Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning locks out questline via online pass [update: 38 Studios and EA respond]

by Ben Gilbert on Jan 27th 2012 2:00PM

It looks like the House of Valor faction in Amalur's various kingdoms will be joining Catwoman in the limbo-like world of online passes. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning's House of Valor faction questline is dependent on players having an online pass that only comes with new copies of the game, as our reviews editor Richard Mitchell spotted in his retail copy of the game on Xbox 360.

According to the insert included in our copy of the game, online pass owners (read: those who purchase new copies of the game) will get access to "seven additional player quests" throughout the House of Valor faction questline. It's unclear whether the PlayStation 3 and PC versions of the game contain the same stipulation, but we've reached out to EA for clarification.

Update: 38 Studios community manager "Muse" posted the following statement to the 38 Studios forums, as pointed out in our comments section: "We wanted to post a quick clarification for something we've seen a few comments about. For what it's worth, the House of Valor content was not in the finished game/disc at one point, then removed. It isn't there and we're locking you out of it. The House of Valor was created as stand-alone content, and was always intended to be the first DLC. Instead of holding onto it and charging for it later, we opted to give it to everyone who purchases the game new, for free, on launch day. We hope that helps clarify that point, at least."

Update 2: EA issued this response to Joystiq this afternoon: "The House of Valor quest line is free bonus content available to those who purchase a new copy of Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning for the Xbox 360 and PS3 by entering the Online Pass included with the game. PC players who purchase Reckoning at one of the many digital retailers online including Origin, Steam and more, will also receive the House of Valor quest line at no cost."

More coverage: 38 Studios forums

Tags: 38-studios, big-huge, big-huge-games, ea, electronic-arts, house-of-valor, house-of-valor-faction, house-of-valor-questline, kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning, microsoft, online-pass, pc, playstation, ps3, xbox

Reader Comments (145)

Worst trend in the industry.

I wonder why auto manufacturers don't go after those dastardly people who try to buy USED cars... the shame!

@arrrgh
For the record, I am not a fan of activation codes. With that said, the used car analogy is terrible. Why do people still use it? Cars are mechanical and therefore suffer from wear and tear over time. As such, they tend to lose function and force you to replace parts which costs you money over time. Since many of these parts come straight from the manufacturer, they can and do make money from used cars.

This is not the case with video games. What is on the disc/hd does not suffer from wear and tear and buying it used is exactly the same as buying it brand new. Without some sort of incentive to buy them new as opposed to used, why would anyone buy them new?

@arrrgh

It's so incredibly different, automobiles depreciate rapidly with use and can't be copied and used by other people. Some valid comparisons would be movies, music, and books.

@arrrgh

I'm tired of people complaining about this. If you want to play the content, all you have to do is buy the game new.

Well, you have to buy the game new, and you also have to be sure that they actually packaged the code inside the shrinkwrap. Because sometimes they don't do that.

Also, even if they packaged the code, sometimes the code doesn't work. So you have to buy the game new, make sure they packaged the code, and be sure that it's a working code (No returns on opened items!).

Also, you have to be sure that you haven't passed the expiration date on the code for the brand new game that you purchased. Because EA sometimes expires the codes.

Also, you need to have pretty good internet. Because sometimes these content packs are hundreds of megs, and you'll want to download the whole thing before you start playing.

And if there is a problem with the code, you need to make sure that the company won't take months to respond and give you access to the content you paid for, like they did with the Catwoman codes.

Anyway, the point is, the only people who complain about online passes are thieves.

@Jackleope

DLC

@Jackleope

That's true up to a point. Discs can be scratched. Cases can be lost. Manuals can be ruined. Sure, the *content* will not change, but the *condition* does change.

The same could be the same in a car. What you get in the car does not change, but the condition of the stuff in it can change. It's all in how you look at it.

@copa

Seriously. It's like literally the same people saying the same things over and over on every single one of these comment threads to the point where I can look at the headline and know exactly what y'all are already going to say before you've even typed it.

Zzzzzzzzzz

@Jenks

"It's so incredibly different, automobiles depreciate rapidly with use and can't be copied and used by other people."

1) A new videogame depreciates a HELL of a lot faster than a car, typically losing half its value in a year.

2) Copying has nothing to do with this. The publishers are trying to battle resale of games that the original owner has finished playing.

@baby sea tuna And yet you took the time out of your busy day to reply to something that you already knew the the response to.

You sir are a credit to your species.

@arrrgh

Auto manufacturers still continue to make money off of parts, accessories and servicing.

Even if you go to an unauthorized dealer, the parts will probably come from the manufacturer.

If the parts are OEM (not originals), that company would have paid a license fee to make their own replicas, so no matter how you approach the maintenance on your used car, money trickles down to the main manufacturer.

@Kagiroi

Hey, I'm not going to skip out on a free trip to the zoo just because I already know that the monkeys are going to be flinging their shit at eachother.

@arrrgh

Is it the worst trend in the industry? I wouldn't know, since I have a job, and can afford to buy video games. Maybe if I had to rely on allowances to buy games, and had to buy new, I'd hate it too.

@Fullmetal Salchemist

Get off your high horse. Plenty of people buy a mixed of new and used games depending on what they think they are worth and their own finances. Some people are simply smarter with their money whether they have plenty of disposable income or not. If you can and do buy every game new good for you, no need to be a prick about it.

@arrrgh

I just want to thank Copa for the laugh on a subject that usually doesn't bring out much humor!

@Fullmetal Salchemist

Wait until you have kids who are of gaming age. Are you willing to share your gamertag with your child, wife, etc., just so you can all play that game you bought new?

Oh, wait, you have a job, so you don't mind buying the game for $60, and additional online pass for $10, and another $15 for the free dlc pack that came with the original purchase. So you're up to an additional $25 for the game if you have a child with their own gamertag. Add another $25/person if you have a wife that games, or a second child with a gamertag...

@arrrgh stop using the stupid used cars argument you just look like a fool

@copa "Anyway, the point is, the only people who complain about online passes are thieves. "

I'm not a thief and I think online passes are bullshit.

And how is buying used being a thief?

@copa Oh wow I'm stupid, ignore that post.

@copa

You couldn't be more wrong, I'll leave it at that because I suspect you're trolling.

@Jenks Fair enough:

Worst trend in the industry.

I wonder why [movies, music, and books] manufacturers don't go after those dastardly people who try to buy USED [movies, music, and books]... the shame!

...the sentiment is still just as valid.

@zhris

There are little or no used markets left for movies, music, and books. Physical music is all but gone, and physical movies and books are rapidly being phased out. All those industries are reeling (no pun intended) and have been trying all sorts of things to generate money in new ways.

@Kagiroi
Sorry, but comparing a ruined manual, smudged case or even a scratched disc to the wear-and-tear that used car experiences is a completely false analogy. The basic function of a car decreases perceptively over time. Things wear out and break down. The items you mentioned are so ancillary to the game experience as to be inconsequential. For all intents and purposes a since game disc could be purchased once and then resold, used, to a thousand people who would all have exactly the same experience in-game.

@copa
"1) A new videogame depreciates a HELL of a lot faster than a car, typically losing half its value in a year."

It's truly scary when completely flawed logic like this gets upvoted. Let's work on our critical thinking skills, people.

In relation to THEIR TYPICAL USER LIFESPAN, a game holds it's value WAY longer than a car. A game typically provides dozens to upwards of a couple hundred hours of entertainment. Then it has served it's full purpose. In contrast, a car is a tool, not an experience. A car will commonly be used for years (upwards of 10 years is not atypical).

And let me head off more bad logic before someone chimes in with, "But I keep my games for years, so your wroooooong!" Ha. Yeah, but people drive their cars every day during that 10 years. Putting a game on your shelf for years at a time without touching it doesn't compare.

Keep complaining and buying used, folks. Eventually all publishers will move to 100% digital distribution, tying all purchases to and individual ID, and resale will disappear completely. That's the way things are headed. There's a reason why Gamestop is clearing BILLIONS in profits for being nothing more than a used software middleman.

@The Moof

You don't have to spend an additional $15 for the free DLC pack nor an extra $10 a lot of the time. If a project $10 pass lets you download offline content then everyone on the console can use it. The only time you would have to buy an additional online pass would be if its actually for a multiplayer game.

@copa

#$%# you. No. Seriously. #$%# you. If you're going to call me a thief for disagreeing with you, then I can say #$%# you. I'm tired of you finger waggling folks telling me how wrong I am because of the way things used to be, much less calling me a thief because when I open the goddamn box, I expect a full #$%#ing game.

I come from a generation of games who bought their games on cartridges. Back then people had to CONSTANTLY test their games, and make sure they were ready. They had to be content rich, and long lasting. Word of mouth was the only way you sold games, rather than paying off reviewers for the holy 9 out of 10 grail.

Online Passes are also the best way to monopolize the Rental Industry. Yes, that's an ENTIRE industry gone to dog dingus. How about Used Game places? You seem to think all this money is rolling into the devs coffers! Take a look at the reports, IT GOES TO THE PUBLISHER, then the Devs get their cut and royalties. That's all, that's it. THE BULK. GOES. TO. THE. PUBLISHER.

Me? I want the old way games were produced. Where they were content rich games without half the game cut out for DLC. I don't mind paying for expansion packs, but this Day 1 DLC bullcrap has got to end. We used to preorder because we enjoyed games, or became games were worth it. Preorder bonuses that PHYSICAL ITEMS are also pretty awesome. But locking away game features and demanding a preorder for it, blindly trusting the game not to suck?

Yeah, no. I'll wait for this game to come out at $20 sale.

@ShivanSwordsman I realize sarcasm on the internet is hard, but I'm like 99% sure copa was being factitious. In any case, I found the post amusing.

@(Unverified)

I sure as heck hope he was being sarcastic. Forgive me if I get a bit... enraged. I'm a late 80's gamer, I miss the way the industry was moving forward, when all they're trying to do recently is rapidly move backwards, and give us even less than in the freakin' NES days. I'm not talking graphics, or voice acting, or what have you. I'm talking value and content, cutting chunks out of the finished game, only to sell them to us on the first day for a chunk of change. Where the heck did expansion packs go...?

Just so folks know... I loved the demo for this game. It's insanely fun, and I love the idea of picking out my own style. It's like the evolution of Diablo, but without having to reroll my character 20 times. If the MMO is even half as fun as this, Diablo is in trouble.

I just wish EA would stop screwing every good game up by trying to milk it dry for Day 1 DLC. Seriously, the FIRST DAY and they're trying to squeeze more money out of you...

@ShivanSwordsman

copa was pretty obviously being sarcastic.

Here's my problem with all of this. The devs have been saying the game would include the main quest and SIX factions since last summer. The House of Valor could be seen on the map in a demo they were running back in August. The game almost certainly just went gold this month. They have clearly been working on this content well before the game was finished. So whatever you want to call it (free day one dlc, online pass, etc) they have clearly been planning it well ahead of time and promised content in a single player game that is now locked unless you buy it new. All of the arguments for online pass being necessary because of bandwidth and server costs, etc are completely invalid in this scenario. Locking out long promised content to dissuade used sales is indefensible in my opinion. I don't know how people can drink this kool-aid.

@arrrgh As a game developer, this trend puts money into the pockets of the people making your games, rather than those of people with no connection to the actual game.

If the Video Game industry was run like the American auto industry, you'd only have a few major manufactures able to do business, and they'd all be asking for government bailouts.

Vote with your dollars. If a game is only good enough to be bought used, you can count on the developer going under soon.

@(Unverified)

What makes you think people aren't already voting with their dollars?

"If a game is only good enough to be bought used, you can count on the developer going under soon."

So basically you're saying we need to support devs that make games that aren't good enough? You're essentially already asking for a bailout from the consumers that weren't persuaded by the initial offering.

Here's a question for you: Would you rather consumer X not buy your game at all, or buy it used and perhaps sell them on the DLC or a sequel?

@Zippon
Video games will typically lose half their value within 12-18 months. Cars will lose half in more than 5 years. The amount of time spent with it is pretty irrelevant, since we're just waiting a short amount of time to play a game at half price. Besides, in basic spirit the analogy holds. Whether it be a piece of equipment or entertainment. Hell artwork is something created artistically for entertainment, and it's prices tend to go up over time. But games follow a similar trend as cars as far as depreciation goes. If they're good and worth it, they hold their value. If they suck, the depreciate very quickly. Complaining that a car needs parts and repairs and shit over time is just over-analyzing the analogy just to be pedantic. The spirit of it is all that people refer to, and it fits it in the basic sense just as well as anything else.

The real fact of the matter here is that complaining about this is pretty much irrelevant, since it'll all be digital soon anyways. Chances are, when that happens, there will be a spike in piracy until people just accept that the companies have us by the balls. Sad but true. We'll all miss these days where all we had to do was pay an extra 10 bucks on a used game to access all content, instead of always paying the premium price, which is what the future holds for us....

@copa
You couldn't be more wrong.

I have never bought a used copy of a game, I have never sold my games back to any store and I have never pirated a game. I have always bought new copies of any game I play, either from a store or digital download.

Several games I have purchased recently have had an online pass and have prevented me from getting the content I have paid for. Why? Because even though PS3 games are not usually region locked the online pass contained in the same box is. And because I work in the games industry I have moved countries a few times and my console is not from the same place as I'm currently living in. And for that I get treated like a criminal by my own industry and blocked from the content I have paid for.

I won't buy ANY game that has an online pass, ever again.

@copa Codes work for most people. They are a minor inconvenience at best. Discouraging used game sales is good, IMO.

"This code also unlocks your bonus Mass Effect 3 N7-inspired Shepard's Battle Armor."

Is this the armor you get if you play the ME3 demo? If so, does that mean that if you play the ME3 demo, you still need to use the online code in order to access the new armor?

EA: It's [Only] in the [New] Game

It's going to be awesome when we're a few generations on, when all these games are going to be gimped as hell, since all copies of the game in question would very likely be used, meaning the codes have been too, and the online infrastructure through which you purchased new codes doesn't exist anymore.

Meanwhile, bitrot notwithstanding, games for every other generation of consoles I have are perfectly safe to rebuy on eBay (if at often gouged prices).

@Shadow Hog

Yeah, you would think these game companies would even take that into consideration when dreaming up ways to have online passes. Yes, it forces people to buy a game new, but maybe some people don't wish to.

Not to mention that EA tends to have online codes expire after one or two years AND take online infrastructure for games offline fairly quickly.

@Shadow Hog I think this is going to be an even bigger issue for things outside of gaming. We're putting so much faith in online storage, cloud services, etc. The moment that infrastructure gives out or gets changed... bam.

@andrewpoe - "Yes, it forces people to buy a game new, but maybe some people don't wish to."

Considering the publishers don't make any money on people don't buy new, I feel safe in saying that they probably don't care about the people who don't wish to buy new.

@Mcmax3000

They should care because even a lot of the people who buy the game new will be less likely to make as many purchases if it's going to be harder or impossible to sell later.

@Arcaria

Used sales don't make then any money. A business should not be expected to provide support for sales which don't make them any money.

Yes it may suck that they are looking at methods which make buying used games less attractive, but their a business not a charity.

@This Little Man Says His Name Is
I'm less concerned about the people who buy used when the game is still relevant, and more about the people who come at the game a few generations down the line.

When the PS5 is out, finding a PS3 game new is going to be a difficult prospect. It's possible that some of them will still be available via PSN or similar, but not a given - after all, if the PS5 can't even play PS3 games, much like most PS3s on the market right now can't play PS2 games other than the small handful Sony specifically put onto PSN, then why should Sony support it? As such, you'd have no recourse but to buy the game used. It gets worse, though, since even if you lucked out and got a DLC code that wasn't redeemed, because everyone's using the PS5 now, the PSN for the PS3 is likely shut down, so you can't redeem it. Congratulations, your copy of the game is forever gimped.

I suppose access to online-only content wouldn't be SO bad, since if the online service to process the DLC went down, then presumably that same online service was the one to process all of the game's online interactions at the same time...

@This Little Man Says His Name Is Did you not read what I wrote or do you simply fail to comprehend? Read what I wrote, read what you wrote and then respond to my actual words, not just randomness.

"Activate Ultimate Tetris online for exclusive access to a bonus CLASSIC BLOCK! It's a blast from the past: The I Block! Four units end-to-end, this block can fit into just about any situation with ease. Pre-order Ultimate Tetris and activate your online pass today! Beat the rush and get your hands on our special pre-order bonuses, including the 'Block Launcher' weapon for Mass Effect 3 and the "S-Block Strangler" stealth-kill weapon for Kane and Lynch 3: Vomit Island."

@slickie

I would totally buy "Vomit Island"

as always joystiq and destructoid are very 360 oriented.

@gamersrstupid

Don't worry, I'm sure the PS3 will have the same online pass.

@gamersrstupid what does this have to do with anything?

@gamersrstupid - I'm assuming that you're referring to both sites posting pictures of the 360 version?

Ever think that, since the game isn't out yet, that might be the only version they have been sent by the publisher?

@Mcmax3000

Whoa whoa, let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I can almost guarantee that he didn't "think" anything before he started typing.

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