Ubisoft Nuking Used Game Sales with Uplay

Published on 07-16-2011 05:56 PM

Used game consumers are getting another swift kick in the groin thanks to Ubisoft and its new Uplay Passport program.

Friday Ubisoft revealed a new program called Uplay Passport that's undoubtedly established to regain revenue lost in the used games sector. The program will reportedly launch in the coming months and be included in many of the company's popular core games.

"In each new copy of a Uplay Passport-enhanced game will be a one-time use registration code that, when redeemed, provides access to Uplay Passport content and features," the company said in an emailed statement. "The code can be found on the insert card inside the game box. Gamers can identify Uplay Passport-enhanced games by looking for the logo on the back of the box."
Given that this code can only be redeemed once, consumers who purchase a used game laced with Uplay Passport restrictions will be forced to shell out an extra $9.99 to unlock online content and features. This means that a used game which normally costs $5 less than the new packaged version will essentially cost $5 more than the new unopened copy.

"Starting with the upcoming DRIVER San Francisco release, games featuring the new Uplay Passport will offer gamers exclusive bonus content plus access to online features," the company said.

Ubisoft is the latest publisher to jump on the "online pass" choo-choo in order to regain revenue lost in the used game market. EA introduced the "Project Ten Dollar" concept last year with the release of Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age: Origins. As with Ubisoft's Uplay Passport, the new versions come with a one-time use code to unlock specific content and features. Those who purchase the used versions are required to shell out $9.99 for a new code in order to unlock the full game.

Categories:
Software,
Gaming

6 Comments

Homer_S - 07-16-2011, 06:15 PM
- Reply
This is the same as the Cerberus Network for Mass Effect. DLC is tied to it, but you can get the basic game used. At least it is not the whole game, yet.Homer

Artemis - 07-17-2011, 02:43 AM
- Reply
I find it amazing that the companies claim lost revenue from secondhand games, is there an unlock code for your secondhand car so the stereo or the GPS navigator will work ? Is there a code to be entered so the other 3 channels can be enabled on your secondhand 5.1 receiver ? Name one other consumer item (apart from media) where the companies who manufacture the item bitch about losing revenue on the secondhand market ? It is yet another example of media companies trying to dick consumers into paying for every single use of media.

sandman_1 - 07-17-2011, 04:58 AM
- Reply
Originally Posted by Artemis

I find it amazing that the companies claim lost revenue from secondhand games, is there an unlock code for your secondhand car so the stereo or the GPS navigator will work ? Is there a code to be entered so the other 3 channels can be enabled on your secondhand 5.1 receiver ? Name one other consumer item (apart from media) where the companies who manufacture the item bitch about losing revenue on the secondhand market ? It is yet another example of media companies trying to dick consumers into paying for every single use of media.

This ^^

What ever happened to "The First Sale Doctrine"? And what if you don't agree to the EULA, can you take it back and get your money back? No. It is all bullshit.

proforma - 07-17-2011, 12:47 PM
- Reply
Hopefully someday the consumers will grow smart and vote against this shit with their wallet. Or some government legislates, that circumvention of this overly restrict DRM is legal. Maybe some judge decides, that's illegal for gaming companies to switch between "licence" on the one hand and "purchase of physical goods" on the other with the consumer getting the worst of both worlds. A judge who rules that companies who abuse DRM have to print every restriction in a big box on the cover similar to cigarettes?

thrasher88 - 07-17-2011, 01:44 PM
- Reply
Actually I totally agree with them. I went into EB Games to buy an HDMI cable once and they guy tried to sell me Fight Night Rd 2 for 10 bucks because it was some great door crasher deal. I replied that I'd already downloaded the game months ago when it first came out lol for free lol. Then he's like ohh so you steal, so that's cool too. At the time I didn't care much but it bugged me and I got to thinking yeah I downloaded one game (that I didn't even play more than 2 hrs of anyways) for my own personal use. That is only one possible sale that the dev missed out on. Then my buddy goes in there to buy killzone 3 and he tried to sell him a used copy for FIVE bucks less than a brand new one. Now you tell me who's stealing, its true they need to protect themselves or figure out a way to pay them back. You can't compare it to selling used cars because there prices are much less subjective, they're much more clear cut. Also, car manufacturers have other streams of revenue from that used car in the way of their dealer garages and selling parts to fix the cars when they breakdown. So basically, what I'm saying is that if people are going to say piracy is wrong then selling a used game for 5 bucks cheaper is like piracy with profit. Wouldn't you much rather give an extra 5 bucks and give the money to the developers (and even publishers) since it supports what we love most, rather than some b/s company like gamestop or EB that contribute NOTHING to gaming but profit on it without having to invest in actually developing any games themselves. That being said I do agree with people selling their games on kijiji or the like and I do agree in THIS case the DRM does kind of cause a hindrance. I agree with this because it seems to be on a much smaller scale than EB and gamestop and consumers are actually thinking about what they're doing, not trading 3 games for 1 without even thinking about it etc. I agree with it because it isn't fueling the profits of a couple companies on the backs of the devs who actually deserve it. Because like we said we DO own the rights to the game when we purchase them. So in conclusion, although it is supposedly a "free" world we live in (only when it comes to profiteering) I think the game companies should be able to put a clause in the copyright saying "fuck off gamestop and EB etc" lol.