Sony exploring EA's Online Pass equivalent

[dz06lt]

looking to follow EA

Sony exploring Online Pass equivalent - Report - News at GameSpot

Sony exploring Online Pass equivalent - ReportBy Eddie Makuch, GameSpotPosted Aug 24, 2010 3:55 pm PT

Company's European president says it is "exploring actively" a way to monetize second-hand game purchases.

Last week Red Faction publisher THQ announced that it would bundle access to online play with new copies of WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 and charge second-hand users a fee for online admission. The move is seen as effort to make buying games new more attractive than buying them used (a sale that puts no money in the publisher's pocket). Today, Sony voiced its interest in adopting that model.

Sony looking into the used game market.

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Sony's European president Andrew House said the company supports publisher initiatives to monetize the second-hand game market through charging for online play. These initiatives were spearheaded by EA Sports with its Online Pass, a one-time use redemption key that comes bundled with new copies of its sports games.

"On the principle of making online portions of the game available or unlocked from the disc-based release for a fee, we're broadly supportive of that," said House. "And we're exploring actively the same option for our own content."

Previously, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick suggested that monetization of online console games could extend to a subscription service for the company's flagship Call of Duty franchise. However, House said Sony would "struggle" with that type of profiteering method.

"In terms of just a charge for basic online play, that's something that we have to talk about a lot more and we struggle with a little bit because we feel very vindicated and base a lot of the success of PSN today--a 70 percent connection rate across consoles--on the fact that we've removed that major initial barrier to entry."

[downphoenix]

I am not necessarily against this, especially since you can occassionallly get the dlc codes anyways when you buy the game used, when I got dragon age for 360 used it had the blood dragon armor and all with it.

[dz06lt]

some people dont care about small crap like that, for instance i sold my gold guns code for uncharted 2 on ebay

[boffo]

But they already did this with the PSP version of ModNation Racers.

As annoying as this could be for those who regularly buy used it does make sense. Developers can easily claim that a part of the price from the new games goes towards maintaining the servers so if they aren't getting money from your purchase of the game then you haven't payed the price to be allowed to use those servers.

[Fyrus]

I never buy used. I bought Uncharted 1 new last year. The guy at the store was like... "really... you don't want a used one..."

[dz06lt]

i refuse to buy used

[PirateThom]

I own 2 used games and it was only to avoid paying for a "Greatest hits version".

[dz06lt]

that would be the only reason i would

[rounds1]

Just charge for online play already and get it over with! They're trying to do everything but that and it's just going to end up annoying the hell out of everyone.

I don't disagree with this approach, btw. I supported it when EA planned to do the same, but it's becoming increasingly obvious that Sony is picking and pecking at whatever they can do to get you to pay for stuff online, without actually charging for online. Bite the bullet and do what you know has to be done.

You know they're looking at Microsoft's XBL profits and kicking themselves in the arse for not doing the same years ago. Just make the online functionality up to par with XBL, and people will pay. They'll complain at first, but they'll eventually pay.

And don't even say you won't, Pirate - because you will. Hell, you were even considering PSN+, and that looks terrible.

[PirateThom]

What?

This isn't about paying to play online, it's about stopping people buying second hand games....