THQ latest publisher to use premium one-time code to encourage purchases of new games; buyers of used copies of MMA game will have to pay $5 for access.
Last week, Electronic Arts made the controversial announcement that all of its sports games will require a one-time code to unlock its online modes. The practice, which effectively adds $10 to the price of used games, begins next month with the launch of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11. During an earnings call yesterday, French publisher Ubisoft said it would likely adopt a similar policy to reap revenue from used game sales, which currently do not benefit publishers directly.
Now, a third publisher has revealed it, too, will begin shipping games that come with locked online modes. Following reports on sports game site Pasta Padre, GameSpot has confirmed that THQ's UFC 2010 Undisputed will require a similar one-time code to play on Xbox Live or the PlayStation Network.
According to the description on the back of the manual, the 12-digit code--which is completely free with new versions of the game--is needed to create or join an online training camp and to participate in any of that camp's functions. These include training, sparring, and competing online with other camps' members. The code will also be needed to unlock online Exhibition mode, as well as achievements and trophies that require group participation.
Though THQ had not responded to GameSpot's requests for comment as of press time, Web blog Destructoid is reporting the company has offered the following statement: "The main enhancement of UFC Undisputed 2010's premium online content is the new 'Fight Camp Mode' in which players can assemble ranks of up to 40 people and train together. This is a significant value-add to the game as players can continually improve their skills by training with their friends and bringing teams of MMA specialists together."
The statement continues, "This multiplayer content for UFC 2010 Undisputed will be available via a one-time code included with the game at purchase. Codes for accessing the content will be available for second-time buyers for an additional $5." It promised more details soon on the game's community Web site.
In February, THQ announced that Brock Lesnar would be the cover athlete for UFC 2010 Undisputed, the follow-up to last year's 3.5 million-unit hit. The game will feature more than 100 other fighters from the mixed martial arts league, as well as commentary from Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg. THQ has also introduced a new sway and posture system to enhance a player's ability to defend and deliver coups-de-grace attacks, as well as incorporated new moves from the sambo, karate, and Greco-Roman wrestling disciplines.
For a look on what to expect from UFC Undisputed 2010, check out GameSpot's UFC 2010 Undisputed Create-a-Fighter hands-on preview.
@ tzimisce24 Nothing i said was a hyperbole. If anything it was a reality check for people like you that think money is infinite when it really is not. Well enjoy being a sheep to the slaughter why don't you go support BP since you seem so eager to prove the point of "Idiocracy" the movie.
A game is devalued because its used or by time going by...content shouldnt be stripped because you are purchasing a game devalued by someone else.
For all of those that are saying that movie companies arn't worried about used sells or rentals, go rent ''Where The Wild Things Are'' or some other new relase...and then try to get to the SF...what? You can't? Why? Because movie companies have made a version of the dvd just for rentals. They where doing this before EA started with Tiger Woods. They can't really help the used market when it comes to DVDs, but I see them blocking off the ablity to get some of the features online that the blu-ray uses with codes.
I'm guessing there won't be no question and answer thread like last year?Damn Gamespot is slacking.
@gangstachaldo14 you write too much, can you sum that up for me because im not reading it. i did see something about rentals so let me comment on that. **** rentals and **** you and your sensitive ass. thats my comment on the rentals. I got money to spend i can waste $60, which i never have because i do plenty research on my game before a purchase. When you buy used electronics do you always get the accessories that come with it? Would you not buy a used HDTV because it would cost you ten bucks to get a remote for it? complaining about pointless utter bull****. Dont like my comments, then dont comment, or report me like a B**** would
Lol @ TheMayor. Everyone point and laugh at the troll Seriously, you sound like a spoiled douchebag 8 year old kid. You're the one bending over and taking it up the *** from these companies starting this feature. What if I want to rent it for one day to see if online is worth it? I rented BC2 for one day, the next day bought it brand new which was fine. But now we can't even do that because we have to make a gamble, $60 for just trying the game, if you don't like it or it sucks, you're ****ed. I do buy my games new all the time, but I usually rent them for a day to see if I like them. But I can't do that anymore, which means I may not buy games that I considered until they go down in price, don't like taking a $60 gamble on something I might not like. What a great strategy for garbage games, we won't know they suck until we already payed $60 for it. Themayor. stop being a tool and think about what they're doing before you start bashing everyone that doesn't support this.
@TheMayor88 Some people actually use their own money to buy games. The way you're talking to others right now make you sound like a kid who gets money from their parents to buy games.
@masonchaos never bought a stupid game in my life dumb **** im smart, not cheap. speaking of wasting money, how many times did gamestop ass rape you when you returned your games for credit, just to sell it for 3 bucks less than the new price? im high class, i own my own games, not hand me downs, and i certainly dont bend over and take it up the arse by gamestop so dummies like you can buy it
Ok, here is a good solution: 1. GameStop lowers all prices by $5 for games that use this method. 2. Every game that uses this method give ATLEAST a 5 day trial period. So people that rent can use online to see if they want to purchase or enjoy it for the time they have it.
@ TheMayor88 : Stop being ignorant, if I want to rent a game for a night and see if the online is good, I'm screwed, I have to take a gamble and buy it. Or I might just not buy it since I remember how Raw vs SD is full of lag and bugs online heh...
Why don't we hear clothing manufacturers whining about lost sales from thrift stores?
SHUT THE BUCK UP AND PAY! only cheap azz people are complaining. the people who buy their games NEW on the FIRST day instead of hanging out at the local gamestop waiting for some kid to come in with a copy to sell back have no problem with this. I laugh at you second hand users hahahahaha!
i think it's awesome that the people who actually CREATE the games have found a way to monetize used game sales for themselves rather than letting Gamestop & similat retailers reap all the benefits of used game sales. Gamestop does nothing to create the games that they sell, yet they re-sell used games back to the gaming public for nearly FULL price. and we let them buy our games from us for a SMALL fraction of what it's worth. wake up people. Gamestop's monopoly has gone on far too long.
Next you'll have to pay Toyota to use the brakes on your second hand purchased Yaris while you drive
Great, more methods designed to punish the consumer. I can understand that these developers don't get money from used game sales, but surely they can think of a better method than this. On the other hand if you're getting a game for $30 instead of $60 (although with Gamestop it's more likely to be $55 instead of $60) then an extra $5 isn't a big deal.
This is gonna screw people that use rental game services like GameFly and others, I wonder how this is gonna affect GameFly and those other rental services companies that rent games.
omg... milk me more :( seems like online playing isn't free in 5 years anymore. also take your crappy dlc's and shove it where the sun don't shine, because i've payed enough already...
I can support them and tirade against them...because I don't like the methods in which they come after the consumer and not the companies who are profiteering these companies make profit but it's the consumer who has to suffer.. like i said, if they made games cheaper there wouldnt be a need for the used market to even exsist the greed that they have created has been exploited and they dont like it. your saying EA don't make money back from the making of the EA sports games they release? you think THQ wont make the money back on UFC? Ubisoft wont make the money back on assassins creed? The thing with retail companies is that they dont make enough money from new games... independant stores that I have worked in turn around £5 per sale of a new game on this basis the title has to be worth stocking and if people dont buy it then the game gets knocked down in price where it wont even turn a profit for the retail store. All the videogame industry had to do was set up shop globally where the store would offer a cut to the respective game companies for the sale of used titles this could have opened up a good buisness strategy for someone to come in and steal the whole used industry from under the noses of these companies who refuse to share.. its not 100% profit on used games anyways because people bring in games and trade so they are getting money off while the retail store gets the little cut from the extra cash towards the new title for taking the used games.
in some games where multiplayer is the main component it would be like locking the movie but you still can watch your behind the scenes, photos, deleted scenes, alternate endings etc...
It would be funny if DVD/Bluray took on the same approach. Buy used and no behind the scenes, photos, deleted scenes, alternate endings etc... Not likly, but funny then pissed. Id care less cause the movie is all you really want to see.
@Flint247 I can't help but stare at your avatar sometimes. That just looks cool to me! IS it from a cartoon or a drawing or what?
@StarWatchers - you can't say you support publishers and devs getting what they're owed and then go off on a tirade AGAINST that statement. This whole issue is insane. technically, the companies can do whatever they want because it's their property. PERIOD. i'm just knocking the companies who don't offer a cut of the used sales to the hard working people who created the games we enjoy. it's not like gamestops record annual profits go into the pockets of its employees or charities or anything like that, it goes into their corporates suits' pockets. Game companies do not "easily make back what they lose on development". unless you have an ace in the hole like MW2, you better hope your game sells otherwise its really going to SUCK to be you. developers/publishers have been shutting there doors worldwide due to financial stress and a lot of that comes from disappointing sales figures. i just can't see the harm in asking for some money from used sales. And thats the real issue here. The only reason the charges exist are because the used market is something they don't get money from, and to be honest, they deserve a cut of the action. no amount of boycotts or complaining is going to change this. the only way there will be no fees is when the devs and publishers get a cut of the used game market.
@lock445 Activision was considering subscriptions for some games and their online play earlier this year.
I said it before: Sports games have very little resale value to start with. EA's new policy will kill what little resale value a sports game has. My suggestion is that we don't buy these games until they hit the bargain bin. Let's make THQ and EA's greed backfire on them!
Again, until this reaches Activision, it's not a big problem. Once it reaches Activision, there will be major fallout for everything from Gamestop to eBay and Craigslist.
They survived this long in the business, why do they start all this garbage now? I think it's because they know they can't stop people from pirating so they punish the people that have legit copies as well. In the end, games will still be pirated so what they're doing now is pointless. It's like they're dropping a bomb hoping to destroy all evil, but it's just going to blow back into their face.
about the program: if it was sold to you, you could do with it whatever you want - manipulate, use the engine to make own games, copy peaces of the game world into other environments. that s not the case. the disc is sold to you, not the program.
@Desessus you can write what you want into your user manual. it s the country you live in that decides how to handle it. if you couldnt resell the game the second hand market would have died out long ago as it would be easy for publishers to sue anyone who openly "transfers the rights". you re right, youll find such passages in every user manual of software and it is commonly interpreted that you re not allowed to modify the code without the agreement of the holder of the software rights and that you re only allowed to use the software in a way obviously intended be them. this said i never stated it was illegal what thq, ea and ubi are doin. what i said was that what they are doing is decreasing the exchange value, they re decreasing the value of their own product but i dont see any price drops coming to make up for it.
@Zloth2 do you work for one of these companies or what? they are bringing in millions if not billions yearly and are still "losing money". Tell me how? Why? If you look at the best selling games of all time how many of them have, licensed music, exclusivity licenses, Ultra realism? It's about the game play. If they want to make more money they should make better games and more money spent on development of a game and liscenses does not equal a better game.Compare Bionic Commando rearmed to it's bigger more expensive to develop brother. Which is a better game? money does not equal quality. So if they increase the price to $100 is the quality going to go up? probably the opposite because less people would buy it.
And xbox connect makes a stunning comeback...... if it gets out of hand we'll police it ourselves with hacks, cracks, and bypasses.
haha, i know you us americans have some pretty funny laws over there. i remember one where a woman may only drive a car if a man goes in front of it holding a torch. ^^ http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states i guess your case law system is partly to blame. but the idea of property has got nothing to do with stupid laws as it s virtually the same around the world - independent on where you live.
@Zweibelschnucki 1. If money doesn't go to the developers, then the game wasn't bought from the developers. If you sell me a used copy of a game, then I bought the game from you, not the developers. If I buy a used copy from Gamespot, then I bought the game from Gamespot, not the developers.2. This is word for word from the user manual of Prototype: "Activision grants you the non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited right and license to use one copy of this Program soley and exclusively for your personal use. All rights not specifically granted under this Agreement are reserved by Activision. This Program is licensed, not sold. your license confers no title or ownership in this Program and should not be construed as a sale of any rights in this Program." I guarantee that every single game has almost the exact same user agreement.
new games already cost 60 f***ing dollars... why can't they just leave the also high-priced used games alone?!
The fleecing of gamers!?!? PC game prices have been stuck at $50 for THIRTY YEARS now!! By all rights, we should be paying over $100 per game by now just because of inflation.
@ Zwiebelschnucki The funny thing about the law is that sometimes they sound good on paper but they do not work well in the real world. Such as the fact it is illgal to shower naked in Flroida http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/bldumblaws.htm I can understand being against this because most games honestly just suck nowadays. But could you imagine if they forced this kind of thing on MMORPGs, making every MMORPG you are even allow to play a Koran grind fest?
1. you re wrong. theyve been bought from the developers 2. how should they have the right? after all they sold it to me. they gave up their ownership and got paid for it. 3. im sorry but studying for a degree in law in austria i have a certain definition in mind i dont wanna translate into english myself as i have the concern i would mess up doing so. so i have to fall back on wikipedia to deliver it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Property
@Yomigaeru About the bandwidth thing you forgot one very important detail; bandwidth is like food and you have to buy more of it to stay alive. If you were trying to feed your family and someone dies, all the food that person ate doesn't just come back. If fact with one less person you have to buy less food and that's a good thing (although very sad). But in this strange reality another person just took their place and they are feeding off you for free with the argument 'I'm not the original member of this family so I don't have to contribute and I get to eat some of your food anyway!"
Publisher bundles single-use online admission code and DLC with new copies of fighting game; used-game purchasers must pay $10 for access.
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