Some new rumors are swirling about the PS4, and some of them might make you very upset as a consumer.  These aren’t your typical rumors, as Kotaku reports that they come from a source that has provided them with good info before and that there is very likely a lot of truth behind them.

Before we get into the stuff that’s going to drive you nuts, let’s go over some of the technical aspects.  Reportedly, the PS4 is currently code-named “Orbis”.  It is unknown whether that is just a codename or if it will be the name that the PS4 actually launches under, but reports are that there is a chance it will keep that name, unlike past device code names.

The console will boast an AMD x64 processor with an extremely powerful AMD Southlands GPU capable of putting out 4096×2160 resolutions and full 1080p 3D (the PS3 was limited to 720p when broadcasting in 3D).  Developers have reportedly had their hands on dev kits for the Orbis/PS4 since early this year.

Now, onto the stuff you’re not going to like…

No Backwards Compatibility

It seems that with every new generation, every console manufacturer outside of Nintendo seems to care less and less about backwards compatibility.  The 360 only played certain original Xbox games, the PS3 eventually ditched PS2 compatibility altogether, and the PS Vita doesn’t have a way for you to use your PSP UMDs.

The Orbis/PS4 will be following suit and even taking it to the next level as backwards compatibility for PS3 games reportedly will not be supported at all.

Anti-Consumer Used Game Prevention

This is the big one.  It seems that Microsoft is not alone in its goal to eliminate used games from next gen.  Sony will be joining the party as well, but the even bigger news could be the way that they’re going about it.  Reportedly, here are the ideas being tossed about as to how it will be implemented on the Orbis:

• Games will be purchasable on blu-ray or via download (for full retail titles as well)
• Games (even the disc versions) will be locked to a single PSN account
• Games (even the disc versions) must be activated online via PSN before they can be played
• A used version of the disc will have its functionality reduced down to a trial version of the game, and the full game will have to be unlocked by the new owner via the purchase of an unlock code and online activation

This implementation sounds a lot like Sony cutting off their nose to spite their face.  Even for people that only intend to buy new games, this will be a huge hassle.  If you have multiple gamers in your house you can’t both play the same game under your own PSN accounts.  If you don’t have your console hooked up to the internet you can’t play anything.  And what happens when Sony’s authentication servers go down like has happened with EA/Rocksteady and others in their online pass implementation?  No one can start playing a new game until they’re fixed?

Again, we want to reiterate that while likely, none of this is actually official or confirmed yet.  We hope that fan outcry will change Sony’s mind as the gamer population has been pushed around by anti-consumer practices far too much already.  Really, we just hope that 5 years from now we’re all not longing for the days where you could just put a disc in your tray and start playing it.  Is that really too much to ask?