14 DAY TRIAL // THQ has decided that Homefront would only allow access to the first five levels of a 75 high tier for multiplayer progression for those gamers who are playing the game rented, borrowed or bought second hand, with those interested in getting the entire experience advised to either buy Homefront new or to pay 10 dollars in order to satisfy the demands of the new Online Pass initiative from THQ.
Electronic Arts has been doing the same for sports titles since 2010 and THQ has also employed a similar initiative in its wrestling games.
The idea is to limit the extend of the second hand and rental markets, forcing those who get games used for a short time to pay if they want the complete multiplayer experience while making first time buyers feel special for the extra content they get.
The problem is that the Online Pass concept is not well explained to the public and that past expectations for most of those who buy videogames are that the package that they pick up on a shelf will give them everything, no matter whether it’s second hand or not.
It will create confusion in the customer base, it will lead to outcries from more vocal second hand only gamers and will lead to a smaller multiplayer base for titles like Homefront, which as first person shooters rely on multiplayer for long term sales.
A better idea for the likes of THQ and any other company which aims to limit the second hand market would be to make a radical move and take multiplayer out of their high profile titles altogether and just sell it separately.
Make the retail package single player only, make it clear on the game box and add, as a bonus, a stripped down version of the multiplayer for all those who have the single player.
Encourage gamers to try it out and, for those who like it and want more, make it easy to pay and then download the network infrastructure and the matchmaking elements.
The difference from the Online Pass model might be seemingly small, but it will be fairer to gamers, will show the full extent of the second hand market and if buyers are interested in single or in multiplayer while also allowing game publishers to no longer be cast in the role of the bad guy.