Even though Warner Bros.’ latest console release hasn’t even been out for a week, no doubt some have managed to pick up a pre-owned copy of F.E.A.R 3. Joining an increasing number of video games, F.E.A.R 3 includes an “Online Pass,” a one-time code that will unlock the multiplayer portion of the game, mainly employed by publishers in an attempt to erode the pre-owned market. However, when picking up a second hand game it’s incredibly rare to find an original, un-used pass code, and therefore you must direct yourself to the PlayStation Store where you can buy the code at a fixed price. At present, there is no option on the EU PlayStation Store to buy an online pass for F.E.A.R 3, making it entirely exclusive to first-hand buyers.
“The F.E.A.R. Pass providing access to F.E.A.R. 3 multiplayer modes ‘F**king Run!’ and ‘Soul Survivor’ is not currently available for purchase on the SCEE PSN Store,” Warner told Eurogamer, “We’re working as quickly as possible to resolve the issue.”
Missed out on the first two games in the series and want to know a little bit more about the story leading up to F.E.A.R 3? Check out our latest feature “Previously On…” to get up to date.
Forrest_01
*sigh* Beginning to get really tired of this now.
Also bad enough that they have seen fit to include an online pass system, but awful that they haven’t even gotten it onto the store for people to purchase if they need to!
Smallville2106
This online pass thing needs sorting out. I was in HMV yesterday and was going to buy Battlefield Bad Company 2 brand new. I don’t know what made me look at the back of the box (as I already knew I wanted it.) but I did. The code for the additional content etc inside expired at the end of April 2011. Obviously I didn’t buy it.
Seems silly.
Forrest_01
That is indeed silly!
You shouldn’t have let it put you off though – What you were probably looking at is the VIP code for BFBC2 which gives you a couple more maps & options for mp. BFBC2 doesn’t actually have an online pass & you could still play online, but you just won’t get to play on/with the VIP stuff.
Still stupid that you should have that content (as you were buying new), but actually wouldn’t as they saw fit to have an expiry on it though!
Smallville2106
Ah, so it’s just extra maps etc. I wish I had bought it now. :(
david
That’s strange, I redeemed mine after that and it worked. Also I think its still available on the store to buy. And as forest said, it is only a few maps and was only meant to be a incentive to buy new.
Forrest_01
Also, i have to add that i much prefer incentives to buy new (such as VIP stuff) over online passes.
jcor
You actually get a good few new maps with the VIP pass. Some of the best in the game are VIP only. If the code didn’t work, I think its only about £5 for a new code. Well worth it in my opinion.
Strange that they’d have an expiry date on it though!
GTRsannin
I bought Bad Company 2 last week and the VIP code had run out April 1 but it still worked i think it’s kind of weird that they even have expire dates
sideshow
That is incredibly odd. One of my friends just got a new copy of BC2, and his pass worked fine.
Also, if you had got it and it hadn’t worked, phoning EA would almost certainly have netted you a working one.
nofi
I don’t think not having the code up on the Store for the first 5 days of the game being on sale is an issue at all.
colmshan1990
That’s my thoughts too.
It’d probably work out cheaper to buy it new, than to get €5 off the new game price rather than the second hand one and having to buy the online pass.
R4U Eldave0
Haha, snap ;)
R4U Eldave0
Agreed. If nothing else, surely it would be cheaper at the moment to buy the game new instead of buying it preowned (i.e. about 2quid cheaper) and then buying a £7-10 online pass… :|
skibadee
the game cost me £29 on launch day you get a very good game for the money as well.
R4U Eldave0
:0 wow! thts a good price. Where did you get that?
skibadee
shopto mate they have some good deals.
R4U Eldave0
Damn I always forget about them :( lol. I always check game, amazon and play.
Jim H [Teabags]
I personally have no objections either. In fact, one way of deterring pre-owned sales would probably be to set back online pass availability by a month.
cc_star
Deterring pre-owned sales is a great way to deter new sales, as nearly all trade-ins subsidise new purchases
The online pass system is wrong IMO. Activision go about it the right way, which is create content compelling enough and support the game throughout its life so people don’t feel the need to trade-in.
TSBonyman
I have no interest in the online so if for some strange reason i pick this up new i’ll give the code away in the forum.
jbni
I was about to put in the Bulletstorm code, only to realise it didn’t actually stop me from playing online, only that I’d lose out on a few maps and ‘custom leash colour’. I didn’t bother redeeming it, so whoever gets mine second-hand will get the full thing.
david
This is easily bypassed or fixed, just no one buy the game, and in a matter of weeks it will be £15-17 quid.
R4U Eldave0
LOL a brutal tactic, yet I can’t fault the logic :D
paulleeper2430
Online pass is really bad for lovefilm users (me). I can only get a few hours of online play for games now then the trial will end.
Topov81
My tactic is working rather well….. rent the desired game from Blockbuster on day of release (at a cost of £1 if you use Clubcard deals), redeem the online pass, then wait 7-8 weeks and buy a pre-owned (or even new copy depending on how heavily its being discounted) for £15-20.
Worked a treat for Metal of Honor and NFS:Hot Pursuit.
R4U Eldave0
Haha, love it. I must admit I try and rent as many games as possible these days and then only buy a game when I find it cheap. The only problem with my approach is my local Blockbuster rarely has rental copies of new releases, meaning I have to wait a week or two before they get some in stock
Jim H [Teabags]
Haha, you cheeky bugger. I rent from Boomerang who send the games in plastic wallets, so no chance of getting online codes :/
Forrest_01
Which is a good point – When you rent from Blockbuster, they also give you the manual & stuff as well? I didn’t think that they were supposed to do that?
R4U Eldave0
Yup, the last couple of games I’ve rented have come with all the manuals etc. I managed to get a few club nintendo points that way ;)
Forrest_01
Why am i getting the feeling that Blockies number of members is going to increase in the coming weeks following this revelation?!? :P
R4U Eldave0
lol, Topov certainly has unleashed a monster here :D
hazelam
and the list gets even longer.
soon it’ll be easier to keep track of games not on the list.
Foxhound
Its their way of clawing some cash back….