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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.
All of the best people are following Stephen Johnson's twitter feed. Also, email me if you wanna.
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Comments
Displaying 61–80 of 93
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aces552
so like if the pass only alows me to pla online stuuf for a game what about my brother.....did sony think this trew well
kwfang
:/ why are they doing this
knckillacain
Ok so the used game market will still thrive. I don't mind the charging if u buy a game used but I do the believe revs are getting money hungry. If content is already for download on day 1 and u have to purchase it or they decide to hold it back until a month later. If u buy the game new there should be a code to get these items free, if u buy it used u should have to pay for the extra content. That is the way devs will get their money. Also a point I bring up with my friend that's a used game buyer, ok so u pay 15 bucks for an online code and u bought the game used for 50 ur just an idiot for paying 65 bucks instead of buying it new and only spending 60.the only time this should matter is if the game is older than dirt or it wasn't that popular so the price drops on its used value to 20-30 dollar range add ur 15 and u still get off just paying 35-45 dollars. Be smart suck it up and pay ya dues
carlos0981
While this is a raw deal, its not any different from what EA is doing or what Activision plans to do (and will do at some point). This will most likely, will not affect a damn thing, just like the EA pass didn't affect used game sales.
When buying a game that uses EA pass, if its used, even after paying the 10 buck pass for EA it still comes out cheaper than buying the game new, I mean your not saving as much as you usually save but your still saving some money.
Used game sales and piracy hurt the industry and the developers, we know that, now how much does it actually hurt it is another question entirely. Besides this nothing different than what Microsoft did with XBL, they are charging for something that by all rights should be free, I already paid for the console, the game, the internet and I have to pay in order to access the online multiplayer as well?
That is why I am a silver member only, I refuse to pay twice for something. Same thing here, its not a money grab, shouldn't the people that made the game make some money from every copy sold? Why should a third party make all of the money from used game sales at the cost of the developer and publisher? They made the game, they should get a cut, this only makes sure that happens, chill people.
Another thing, please people, ignore comments by the likes of lucidity and DpsX7 or whatever his/her name is, they are trolls of the highest caliber. They're only purpose in this life is to say the dumbest thing they can to get other people fired up, that is how they get some satisfaction in this life, so just ignore them completely.
waluigi1634
Alright... well seeing as they don't have real details right now, I'm just going to go on the hopeful side, because I hate this giant tirade major game companies have against Used Game Sales right now... Maybe Sony is finally doing what we as gamers have wanted from the start with DLC, and allowing people that pay full price for a game to get all the DLC at no extra charge. I can only hope that this is what they plan to do with the PSN Pass.
AntiquesRoadwarrior
Well, the second it stops being readily available new (about 6 months for most games), they better take this crap off. If not, I might just start rooting for these anarchistic hactivists, because this is an ideological issue that is borderline illegal (if one keeps in mind Sony's oligopoly on the market). GM can't stop used car sales, and they actually NEED the extra revenue. I would like to hear a Talkabout about this decision, G4. Those were always really great.
captainwren
You don't see car companies, furniture stores, or pawn shops getting snippy about their used sales. This is not cool! Seriously, Sony, makes me happy I'm an Xbox fangirl. I'm an avid game borrowers and only but specific titles new. Then I don't even play online that often or at all! I'll pass on your dumb PSN Pass.
lowkevmic
Wait...So without the pass you'll have limited and in some cases no online access to a game?? So even if I borrowed a game from a friend to try it before I buy it, I will have no access to online content? Even more so, what about the homes with multiple gamers to one console. Will all have to purchase a pass for one game, or will they all have access to the same content if only one pass is purchased??
Way too many questions for this to be a good idea. Whatever happened to people just hopping online to register their game?? They can make more use of having people register their games then just for random emails.
H_G_P_Wellscraft
Wow....just wow......
After the hacker attack you would think they would be kissing ass.
closetmonkey
This is one reason why I remain a PC gamer. I can go to a website, and download quality, user-generated content...for free. Nothing illegal about it either. I've probably added over 300 weapons for the Unreal Tournament series, at least 100 maps, and more characters than I can count. All for free. The only games they're going to add this to are the huge multiplayer games. Why add it to a game where there is no online content? Looks like if you're a social gamer, you're screwed. If you like FPS games, you're screwed. Me, I prefer to play alone due to the huge number of idiots out there, so even if I did own a PS3, it wouldn't impact me in the slightest.
Scienceguy404
Individual games have had things like this before. (Most EA published games). And it really pisses me off. Ruins rental possibilities too. Makes Gamefly almost useless if you want to play online. Greed, its disgusting.
Enzite_Bob
another money grab
steelbox
Well im glad i don't own a ps3. Just Steam is all i need, hell Battlefield Bad Company 2 for $9 hell yes. Oblivion also for $9 hell ayes again.
Taboo5289
I also think people are missing a crucial point in this, it is for Sony exclusive games. So ones that are published by Sony. So in all facts they are not the first to do this, almost every big company now a days has a system in place to get money from used games.
Osedax_
wont last, just like that girlfriend you picked up at the bar one night.
njdss4
This just means I won't be purchasing any of the games associated with this Pass. I buy used games so that I don't break the bank, and if Sony doesn't like it, they can kiss the fattest part of my @ss. Games that use this feature will bomb. Good job ruining your reputation AGAIN, Sony. Should anyone feel guilty for pirating games when companies pull this kinda nonsense on us?
Milfhunterxx
This wont affect gamestop that bad since they're already adapting to the situation. I recently bought Mortal Kombat used for xbox and they included a fresh code on the receipt for online play, thats worth 800 points on the market and i only paid $50 for the game.
WoolySpud
I have 3 people in my home that plays PS3. So im going to have to pay for 3 copies of a game or pay extra if i want to play my brothers copy of resistance 3.etc online?
I hate these Online Pass things. it screws families with more then one online profile over royally!
cptcobra
This blocks second parties from using the online content, not the original purchaser of the game disk.
DeadSet281
i guess no more Craiglist games :(
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