EA are discontinuing the controversial “online pass” program after end-user feedback, and none of the new EA titles will include them from now on. The online pass system requires consumers of second-hand games to purchase a pass, usually around £7.99, to access all the features of a game, normally the online or multiplayer component of the game.
In a rare move for publishers, Square Enix has removed the requirement of having a valid online pass for Hitman: Absolution. Most publishers would hinder used game sales by requiring anyone with a second hand copy to have a valid online pass, or purchase one in order to make full use of the game.
Michael Pachter, analyst and all round videogames industry celebrity, has urged Sony and Microsoft to consider the impact that locking out pre-owned software will have on consumers. Both the PlayStation 4 and next Xbox may potentially lock-out second-hand games, but Sony’s Jack Tretton went on the record to say locking out used games is “anti-consumer”.
If you prefer purchasing your games second-hand, this bit of news is for you. Sony has confirmed that the PSN Pass will be used on all future first-party games. Resistance 3 was the first title to incorporate the PSN Pass and yesterday Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception was confirmed to be the second title to use the pass.
According to Sony Software Manager Juan Jimeñez, Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception will be the second PlayStation 3 exclusive title to make use of the PSN Pass scheme. Each copy of the game will ship with a single-use code to allow your console to access to the multiplayer features.
Ubisoft’s version of the PSN Pass to access online multiplayer content has been priced in a press release from the company. 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.”
Ubisoft is following suit by releasing it’s own ‘online pass’ in the form of Uplay Passport, it’s been revealed. Driver: San Francisco will be one of the first to use the system, which will lock out multiplayer to anyone that hasn’t got a code, mainly affecting the second-hand games market.
Sony confirmed the PSN Pass last week, but it unclear how the system will actually work, since not a lot of information has been revealed about the initiative. James Stevenson, Community Manager for Insomniac, divulged some new information about the service, saying it “will allow dual-login and any user on the system to play online.”
Sony will be bringing out a Network Pass program called PSN Pass, similar to some of the new games in the past few months. The pass will be a one-time use code that allows the gamer to access any online content for that particular game. Resistance 3 will be the first game to make use of PSN Pass.
