The new SSX looks pretty damn fantastic, of that there is no denying. Still, Electronic Arts once again doesn't think it's good enough to sell new copies on its own merit, and hopes to force your hand with its favorite skeezy business tactic -- the online pass.
Although not officially announced, videos of the game in action (such as the lengthy footage on Giant Bomb) reveals the pass feature sitting comfortably at the bottom of SSX's main menu. So, used gamers will need to pay the piper, and new customers will have their time wasted with an unnecessary barrier between themselves and the features they paid for.
This is par for the course with EA, a publisher so in love with online passes that it's started putting them in single player games. Once again, however, I stress that I will continue to post online pass inclusions as news items, because I refuse to let this become banal and acceptable.
[Thanks, TheLupineOne!]
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
8:00 AM on 01.30.2012
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Also, in before Killas2 says we're all wrong for hating the online pass or SephirorhX just argues they're good but implemented poorly. They're the Stealths of the subject.
I refuse to buy games with online passes new or used. They've had more than enough time to prove themselves and I've yet to see any value added by them. There are plenty of other games I can play that don't waste my time like this.
Come on, that's not a real complaint unless there's something wrong with your code or something out of the ordinary happens.
... um, that's exactly what its like.
unless you are one of those thick lumps who actually believe the used market hurts new games rather than helps it.
@TSP
win.
Jim's spot on but unfortunately it will still sell loads and EA will think online passes = success.
Im off to dig out my politically neutral N64.
You're making a much bigger deal out of this than it actually is. It's kind of sad, really.
If you believe that online passes make a game not worth buying new, then that's a matter of opinion you're more than entitled to as a consumer.
I just don't think that's the publishers' opinion; they know the game will be bought used, it's inevitable, they just want some of that revenue "back".
"it's like having to use the case in MGS."
I don't agree with that. That's more like a Kojima style Easter Egg/homage to 90s PC games, with the cryptographic DRM manuals. You could just call your friend/go to the video store and find out Meryl's codec number.
My main issue with online passes is the trouble it causes families/friends. Anyone who has a brother/sister/parent who games with them on a separate profile needs to buy an online pass if the game is a hand-me-down.
It's not a young child's fault that a parent picked them up a used game on a whim, and they need to buy two passes for $10 each for them and their sibling -- there are much better ways of treating your customers.
It absolutely is a real complaint. Even a second of wasted time is unacceptable, especially as other entertainment mediums strive to provide instant access to content. The inability to move from one game mode to another without putting codes in is blatant disrespect to a customer's time.
Yep, that sucks. It's not a perfect solution yet. I'll be happy to get rid it once used games stop being so widely spread too.
keep on reporting these Jim, these fuckers won't force online passes into a "regular practice" as long as there's better publishers out there
I forgot what you look like. I guess it is a real concern for you... must take a lot of effort.
I've stopped buying NFS-games for Consoles ( switched to PC where they DON't have it ), was doubting about SSX, never really liked their style but since Amped seems dead in the water, I started doubting, doubt has now been removed!
No SSX!
How sad that you invalidate any credible argument you make by making a childish joke about someones appearance.
Yes, calling someone fat makes the rest of what I say wrong.
I guess the scientific research made by Nazis is wrong because they were racist? I guess a pedophile mathematician can't be right because they are a pedophile?
So thanks for that publishers!
Because buying new CDs didn't support musicians for shit.
Going to see the movie in a theater didn't gaurantee the writers and directors a future with the film studio.
So how does buying new games support developers?
It took iTunes to get the music industry to grudgingly change its tune. Before that they were doing everything from copy-protecting CDs and waging wars on filesharing to keep people from enjoying music they way they wanted to. Or was it to fight the used CD market, because they clearly didn't succeed in stopping that piracy thing they were sobbing about.
Now musicians can release music independently of big labels. This is the new world we live in and EA, Sony and others like them are trying everything they can to keep you loyal to the outdated ploy of "supporting the artist." The developer is paid, their job is done - all EA wants is to ensure max profits on the IP and tell you how to buy your game.
The developer isn't even a factor here.
No, it just makes you look childish when people give you a respectable argument and you reply with "LOL you're fat." You may have a good point, but it's lost in your immaturity.
So are you saying that when you buy a blu ray you expect there to be no previews for other movies and if there is your gonna write a blog about it?And when you can't skip them the movie industry has performed some kind of atrocity? Or Commercials on TV. Heck even comics are full of commercials and when I flip a page to find a 2 page add and they just wasted 3 second of my reading time because I have to flip the page again I should be livid?
They aren't going away. I for one buy games new unless they are no longer being sold new (i.e. Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 I recently bought). I know that in supporting the Dev's I have to support eh crotchety old men who refuse to change with the times and horde I.P.'s... I know all these things but what else am I gonna do? Boycott anything with an online pass? Heck I have boycotted COD the past 2 years and you know what? Activision prints money with it. SSX actually seems tohave a chance at not hitting a huge audience. Should I not support them now? To see games I want on the market because some crappy executive is putting in a pass? It's not like the dev's in Montreal(Or is it Vancouver. I forget) are sitting there praying it has an online pass... I know no better way to support their work then to buy the game new...
Nope, not even sure how I'd begin to try and prove that without access to their books. I don't think it's a big stretch that saying buying new helps them out more than buying used though... so yeah, I'm against buying used.
Too bad if you can't see past that.
Like I said, the 30 seconds involved in putting in a code is a non-issue.
Anyway, I've got things to do. I'm out.
Keep up the good work Jim.
Football Religion:
It absolutely is a real complaint. Even a second of wasted time is unacceptable, especially as other entertainment mediums strive to provide instant access to content. The inability to move from one game mode to another without putting codes in is blatant disrespect to a customer's time."
This is exactly how I feel about getting games on multiple DVD's in an age where there are other options.
- Being a little pedantic there, but i seriously find multiple discs a massive pain in the arse.
Also how I feel about online codes - i tend to buy new generally, BUT it pains me to put in a code.
Either: you're on the PS3 and it's one of "those" games that makes you quit right out. - or - it's on the 360 and it's a fucking huge code that takes too long to enter.
In other news got Tiger Woods 12 pre-owned at the weekend.....
...the code hadn't been used! WIN!
"Yes, calling someone fat makes the rest of what I say wrong.
I guess the scientific research made by Nazis is wrong because they were racist? I guess a pedophile mathematician can't be right because they are a pedophile?"
I love how you unwittingly compare yourself to Nazis and pedos there.
I'm sure that's not news for anyone here, but there's a slim chance any developers are seeing any money from these online passes. I'd hazard a guess, buying an online passes supports EA and no one else.