[UPDATE] Warner Bros. packing in redeemable voucher with new copies of action adventure to play as feline vixen; secondhand user access costs $10.
One of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's big reveals at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo was that Catwoman will be a playable character in Rocksteady Studios' Batman: Arkham City. However, what the publisher failed to mention is that gamers will only be able access Catwoman if they purchase the game new or pay extra for the character.
As first reported by Eurogamer, Batman: Arkham City includes an Online Pass-like one-time use code with new copies of the game that unlocks Catwoman. Those who purchase the game used or obtain it through secondhand channels, such as a rental, will be required to purchase access to the character for $10 (800 Microsoft points) through Xbox Live or the PlayStation Network.
As noted in GameSpot's preview from E3, Catwoman is playable for only a small portion of the main storyline, with her narrative making up about 10 percent of the whole game. However, her abilities are required to access a number of unique Riddler trophies within the game. These trophies play into an optional side quest involving the quizzical villain.
In a statement issued to Eurogamer, a WBIE representative noted that "playing as Catwoman is not required to complete the game."
[UPDATE] Those looking to pick up a used copy of Batman: Arkham City at GameStop will not have to pay the $10 fee to gain access to the Catwoman content. Kotaku reports that used copies of the game purchased at GameStop will have an unlock code printed on the customer's receipt.
This is reportedly a similar arrangement to one in place between GameStop and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for Mortal Kombat, which also had an Online Pass-like feature for the games multiplayer modes.
GameSpot's own request for comment had not been returned as of press time.
Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.
A gaming gem is found in Rocksteady Studios, but for every brilliant development team there is always at least one Publisher willing to step in and make a farcical situation out of what is otherwise a magnificent game. Bravo, Warner Bros. Bravo indeed.
this is what I'm getting from these comments "I REFUSE TO BUY A PIZZA THAT IS MISSING A SLICE" and "THIS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF CORPORATE GREED" for those of you who don't want to read the preachy speeches
@ebfaction That's funny, I always got excellent grades in English class, because used proper punctuation and sentence structure, and grammar, even though I had to watch my spelling. "Can't" and "don't" are contractions, which I prefer to use, since they are shorter and more informal then typing out "can not" or "do not". You also had a run on sentence in your last comment, and you're saying my English writing isn't as good as yours! I also find that to be funny.
@Starduke What is your problem. Why do you say that what are you a English teacher just because I do not use ';.,=-)(*&^%$#@:"? in my English writing like you do. In my English writing I do not use the word don't or can't you use the word doesn't I use the word does not or can not. Your English writing in my opinion is bad English so stop criticizing my English writing and go work on your own English speaking and writing you being a native English speaker.
@rebfaction Hey. it's cool that you speak and read four languages. However, you do have to work on your punctuation and sentence structure when you're writing English. I'm just glad it's because you're not a native English speaker, and not because you are a native English speaker who just doesn't bother to use it. However, as I said, using the proper sentence structure and punctuation will help you to communicate your ideas better. Your last comment had one big run on sentence, so the ideas your were trying to communicate seemed like they were blurred together.
@Starduke Who are you he's father let him answer. females are being exploited in video games and comics in a way but I do not see it as sexist as a 35 year old female discrimination hurts the most.I speak read and write four different languages if you can not make sense of my comment that's not my problem. I speak Greek at home my mother's tongue is Greek. Triton earlier comment I do not like playing as a female in any game ever. I am a female and love playing video game I get seven hours of game play a night main female characters games like Bayonetta and Tomb Raider series are great games.I play both male and female video games are really not that different and no I do not live on the west coast.
rebfaction Your really making way to much out of this. I do not play a female character if I have a choice and that is my choice, as much as it is yours to be a male and play female characters all the time. Does not make me sexist. I'm 42 years old and married, not sure how old you are but I must assume you live on the west coast. Really not an issue, move on.
Gamestop buys the used games from people with the lowest price among competitors, then sells them for high profits!! WB thought they should get a slice from the pie and also get some heat off their back! Clever bastards!!
@4-Legged-Shark I also feel for all does who always wait a bit and buy it used because games cost us $60 now in days when new.
@4-Legged-Shark yeah but I was not planning on being the only one to use it. I have a brother and a few friends and we like lending games to each other all the time.. I will feel like a douch wanting to play one of their games and giving them this one because I know they will want CatWoman and wont be able to use her.
@rebfaction Hmm, it doesn't necessarily mean he's sexist, maybe he's uncomfortable watching hot women jump around in sexy suits and being exploited to sell comics and video games. Now, that's what could be considered sexist. I don't have a problem with it, since I like Catwoman as a character because she's more fleshed out then most female comic book characters and her relationship with Batman. BTW, you have heard of punctuation and sentence structure, right? I could barely read your comment, because of the lack of it. Your point would have more effect if you used it.
@DepressionMoon It's called the "if you can't beat them, join 'em" defense. If they align with Gamestop, and have that deal, it takes some of the heat off of them for having the lock code in the first place.
I think being able to play as Catwoman would be just Purrfect. I'm gonna have to wait an extra month, 'cause I want to get the PC version. Heck, the way they're treating us PC gamers, I probably wouldn't even get the game, but it's Batman! Aye, there's the rub, it's Batman, and probably going to be a great game.
Arkham Asylum released to critical acclaim in August 2009. The game had sold well enough for a sequel to be announced in December of that year. The following year a GOTY version was released, which I currently own (NEW). We're in October 2011. Does WB think I'm stupid trying to tell me that they're so poor because in two years time used sales became such a problem? I really believe Rocksteady has nothing to do with this. Look at what happened with Kaos: the publishers THQ gave Homefront an online pass to "help" Kaos. The game doesn't sell. THQ gives the middle finger to Kaos and they're out of a job. Yeah, that's altruistic.
@Triton Why is it you are that way what is wrong with playing as a female character. If you hate playing as a female and it is not your thing now that means one thing you are a sexist is that what you are that is not what I like to think not now almost in the year 2012 females even in video games there is discrimination.(I am not surprised).
@lonewolf1044 If I'm wasting my time in complaining about things I don't like, what are you doing complaining about complaints? That's arguably a bigger waste of time. My goal is, aside from releasing a little frustration, to raise awareness, to let people on my side know they're not alone, that if we avoid buying these games, we can stop this practice. Because if people count all the negative comments they may realize, their votes do count. They add up. Your goal is, apparently, to discourage me from making comments at all? Why? You want to save me some time? That's very sweet of you, but it's not necessary.
BrunetteGuard07 It's just the way I am. I do not play as a female if I have a choice. It's not my thing.
*Reads comments* Hmm... cause I'm sure piracy will solve all these problems of used games and developers not trusting us. Sigh. Sometimes I wonder if people think.
@ash162: I too hope that they find a way to resolve these problems without ruining the single player experience for their paying customers. However, I fear this is still just the beginning. Perhaps with enough backlash the gaming companies will realize we are not cattle to be milked BTW thanks to @SunSpot for the analogy
@ 4-Legged-Shark How are the publishers trying to defend themselves from Gamestop when they've made a deal with them to have codes with their used copies? They could've just left it with new only to influence customers just to buy the new and they would make more money from a single than they would from a used.
I dont get to play 10% story of the game if I were to buy it used, well screw you Warner Bros. This is bullshat, im getting sick of this crap
@HonorofGod you do realize that if you pre-ordered the game you will get catwoman, right? its only if you buy the game used that you have to pay for her. Used game sales hurt developers... the developers are really just trying to defend themselves against Gamestop, it's Gamestop who is being greedy, not the devs.
so because, people trade used products (ie. games) and companies are mad they are not getting a cut of the profits, they now make exclusive purchaseable content like this. It seems like instead of working out somthing with the redistributers of used games, they have chosen to punish the consumer... And about digital purchases, you couldnt really resell a digital purchase, so if you think about it, these publishers and dev's are just soo god damn greedy that it pains them to see anybody else making money off their product(MY PURCHASED PRODUCT).. some deuche in the boardroom prolly thought of this as a new revenue source and just got promoted
From now on I will shop at Gamestop and buy the games used even if they just came out and are $5 under.. how you like me now? we should all do this to them until they stop abusing. I now support Gamestop and trust me I did not before but these game devs are really really ticking me off.
WHAT!! I had pre orderd this game and now that it comes out they say this.. WTF!!!!!!!!! FALSE ADVERTISING !! I want my money back wtf!! stupid DLC is killing video games left to right. These game devs are abusing the system wtf is not like no one buys there games they are being greedy and want anyone who plays a copy even if landed by a friend, to pay $60 for a new disc thisn is crazy talk and non of us should stand for this crap. They come out and say this the day the game comes out WHATT!!!!!!! man this gen has been the worst because of greedy game devs and crap DLC that should be on the disc in most games out there. This sucks.
Sounds like Microsoft. I buy a game, pop in the MP & it says you must pay MS to play the content that you already have purchased. Microsoft has an online pass too. Its called a "XBL Gold Subscription" thingy. MS has been doing it to people for years. Now all of the sudden people are mad. Those same people that wont support game Online passes are the same people paying for one already ( XBL )
@fester420 installing to the HDD and downloading patches does not compare. Like, at all. Installing to the HDD in it of itself is just something you have to do, yet strangely enough all the games I've installed on my PS3 up to this point did not cut out advertised single player content. Patches aren't necessary and just add to or correct something in a game. Most could live without the patches. You could disconnect if you want to play right away, download the patch later when you weren't playing the game. I do understand your point however. @lonewolf1044 It's very true that it would be a customer's own fault for buying this knowing it needed an internet connection. However, my choice in this matter is to not buy this product because it is not full.
@SteveGuttenburg, Your defintion of a new player is different than what the company defines as a new player. If you buy a game that has not been opened, you are entitled to everything that game offers you without you having to pay for it(anything that is free). Now when you trade, buy and the game was opened and whatever code that was in the game was used you are using a game that was owned by someone else therefore you are not a new player in the companis eyes and therefore are not entitled to the same goodies that the previous owner had been offered and therefore you must pay to attain what he had(in some games even after paying a fee you do not get everything) I as a new player lose nothing until I relinguish that game. I do not like what the companies are doing but it is within their right to do business that way. Until a court of law say otherwise that is how they will do business. The economy is bad and forcing companies to do things that if the economy was good it would not do things that it is doing now. I pay attention to what one buys today to avoid the headache of paying out a extra fee if that means so much. EA is doing it and it is spreading. If one does not like the practice do not buy the product. You can thumbs down all day long but that is reality and nothing is going to change because while some may disagree there are people will still used games because they want it. I am very careful about buying or taking used products if it requires a extra fee.
@Spacerac, I do not see it as being worse on a new buyer being you do not have to pay the extra fee that is associated with one buying it new. Also if you do not want to connect to the internet that is your option and it is also your option not to buy it. So you may be saying it is wrong to do so is baseless. Now I do see your point about those that do not have internet access that may be a downer for them, but again if you do not have internet access and you go ahead and buy the product and you knew it would require a internet connection then it is your fault and not the company. You cry foul but if the company wishes to pursue this type of business that is their business. You do have a choice in the matter and nobody is forcing to buy their product.Welcome to capitalism.
after a quick read, all I get in my head is that "pirates" are gona get the whole game cracked open like a pinata for free. 10 dolares is like nothing but still its 10 more reasons for people to feel like the milked cow.
This does, in fact, impact new buyers directly. What if you want to let your friend have the game for a day? She won't be able to play as Catwoman. If your other friend wants to trade you his Mortal Kombat for your Batman? You won't be able to play online and he won't be able to play as Catwoman. Is this an attractive future for video games?
@spacerac There is no more just putting a disc in your console and playing right away. I haven't been able to do that in ages. It always takes me about an hour after I get home to finally start playing the game because first it needs to download and install the initial update (even if the game is brand new) then it needs time to install information to the HDD. 1-2 hours later, ready to play.
Remember when they were after piracy and they used the car dealership analogy. Lets try it now:IT`S LIKE BUYING A NEW CAR AND WHEN YOU SELL IT SECOND HAND THE WHEELS FALL OF. But now that their enemy is the used market the car analogy is not good anymore I think. I wont give them a single penny, but there are suckers that will.
damn them ! now i need to pay extra 10 bucks to get cat woman .... i wanted to play cat woman when i get a hold of this game ... now i think its a pathetic way of pulling out the money from our pockets ... still i will buy it :O
I really wanted to buy this game to support the developers... Now i wont... IF developers wont support us.. I wont support Developers.. I will use the cracked version to play the whole Single player campaign with Cat woman Dlc... this is a small thing for crackers...They will crack the whole game including the catwoman DLC.. Im sorry Rocksteady. but I wont buy your game.
@lonewolf1044 This is worse on the new buyers like me because I expect to run every piece of content on the disc upon first putting it in the console. This is worse on the new buyers because we bought the game at full price at support to the developers and publishers, but we're not getting the full game without having to connect to the internet and enter a code and that is just plain trade ins because this game has at least two retailer specific bonuses. Buy Arkham City at GameStop you get this, Best Buy you get that, Amazon you get the other. Some people buy more than one copy to get everything in the game and then trade in the ones that they don't use. So what kind of sense does retailer exclusive bonuses make? I care because I buy my games new and I expect to have all the content, not to be robbed of it.
@gen-gawl, The pass is for those who buy the game used. The item is not locked out for a person who brought it new. The point to made is for those who buy used games. Now you have to be smart and not quick to buy a used game. I made a quick decision and that was my fault because I did not read the back of the case. Before purchasing a used game, you must read to make sure you do not have to pay for additional content.
This may not bode well for Gamestop and stores like it being Example; Gamestop may sell Batman used for $54.99 and if person want to unlock Catwoman and you play on Xbox live and the price is 8.00 the game will cost you $62.00 after all is said and done. However, it may not be so bad if one wait for the game to come down to $17.99 and with the $8.00 fee it will cost $25.99. Some people do like paying a additional fee and I know I don't and I always buy new and used if it has no strings attached to it if I must pay extra. I see no problem for those who are buying new, but it may be a problem if one likes to buy their games used.
Stuff like this is why I dont buy very many games now a days. Theyre so desperate to rip you off and get youre money for the least amount of content. Theyre taking it too far, and so now theyll get the exact opposite for me. Ill still play the game. Just wont support them like I had planned. My way of raising my fist in anger.
@powerman1426 Thanks for mentioining this! I m one of the 'few' offline gamers who was planning to buy this game day one for the refined SP experience so rare these days. But guess i will wait and optimistically hope WB takes notice and gives us full-paying customers our money's worth!
Don't just sit here writing comments. Write to both Rocksteady and WB and voice your displeasure.
@jasonredemption GameStop stays in business because they cash in on gamers lack of patience, and their unwillingness, inability, or even downright laziness to go out and find the best price for their hard earned money. GameStop has what I call a "buy, beat, trade" business model. "Gamers" buy a game, rush home to "beat it", and then promptly trade it in for store credit. For GameStop it's a double dip, because they resell the same game multiple times. What I don't understand is that gamers KNOW they're getting fleeced, yet they still line up like lambs to the slaughter. I've saved more money by checking the Sunday newspaper (I know how many of you think newspapers are for "old people" ) and buying games NEW. You have resources at your disposal, USE THEM. I don't expect anyone to give this a thumbs up, because let's face it, the truth hurts, and none of you want to hear that you brought this on yourselves. If you're smart with your money, things like an online pass become a non-factor.
Holy toledo, Batman! Our Batman Arkham City Walkthrough will provide info about gadgets, a storyline guide, and locations of secrets.
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