Online pass gimps offline only game Kingdoms of Amalur
I can’t say that I”m totally against the online pass idea. I understand the concept behind believe me I do. EA, THQ and various other publishers are trying to curb the whole used games fiasco. Did I mention that the uproar from publishers about used games is a total cop out? I don’t recall seeing Peter Moore or any other person at EA lined up at Wendy’s for the dollar menu special. What if I want my daughter, son or live in partner who has their own console to enjoy the game?? These online passes ruin that whole experience as well because you essentially have to buy two copies.
Anyway, I would normally not even care to mention the stupid online pass thing but now they’re including these things with offline games (single player only games). EA is apparently locking content from Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning from anyone who purchases the game used. Upon opening a new copy of the game, you’l have an online pass sleeve detailing the content and necessary steps to take in order to redeem (or unlock) the restricted content.
You may recall that iD Software locked some of its RAGE single player campaign as well so the practice isn’t new. And the fact that it’s disgusting isn’t new either. And what if a person isn’t connected online? Should they pass on Kingdoms of Amalur then because they won’t get a full game? Is EA going to cut the price for those not connected online?
I expect the drama behind “online” passes will become even more ridiculous soon. If EA can get away with locking out seven quests (new copies will get access to “seven additional player quests” throughout the House of Valor faction questline), then I suspect that at some point boss battles will also be unlocked.
But this is what gamers get when we refuse to hold these publishers accountable the way that they’re pimping us. If you don’t like this, then don’t buy the game new or used. Don’t play it at all. Standing up for something though is lost on gamers.
[Thanks for the tip USB Cable]
January 27th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
“But this is what gamers get when we refuse to hold these publishers accountable the way that they’re pimping us. If you don’t like this, then don’t buy the game new or used. Don’t play it at all. Standing up for something though is lost on gamers.”
That’s exactly what I’m going to do Harris. As much as I enjoyed the demo, EA can suck a nut with this game now. I’ve never bought a pre-owned game in my life, and never will. But that’s not how it will effect me. Somewhere along the line this is going to fuck us over. Like when we move to a new gen of consoles, and they switch off this generation of Live (like original Xbox), or the code ‘expires’ That’s fine for a multiplayer experience, which by then will be dead and dated. But NOT for part of the single player game, which should be yours to own and play forever. So for that, I think I’ll wait until this game is about £10. Probably the price for the online pass. Nice way to introduce a new IP EA, FU and all who do this
January 27th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
well said Astrid
January 27th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
My name is in the article, I’m totally famous!
As much as I hate to do it since I loved the demo and I know it’ll hurt Big Huge more, I’m not supporting this bull fart. I just hope EA get’s the message that a percent of people didn’t buy the game do to their crap and not because the game is bad. I tend to babble on when writing since i suck at it and much rather talk so I won’t even get into it before I write a billion page essay with awesome bad grammar. :p
Gamers have been Meeped in the Beep this gen in terms of company’s finding ways to milk us but it has to stop somewhere…. I get that development cost more and more as time passes and it’s about profit but if you have an issue with used games find some other way to deal with it other then inconveniencing over you customers please….
January 28th, 2012 at 10:35 am
I can’t believe the complete immature, egotistical, arrogant attitude these publishers are displaying. They still do not get it.
Why aren’t book publishers and music publishers fretting over used book and used CD sales? Well, now that we have digital music, how did the record labels adapt? They dropped the prices and allowed you to listen to that music you bought on many different devices.
The book publishers actually kept prices high on their digital books, but they do offer an incentive you can’t get on paperback book, like digital notes, digital bookmarks, notes(to share with other readers), the ability to search in a book. While I do hate the high prices of ebooks, I believe they may eventually come down in price. Also, if publishers were smart they would let you buy the physical book and include the ebook. They may eventually do something along those lines.
But the videogame publishers are the ONLY ones not accepting the used game market. It’s pretty clear the used game market is flourishing because these retail games are just too high priced. And these stupid offline/online, special DLC BS are all gimmicks. This will ONLY succeed on the BIG games that people want on day 1->Halo, Gears, MW, Final Fantasy, Mass Effect, etc. But really, can those games alone warrant that type of BS with their other 2nd tier games? NO WAY
Screw you publishers. You better adapt to today’s market. I am very fearful Microsoft will help implement some system in the new 360 that will allow more of this type of BS to go on.
January 28th, 2012 at 10:51 am
wow bravo Nina