Yesterday, German website Konsolentreff published early photos of the
Resistance 3 PS3 bundle box showing a new logo that says “PSN Pass.”
The message read: “Network features only available in countries that
have PlayStation Store.” However, no other details were provided.
SCEA responded to requests for comment this morning to clarify, saying
this program requires customers to input a one-time use code to access a
game’s online capabilities, similar to EA’s Online Pass introduced last
year.
“We are always evaluating new programs for our online offering, and
starting with Resistance 3 this September, we will be instituting a
network pass program for PS3 games with online capabilities,” the
spokesperson said. “This program will be game-specific. Games that are a
part of this program will include a single-use registration code that
grants the account holder redeeming the code full online access for that
title.
“This is an important initiative as it allows us to accelerate our
commitment to enhancing premium online services across our first party
game portfolio.”
If you don’t have a code to input, say if you purchase the game used,
you’ll have to buy one through the Store. It’s unclear how much one of
these PSN Pass codes will cost, however.
Sony said it will announce additional details at a later date.
This was rumoured a while ago and appears to be true. This is fucking bullshit. I realise this beats the pirates who are downloading games. But this is a massive blow to the used games industry.
Shite.