Sony has confirmed what we were all assuming – they’re bringing out a network pass program called PSN Pass. You’ll remember we brought you news about this brand new service yesterday evening – although at that stage it was mostly guess work on our half.
We were half right.
[drop2]It looks like PSN Pass is per game, and thus works like similar services from EA and other publishers – games will come with a code you enter to unlock multiplayer modes, meaning second hand copies will require a seperate purchase to activate such features.“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,” say Sony.
“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.”
Resistance 3 is the first game to official go under the PSN Pass moniker, although obviously it’s hardly the first game from the publisher that needs a code to use certain features of a game – some PSP games like ModNation Racers had this last year.
So, go on – what do you think? Is this a serious knock to the second hand market?
MrTwP
I want extra features if we are going to be entering a code. Something like cloud saving for all. You have to reward the customers for being loyal
Rabid-Coot
Just wait a few months, you get the game new with the pass and at a lower price.
fattyuk
Good thinking batman!
Then everyone’s a winner and no ones a moaner!
Kennykazey
I buy most of my games new anyway, so that’s fine. And even if I buy a second hand game (which will then be a fair bit cheaper, as that would be why I chose not to buy a new one…) then paying a small extra sum for the online features won’t be a problem as I’d probably stll be saving some cash. And it would make me want to play more online aswell since, well, I paid for it.
Peter Rushton
As long as it helps the industry, I’m all for it!
online4ntagonist
quelle bullshit, how can anyone be for this? Total crap, that’s what this is.
ruinereraser
So, the gamers are being punished because used game market doesn’t cut a slice of their profits with the developer?
I won’t be buying (most of) the games that have this feature day one then – I’m not in a hurry anyway, there’re usually only few AAA titles per year that I _need_ to play right away – other (like R3) will wait in the queue once the price drops substantially.
I’m actually wondering how this will affect the sales – I’m thinking that it won’t hurt titles like UC3, but R3 may get much more lower sales in the first weeks, as the gamers await price drop to compensate the value loss when online pass is used.
moshi
I’m a 2nd hand game whore and I fully agree with the pass idea
moshi
95% of my games are pre owned, borrowed or rented .
Crazy_Del
I always buy new games n day 1 to support the devs. Even if it’s badly but the other game they made was fantastic and hope for the sequeal and such. I never ever buy DLC a week after the game was released!
The Lone Steven
That is annoying. Why can’t companies offer more incentives to spend £40 on their game? I have brought most of my collection preowned and i am not a frequent online player but i hate putting in a code on the PS3. I can see why they did it.Server costs etc.. But this will reduce the value of the game.
Some of us have traded in some games in the past to help with the purchase of a new game. This could damage that practice. This also means that we can’t lend a mate a game due to the online pass system which can be annoying.
ruinereraser
Plus, I think Sony should also do something for the gamers at the same time to compensate the value loss – maybe drop the abnormally high prices of the digital downloads for full retail titles? If Resistance 3 digital version would cost 29.99 (with online pass included), then I would surely give it a go.
But they probably have no clue and we’ll see more 49.99 price points in upcoming motnhs, and it’s a pity – they want to charge for the online service that works on (not so reliable) PSN – and they give nothing in return.
Now, maybe if they talked to the developers and done some kind of yearly sub that would include all online passes for free – that would be more interesting for true gamers.