Online gaming may soon be getting more expensive. Sony is currently looking into joining the ranks of Ubisoft, EA, and THQ. They are investigating charging gamers for a pass to play used games online.
According to NowGamer via Games Industry, “Similar to EA"s model, the pass would open up online features in each game to those buying second hand. Alternatively, if you buy the game new, you get a code in the box for free.”
Andrew House, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe stated that the company is broadly supportive of the idea of charging used game purchasers to play online. He stated, "On the principle of making online portions of the game available or unlocked from the disc-based release for a fee, we"re broadly supportive of that."
THQ creative director Cory Ledesma stated that they don’t really care if the move to charge used game buyers to play online upsets those buyers. They feel that while the statement may be blunt, but that it is only fair to them because they lose money on used game sales.
Ledesma said, “I hope we don’t disappoint people and I hope people understand that when a game is bought used we get cheated and I don’t think anyone wants that." From a business standpoint, this move will make the most sense for Game Development companies and publishers.
However, it isn’t very likely that this will sit well with gamers overall. The odds are that many gamers are going to feel cheated by this move.