If you don’t already know, EA has pioneered a new system for their games so that new games include a code that unlocks multiplayer. If you have bought the game second hand, or are renting or borrowing it from a friend, no multiplayer for you.
That is unless, of course, you pay EA for a code on Xbox Live or PSN as a sort of DLC multiplayer pack. This raises all sorts of issues. Firstly, THQ has already implemented the system into their latest UFC 2010 title and Ubisoft have said that they are eyeing the idea out.
What’s even more of a problem, is that Xbox 360 gamers in non Live enabled regions (like ours) may not even get codes at all (remember Gears of War 2) and if that’s the case, you can all say bye bye to multiplayer gaming without having to fork out extra money for something that was free just a month ago.
This weeks debate is all about this mess. Are you guys pissed off at the move, do you think it makes business sense or is this idea going to fail hard and be removed after no time at all?
Either way, buying games second hand is all about to change. Let’s hear your thoughts below.
Last Updated: May 21, 2010
uberutang
May 21, 2010 at 11:40
Does not bother me as I only buy MP games new, and PSN is supported in ZA.
WitWolfyZA
May 21, 2010 at 11:59
Face it we only buy old games pre played… Like that little gem you couldn’t afford 3 months ago. And is it just me or are games starting to feel a little boring this generation, im mean the last addictive MP i played this generation was/is, Gears of War 2.
I guess im probably just waiting for the next WOW factor to rise me up and sweep me away in the night……. Like a thief in the night :ninja:
MieLLiePaP
May 21, 2010 at 12:05
its always about money! thats the only reason EA( :devil: ) is dong this.
Money! Money! Money!
ZenFire
May 21, 2010 at 12:32
They are a business after all…
Macethy
May 21, 2010 at 12:35
It’s just another money making scheme like DLC. To be honest i’ve given up on buying new games because 5 months later there is a GOTY edition and you have to trade in your old copy for a new one. Like Assassins creed 2 or Batman AA,6 months after release they come out with a GOTY and you have to buy it all over again. In my situation buying DLC online is not an option and i feel that SOMETIMES paying for something that should have been included in the retail release is a rip off…like AC2 with it’s missing sequences. What next? you buy the game and have to pay to unlock single player,multi player and DLC? :angry:
ZenFire
May 21, 2010 at 12:53
I agree it is a very slippery slope…
Fox1
May 21, 2010 at 15:43
Also considering how overpriced games are in the shops locally :angry:
koldFU5iON
May 21, 2010 at 12:43
I’m not overly excited about the idea that I’ll have to pay extra to get MP features on a game, but if i’m buying a game second hand I’m probably only getting it for the SP campaign and no-one would be playing it online anyways.
That being said I hope the cost is a once off and not a monthly subscription I hate monthly subs
Milesh Bhana
May 21, 2010 at 13:03
What i’ve noticed in the SA market is that MP games have a very flavour of the month thing going. So when I do buy a second hand MP game, I get to play it for a few days then everyone has moved onto something else. Gone are the days where games like COD4 and GOW1 have the staying power of over 1 year.
So there’s little incentive to buy an popular multiplayer title second hand now. So if i can’t buy it in the month it comes out, i’ll probably miss the MP boat anyway. So while it is evil, i think that in SA, we’re not too badly harmed by this.
Any idea what the MP-DLC unlocker will cost per game?
Fred
May 21, 2010 at 13:13
They must sell two versions of the games then , with single player only ones at half the price. So the consumer can decide.
cougar
June 2, 2010 at 11:16
I heard something about $7-$8…
I also buy 2nd hand games for the single player, if you are THAT into a game to do the multiplayer, then I think one would be willing to fork out the cash.
Karl Thomson
June 3, 2010 at 15:00
As far I know, all EA games with this thing will have a 7 day demo of the MP features before locking it out, so you will get to test it.
The more pressing issue is this will MURDER the second hand price of EA games for people who sell it on Gumtree etc. Since we will need to cough up an additional $10/R75 odd to access the MP, the second hand price will need to reflect that. So, if the average price of an EA game on the second hand market was R400, it will drop to somewhere around R300. That sucks for those who rely on second hand games.
Grant Hinds
June 3, 2010 at 15:00
Ye, it’s pretty crap.