Poll: A question for those of you who hate Online Pass

[GonzoGamer]

I really hate the whole online pass scheme to the point where I no longer buy any games that have it; and that's just on principle, I don't buy used games...anymore.
However I also hate it when a game has actual gameplay content hidden behind some single use code too but this seems to be acceptable to more people than the online pass.

I'm not against pre-order bonuses; at least, I wasn't when it was just in game items & outfits. However, when it's actual gameplay content and/or entire game modes (and sometimes they lock up the most compelling game mode which is monumentally retarded since it ensures that renters & borrowers wont purchase it for themselves), they are stunting the game itself and that should be opposed if just for the integrity of the product: something that seems to be worth less and less in the game industry.

So, my question is, do you think online passes are a shitty idea but locking regular gameplay content is fine? If so, why.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I'm a PC Gamer. I don't even know what Online Pass is. I get the vibe that people seriously dislike it though.

 

[Otaku World Order]

Locking out online features is one thing, but locking out parts of the single player is a pain in the ass. It took me forever to start Arkham City because I had to download updates, enter the Catwoman passcode, download and install that and all to access four story missions.

 

[Zhukov]

PC guy here, I remain unaffected.

(I have a console too, for exclusives, but I only buy used games for it and it isn't even connected to the internet.)

I can see why they would be irritating, but I have nothing against developers/publishers using them. I understand their reasons ("profit!"). It would be nice if they found a way to make them less intrusive though, so people who buy new don't have to deal with any code-input bullshit at all.

 

[boag]

I can make a judgement on it, since Im still in the dark of how they work, since ive never purchased a game that requires it.

From what I gather it locks out multiplayer in games like Call of Duty and such right?

 

[Epona]

PC guy here, I remain unaffected.

PC games have the same online passes, it's called an activation code that let's you download day 1 DLC. If you weren't affected, then the content would just be on the disc or you could download it without a code, like a patch.

I remember having to put in a code and then register with EA and then log in through the game to get the Dragon Age Origins day 1 dlc (Shale). I remember that if I hit play before the game logged in, it wouldn't let me play because I didn't have permission to use that day 1 dlc.

 

[Twilight_guy]

I keep hearing about content being locked out but I'm always curious as to what content this is. It sound like they are giving you a demo but most of the time the content I see is "oh look, another gun" or "oh look some more maps for multiplayer". It could be a problem if certain things are restricted but I haven't seen some sort of horrible tragedy yet. I assume I'm just ignorant of the news though.

 

[him over there]

Activation codes mean they cannot be sold used. It is your right as a consumer to be able to buy and sell used products. It is an extension of being fit for purpose.

 

[Tohuvabohu]

Primarily PC guy here, but I do own a PS3 and 360 and have bought a numerous amount of games on them, so I guess I do have an opinion on this matter.

Personally speaking. I always buy my games new, and I never sell my games. Ever. I enjoy keeping the games I purchase and having a collection of games for each of my consoles.

So I guess it doesn't come as a surprise when I say that I don't really care about this. Preorder bonuses are kinda annoying sometimes, but most of the time I still don't care.

I can see why others are bothered about this. But this really makes no difference to me. They want us to buy the game new, I always have, so yeah.

 

[Epona]

I keep hearing about content being locked out but I'm always curious as to what content this is. It sound like they are giving you a demo but most of the time the content I see is "oh look, another gun" or "oh look some more maps for multiplayer". It could be a problem if certain things are restricted but I haven't seen some sort of horrible tragedy yet. I assume I'm just ignorant of the news though.

Most of the free DLC is pretty crappy and that's because it's usually pulled from the game and was never designed to be sold separately. That's my opinion though, I want to make that clear. Still, it is but a foot in the doorway for what is coming and that is complete lockout of a game without an activation code. Console games will eventually become like PC games and there will be no used market. The only hope there is of avoiding that future is to protest it now, while it's in its infancy. All the people defending the overwhelming greed of publishers will one day see that publishers won't return the favor.

 

[boag]

I keep hearing about content being locked out but I'm always curious as to what content this is. It sound like they are giving you a demo but most of the time the content I see is "oh look, another gun" or "oh look some more maps for multiplayer". It could be a problem if certain things are restricted but I haven't seen some sort of horrible tragedy yet. I assume I'm just ignorant of the news though.

Most of the free DLC is pretty crappy and that's because it's usually pulled from the game and was never designed to be sold separately. That's my opinion though, I want to make that clear. Still, it is but a foot in the doorway for what is coming and that is complete lockout of a game without an activation code. Console games will eventually become like PC games and there will be no used market. The only hope there is of avoiding that future is to protest it now, while it's in its infancy. All the people defending the overwhelming greed of publishers will one day see that publishers won't return the favor.

If that ever Happens ill just stop playing videogames all together.

There are still numerous forms of media entertainment available for free that dont require me to do jack shit.

Im going to assume that when people get fed up enough theyll just abandon the entire industry and itll collapse under its own weight.

However, if they start fucking around with Laws, like they tried with SOPA, like they are trying with ACTA, thats when I become involved.

 

[Adultism]

Locking multiplayer because you bought their game used, and charging you 9.99 to unlock multiplayer is BS

This is causing a lot of problems. Because I like buying my games used, Not all of us are rich EA.

Back off.

 

[GonzoGamer]

I keep hearing about content being locked out but I'm always curious as to what content this is. It sound like they are giving you a demo but most of the time the content I see is "oh look, another gun" or "oh look some more maps for multiplayer". It could be a problem if certain things are restricted but I haven't seen some sort of horrible tragedy yet. I assume I'm just ignorant of the news though.

That's my point.
I don't think anyone would complain if it was just an extra gun or outfit for your character and it was the same across all retailers but the most offensive example I can think of is LA Noir's launch.
They butchered cases out of that game so they could be sold as dlc and auctioned off to separate retailers for them to add as pre-order bonuses. So depending on where you bought it, you could be just missing a gun & coat, a collection quest, or even a whole chapter of gameplay. If you bought it from someplace that didn't make some deal with R*, it was up to you to decide if you wanted to buy all of it separately. Everyone paid the same amount but some people got abridged version of the game. That's shitty.

 

[GonzoGamer]

The latest PR out of EA is stating that The Syndicate will NOT have online pass.
The fact that they want to make that very clear to everyone gives me some small hope for the future of gaming.

Now if they can just convince Sony & THQ.

 

[Epona]

The latest PR out of EA is stating that The Syndicate will NOT have online pass.
The fact that they want to make that very clear to everyone gives me some small hope for the future of gaming.

Now if they can just convince Sony & THQ.

It's just back and forth stuff. They'll be back with the online passes in the next game.

 

[GonzoGamer]

The latest PR out of EA is stating that The Syndicate will NOT have online pass.
The fact that they want to make that very clear to everyone gives me some small hope for the future of gaming.

Now if they can just convince Sony & THQ.

It's just back and forth stuff. They'll be back with the online passes in the next game.

Shut up and let me hope!
...
Of course I fear you're right but it is promising: especially since we thought every EA game would have online pass from now on.

 

[Monkeyman O'Brien]

Its stupid. Its just developers being cunts and trying to fuck over users.
Plus what happens if your system dies? Then all that extra shit you have to rebuy though no fault of your own.

 

[CulixCupric]

I'm a PC Gamer. I don't even know what Online Pass is. I get the vibe that people seriously dislike it though.

Yeah, I'm a PC gamer, I have a DS, and a PS2, and I do play the Wii, but I won't touch XBox, XBox 360 or PS3 because of Online subscriptions. Plus, most console games are solely multiplayer, and the only multiplayer game I do play is SC2 because you don't need a subscription, as you pay once, and then just play.

 

[Awexsome]

Quite frankly I think the online pass/project 10$ thing is just fine. Yeah I get it's annoying to have to, y'know, pay money for stuff but it's a small, easy way for the creators to get a small cut.

Yeah it's a practice that makes buying used games more expensive and less likely for me to get them but I really don't see any great moral or fundamental right being trampled on like some people do. I really see that more of the gamer's entitlement issue than anything.

 

[Twilight_guy]

I keep hearing about content being locked out but I'm always curious as to what content this is. It sound like they are giving you a demo but most of the time the content I see is "oh look, another gun" or "oh look some more maps for multiplayer". It could be a problem if certain things are restricted but I haven't seen some sort of horrible tragedy yet. I assume I'm just ignorant of the news though.

Most of the free DLC is pretty crappy and that's because it's usually pulled from the game and was never designed to be sold separately. That's my opinion though, I want to make that clear. Still, it is but a foot in the doorway for what is coming and that is complete lockout of a game without an activation code. Console games will eventually become like PC games and there will be no used market. The only hope there is of avoiding that future is to protest it now, while it's in its infancy. All the people defending the overwhelming greed of publishers will one day see that publishers won't return the favor.

Meh. That's a slippery slope argument and I honestly don't believe in the idea that all big companies are mustache twirling greedy engines of evil. I've seen some publisher do stupid things but nothing to convince me that all publisher be "teh evil overlordz!" quiet yet.