This year it has become clear that publishers want a slice of the pre-owned pie, EA were first to make the move when they launched project ten dollar.
This means that their games are shipping with a single use redeemable code for an assortment of in-game content ranging from maps in BF:BC2, to the Midnight Show in The Saboteur and the Cerberus Network in Mass Effect 2. These are obviously included in the initial purchase price, but as the codes are single use, it’s likely if you buy the game pre-owned that the only way to access this content is by paying the aforementioned ten dollars.
It’s not just EA though, because THQ, Ubisoft and Take2 were quick to embrace the new revenue opportunity, and recently Sony have got in on the act with ModNation Racers on the PSP which was followed up by a statement of intent from SCEE President Andrew house during a Gamescom interview which surely means we haven’t seen the last of single use codes as far as Sony are concerned.
There is however one company which is still to show its hand in the so called war on pre-owned, and that is Activision. An interview given to trade publication MCV by Activision studio and Call Of duty developer, Treyarch gives the clearest indication yet on where Activision stand on the matter of trying to generate revenue from the pre-owned market.
This may come as a shock to some people who believe all sorts of rubbish they believe on the internet but Treyarch believe providing a quality multiplayer experience will dissuade people from trading the game in. Studio head Mark Lamia said “I want to take that in the other direction and bring consumers really great reasons to keep their games, rather than trade them in”
“Multiplayer is critical to the success of this series. It has such tremendous staying power – there are millions of people playing Call of Duty every day. It’s entertaining people on a magnitude that’s mind-blowing and we work really hard to make sure it’s supported for a long time. We’re going to support the hell out of Black Ops. That will be our focus post-release: making sure we keep our fans engaged, and hopefully as a result, they’ll want to keep playing our game and won’t want to trade it in.”
Talking about whether secondhand customers would have to pay extra to join in on the multiplayer action Lamia went on to say ““You won’t see that for Black Ops, the multiplayer comes with the game you buy – you don’t have to do anything else for that.”
So there you have it whatever the analysts might have suggested and whatever myths have built up around the comments section’s of internet-land, there is no subscription, no premium clan system or paid for wager matches, just good ‘ol fashioned, traditional buy your game, stick it in yer console and enjoy!
DrNate86
I completely agree with this, I am a trading demon with games, but I have never traded or thought about trading games that have a strong multiplayer (at least until the sequel comes out) as they are too much of a loss to get rid of! A single player campaign can only last so long, but multiplayer will last indefinitely of done right. COD gets a bit of a slandering, but it is a damn addictive game to play online!
The-Jack-Burton
I’m pretty sure my used copy will cost significantly less than a new copy. And I’ll still get the Platinum.
tantalus_blank
Wow, I’ve been waiting for a company to actually remember that making a good game makes money, not just good business. Hmm, I might buy black ops now
iBirch
I like there style and way of thinking. Can’t wait for BO I hink it will be the best CoD for some time. Does anyone know the best pre-order price?
Ryan1991
I think you can get it for £36 on Tesco Entertainment using the code FTSL15-1
jonwaters34
I do not generally buy a lot of pre-owned games but I have to say well done to activision and treyarch on this as not a lot of people can afford to buy games now. Well done. Just hope the single player part of the game is good.
3shirts
He’s totally right. I still have Burnout because the online is great fun every now and then.
Awayze
I hope Treyarch actually support Black Ops because IW has just given up on MW2 and all they care about is releasing map packs for money.
MW2 bugs that will never get fixed:-
OMA perk. Make it so you can’t change to another OMA class.
Scavenger-make the 3rd blue pack you pick up refill your grenade launchers.
!0th prestige spinning emblem- so it’s unlockable legit without hacking.
Marathon- sprint for longer distances instead of unlimited.
If IW fixes this, MW2 will once again be an awesome gun.
Maybe make the guns a bit more fair to use but hopefully Treyarch will fix any Black Ops problems…