Ubisoft Nuking Used Game Sales with Uplay
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.
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not that im a fan of ubi's copy protection but this is a step in the rite direction to stamp out semi legal piracy... introduced by companies like game who make there money trading games and not passing on royalties to the game manufacturers even going as far as making more money than the original publisher by trading the same game multiple times.
this should encourage the reduction of prices if games companies can recoup more of there rightful profits and cut out middle men in the process.
selling on of used games is 1 of the reasons why games cost so much to start with.
after initial release the games has a short window in which to make money. because within a week traders like game are undercutting the new games by a good margin so shortening the games first retail shelf life.
this could potentially double the games companies profits in the short term but hopefuly reduce prices in the long...
saying that. it could also damage there profits as people may well decide to buy another companies titles that they know they can trade in if they feel they didnt get there moneys worth... so offering value for money will become a big deal.
so will that lead better games??? unlikley...
Ubisoft can kiss my a****. I will never buy a game from them again. They're already over-charging for games, now they want more money?! Screw them!
When you pay for your new game I hope you are informed that you are only renting it & dont truely own it. Instead of moaning about lost 2nd hand revenue, open your own 2nd had shops & compete like most other businesses do.
the only ubisoft game ill buy is assasins creed
this just stings the legal people, how come all there effots anoy there customers and egg on the pirates to compete to see who can crack the game first
like a really difficult puzzle
lolz again with the negatives...
i guess you all like buying illegal copys...
seriously if a game is bought and sold on your breaking the copyright law. you may not like it or agree with it, but it is the reason that many games dont come to pc.
it is exactly the same as piracy except your paying for the copy rather than downloading it free.
crytec blames pc copyright theft for the jump to consoles with crysis 2, but more second hand games are being sold than new and crytec dont see any of that money...
so companies like game are not only ripping you off there also ripping of the games companies.
end result there driving up prices and forcing companies like ubisoft to introduce measures like this.
again you may not like it but if ubi cant get any money from second hand trade then they are entitled to stop that second hand trade in there product...
to be honest though. uplay is horrid. much worse than gfwl and thats bad...
what if u have to reinstall the game when youve already used the code? do u have to pay another 10 for a new code when its your game and u own it?
you just do what i did, create a new accout for every game then when you sell it you give them the log in info for that game
solved
(well i said i did this but ive never botherd selling games becasue im not exactly tight for money)
what if u have to reinstall the game when youve already used the code? do u have to pay another 10 for a new code when its your game and u own it?
no. the product code will be for ever associated with your uplay account...
e.a run a similar deal with bad company 2. if you uninstall, you can reinstall. just use the same code and log into your account and it will verify it and allow you to play.
e.a do allow you to install on 10 different pc's but the key is attached to your e.a account.
uplay have 2 possible options for installing.
limited only to the uplay account.
you should be able to install it on as many pc's as you want but you will have to have the account login to get it to work.
or
it could have the same or even more strict limitations than the e.a version of this. ie. you may not be allowed to install it on more than 1 pc or as many as 10.
The games publishers are a gready bunch. I don't hear anybody complaining about second hand CD sales or Blu-Ray or DVD.
The games publishers are a gready bunch. I don't hear anybody complaining about second hand CD sales or Blu-Ray or DVD.
actually m8 theres a few outstanding courtcases trying to get this kind of trade stopped.
I just bought a second hand copy. Having realised what they're up to it has now gone in the bin, along with any desire to purchase a Ubisoft product ever again.