online-pass
Latest
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning locks out questline via online pass [update: 38 Studios and EA respond]
It looks like the House of Valor faction in Amalur's various kingdoms will be joining Catwoman in the limbo-like world of online passes. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning's House of Valor faction questline is dependent on players having an online pass that only comes with new copies of the game, as our reviews editor Richard Mitchell spotted in his retail copy of the game on Xbox 360.According to the insert included in our copy of the game, online pass owners (read: those who purchase new copies of the game) will get access to "seven additional player quests" throughout the House of Valor faction questline. It's unclear whether the PlayStation 3 and PC versions of the game contain the same stipulation, but we've reached out to EA for clarification.Update: 38 Studios community manager "Muse" posted the following statement to the 38 Studios forums, as pointed out in our comments section: "We wanted to post a quick clarification for something we've seen a few comments about. For what it's worth, the House of Valor content was not in the finished game/disc at one point, then removed. It isn't there and we're locking you out of it. The House of Valor was created as stand-alone content, and was always intended to be the first DLC. Instead of holding onto it and charging for it later, we opted to give it to everyone who purchases the game new, for free, on launch day. We hope that helps clarify that point, at least."Update 2: EA issued this response to Joystiq this afternoon: "The House of Valor quest line is free bonus content available to those who purchase a new copy of Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning for the Xbox 360 and PS3 by entering the Online Pass included with the game. PC players who purchase Reckoning at one of the many digital retailers online including Origin, Steam and more, will also receive the House of Valor quest line at no cost."
Twisted Metal's PSN Pass, demo, and day-one patch: Jaffe explains
Yes, Twisted Metal will use a PSN Pass, creator David Jaffe confirmed in a half-hour-long video blog. Skip to about 15 minutes in if you want to hear all of his thoughts on it, but to summarize he's "torn" on online passes in general. He supports them for most games, but opposed its inclusion in Twisted Metal, as he wanted there to be a low barrier of entry for as many players as possible, to let them all experience online play and get back into the series. In the end, "It wasn't my call," Jaffe said. "It's Sony's game, and they funded it, and I respect their decision."Other news for the car combat game include confirmation of an upcoming demo, and a day-one patch. Jaffe explained that ramming was doing too much damage, especially ramming from a shake-activated move he calls the "SIXAXIS Slam," so the team is fixing that and other balance tweaks in a small patch. There are things he'd like to change about the levels, but that won't be in the initial patch out of concern for long, annoying download times. "We'd love to do future tweaks and adjustments to the game," he said, "and some of those hopefully will be level-based, and those might be a little longer. Key balance issues and some of the bugs."
Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational requires 'play ticket' to tee off online [update]
It's the best-selling launch game on the PlayStation Vita, but for Japanese golfers looking to hit the links online, Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational requires an online pass. New copies include a code, while an online pass can be purchased through PSN for used or downloaded copies. The online pass is priced at 900 Yen ($11.56), Destructoid discovered. Purchasing Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational through PSN slashes the price of the online pass, so picking up the game at retail or going the download route will ultimately end up costing you the same amount of money. Update: Destructoid has updated its post, saying that the online pass is actually included in the PSN download and doesn't need to be downloaded separately. [Image credit: Destructoid]
EA: Online Pass can expire for new-game purchases, but it shouldn't
A NeoGAF member posited that his new copy of EA's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit contained an Online Pass that was expired, blocking him from accessing online content -- others on the forum came forward with similar stories, suggesting that EA's disclaimer covers this clause and he was out of luck. Since blocking new-game purchasers from using online content seems like an unproductive move (even) for EA, we asked an EA Advisor for clarification on its Online Pass expiration policy. EA's Online Pass can indeed expire for some new games, blocking buyers out of online content until they download a new pass or attain one from EA directly, EA confirmed to Joystiq. As a rule, no Online Pass should expire, but a few titles will have a time limit on their use, even for new purchases, EA said. Dragon Age 2, for example, has an Online Pass that expires on March 31, 2012, according to EA's EULA description. Re-downloading or getting a new Pass is free, EA said. This still seems like a strange extra step for EA to infuse in its new games, and we have contacted EA more directly for further clarification. Until then, maybe you shouldn't wait until the holiday tear the shrinkwrap off that copy of Dead Space 2.
Saints Row: The Third online co-op campaign and 'Whored Mode' gated with online pass
If you're considering postponing your purchase of Saints Row: The Third until sometime after next Tuesday in hopes of snagging a less expensive used copy, but also yearn for online cooperative mayhem, beware: an online pass is required before taking to the Information Superhighway. Included in new copies of both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Saints Row: The Third are one-time use codes for redemption upon initial launch of any online multiplayer, prompting users to otherwise purchase a pass for an undisclosed amount (we've asked THQ for clarification). Unfortunately, despite having both 360 and PS3 copies available for review at Joystiq, the 360 pass won't activate until launch and very few reviewers have PS3 code. Rest assured, we'll have our own review of Saints Row: The Third -- co-op or not -- by early next week.
THQ announces the first Saints Row: The Third season pass
Ah, gaming. There's always something new to be excited about! Last year, it was the online pass, which has become standard practice for almost any game with a meaningful multiplayer component released in 2011. But publishers are always looking to innovate, and this year has seen the rise of the Season Pass. The newest game to boldly ask for your money in advance? Saints Row: The Third! Offering a full fifteen percent off of the DLC if you were to buy all four releases separately, the Saints Row: The Third season pass will get you three mission packs – "Genkibowl VII," "Gangstas In Space," and "The Trouble With Clones" – and the Nyte Blayde DLC pack, which comes with a sweet "vampire-hunting sports car." No word on if the car does the hunting by itself, but with Saints Row there's no way to be sure. The DLC covered by the season pass will release between January of 2011 and "Spring 2011." You can find the full details and press release after the break.
Warner solving Arkham City DLC issue with a simple 5 step process
According to a tipster, it looks like Warner Bros. is taking steps to resolve the various downloadable content issues faced by purchasers of Batman: Arkham City. Or, more precisely, Warner is asking customers to take steps -- five of them, actually. Alright, six if you include having to contact customer service in the first place. A Joystiq tipster by the name of Michel contacted customer service, and was told to provide the following: A dated proof of purchase (receipt, invoice) showing the purchase of a NEW copy of the game (not a rented or used copy, nor a copy purchased from eBay) Your gamertag for Xbox Live, or your profile for the PSN Your email address A scan or digital picture of the package and game disc(s) A scan or digital picture of the code sheet (both sides). Upon receipt of the information, customer service promised it would "escalate" Michel's issue "so a code can be produced." Obviously, the whole ordeal once again raises concern for the concept of "Online Pass" or "Project Ten Dollar," which is ostensibly aimed at reducing used game sales and thus increasing publisher revenue. Then again, it's supposed to reward customer loyalty, offering new purchasers something extra for supporting the developer and publisher.
Battlefield 3 will employ Online Pass, required for multiplayer
In an offhanded way, Electronic Arts has confirmed that Battlefield 3 will indeed use Online Pass. Responding on Twitter to a fan asking if a new copy was required to play multiplayer, DICE core gameplay designer Alan Kertz responded, "You can also purchase an online pass for a used copy." Kertz explained the reasoning behind Online Pass to another fan, writing, "Because servers cost money, and used games don't make developers any money." Of course, the fact that an EA-published title will include Online Pass isn't exactly surprising, and we've suspected as much for Battlefield 3 for months now. What is somewhat surprising is that Battlefield 3's Online Pass is required for all multiplayer access. In the game's predecessor, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Online Pass granted players extra multiplayer content, but was not required for multiplayer access. Then again, that was before Online Pass started earning millions of dollars.
Catwoman unlocked in Batman: Arkham City through online pass
Within every new copy of Batman: Arkham City resides a code for an online VIP pass, which grants access to Catwoman content. If you pick up the game used, there's an option to purchase the VIP pass for 800 MS Points ($10) on Xbox Live and $9.99 on PSN. But have no fear if you're trying to save a few bucks and want to pick it up used: "Playing as Catwoman is not required to complete the game," a Warner Bros. rep told Eurogamer. Catwoman is just one of the playable characters on offer in Arkham City. Two different DLC packs will also unlock Robin and Nightwing (who is also Robin) for play in the game. Then, of course, there's the fifty different skins for Batman that can be purchased. So rest assured: if you're really against the vanilla Batman, you can purchase the right outfit that fits your needs.
Mass Effect 3's multiplayer tied to Online Pass
There's one important aspect of the Mass Effect 3 multiplayer experience, called "Galaxy at War," that we hadn't heard yet. Well, there are several that we still haven't heard -- like what Galaxy at War is outside of the co-op mode -- but we've just learned of one. It's the Online Pass content. The Galaxy at War feature is unlocked via a code included in new copies, EA revealed today. If you don't have the code (because you don't have a new copy) and you want to engage in multiplayer, you'll have to pay extra. In an updated version of its FAQ, BioWare also clarified that you won't be controlling Shepard and his pals in the multiplayer. "Commander Shepard's part in the war will take place in the single-player campaign, as will that of other beloved characters in the franchise such as Garrus, Ashley, and Liara," BioWare noted. "These characters do not appear in the multiplayer missions." So when you attempt to "romance" your friends' characters, it'll be their originally generated characters, just like in those fanfics you wrote.
Uncharted 3 will use PSN Pass to combat piracy, make money on used games
Uncharted 3 will use Sony's online pass system, much like we saw with Resistance 3, Sony España Software Manager Juan Jiménez told The Vault. Sony's PSN Pass features a one-time-use code for accessing content on PSN; the code can later be bought for $10 in used games. Jiménez said the pass system is a buffer against piracy, although we bet the added revenue from previously barren used-game sales doesn't exactly make Sony's decision harder. Uncharted 3 is the second Sony title to use the PSN Pass, but we expect to see it in all of Sony's future mainstream releases, as does Jiménez.
EA has made $10 - $15 million off Online Pass
You may know EA as simply a company that creates and publishes games, but we're pretty sure the company is full of wizards. How else can you explain conjuring up between $10 and $15 million dollars? That's what the Online Pass has helped the company do, CFO Eric Brown revealed (via Gamasutra). "The revenues we derive from that haven't been dramatic. I'd say they're in the $10-$15 million range since we initiated the program," he said. First introduced last year for EA Sports titles, the Online Pass quickly spread to a majority of EA's games. Now, plenty of other third-party publishers utilize the same code system. It was introduced to combat lost revenue from used game sales and, we'd say, a wild success, if not just straight-up magic.
Battlefield 3 'probably' shipping with online pass
The confusion regarding EA's plans for Battlefield 3's multiplayer access is palpable. GamerZines reports that Battlefield 3 Executive Producer Patrick Bach stated in an interview last week that the game would "probably" require a code for access to multiplayer. When pushed on whether EA would lock out second-hand players through use of an online pass, he replied, "I think we are." EA told the site it would pick up the conversation "another time." The latest major iteration of the Battlefield franchise, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, implemented a "VIP Pass," granting access to extra content, but placed no initial limitations on multiplayer access. EA's online pass (i.e. Project Ten Dollar) -- now utilized by many publishers, with Ubisoft being the latest -- cuts off multiplayer to anyone who doesn't purchase a code, which comes bundled in new copies of games. Of course, with today's announcement of EA Sports Season Ticket (i.e. Project 25 Dollar), there's a whole new level of possibility. "The whole idea is that we're paying for servers and if you create a new account there is a big process on how that is being handled in the back end," Bach said. "We would rather have you buy a new game than a used game because buying a used game is only a cost to us; we don't get a single dime from a used game, but we still need to create server space and everything for you." Update: EA's statement: "We have not made any announcements regarding Battlefield 3 and Online Pass." We've reached out to EA for clarification.
Sony introducing one-time-use online codes with Resistance 3
When an image of a European Resistance 3 hardware bundle surfaced yesterday, the mention of something called "PSN Pass" suggested that some kind of new online program was on the way. SCEE confirmed the program, revealing it as Sony's take on the "Online Pass" or "Project Ten Dollar" initiatives enacted by third parties -- a one-time-use code that enables online play, bundled with new copies of games and sold separately otherwise. "This program will be game-specific," a Sony rep said. "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." The initiative is intended to "accelerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio." Sony has clarified to Joystiq that the statement was "a joint SCEE/SCEA statement" and thus covers North America as well. Find the whole statement after the break.
Dirt 3's 'VIP Pass' can't be disabled for PS3 owners
WB and Netherrealm earned some goodwill from PS3 Mortal Kombat owners recently, by disabling the "Kombat Pass" and allowing players to fight online without redeeming the one-time-use code in the PlayStation Store (which is down). Unfortunately, such a concession won't be possible for Dirt 3. "We've looked into doing something similar for Dirt 3 but it's not technically possible," a Codemasters rep told Eurogamer. "It's hard-coded into the game." Removing the VIP pass requirement would involve a patch, the publisher explained, which would likely take longer to push through than it will take for the Store to come back online. An alternate solution to this problem (though not for Dirt 3, since it's already out) would be to cut out Online Pass schemes in general. We wonder if anyone has suggested that.
Dirt 3 to feature $10 Online Pass for used purchases
Codemasters has added its name to the list of publishers who are attempting to keep their games out of the pre-owned bin by equipping them with one-time-use tickets to the internet. According to Eurogamer, new copies of Dirt 3 -- which arrives on store shelves tomorrow -- include a "VIP Pass," which unlocks five exclusive automobiles and enables the game's online multiplayer modes. Folks who purchase a used copy of the game with a code that's already been redeemed will have to buy the code on Xbox Live or PSN for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). The Online Pass scheme usually evokes some mixed reactions from the gaming community, but we always get stuck imagining even worse scenarios. Imagine this: What if all of the game's cars only had three wheels? Oh, what -- you want that fourth wheel? No problem, just put in that VIP Pass. Oh, you don't have one? Well, we hope you don't like winning races, Sparky.
Alice: Madness Returns' 'Online Pass' grants you Alice 1 (it's $10 otherwise)
"I should very much like to tell you of Project Ten Dollar," pleaded Alice. "Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense," replied The Mock Turtle. EA has confirmed that the original American McGee's Alice will be bundled as a downloadable bonus with Alice: Madness Returns when it's released on June 14. The catch is that the download will be tied to an "Online Pass," EA's special name for access to its games' online components, which are unlocked with registration codes included in new copies of the games. Additionally, players will be required to have the Madness Returns disc in the tray to access Alice 1. If you purchase Madness Returns used (and without an unused Online Pass code), you'd have to pay $10 for the downloadable bonus. This marks the first time that the original Alice will be available on consoles. It will not be available on XBLA or PSN as a separate purchase -- at least, not immediately.
Rumor: Warner Bros. joining 'online pass' camp with Mortal Kombat
Warner Bros. may be following in the (very large) footsteps of Electronic Arts and THQ when it comes to discouraging -- or at least profiting from -- the sale of used games. Joystiq has learned from a tipster that when Mortal Kombat hits shelves on April 19, its box will include an "online pass" token that must be redeemed before playing online. At present, WBIE evidently intends to do the same for its high-profile releases F.E.A.R. 3 and Batman: Arkham City. Since the latter won't feature multiplayer, though, the token would have to unlock some other (equally attractive) content. According to an email obtained from our source, which appears intended for retailers, WBIE won't be promoting the pass -- in fact, no reference to it will appear on the game's packaging. Instead, it is apparently providing retailers with details on the pass, including how to purchase a new one if you're buying a used copy of the game. Unsurprisingly, a new pass will run 800 Microsoft Points / $10 for Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. As with EA's titles, there will be a free two-day "trial period" before players are prompted to either enter the code or purchase a pass. We've contacted WBIE for comment on this information. You can find an excerpt from the retailer email past the break.
PSA: Dead Space 2 DLC workaround for non-Gold members
If you're an Xbox Live "free" member ready to "strategically dismember" bits of EA because you can't redeem the DLC included in the Dead Space 2 "Collector's Edition", just go ahead and put away the plasma cutter. The redemption card (pictured) gives instructions that won't work for those who aren't Gold members -- but there is a workaround. An EA rep tells Joystiq that Live free members should go to the "Extras" menu and input the code in the "redeem code" section. This will unlock the single-player Zealot Suit and Zealot Force Gun without the need for a Gold membership. The problem with going through the Online Pass screen is that it's used for multiplayer, which you can't access without a Gold membership. This isn't the first (and likely not the last) time that DLC insert cards have caused confusion. [Thanks, Dayton W.]
EA hasn't seen 'significant' backlash to Online Pass
Though comments on our posts regarding EA Sports' Online Pass program haven't been the sunniest reading material to pore over, Electronic Arts CFO Eric Brown recently told the Deutsche Bank 2010 Technology Conference that reaction to the initiative hasn't exactly been apocalyptic, either. "There's been no significant pushback from the user," Brown said of the program, which charges $10 for access to online modes in games acquired secondhand. "People know bandwidth isn't free, so the fact that we're diffusing online costs isn't seen as unreasonable." That's a pretty sensible outlook on the situation; though when a company's as large as EA, the definition of "significant" might be kind of obscure. We guess they didn't see our skywriting message over Pensacola Beach which read: "EA no pay for Onl. Pa." So what? We abbreviated -- it was $15 per letter! We're not made of money, guys.
