection will be checked only for your digital games , with PS4 even your disc-games will require the connection to a server and when this is not in function anymore both your digital and physical collection will be gone.
Now is the time to make noise about this, there's no point waiting until "the servers go" or whatever, because Sony won't be willing to support and patch the console at this point.
We have to act now, not 10 years in the future to prevent this being an issue then.
We have to act now, not 10 years in the future to prevent this being an issue then.
The fear is not "can this be addressed when the PS4 hits EOL," it's "will this be addressed when the PS4 hits EOL." Given Sony's recent handling of legacy content, that's a pretty justified fear.
It's best to assume they won't unless explicitly stated otherwise. Especially looking at how they're handling the PSP, PS3, and Vita store closures.
This will not be enough.
Replacing the battery will not help you to play the games even if the battery is brand new!
PS4 Games require a server check and if this does not take place your PS4 game library(digital and physical) is gone.
Hopefully Sony keeps their server for time checking for a long time (yeah, right), because I don't see them ever fixing this issue.
they're taking a store offline. They're not blocking access to your purchased library... There would probably a massive class action if they tried something that would lock you out of ALL your media.
It is a little surprising that not even disc based content can launch without the internal clock being set correctly and the fear of this becoming an issue is justified given Sony's behavior of shutting down online services, but we shouldn't vilify them right away just because this exists and for all we know they may have planned a solution for this from the very beginning of making the PS4 OS.
Had the PlayStation 3 the same issue and Sony refused to address it, then there would be reason to demand change, but for now we don't know what actual plans there are.
Had the PlayStation 3 the same issue and Sony refused to address it, then there would be reason to demand change, but for now we don't know what actual plans there are.
Yeah, this is what I expect. There's always jailbreaking if all else fails.
That said I don't expect Sony to disable the validation servers as long as the playstation and it's future counter part exists. This is hardly a money drain for them.
It's going to be crazy 20 years from now that I'll still be able to play my NES and SNES carts but PS4 games will be dead due to that battery.
I'm fine with opening the console and changing the battery in the future when it fails.
What I'm not fine with is, say in 10-20 years they turn off that time sync server for legacy consoles, and once that battery goes I cannot use my console or games because of a little fucking time sync... I'd be royally pissed.
What I'm not fine with is, say in 10-20 years they turn off that time sync server for legacy consoles, and once that battery goes I cannot use my console or games because of a little fucking time sync... I'd be royally pissed.
Right. Both PS3 and PS4 situations suck right now. At least PS5 will play all PS4 games, so it's not that bad for me personally, because I will buy one eventually.
Meanwhile my PS2 works like Day 1 ...
Sony has already done this when they shut down the PlayStation Mobile store and blocked the ability to redownload your purchases. The terms of service states the terms of your paid purchases being licenses and it's on the user to make sure to have downloaded their content before content is removed from the servers. I really don't think a class action lawsuit will hold up if pushed. Sony may settle, but I think if they were pushed a trial, nothing Sony would have done would have been technically illegal. I think people assuming that this is a reason as to why it won't happen are going to be in for a rude awakening. Many people already are with Sony shutting down the digital stores and everyone at this point should be expecting the download servers to go down at some point later on too.
As I understand CFW can bypass it. Highly doubtful Sony pushes some kind of EOL update. By then it will be such ancient history they can't be bothered. Hell, that far into the future Sony could be a completely different business and may have 0 interest in supporting any legacy electronics.
They can't even be bothered to push firmware updates that fix minor issues with the Vita and PSTV today, despite that hardware constantly getting "stability" updates to close exploits. Anyone who thinks they'll patch out CMOS driven disc access planned obsolescence is kidding themselves.
Last edited:
I had had to replace my first last year. In a launch dreamcast.
There's a big difference between a drive belt snapping or a gear throwing a tooth and tying an unrelated function to a component (battery) that is expected to deplete in a few years... that requires a complete system teardown to replace.
It is related to the function. It helps determine the licensing for the games. Its directly related in fact.
And few years? I have a launch PS4, it still works. Over 7 years since I got it. Thats not a few years.
As flawed the design is, I'll give you that.
Few meaning 3 or more, but an ultimately undermined amount of time. And it's good that yours is still kicking. To be clear, I doubt this is ever going to be a serious issue, and one that will be resolved by other unofficial means, but going into a thread when the matter doesn't concern you and hand waving is just being disingenuous.
Why do you need a license check for a physical disc though?
Granted it isn't an issue today because PS5 is BC. Just stinks to think that in 20-30 years you may have no way to play some of your physical titles.
I can go right now and play Ninja Gaiden on a console almost 40 years old.
They need to update this so the clock only affects rental and subscription games (understandable to prevent fraud). Physical games and paid for digital games should never require a time/validity check.
I agree 100%. Believe me, I'm not defending the system, but I just understand why they do it.
Would it be possible to connect it to a local network offline and have a server of some sort provide that the PS?
Portables usually rely on the battery that's already in. You don't need a second CMOS battery for that. Although if you completely drain the big battery and don't charge for a month, you might have to set time again on your Vita/Switch/iPad etc.
I think the issue here is not well understood by many. After replacing the battery, you need to connect to Sony's servers to use your console as normal, which will not be around forever. That is the issue, not the battery dying itself.
I would be surprised if they're using NTP, considering it's an insecure protocol. A hacker could easily point time.playstation.com to their own server, and tell their PS4 that the time is whatever they want it to be. If this is indeed part of their DRM, there has to be security measures in place. Remember that NTS got ratified only half a year ago. It certainly wasn't a thing when PS4 was designed.
Even if Sony were dumb enough to make their DRM dependent on NTP, there's about 0.1% chance they're using public servers. Big tech companies (Microsoft, Apple, etc.) like to use infrastructure that they control (be it through engineers or lawyers). The whole Nintendo/GameSpy thing is a good example of why.
Most likely this is done in a custom manner that ties into their security model. And who knows if that lives on through PS5?
Last edited:
Hah
But as we saw in the video it also affects physical games.