14 DAY TRIAL // A set of photos of a bundle, which combines the PlayStation 3 home gaming console from Sony with the upcoming shooter Resistance 3, has revealed that the game comes complete with something called the PSN Pass, a Sony version of the online pass system that other publishers have been using.
It's not clear whether this is a new system designed to limit the impact of used games sales for Resistance 3 by not allowing access to the multiplayer features for those who do not have the code or buy it later or whether it's a code that will allow those who buy the bundle to get access to more content on the PlayStation Network.
Statements made last year by Sony suggest that the company is interested in creating online passes for the first party games on both the PS3 and the PlayStation Portable.
Sony has not yet responded to the images showing off the new Resistance 3 based PSN Pass.
The company has charged before for access to online features with the PSP version of ModNation Racers, which asked for a 14.99 dollars “online entitlement” fee from those who had picked up the game on the second hand market.
The same happened with SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3, but Sony stated that, for that game, the fee was designed to limit the impact of piracy, which is pretty high on its handheld.
The Online Pass concept was pioneered by Electronic Arts, which integrated it into all its sports simulation games and will probably also use it in other upcoming games.
There was a negative reaction from gamers, but the company, while not providing any solid figures, says that it has performed well and has reduced the second hand market for titles like Madden NFL and FIFA.
Other publishers, like Warner Bros., THQ, Codemasters and Capcom have also used a version of the system.