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[metareferential]

I don't see how anyone could support this, unless they work for the companies which do these kind of things.

It's just like cd keys.

Used prices get lower, that's all that matters to consumers.

Worst case scenario is that new used price+online pass = old (pre-pass) used price.

People will have a hard time selling games on ebay? Yes.

 

[Vilam]

How are you rewarded? You gain nothing in comparison to prior games that didn't lock away the MP.

I believe many EA titles have been offering additional content to early new purchasers that gets unlocked with their code. It's an incentive to reward those who buy the game at the point when it has a tangible benefit to the publisher.

 

[Plywood]

You don't have to support it to understand why it's being done and see it as a logical way to tap into a huge market, from a business standpoint. It's not costing me any money so I don't really care enough to be outraged.

I know it's about making money, but it still shafts the consumer and I was moreso addressing the people that are actually saying they support these kinds of business practices.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

I know it's about making money, but it still shafts the consumer and I was moreso addressing the people that are actually saying they support these kinds of business practices.

In what way does it shaft the consumer? It will force Gamestop to probably charge less for online games. If you buy new, it doesn't effect you at all. If you buy used, you get it for cheaper and if you really want online, you use the difference to buy a pass. It's really not going to be that different.

 

[Fantasmo]

So what's stopping you to rent the game, try the online for 2 days, try the offline stuff too and decide if you're going to "support" them? Or do you need weeks or months to see if you're going to really..really like it?

I don't want to support anyone punishing me for trying in what I consider fair and legal. I feel that nobody should ever be punished for buying secondhand.

And 2 day renting online is not a fair trade to me. I also don't buy EA online pass games, and I won't buy THQ games doing this and anyone else as well.

If I miss out, I'll be okay with that.

 

[alr1ght]

And I can't fathom the sense of entitlement a lot of gamers have these days.

LOL

You are getting less for the same money. Games are $10 more expensive & they lock out multiplayer this gen. We should all be paying $100 per game.

 

[ProtoCents]

Worst case scenario is that new used price+online pass = old (pre-pass) used price.

Someone that understands!

 

[Fantasmo]

In what way does it shaft the consumer? It will force Gamestop to probably charge less for online games. If you buy new, it doesn't effect you at all. If you buy used, you get it for cheaper and if you really want online, you use the difference to buy a pass. It's really not going to be that different.

Really? Bad Company 2 used is $28 at Gamestop.
Ultimate Edition is $40 new.

Where's my savings!?

 

[Attack You]

I must be getting old. I could've sworn CD-keys locked you out of the offline and online game entirely (like, the game wouldn't even install without that). Access/Registration codes, on the other hand, is what Online Pass is emulating.

 

[Noshino]

So instead of dicking Gamestop over, we get dicked over. Lovely.

Dude, you gotta stop generalizing. Not everyone buys used games, as a matter of fact, most people like to buy new.

I got into the Lord of the Rings trilogy because a friend lent me the book. Read and watched all the movies and I didn't pay a single cent for that first book. Videogame industry has its priorities off.

Don't worry though, although I won't stand for it, plenty of people will buy it and you'll get ten sequels.

You can't compare the video game industry to other forms of entertainment. Books, movies, music, they get money in multiple ways, they aren't nearly as dependent as video games are on direct sales.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

If Gamestop's used prices match the difference in price, then and only then will I reconsider.

if they don't doesn't that make them just as "anti-consumer" as you guys claim the publishers are being? I mean, they're charging you the same amount for less game, right? Gamestop isn't some grand champion for consumer rights here.

 

[alr1ght]

Dude, you gotta stop generalizing. Not everyone buys used games, as a matter of fact, most people like to buy new.

Dude, I buy 90% of my games new. You gotta stop generalizing the people who are against this only buy used.

 

[False Witness]

LOL

You are getting less for the same money. Games are $10 more expensive & they lock out multiplayer this gen. We should all be paying $100 per game.

Except, as someone who only buys new and never resells, am I truly getting less?

 

[fernoca]

I know it's about making money, but it still shafts the consumer and I was moreso addressing the people that are actually saying they support these kinds of business practices.

But how it is "shafting the cosnumer"?
If anything, it's shafting:
A. Potential resellers (that will need to lower the price)
B. People that rent (multiple times or for extended period of times, since there's only a 2 day trial)

But:
A. People that buy the game new, get the pass and don't need to pay anything else.
B. People that buy the game used, they're probably buying it used because they got it for really cheap. So if they get the game for $30 and then pay for the pass ($10) is still $40. And compared to a $60 there's still some savings on it.

If people are buying used to get $5 savings of a new price, sorry but they're doing it wrong. Even $10 is not that much of a difference if the game originally costs $60.

LOL

You are getting less for the same money. Games are $10 more expensive & they lock out multiplayer this gen. We should all be paying $100 per game.

$10 more expensive? Last time I checked MK costs $59.99, which is the MSRP of most current gen games. And is not like before this announcement the game was going to cost $49.99

 

[TheSeks]

If you buy used, you get it for cheaper and if you really want online, you use the difference to buy a pass. It's really not going to be that different.

And yet that first bit (getting it cheaper than normal) hasn't really happened at Gamestops, at least not for the games that use it/EA games so far.

Hell, EA doesn't even include the online pass with the 360 DD Bad Company 2 release, despite that being "new" for most people. WTF, MS/EA/DICE?

 

[Noshino]

Dude, I buy 90% of my games new. You gotta stop generalizing the people who are against this only buy used.

You are the one that came up with the 95% figure....

 

[Fantasmo]

You can't compare the video game industry to other forms of entertainment. Books, movies, music, they get money in multiple ways, they aren't nearly as dependent as video games are on direct sales.

I certainly can. Perhaps if they priced according to content and age of product we'd see more old purchases but few do that.

 

[metareferential]

If people are buying used to get $5 savings of a new price, sorry but they're doing it wrong. Even $10 is not that much of a difference if the game originally costs $60.

Maybe this is a bit harsh but: if people buy new and than have to sell the games quickly in order to afford the next purchase, well, it means they couldn't really afford it and should have waited for a bargain in the first place.

Am I a consumer-nazi? xD

 

[DatBreh]

I dont mind this because i always buy new anyway. I mean Amazon will have this game at 39.99 on a daily special like they have for most of the recent new releases so you can get it for cheap that way anyway.

Plus they really have to do something about the people who come into Gamestop on day 2 and look to save 5 bucks on the used copy. Really, 5 bucks? You wont support the developer over 5 bucks?

 

[jsnepo]

How do these online passes work? Is the game going to be tied to the XBL/PSN account for online gaming? If yes then let's say I tied it to my PSN, will other users on the same PS3 be able to play it online or it's just going to be me? If it's only me then screw this online pass thing!

 

[AbsoluteZero]

Simple solution. Don't buy used, just buy bargain bin.

It's what I've been doing for years.

 

[alr1ght]

You are the one that came up with the 95% figure....

95% is the "other" consumers from my example.

The only consumers who benefits from this are:
a. Always buys new
b. Does not play multiplayer
c. Never resells games

That person could sell the code online for an extra $8-10, effectively making the game $50 new.

I'm saying that person probably makes up 5% of the market, although probably more.

 

[Fantasmo]

if they don't doesn't that make them just as "anti-consumer" as you guys claim the publishers are being? I mean, they're charging you the same amount for less game, right? Gamestop isn't some grand champion for consumer rights here.

I don't understand what you're missing here, I'm not okay with getting half a game just because I am borrowing, renting, or buying second hand. They have the right to do it, but I have the right not to support it.

 

[Banjo Tango]

I feel that nobody should ever be punished for buying secondhand.

Except, perhaps, the developer?

Then again, "Lack of a direct reward" =/= "Punishment", but they're still not coming out ahead when you buy used.

 

[Vilam]

I wonder if we're going to be seeing more games now with multiplayer even beyond the bullet point trend we've been seeing regarding that feature, due to the painful effectiveness of the Online Pass system.

Why bother? Just lock away the last level of a game so players can't see the ending unless they buy new or pay $10.

Kind of a kick in the nuts for a used game buyer like me. :C

It's kind of a kick in the nuts to hard working devs when people don't support them with a purchase. A game is good enough for you to spend your time on but not to compensate those who worked on it?

Why not? What if you have say Gamefly and just want to try out some MK for a bit, get your fill, and then send it back? How does that really seem unreasonable?

How does getting the full experience of a game with zero of your money going to the developer seem reasonable?

I get that nobody likes what they perceive as getting less value for their money, or having to pay a fee to access parts of a game - but wake up to what's happening in the industry. Studios are closing left and right. THQ laid off a bunch of people just today. You either support developers or the games you enjoy playing simply won't exist anymore.

 

[Noshino]

I certainly can. Perhaps if they priced according to content and age of product we'd see more old purchases but few do that.

I do agree that they should price according to content/budget rather than keeping the standard set price.

As for age of product, isn't that up to the retailer?


And no, comparisons with the other industries don't really apply.

 

[gdt]

It sucks, but it doesn't really affect me.

I really only buy used when the game is old, and I barely ever play any multi. And I never sell my games.

But still, talk about a practice that kicks you in the balls :lol.

 

[Struct09]

Even if you buy used, you're likely to come out the same. Anyone who sells you this game used will have to be upfront about the status of the online pass, and will have to adjust the price accordingly.

The consumer who really benefits is the one who doesn't want to play online at all - they can possibly get the single-player content for even cheaper (and in the case of Mortal Kombat, the single player is quite substantial).

The biggest downside is resale value - if you use the online code, and later want to resell, then obviously you won't get as much in return.

There's ups and downs for this practice, and I can totally understand why publishers will continue down this route. Not only does it help recoup some used sales money, it can also help curb some piracy.

 

[Owzers]

Simple solution. Don't buy used, just buy bargain bin.

It's what I've been doing for years.

Luckily for you, i'm sure putting a nice expiration date on the online codes of 3 months is in the future. " You bought this game too late, but you can buy an online pass for only $9.99" *smile*

 

[alr1ght]

I get that nobody likes what they perceive as getting less value for their money, or having to pay a fee to access parts of a game - but wake up to what's happening in the industry. Studios are closing left and right. THQ laid off a bunch of people just today. You either support developers or the games you enjoy playing simply won't exist anymore.

It's not my job to develop proper budgets and business plans for game studios.

 

[Electivirus]

It's kind of a kick in the nuts to hard working devs when people don't support them with a purchase. A game is good enough for you to spend your time on but not to compensate those who worked on it?

That used game used to be new. They already got their revenue from it. There's also the fact that I use reselling games as a way to fund brand new purchases.

Brand new games are kind of expensive. /understatement

 

[fernoca]

How do these online passes work? Is the game going to be tied to the XBL/PSN account for online gaming? If yes then let's say I tied it to my PSN, will other users on the same PS3 be able to play it online or it's just going to be me? If it's only me then screw this online pass thing!

Per account/per console. Seems to also depend on the publisher.
As long as you play on the same console it's fine (in most cases, in some doesn't); across multiple units, depends also. For the PS3 you might need to activate the account with the online pass into the other PS3.

 

[Gin]

was looking forward to this game... not anymore

will wait for goty edition with all the dlc bullshit on it to be in the bargain bin.

 

[Seagoon]

How long until Consoles get CD Keys just to unlock the single player mode?

Consoles are getting more like PCs every year - soon it will be hard to make the distinction.

 

[Glass Joe]

Anyone who's actually purchasing Mortal Kombat new can probably live with this news just fine. Anyone who plans on buying it used or renting it, well, they weren't actually making money off of you anyway, so you're not technically a paying customer in their eyes. At least they're giving the option of buying a code online. If buying used + online code is less than full retail, you're still ahead at least.

It's not great news for us consumers, but I can see why developers are doing it. As long as it's clearly stated on the package, I'm okay with it. If it simply says "online enabled" with no other warnings, then I guess I'll have a problem with it.

 

[Fantasmo]

Except, perhaps, the developer?

Then again, "Lack of a direct reward" =/= "Punishment", but they're still not coming out ahead when you buy used.

I don't care about the developer and neither should you. If the content is good they will be rewarded same as every other industry. As I said, I was onboard with Lord of the Rings after borrowing the first book. Between book and movies they probably made $60-70 off me.

Some books and movies were good enough to warrant a purchase at a later date because I had to have them. Some got sequel money. Others got same author/developer money.

Expecting me to jump through hoops for a full fledged product shows me they have absolutely no faith in their products, or they are greedy, neither of which is okay.

 

[Plywood]

In what way does it shaft the consumer? It will force Gamestop to probably charge less for online games. If you buy new, it doesn't effect you at all. If you buy used, you get it for cheaper and if you really want online, you use the difference to buy a pass. It's really not going to be that different.

1)If I let my friend borrow a game with an online pass and he wanted to try online, he will have to pay for online or not play online. Now if he's on XBL he also is paying for his XBL subscription and if it's PSN he still has to pay for the pass nonetheless.

2)What if in the off chance the game isn't available new anywhere?

3)Why should I be locked out of features because I didn't directly support the dev? The person who bought the game in the first place supported the dev, from them on the game is owned by whoever bought it and the dev shouldn't expect a dime because they got they already got their cut from the first sale.

4)What if I don't like online and now I just wasted money for something I'm not even going to use?

And I can't fathom the sense of entitlement a lot of gamers have these days.

How is this a sense of entitlement? If anything dev's have gotten increasingly greedy over the years with their charging of content already on disc.

But how it is "shafting the cosnumer"?
If anything, it's shafting:
A. Potential resellers (that will need to lower the price)
B. People that rent (multiple times or for extended period of times, since there's only a 2 day trial)

But:
A. People that buy the game new, get the pass and don't need to pay anything else.
B. People that buy the game used, they're probably buying it used because they got it for really cheap. So if they get the game for $30 and then pay for the pass ($10) is still $40. And compared to a $60 there's still some savings on it.

If people are buying used to get $5 savings of a new price, sorry but they're doing it wrong. Even $10 is not that much of a difference if the game originally costs $60.


$10 more expensive? Last time I checked MK costs $59.99, which is the MSRP of most current gen games. And is not like before this announcement the game was going to cost $49.99

See #3 and #4.

And before anyone tries to call me out as a used game buyer, I buy new because Gamestop sells the shittiest used products ever. I just can't support this.

 

[Calcaneus]

Ugh, I hope it isn't true, but it seems pretty likely. How much underhanded shit did Netherrealm have to agree to so that this game could be made? Or are they cool with this from the start?

 

[Banjo Tango]

3)Why should I be locked out of features because I didn't directly support the dev?

Why not? What is the "used game buyer" to them?

4)What if I don't like online and now I just wasted money for something I'm not even going to use?

Free trial period.

 

[Kintaro]

You know, since this online pass has started I have never, ever, ever sold the add on pass when someone buys used. People know...but they just don't care.

I honestly wonder if these online passes do anything for these publishers. It didn't seem like sales on new games jumped up for them and people still buy used in droves...so, I don't get it.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

1)If I let my friend borrow a game with an online pass and he wanted to try online, he will have to pay for online or not play online. Now if he's on XBL he also is paying for his XBL subscription and if it's PSN he still has to pay for the pass nonetheless.

2)What if in the off chance the game isn't available new anywhere?

3)Why should I be locked out of features because I didn't directly support the dev? The person who bought the game in the first place supported the dev, from them on the game is owned by whoever bought it and the dev shouldn't expect a dime because they got they already got their cut from the first sale.

4)What if I don't like online and now I just wasted money for something I'm not even going to use?

1)Pretty sure he'd be able to get the rental online pass for a couple days to try it out.

2)If it's out of print chances are the online servers will be shut down or barren any damn way

3)Because they don't have to support you. Take that up with the person or place you bought the game from. If they charged you full price they are the ones ripping you off. If you bought it used the publisher doesn't owe you anything.

4) lol What if I buy a full game and decide I don't like it, I just wasted money for something I'm not going to use. Am I entitled to a full refund?

 

[Banjo Tango]

I don't care about the developer and neither should you.

OK?

Edit - I still find this a little hard to believe... you don't want to see the people responsible for the work you're enjoying rewarded? I mean, even if you look at it from a purely selfish standpoint, you're providing developers with the means to make more stuff for you... and making it more likely that publishers will take a chance on their projects.

 

[fernoca]

was looking forward to this game... not anymore

will wait for goty edition with all the dlc bullshit on it to be in the bargain bin.

A GOTY Edition or Bargain Bin Edition that will also have an online passes; so you'll be supporting the "evil ways".

See #3 and #4.

And before anyone tries to call me out as a used game buyer, I buy new because Gamestop sells the shittiest used products ever. I just can't support this.

That's what the 2 day trial is for.
If you don't like the online in those 2 days, then don't buy the pass.

 

[charlequin]

if they don't doesn't that make them just as "anti-consumer" as you guys claim the publishers are being? I mean, they're charging you the same amount for less game, right? Gamestop isn't some grand champion for consumer rights here.

Gamestop sucks ass, which is why it annoys me that Online Pass sticks me with the bill (or, rather, the strict-reduction-in-value of my game purchase) instead of them. I feel like if EA wants me to be complicit in their cheap-ass scheme, they should be buying me off -- giving me $10 credit towards my next EA game/DLC or something on top of generously giving me a single free code to the online mode that should have already been included in the package.

Except, as someone who only buys new and never resells, am I truly getting less?

You're getting pretty significantly inconvenienced if you either have two different systems you play on or if you share your games with family members/roommates with their own online IDs, depending on how the online pass is implemented.

You can't compare the video game industry to other forms of entertainment.

Just watch me!

 

[StickSoldier]

Wait, what? What other console games do this?

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Wait, what? What other console games do this?

everything made by EA and THQ.

 

[DatBreh]

That used game used to be new. They already got their revenue from it. There's also the fact that I use reselling games as a way to fund brand new purchases.

Brand new games are kind of expensive. /understatement

No they arent. Amazon offers 10-20 buck credits for new full price games and you can also find that same game for 39.99 new if you are willing to wait a month for it to be a gold box deal. I bought AC:Brotherhood, Fallout New Vegas, and Dead Space 2 on the gold box deals for 39.99 and used 10 buck credits on a few.

 

[fernoca]

Wait, what? What other console games do this?

Dead Space, Madden, Hot Pursuit, Tiger Woods...mostly EA games.
THQ and WB are joining the party.

Sony did it with ModNation on PSP.

 

[GQman2121]

The day the game launches you'll be able to stroll into any Blockbuster (yes they still exist) and either take the code right off the back of the manual on the shelf, or just take the whole damn manual. There's your work around used GAF.

 

[metareferential]

That used game used to be new. They already got their revenue from it.

But still, a new customer pays someone who has nothing to do with the game's development, instead of buying a new copy and so contributing to the developer (or the publisher, more likely, which isn't that good).

The problem is far from simple, I know; it's like the "lost sale" from pirating a game. And while I get the noble intention of supporting a dev, the measure seems to be more greed-inspired, than anything else, really, since it's the publisher promoting it.

As for the reselling part: there are other ways to save money and get a lot of games, like bargains.

The day the game launches you'll be able to stroll into any Blockbuster (yes they still exist) and either take the code right off the back of the manual on the shelf, or just take the whole damn manual. There's your work around used GAF.

You suggest stealing as a work-around?