And you thought Online Passes were bad.

[Qitz]

So we've all heard of the whole debacle with Online Passes, Cerberus Network for example, where game developers would lock you out of content if you bought a game used.

Well the new Spyo game Skylander's: Spyro's Adventure takes it to an extra level. How does it do that? By locking you out of content that you can only unlock by buying Skylander figurines. The base pack ($70) comes with three Skylanders, the portal base, and the disc. However, there are eight elemental types of Skylanders. Since certain areas are accessible only to certain elemental types, you need one of each elemental type to see everything on the disc. Those sell for $8 a pop, or $20 for a three-pack. There?s also DLC style content like a pirate ship that opens up a new level in the hub world for another $20 (though it does come packed with another character figure and some bonus items.)

So Activision is trying to get you to pay $100+ to play their full game. Kind of makes that $10 Online Pass seem reasonable now doesn't it?

 

[GonzoGamer]

That's pants on head retarded but it doesn't make me feel any better about online passes.
In fact, it only makes me think that because gamers were so accepting of online passes, we're sure to see more obscenely stupid schemes like this... and they're going to get even worse than that.

 

[everythingbeeps]

And you thought Online Passes were bad.

No. No, I didn't.


And back on topic: have you never heard of Activision? Go do some research. This Skylanders thing isn't the worst thing they've ever done.

 

[demoman_chaos]

They are wanting to make us pay that much more for a Spyro game? Hasn't Spyro been poo since the end of the PS1?

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I'm more upset what they did to Spyro...

[HEADING=2]What kind of hellish abomination are you! What did you do with Spyro![/HEADING]

 

[Bluntman1138]

It seems the Skylander game is taking the Free 2 play MMO style of micro transactions. But with the hitch of making you buy the $60.00 game.

 

[Ridgemo]

I think it's genuis. Its marketed at Kids that will bug there parents to high hell for those figures.

 

[the spud]

Kind of makes that $10 Online Pass seem reasonable now doesn't it?

Right, like how the holocaust made the Khmer Rouge sound reasonable (not to imply that online passes are anywhere near as bad as the holocaust, just a point of comparison). I know you said that in jest, I just wanted to point out that online passes are still bad for the industry.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Looks like Spyro is the new Sonic
I hope this fails miserably and Activision doesn't go near it ever again.

 

[KeyMaster45]

Haha, oh man that's a good one Activision. Like anyone would be crazy enough to block of main game content (and not optional dlc stuff) and then tell people the only way to unlock it was by buying shitty $8 figurines. Man this coffee is good, where'd you get this?

...wuz 'at? You...you're serious about that? No, you're pulling my leg right? You're not pulling my leg are you?

 

[Jakub324]

That is a hyper-e move... Who thought that was a good idea?

 

[Just_A_Glitch]

I'm actually a supporter of the online pass system.

But this, this is kind of extreme. However, there is a simple solution...

Don't buy it.

Looks like Spyro is the new Sonic
I hope this fails miserably and Activision doesn't go near it ever again.

Spyro was Sonic before Sonic was Sonic. The only difference is Spyro was never as popular, so it wasn't as obvious.

 

[gigastar]

This is old news.

Now stop bringing up Skylanders. I prefer to remember the Spyro before Activision got thier talons on the IP.

 

[scorptatious]

Yeah, kind of terrible what they are doing with Spyro.

As for online passes, I honestly don't really care about them to be honest. Most of the time, these online passes only lock you out of content that is optional and not even required to beat the game. (Like say, pre-order bonuses like the Golden Lancer from Gears of War 2?) Not to mention I can't really blame developers as they can't profit off of used game sales. Although I kind of do wish there were better options.

Now if they made it so that online passes are required just to get to the end of the game, kind of like what you're saying about Spyro, then that's when they have crossed the line.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I'm more upset what they did to Spyro...

[HEADING=2]What kind of hellish abomination are you! What did you do with Spyro![/HEADING]

That's Spyro?!?!?! I wasn't even much of a fan of him to begin with but... The horror!

Also this is stupid.

 

[Sizzle Montyjing]

I will murder them for what they have done to Spyro.
MURDER THEM I SAY.

Also, this is bullshit...
I mean, really!?

 

[Twilight_guy]

I remember when I was a kid and they sold dumb additional content type stuff with code pack-ins on figures (or cereal boxes). Nobody cared back then. Sadly now that everyone is older and more mature I'm the only one who doesn't care. Huh...

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I was actually debating on making a thread on this! At my place of work, Skylanders is available on the PS3, 360, Wii and, 3DS. They're all 69.99 though which struck me as odd and they come with 3 figurines. At my store we're also selling additional figurines. You can buy them one at a time for $7 each. I don't know if there are multi-figure packs but isn't that game supposed to have forty-something characters, all with a figurine?

I loath the online pass system and the only nice thing I can say about the Skylander thing is that it's cool to actually get something tangible. But since you need certain elemental characters to get through the various stages of the game, it is definitely a dick move on Activisions part.

I agree with Daystar Clarion though...

Who is this creature and why is he cosplaying as Spyro?

You are missed Spyro.

 

[Roofstone]

I'm more upset what they did to Spyro...

[HEADING=2]What kind of hellish abomination are you! What did you do with Spyro![/HEADING]

I..Uh..

...

Why?! D; Spyro! Don't move towards the light! Or is it run away from...? You know what! Just stay there spyro, enjoy the light. Get a tan while we work out some way to save you.

Also, no, I didn't really think online passes were bad. But this is a pure dick move.

 

[x EvilErmine x]

Why are on-line passes not a bad thing?

OT
*slow clap to Activision* well done guys, and here was me thinking that there was actually some decency and respect for consumers left in your company.