Ubisoft have just emailed with further details on their Uplay online pass system.
Despite the press release being dated from last week, it looks like the pricing at least is all new – 800 Microsoft Points or £7.99 – and they’re cementing the pass as part of the uPlay system that was first touted back in 2009.
Uplay Passport is, according to the statement, “a new program designed to provide players with access to bonus content, exclusive offers, and online multiplayer play” and is an “adjunct to Uplay, an in-game service that offers gamers extra value, including a bevy of rewards and community features, just for playing Ubisoft games.”
The Uplay Passport system will kick in shortly, and will be present in Ubisoft’s “core games”. What it means is that in each copy of the game there’ll be a one-time code that will unlock the game’s online features, if you buy such a game second hand (and someone’s used the code) you can buy another from the Marketplace or PSN Store.
The pass for Driver San Francisco will offer “exclusive bonus content” as well as the ability to play online, much like Codemasters did with DiRT 3.
teflon
In my opinion £7.99 is far too much for them to charge. Also, I’m very wary of the “exclusive bonus features” since Dirt 3 constantly slapped me round the head with them and DLC every time I loaded the game up.
That’s the kind of thing that could make me avoid a publisher in future, it’s so annoying.
yogdog
With you there completely, Tef. Don’t know how companys are getting away with this, it’s a disgrace.
Danlisa
Oh, well, no more UBI games for me. I’m becoming a little tired of being wallet raped by the big companies.
philzy85
just by the game new, simples….
or if your not worried about online play then do what I’m planning and buy the game second hand when its halved in price
Foxhound
Totally. We all still have that amazing thing…..choice!
fattyuk
Why do people get on there high horses about companies like this?I mean completely saying no buying anything from them, every company are always hiking up there prices over the years for the different services, but you’ve always got choices! Look at tv, mobile phones, lol it’s even like different postage prices! Amazon will deliver to you for free, or pay more and get it quicker. As above we all have choices!
aerobes
Heavy. I’m losing a little love for video-gaming recently since the feeling is anything but reciprocated by the industry, I hope Journey gives me hope in the same way Flower did.
Crocadillian
I wonder how much of this, ‘bonus content’ would have existed in the original game before these pass systems. As if DLC hasn’t taken game content away enough already. Thank god I barely buy console games these days…
SpikeyMikey23
Isn’t that the proce every other company has been charging for online keys etc for 2nd hand purchases?
This problem doesnt reallt affect me as 99.9% of my purchases are new. Im a fussy bugger and not really a fan of pre-owned, especially if the case has been damaged or the booklet has been written in haha
SpikeyMikey23
*price
DirtyHabit
Doesn’t really effect me either. My buying habits are as follows.
If its a game I’m hyped for I buy it at launch and therefore get the pass anyway. If not then I buy preowned when the price is at a comfortable level for me, in which case the chances of me playing that game online are slim to none anyway.
Granted, my trade ins are devalued, but its only relative because my prowned purchases should be devalued/cheaper too.
I hear and appreciate the pros and cons of both sides of the arguement but I can’t see it affecting me too much to be honest.
TSBonyman
I think the golden days of gaming are over now that the devs/publishers are focused on micro-transactions, add-ons, online charges and arsebook games.
hazelam
they’re on my list.
it’s ironic, i think the only major publisher not yet
on my list is activision.
yogdog
I admire what you’re doing, but that’s a lot of games to be missing out on! Luckily I’ve already got plenty of PC games which don’t require passes, so I’m ok for now :)
fattyuk
At this rate Hazel youre gaming hobby is gonna be dead in the water within 5 years, let me know what knittings like won’t ya.
Bladesteel
Yeah. And at the same rate you’ll all be paying for each clip of ammo in FPS-es within five years.
Knitting may be dull, but at least we’ll be able to sit during and after.
fattyuk
Well that’s slightly exaggerated now isn’t it lol
a inferior race
He makes a fair point though. Given your stance towards this Fatty, if Acti charged 59p for 5 games of COD multiplayer and said we need it to pay for the server, would you support that?
Bladesteel
Exagerrated yes. But it’s meant to point out that they will go as far as we allow them.
Not that I’d expect anything less, they are businesses after all. What confuses and frustrates me is that many people are not only accepting that they are now demanding more profit from stuff that used to be free, but that customers are actually arguing that the companies are right to do so.
Kaminari
From now on, they better not tie the platinum trophy to the “optional” online component (cf. Brotherhood).
Kovacs
I bet that’s exactly what they’ll do.
:)
Kennykazey
I’ll be buying their games new anyway, but I think it should be closer to 5.99 not to scare off potential buyers. Having it lock “extra content” is simply a way of locking away part of the offline experience as well. And that is in my mind, worse than the price.
fattyuk
Good, as a new game buyer…. If it’s my money invested in companies being able to produce top quality games and allowing me to enjoy online gaming then why should the second hand Market enjoy privileges they can’t afford??
And I would still love someone to show me the price diffreneces of a game 2nd hand, 2nd hand and a pass, day release price….and the magical 2/3 months later knocked down price! Well I say 2/3 months these days it’s more like 2/3 weeks!