Sony Confirms PlayStation Pass - Will Limit Pre-Owned Sales
There is no Resistance to it...
Sony, in a joint statement from SCEE and SCEA has finally confirmed the existence of the PlayStation Pass that was first spotted on Resistance 3 packaging.
PlayStation Pass is Sony's attempt to emulate EA's Online Pass and is aimed at stopping second hand sales for its first-party games by providing a one-use only code for online play.
The statement reads in part:
"We are always evaluating new programs for our online offering, and starting with Resistance 3 this September, we will be instituting a network pass program for PS3 games with online capabilities. This program will be game-specific.
"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. This is an important initiative as it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio."
We also can't let this pass without quoting industry journal MCV's Ben Parfitt on the matter:
"The implication of course – though few publishers have had the balls to admit it – is that pre-owned buyers are frozen out of the content. That is, unless they pay an additional fee (typically anything up to £10) to purchase their own Pass."
Sources:
Joystiq
Konsolentreff
MCV
PlayStation Pass is Sony's attempt to emulate EA's Online Pass and is aimed at stopping second hand sales for its first-party games by providing a one-use only code for online play.
The statement reads in part:
"We are always evaluating new programs for our online offering, and starting with Resistance 3 this September, we will be instituting a network pass program for PS3 games with online capabilities. This program will be game-specific.
"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. This is an important initiative as it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party game portfolio."
We also can't let this pass without quoting industry journal MCV's Ben Parfitt on the matter:
"The implication of course – though few publishers have had the balls to admit it – is that pre-owned buyers are frozen out of the content. That is, unless they pay an additional fee (typically anything up to £10) to purchase their own Pass."
Sources:
Joystiq
Konsolentreff
MCV
Companies:
Sony
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Comments
Cfan 7 Jul 2011 09:37
1/10
Their loss then, I guess the rest will be shuffling in line to copy this.
When I've bought second hand games and they've been good, I've either pre-ordered the next game coming up or looked into the studio that produced it to see what other games they have on offer. so yeah.
When I've bought second hand games and they've been good, I've either pre-ordered the next game coming up or looked into the studio that produced it to see what other games they have on offer. so yeah.
JoesoMelono 7 Jul 2011 09:54
2/10
Not a big deal for me really, im more of a single player man my self, or an offline multiplayer ie. street fighter.
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gingineer 7 Jul 2011 10:34
3/10
i think this is a reasonable step for the online multiplayer issue. although i do wish they look again at the cost. £10 is a bit steep if the game's multiplayer is latched on. for example Dead space 2!
if it was a copy of call of duty i can understand.
On another note, i bought a second hand book the other day. I can't remember book publishers complaining and charging me for access to the last chapter as it was second hand!
if it was a copy of call of duty i can understand.
On another note, i bought a second hand book the other day. I can't remember book publishers complaining and charging me for access to the last chapter as it was second hand!
alexh2o 7 Jul 2011 10:57
4/10
Personally, I think this is f**king discraceful! This is basically them saying that you do not own the game, rather you are purchasing a 'pass' to play it. This goes against consumer sales laws which dictate that if you buy something, you own it! You should always have the right to sell something on. There is only one reason for these passes - to cripple second hand sales. Similar legal cases brought by companies trying to restrict the use of YOUR media, citing DMCA and EUCD, have been thrown out as being illegal. I cannot wait until this is legally tested and found to be highly illegal market manipulation - come on EU competion commision!
There is only one way this can be legal - If you sell a copy of the game with a restricted online pass, you must also sell a copy of the game without the online pass for a reduced price. Then the online segment is separate, akin to special edition DLC. (Whats the betting this tactic would stop instantly if they had to offer cut price versions without online?)
I really don't understand how anyone can think this acceptable?! In the words of Cartman.. at least let them lube you up before you let them f**k you!
There is only one way this can be legal - If you sell a copy of the game with a restricted online pass, you must also sell a copy of the game without the online pass for a reduced price. Then the online segment is separate, akin to special edition DLC. (Whats the betting this tactic would stop instantly if they had to offer cut price versions without online?)
I really don't understand how anyone can think this acceptable?! In the words of Cartman.. at least let them lube you up before you let them f**k you!
deleted 7 Jul 2011 11:17
5/10
Sorry but I have to agree with Sony on this, I am all for second hand sales but not massive aggressive Pre-owned store sales, it is crippling the industry far worse than piracy does.
miacid 7 Jul 2011 11:30
6/10
I'm still on the fence with this one.
On the one had I can see the extra charge going towards the running of the online servers/maintenence for a game, as you still own the actual game you are just paying to use an on-line service if you buy second hand.
However I like the idea of the companies having to offer two versions of a game if they are charging for the online services. This would properly keep the bricks and mortar retailers happier as well.
My fear with this is that online will be tacked on to every game in an attempt to justify the extra 10 quid.
On the one had I can see the extra charge going towards the running of the online servers/maintenence for a game, as you still own the actual game you are just paying to use an on-line service if you buy second hand.
However I like the idea of the companies having to offer two versions of a game if they are charging for the online services. This would properly keep the bricks and mortar retailers happier as well.
My fear with this is that online will be tacked on to every game in an attempt to justify the extra 10 quid.
DrkStr 7 Jul 2011 12:55
7/10
alexhooren wrote:
This is basically them saying that you do not own the game, rather you are purchasing a 'pass' to play it.
That's what music, video and games have been doing for ages.
You don't own the songs, film or game, you own the media and the license to play the songs, film or game from that media.
Same with software, you don't own a copy of Windows, you own a license to use Windows.
All this is doing is extending that concept to a separate license to access the online aspect of a game which the first time buyer gets for free.
Cfan 7 Jul 2011 15:43
8/10
Feel free to correct me but surely this is just a blatant money grab?
Sony already have their money from the first sale? As with nearly all games theres DLC (maps, weapons etc) the second user might pick up...doesn't make much sense to me apart from the money grabbing bastards.
Sony already have their money from the first sale? As with nearly all games theres DLC (maps, weapons etc) the second user might pick up...doesn't make much sense to me apart from the money grabbing bastards.
miacid 7 Jul 2011 16:40
9/10
@CFan I does seems like a money grab in many ways, however I can kinda see it from their perspective, each second hand sale loses them the revenue they might have got had the person bought the game brand new (even if it was at a reduced price). Plus it contributes to their total sales figures etc....
I know there are many arguments supporting the second hand market and how it can help but I think they'll fall on deaf ears of the financial departments of EA and Sony, who at the end call the shots on pricing!
I know there are many arguments supporting the second hand market and how it can help but I think they'll fall on deaf ears of the financial departments of EA and Sony, who at the end call the shots on pricing!
scy 8 Jul 2011 19:14
10/10
My son, daughter and myself play games. We each have an account. We will just not buy any game where online is limited to just one of us allowed to play.