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PSN PASS Trial???

So there's been a lot of hate and heated discussion regarding the new PSN PASS. Now I am by no means against it as I mostly buy new and rarely rent or buy used (games with online anyway) and support devs that I respect. But I just think the whole PASS is being implemented wrong. Now this blog mostly applies to those who buy used and also for those who rent.

Blocking you from playing a shred of online unless you have a PASS is a little too strict and forceful on Sony's part in my opinion. Without testing the online in anyway, you have no idea if its your money's worth or not. Its like heading into a pitch-dark cave with no light available. So, for sympathy(some) of those who feel a bit cold shouldered by Sony and the PSN PASS, I'm suggesting that Sony should add an online trial to every game that requires a PSN PASS. A trial that lets the consumer test the online for an hour or two, and once that time is up it states you need to buy the PSN PASS to continue using online. That hour or two provides enough time to let you decide whether you think you should cough up the cash for the pass or not. This will prevent complaints of users feeling "ripped off" if they didn't like the online and just spent $10 on it for nothing and also let you taste the online experience.

This will also provide enough time for those who rent, to play the online and decide if they should buy the game or not afterwards. By no means does this curve around the fact that you still have to buy the PASS eventually if you bought the game used, but it does help cool the waters a bit and takes some pressure off your decisions of buying the game new(if rented) or the PSN PASS.

Refusing to buy a game that requires a PSN PASS is pathetic at best, and hurts devs more than Sony. You can have a much greater impact if you can try to persuade Sony to implement things like this trial. So those who buy used are gonna have to live with the PSN PASS breathing down there necks, but if you can spread word of this idea (timed trial) then perhaps the PSN PASS's breath won't smell as bad as without the trial. I've already submitted this idea on Playstation.blog.share, and I'm mostly doing this for the people who buy used to give them a crutch to walk on for a bit. Please let me know your thoughts on the trial, and only the trial, there's enough bickering/complaining already on countless threads, and would prefer to get this idea across peacefully :)

xX-StolenSoul-Xx5402d ago

The best online pass i seen so far was Homefronts. They let you keep playing but you can't level up any furture than level 5 and you will eventually pay for the pass if you enjoyed it.

SweatyFlorida5402d ago

That's another thing where this PSN PASS is messing up. Adding a level cap or content cap (like BFBC2 VIP code) would have been a better solution than denying any and all access to online, at least at the start of this PASS.

Baby steps to locking out used buyers, not a gigantic curb stomp with a boot.

xX-StolenSoul-Xx5402d ago (Edited 5402d ago )

Well, they still have not given us full details on the pass so maybe we will see something like this.

BfBc2 Vip Code was differnt though, it was for Map packs which i doubt they'll do ever again.

We'll see how it works out in Ressistance 3.

Edit: Even mortal kombats 2 day trial was good

gamingdroid5401d ago

How about no pass?

That is the best implementation of them all!

Les-Grossman5401d ago

Online Subscription Fee for the PS4. Be prepared guys

pupa5401d ago

I will pay for such a PSN+ subscription with pleasure.

Takoulya5401d ago

Thanks for the heads up! I'm glad we have such a reliable Sony employee on N4G who tells us everything before they happens.

MrBeatdown5401d ago

Care to explain how charging for online play is relevant to the PSN pass, which is a means of encouraging sales of new games? I'm pretty sure Live
subscribers can play used games online, so what exactly would charging for PSN do for used sales?

caseh5400d ago

@MrBeatDown

Exactly what I was thinking, why is this the big thing for Sony all of a sudden yet there is no mention of Nintendo or M$ doing the same.

Sony probably put the idea forwards with a backhanded bitch-slap for consumers. If each pass puts say $2 into Sony's pocket without any work on their part they ain't about to argue with that are they. :D

thorstein5399d ago

No. I am pretty sure you have to pay for a pass on MSLive when it is a used game.

MrBeatdown5399d ago (Edited 5399d ago )

@thorstein

When I said "I'm pretty sure Live
subscribers can play used games online" I didn't mean games that have online passes on PS3". I meant the games that don't require passes. Live lets you play used games online.

Live is a paid service, but you still need online passes for online play in certain games, because Live has nothing to do with online passes, in the exact same way that a paid PSN subscription, if it were to happen, has nothing to do with online passes.

Live doesn't help curb used game sales, and neither would a paid PSN service, so as I was trying to point out in my original post, an "Online Subscription Fee for the PS4" is completely irrelevant to the discussion of online passes in used games.

xX-StolenSoul-Xx5400d ago

If they ever do charge for online i would gladly go back to the 360/NextXbox. The biggest reason for me having my ps3 is free online and i'm sure alot of people feel the same. Even though i do pay for ps plus that's just optional and not needed for basic gaming

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 5397d ago
MintBerryCrunch5401d ago

I don't know how Sony doesn't think that this will hurt their 1st party sales?

It's similar to the terrible DRM that PC players have to deal with when they get a legit copy of a game

jessupj5400d ago

If a game needs a PSN PASS and it's anything less then absolutely amazing I'll be skipping it.

It's very sad to think that very soon I'll be missing out on a lot of sony exclusives because of this utter shit.

Games here in OZ are $120 and rarely go down in price, even after an entire year. If I want to play more than 2 games a year I have to rent. I was looking forward to Res3 but now it's off my radar.

I'd expect this horseshit from Microsoft, not Sony.

There needs to be a better solution to curve used game sales.

hiredhelp5400d ago

This is a game of greed.
Ive said it before ill say it again. In no way does the used market efected devs from them living there luxary lifestyle.
It didnt effect them when game shops first started second hand games. They didnt moan when kids wanted tonswap games at school. So why now, greed and a new way of everyone getting a little extra cash.
Cos even thoe say Sony charge you this fee sony take a cut same for anyone.
This industry is going down hill. With microsoft starting the console based DLC because it couldnt be fit onto a disc. And they found a new way milking money there now look everybody doing it.

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