Sony: all new PS3 titles will require PSN Pass for online play
Taxing secondhand-game buyers
Sony has officially extended its tax on gamers who buy secondhand PlayStation titles, confirming that all future Sony games with network functionality will be mediated through an online pass system.
The company told Destructoid that the PSN Pass system will be incorporated into all upcoming Sony Computer Entertainment PS3 games, starting with Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception.
Sony adopted the PSN Pass in July, when it warned punters that the September release of Resistance 3 will require a unique access code if it's to be played online.
Anyone purchasing secondhand copies of the game from someone who has already used the bundled code will have to buy online access afresh.
Other publishers, including EA, THQ, Codemasters and Warner, have used an online pass system in their games too. ®
COMMENTS
yup think of the damage caused by second hand books, used cars, second hand furniture, etc.
Example
"Other publishers, including EA, THQ, Codemasters and Warner, have also used an online pass system in their games too."
You're forgetting that Steam extends this abuse of statutory rights too. Girlfriend recently bought Civ 5 (physically, in a shop and everything) and had to activate it on Steam. She was then unable to sell it on eBay when she subsequently discovered it was a shit game.
I've still not been able to explain to her satisfaction why she can't sell a game that she bought. I understand her confusion.
And Sony wonder why people are so keen to try and circumvent DRM switches??
You don't own the online service
They aren't restricting use of the game offline, that would be wrong. But they are restricting access to the online service to those that have paid for it.
One thing that everyone seems to overlook is that video games are in a unique position. Unlike books, movies etc. there can be an ongoing cost for the company that sells the game due to online play, yet there is no ongoing revenue. The more you play the game online the more it costs them.
The online pass is a pretty good way to handle this. It would be even better if the games were sold at a discount and the online pass were sold separately. That way those that never want to play online wouldn't have to pay for it.
same on the xbox
its exactly the same with the latest game I bought for the xbox, "cough" Space Marine had a unique code in the box, that i used and if anyone wanted to progress in the online mulitplayer would need to fork out $10 if they havent the code.
and thats on a system where you have to pay!
"I don't understand why so many people don't grasp the simple concept that if they buy a <*> off another person the producer of that <*> doesn't get a penny out of the deal."
* - jumper / car / book / film / ...
Why is it different for games then?
That is the nature of selling items you own to other people...
