Dirt 3 to feature $10 Online Pass for used purchases

by Griffin McElroy on May 23rd 2011 3:25PM

Codemasters has added its name to the list of publishers who are attempting to keep their games out of the pre-owned bin by equipping them with one-time-use tickets to the internet. According to Eurogamer, new copies of Dirt 3 -- which arrives on store shelves tomorrow -- include a "VIP Pass," which unlocks five exclusive automobiles and enables the game's online multiplayer modes. Folks who purchase a used copy of the game with a code that's already been redeemed will have to buy the code on Xbox Live or PSN for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

The Online Pass scheme usually evokes some mixed reactions from the gaming community, but we always get stuck imagining even worse scenarios. Imagine this: What if all of the game's cars only had three wheels? Oh, what -- you want that fourth wheel? No problem, just put in that VIP Pass. Oh, you don't have one? Well, we hope you don't like winning races, Sparky.

Source: Eurogamer

Tags: codemasters, dirt-3, microsoft, online-pass, playstation, ps3, vip-pass, xbox

Reader Comments (175)

Please don't joke about stuff like that, we KNOW it's just a matter of time before they find a way to add the offline components a Project 10 Dollar feature...

@Gibbeynator

That's called "Project 60 Dollar". If a game can't be played offline without downloading a feature, it's a broken game or a wallet raper.

@CaptainProtonX

Or a coaster for my coffee.

@Gibbeynator

It's all about perception and perspective.

Microsoft did almost the same thing with Alan Wake. All new copies had a code to download The Signal DLC for free. If you bought it used then you just hoped that nobody used that code beforehand.

And yet, nobody was really upset about this approach. Why?

@GreenElf

Because it wasn't locking out features. The Signal DLC was released 2 months after the game came out, so it felt less like being ripped off and more like actually getting an extra for free.

@GreenElf Because that's DLC. It's a feature that's been added after the game release.

Online Access is a core component that Xbox Live Gold members have already paid for.

There's a big difference.

oddly enough if they would offer a version with no online play at a reduced rate I would buy that off of them....and then maybe in the future if I'm still entertained by their game I would buy the online pass.

but as it stands I'm just going to wait until I get it traded to me on goozex.

@eat it wouldn't that just be the used edition? I think you're looking for that.

@MarkHawk
but that money wouldn't support the devs at all. This way he pays the lower price but it directly supports the devs.

@eat it

I would pay for a cheaper version of a game that had online play disabled, being as I'm only running on 3G internet right now. But I doubt that would ever happen.

I could understand online passes if the developers hosted dedicated servers, but otherwise it's just a way to nickel and dime gamers. No I don't care if they don't get money from used games, they shouldn't.

@napoleonrokz Nope, they shouldn't, but you also shouldn't be treated as a paying customer when you buy used. You aren't buying from them, you are buying from someone else. Ask that person to pay for your online pass, treat them like the retailer!

@hensothor Yes but you should be able to borrow a game from a friend without being penalized. Why is everyone defending the online pass when supporting online multiplayer costs very little to no money? Not to mention the fact that multiplayer last gen was always free, regardless of how the game was bought.

Burnout 3 on PS2 had FREE online, with no online passes. This was a online game hosted by EA, the pioneer of the online pass. They went from accessibility, to profitability. Therein lies why EA is so disliked these days.

@hensothor Game prices keep going up because YOU the consumer let them. It's called supply and demand and right now there is a lot more demand then there is supply. Also, I don't see them adding to anything. If they hosted dedicated servers instead of forcing the consumers to host their own online experiences then I would understand this online pass. But as of right now we the consumers are paying for EVERYTHING. To get access to Xbox LIve multiplayer we need to pay ms, to have internet to use this (and host the games) we need to pay an ISP, I could go on all day.

@hensothor the last comment wasn't meant for you. But your ignorant logic can still be argued with my last comment partially.

@napoleonrokz Wait, you have a problem with developers nickel and dimming you, but don't have a problem with MS doing the same thing.

@The angry pro consumer gaming ga Actually no, I have a bigger problem with ms at the moment. But that's a different topic.

@napoleonrokz

The publisher/devs still maintain serverside connections, and they developed the original MP. Games are more expensive to develop this generation, and more expensive to maintain operation of.

@hensothor Except if you're a gold member, you're paying for something that you've already paid for..

Not that im interested in this game but...

I just dont see why ppl are so upset over this? I mean the only ppl its affecting are those that chose to buy USED!

I never liked the fact that Gamestop always made tons of money of used games, and the DEVS never see any of that money. If you wanna buy used games all the time, fine thats your choice. But at least dont be surprised when you have to pay a few to use all the features (which usually only applies to online parts), unless you pay the DEV a fee for their game. You know that same kinda fee that the dev would get if you had bought the game new.

@Bronxchulo why exactly should the developers get money for used games? That's like buying a used movie but only getting half the movie without being charged extra.

@napoleonrokz He never said that, he just pointed out that they don't get money. Pretty simple.

@napoleonrokz

Well first i dont buy used stuff. Did once before and didnt like the outcome and never have since.

Have any of you "used" buyers stopped to think about why things are the way they are now a days? Have any of you thought about why game prices keep going up?

If DEVS cant make back the money they spent on making a video game, then they cant spend money on making new ones. Its no wonder so many game compaines go outta business now a days. You got so many people out there buying used games all the time that a lot of DEVS dont make enough of the money back, so a lot of games that would have been made or even come out end up getting cancelled.

@Bronxchulo

Oh just to add. The only time i really think buying used video games is acceptable is if its a game that has been out for a long time, and the company isnt even making new copies no more. Then buying used is fine, cuz thats the only time you would be able to find the game.

I hate when i go into a Gamestop and the employees try to get you to buy a used copy of a game that came out recently for $5 less than a brand new copy. I find it funny that some people think buying used for $5 less is a big deal. At least now if you choose to wanna save that $5 by buying a used game, then you at least gotta spend $10 to use the online part of the game. So in the end you end up spending more than if you had bought the game new.

@Bronxchulo Game prices keep going up because YOU the consumer let them. It's called supply and demand and right now there is a lot more demand then there is supply. Also, I don't see them adding to anything. If they hosted dedicated servers instead of forcing the consumers to host their own online experiences then I would understand this online pass. But as of right now we the consumers are paying for EVERYTHING. To get access to Xbox LIve multiplayer we need to pay ms, to have internet to use this (and host the games) we need to pay an ISP, I could go on all day.

@napoleonrokz

Having to pay for XBox Live isn't a fair comparison, because Microsoft is the only one that charges to play online.

@SisypheanLife If you don't think developers have an extent to control how they're online market is ran via consoles. Your wrong.

@napoleonrokz

I'll forgive the grammatical errors since I'm guessing English isn't your first language, but if the developers have such control over their online access, why aren't they forcing Sony to charge for online multiplayer as well?

@SisypheanLife mah grammarz knaut kool 3nouph 4 u? I'm not writing an english paper here, cry elsewhere. Also, I could give you some very legitimate reasons to your question, but you can do your own research. You question is irrelevant to the topic.

@napoleonrokz

I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, but apparently you're just a moron.

@napoleonrokz
Actually, it was relevant. You however dodged the question and insulted him because you had nothing.

@Bronxchulo
I love how you keep saying "Used" as if people who buy "Used" are dirty peasant lepers.

"THIS MAN HAS BOUGHT A USED GAME. QUICK, SHUN HIM FROM SOCIETY! HE DOES NOT DESERVE THE PRESENCE OF OUR INHERENTLY SUPERIOR BEINGS!"

@PointlessPuppies
Well, what else can you call them shorthand? They're used games. Or do you mean in context?

@napoleonrokz
well, what I dont like is , if you purchase a game from gamestop at $60, then 6 days later you sell the same game back to gamestop , you may only get $20 for the game, gamestop then puts that same game on the shelf used at $55...and the cycle continues..the next gamer buys the same used game for $55, 7 days later he sells the same game back to gamestop and gets $20..gamestop again goes and resells that game for $55..and in all this, they had zero input in the development of the game...the developers are responsible for all the work that is put into the great games that we play, but they see not a quarter of the sales that gamestop makes off of just 1 copy of their game..that is sad.

@Bronxchulo
I agree. They deserve the money for their product, obviously. Why should Gamestop and other places get all the royalties? I would strike back too. Way to go all the game companies doing this. I understand completely. If you want to buy a used game, that's your choice. But don't condemn the game companies for wanting their rightfully earned money. Buy your used game and pay your 10 dollars and shut up.

@Altairio

Really?

@Bronxchulo

I know this is 2 days old but I wanted to chime in on what you wrote. If you take your philosophy, people shouldn't buy used cars either because then the auto manufacturers are not going to get money. In fact, we shouldn't buy used books either because the authors won't make money.

We understand, accept and use the whole "buying used" philosophy in all aspects of our life. Why then is it not okay for games? I'm asking you directly because I'm interested in your line of thinking.

I was not a happy cat after realizing the nfs I bought required one of these for online play. My bad I guess since I'm a savvy enough consumer to know these actually exist, but it will never drive me to buying a game new.

You know, this isn't killing my desire to buy used. This is killing my desire to play online.

@CaptainProtonX

+1, sir. +1.

I can't help but see this practice as being short-sighted. Sure, it may discourage used game sales for now, but what about later when these become crippled "vintage" games? It's not as bad as the "always on" DRM like in certain PSN Capcom games, where the game is not playable at all if you don't have an active connection, but it still has the same type of feel to it, at least to me.

@Ryan P Eventually they can turn on online for everyone, or by that point online is going to be gone anyway. I mean just look at old Xbox Live games from last generation, even Microsoft ones like Halo 2. They are done for!

They got their money the first time it was bought. . . .

What their doing should be illegal

@BigFat360 biggerbadderFatter

I agree its like paying for something twice which is punishing the costumer from buying used or borrowing from a friend.

@BigFat360 biggerbadderFatter
By that logic one copy of a game is enough to, slowly serve the entire population of gamers. We could just eternally pass it around. It's a bit unfair to game developers. It kind of throws game values for a loop. It's never as simple as, "Well they got paid the first time!" Obviously they got paid once, but what were their expectations for that payment?

I completely agree with this practice. I really don't get the opposition to it either. You wanna buy the game new and support the developer? Great, do it. You want the game at a discounted price and support the store that carries the game? Great, do it. But those shouldn't be mutually exclusive. You shouldn't have to choose between supporting the developer or supporting the retailer. And from the people I've talked to at Gamestop, games that employ this technique are often discounted $10 less than other games that don't employ it. With this system gamestop can still make lots of money buying used games for $1 and selling them for $20, and the devs can also make $10.

Sounds fair to me.

@Ezio Auditore da Firenze Sarcasm is fun, except when it gets you downvoted >:P

So you think every time I buy a used book I should send a check to the publisher?

@sprocketplug
You don't need 60 mil. to publish your book and you don't see stores making tons of money on used books like gamestop make a tone of mony on used games.

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DiRT 3

Dirt 3 to feature $10 Online Pass for used purchases

Reader Comments (175)

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:28PM Gibbeynator said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:44PM CaptainProtonX said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:51PM Kirkpad said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 6:33PM GreenElf said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 7:27PM RadiantViper said

Posted: May 25th 2011 9:13AM Kira Blaize said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:30PM eat it said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:44PM MarkHawk said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:59PM smidget said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 6:28PM Courtney said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:32PM napoleonrokz said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:37PM hensothor said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:55PM Kirkpad said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:58PM napoleonrokz said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:01PM napoleonrokz said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 5:16PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 9:16PM napoleonrokz said

Posted: May 24th 2011 2:33PM hensothor said

Posted: May 25th 2011 9:19AM Kira Blaize said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:33PM Bronxchulo said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:37PM napoleonrokz said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:38PM hensothor said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:45PM Bronxchulo said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:50PM Bronxchulo said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:00PM napoleonrokz said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:02PM SisypheanLife said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:08PM napoleonrokz said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:29PM SisypheanLife said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:42PM napoleonrokz said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 4:51PM SisypheanLife said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 6:52PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 6:53PM PointlessPuppies said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 7:09PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: May 24th 2011 1:08AM onslaughtree said

Posted: May 24th 2011 6:00AM ErikR said

Posted: May 24th 2011 6:12AM Collymilad85 said

Posted: May 25th 2011 12:46PM ToTheMoon said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:35PM MarkezJM said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:36PM CaptainProtonX said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 5:18PM making11s said

Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:37PM Ryan P said

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Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:56PM BigFat360 biggerbadderFatter said

Posted: May 24th 2011 8:53AM Art84 said

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Posted: May 23rd 2011 3:43PM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said

Posted: May 28th 2011 12:43PM Jetleo1 said

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