A Gamefly rental listing for upcoming hack n’ slash, Ninja Gaiden 3, has revealed that it will adopt the online pass system. If you’ve been under a rock for past few years or are new to the gaming scene, this means that online multiplayer cannot be accessed until players redeem a one-use code. This code is packaged with new copies of the game as publishers try to reclaim profits from the second-hand market.
The claim has been confirmed by Tecmo KOEI as true. This isn’t the publisher’s first foray into the online pass collective however, last year’s Fist of the North Star also required a one-use code to unlock certain features.
Source: Joystiq
aerobes
My interest /was/ borderline, now it’s non-existent.
Foxhound_Solid
Never got along with these games….
Sympozium
Game over.
Sympozium
Why does it need a online pass?
aerobes
Do any games? No. I abhor the day they ever came into existence.
Jim Hargreaves
NG3 features online multiplayer.
Forrest_01
But why?? It’s not needed for Ninja Gaiden.
Just another mp being shoehorned in for the sake of it then.
justboy
Does the online pass system work? I’ve never bought one for a 2nd game, and I don’t know anyone who has!
Jim Hargreaves
By “work” do you mean “has it benefited publisher/developers?
Probably though it’s hard to say. I can’t remember any of the big gaming institutions coming out and saying it has.
hazelam
has it made them more money in sales of the passes then it’s cost them from driving players away?
who knows, i have my views and no doubt they have theirs, and i suspect never the twain shall meet.