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Beginning this September, some Sony games will contain "PSN Pass," a registration code that will be required for full online access. The first "pass enabled" game will be Resistance 3.
The PSN Pass will essentially lock some (or all) of a game's online content from anyone but the original purchaser, putting a huge dent into second-hand market sales as well as giving games to pals when you're finished with them. Presumably, you'll be able to purchase passes online for games, but that hasn't been confirmed yet.
Sony issued a statement on the PSN Pass, saying:
"We are always evaluating new programs for our online offering, and starting with Resistance 3 this September, we will be instituting a network pass program for PS3 games with online capabilities. This program will be game-specific. Games that are a part of this program will include a single-use registration code that grants the account holder redeeming the code full online access for that title. This is an important initiative as it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio."
Sony's statement isn't all that clear, and right now, they're not answering my specific questions on the Pass (IE: what online aspects of Resistance 3 will be available if you don't have the pass? what other games will feature PSN Pass? Will codes be available for purchase online?) So for right now, we have only that confirmation statement to go on.
It bears mentioning that this isn't the first instance of this kind of program being put in place by Sony. As 1up.com points out, PSP versions of ModNation Racers and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo required a code for online use, and to buy an online code, second-hand gamers had to pay $14.99 and $19.99 respectively.
More details as we get them.
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Comments
Displaying 41–60 of 93
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Harbinger2nd
Ok, so on the one hand you have the second hand game market that sells games for cheaper than their new counterparts, which make it cheaper for the consumer to purchase the game. On the other hand Every time a second hand game is sold ALL profits from that sale go to the shop from which the game was sold. Developers, publishers, and anyone else involved in the creation of the game sees no part of that sale. With this new system by forcing second hand game purchasers to "buy" the online content the developers and publishers are able to rake in a piece of that second hand sale.
Though at first I was adamantly against this online "pass" it only took me about 5 minutes to realize this could be a good thing for the industry if both the price for the online pass, AND the price for the second hand game are comparable to or less than the new games. If the right balance is found then this could be a great thing, if not than every gamer who is thinking about buying a game with this pass will be a lot more hesitant about buying the game because of it.
Jtoon
I really don't have a problem with this as long as they offer a way to purchase a code for used games. Unfortunately I haven't seen this offered for DC Universe Online. You have to buy a new game from a store or online so this kind of does worry me.
EKG
Piracy, here I come. It has now officially become easier to pirate games than to buy them legally. I am not supporting this scheme to drain honest customers legally buying a game used. Even IF you bought the game new and then wanted to lend it to a friend of a family member, they would have to pay for access to a game you already payed for.
I am not officially pirating my Sony games. If Sony wanted to rip me off, then game on.
GamebustaZX
I think is crazy that I will have to buy a damn pass for any game I want to play online form september on thats pretty insane there taking the fun out of gaming I mean you cant let your friend hold a game and play it online ?? come on
FreshCut_T70
Any game with theis so called "Pass" I will NOT buy new or used.
Maelstorm72
wow retarded? uhm what about gamefly users? what about buying used games years after its release (assuming you cant find a new game) stupid people and their stupid money. i am a ps3 fanboy and i have been dedicated to sony since the playstation 1 (despite psn outage, dumb online services, horrible online store, and many other things) but this just makes me plain upset. well i wont be all upset as long as you can purchase the pass online (i guess)
UltimaBlackMage
I don't care really. It will only be for games with online multiplayer that aren't EA games.Sure Ratchet and Clank All 4 One will most likely have it but I ain't gonna get rid of a game like that. I play single player in games for the most part and prefer local multiplayer. They will charge for the pass if you buy second hand. My guess is 1/3 the price of the game new so like US$15? Probably AU$20 here in Australia.
All this is is Sony going "f me! Second hand sales are high because our game prices are high and Gamestop/EB Games are forcing customers to buy used. What do we do?! I know let's copy EA and punish all consumers for those buying used instead of DROPING THE PRICE! What's that? Some countries like Australia are paying up to $120 on a new release standard edition title? F them! We want more money and we can't shut Gamestop/EB Games(the glorified pawn shop!) down."
Look game companies are going to make this the norm because of increased second hand sales and we only have Gamestop/EB Games, GAME and any other retailer selling second hand games at new prices to blame. Soon it will be registration codes like PC's that require an internet connection, your full details.
Yes I'm Australian and am jealous you guys pay so little for your games. You also got Mortal Kombat and we didn't. I want Mortal Kombat so bad! Don't want to import it without a GOTY edition being released.
Regardless this is an inevitable move since second hand games sell more and piracy is supposedly becoming more of a problem. Microsoft, Nintendo and all the publishers will do something similar soon too, so get your anger out now. Remember, if you buy second hand this was your fault... unless the game is rare or discontinued, then it's justifiable to purchase second hand.
DPsx72
Enh, couldn't care less. If a game reaches my $30 price point as 'new', then great. If I buy it used for that price then I just don't play online and choose a different game off my backlog. I haven't paid retail price for the majority of my 100+ game PS3 collection (or ~70 game Wii collection) and with the speed that games drop in price there's nearly no way I'm going to start paying $60 now.
Electric_larry
Did you know that for every console title that gamestop sells, roughly half of their sales are used game sales. How much of used game profits go to the publisher? NONE..at ALL. This is worse than piracy, because it's obvious that a good ammount of pirates would never pay money for the game in the first place, but with second hand game sales you have a customer willing to pay money for a game. I know what you're thinking, it's like five bucks cheaper, who cares? well, when you move out of your moms house you'll realise that alot of people care.
If you want to know why you're losing the ability to resell your games, you can shake the hand of your local gamestop employee and thank them for that. Because they are the problem. Not individual customers reselling games. But a corperate giant basically stealing more profit than the publishers can make in the first place, right in front of their faces.
hurley4289
"This is an important initiative as it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio."
what does this even mean?
tyler4307
i am indifferent. i rarely play a game for its online component. i am all about the single player experience. tho if it affects my rights to buy dlc ill be a little ticked.
Strychnine
This is going to suck for Gamefly users....
Dehnyen
Yeah, this doesn't bother me at all. It's just business. Stop whining.
akadkinson
this is crazy
IrishDragon79
Soo, when deciding on which platform to buy a game, this will be a factor. Just like which system has the better bonus character/item/DLC/ etc. Knowing that my trade-in value is effected would cause me to either buy it for a different platform than Sony, or not use the code. Not like you aren't getting taken on the trade anyway.
gambitjuggalo
wow i pretty much buy all my games used.. good thing i dont have a ps3. seeing stuff like this is just another way to get more money ( a company making more money thats unheard of) id much rather pay a once a year fee of $60 and be able to play whatever used game i want online
BEERBEER007
This is like Totalitarism in gaming !
chekeraccho
Seeing how I like to buy my games, case and all, this shouldn't concern me, but if I want to pick up a copy x-years later, there might not be a new one but a used one, and that's a problem, I think.
Fusion13
EA has this on all their games already.
Also i'm sure the only games that will have this will be the Sony's premium PlayStation exclusives titles. No big deal because most people will buy AAA titles new. It's gonna be annoying for bargon shoppers and GameFly users like me though.
aces552
so if i buy a game and use the pass only i can play it what about my bro......did sony think this trew well enough
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