The two rumors that have far-and-away made gamers the angriest in regards to Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen gaming console, have been the one that claimed the new systems would block any used games—effectively preventing you from purchasing used games cheaper, borrowing games from friends, and renting them, while also pretty much instantly putting companies like GameStop and GameFly out of business—and the one that would require you to always be connected to the internet in order to play a game.

With the announcement of the PlayStation 4 last night, Sony has been swarmed with questions as fans and media seek the answers they’ve been dying to get.

Nothing is official yet, but it appears that Sony wants none of the backlash that would come with these two rumors becoming a reality (and by “backlash” I mean “enraged mob with torches and pitchforks.” Do we still use torches and pitchforks? I mean “iPads and carpal tunnel braces”).

Talking to Eurogamer, Sony Computer Entertainment World Wide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida confirmed that you will in fact be able to play games offline if you so choose:

When it comes to blocked used games, Sony isn’t being as adamant. Speaking to Game Informer, they said:

So obviously Sony is aware of these tricky areas, and do not want to anger their fans. A very good sign if these two rumors heat your head.

Most gamers understand the reason behind the blocked used games rumors; gamemakers and publishers lose a lot of money to company’s who sell games used on the cheap. Still, it doesn’t mean they’re okay with the steps being taken by these companies to fix the issue for themselves. Gamers do not want to have to enter a code just to activate a game they purchased. They will not purchase games at full price just because used games are blocked. The point of buying used games or borrowing games from a friend is that it’s usually a game you’re not all that sure you want to play. No one is going to drop $59.99 (or however much new games cost) to see if a game they’re unsure of is worth playing. Sometimes a demo just doesn’t cut it. And so even though it’s a real problem for game companies, game players don’t want to hear it. Without them you have no business whatsoever, so take it as it is or suffer the consequences of trying to continue restricting your fans’ options. That’s the thought process of most gamers on this topic.

Personally, I think if we’re going to see anything, it’s going to be more of these activation codes and the option to purchase a new activation code if you do buy/borrow a used game.

And, for me anyway, that may be even more annoying.

What do you think of Sony (seemingly) understanding the hatred toward these two rumors? Will Microsoft follow suit, or will they try and set the bar?