Now allow me to explain.
Online passes are based off of the CDKey concept that PC games have been using for over 10 years. The CDKey is very simple, it’s a code that must be entered to install/play the game. Originally these were just a single time check and the same code could be used multiple times, but over the past years with Games For Windows LIVE, Steam, Origin, and others CDKeys are now bound to DRM servers and can only be activated once, in addition to that all of these services have DRM built into them and must be running to run the game. Buying any new physical PC disk will be locked to one of these services and you can never sell or trade the game to any store or anyone else ever because the game is locked to your account for life. there are some minor exceptions but this is how it is for 99% of all major titles. You buy it, and it’s yours for life, no way around it. You can’t even lend the game to a friend to install because it requires the code to install it and it checks for validation before you install, so he can’t even install it and then run a crack.
TLDR: CDKey locks the game to one person, game can never be sold or traded in any form.
Now, Online Passes emerged as a way for publishers to bring this concept to the consoles. The online pass was a code that enabled the online features of a game and in some cases DLC, I’ll give two examples. Online passes are included with all new copies of the game.
Battlefield 3: Online Pass gives access to multiplayer and first DLC pack free. Is free with all new copies of the game.
Mass Effect 3: Online Pass gives access to multiplayer and launch day DLC free. Is free with all new copies of the game.
Mass Effect 2: Online Pass (Cerberus Network) gives $30+ worth of free DLC, is free with all new copies of the game.
Any game bought new with an online pass can be played to it’s entirety just by simply putting in the code, same thing us PC gamers have been doing for a decade. You can also trade that game into any retailer, give it to a friend, or sell it on your own to anyone anywhere without any issues. The person that buys that game, which brings no profit to the developer or publisher, can play the single player portion of the game for free, forever. If they want to access the online features they have to pay a one time fee of $10-$15. This fee allows for the developer to recoup some of the lost income on the sale.
it’s not really DRM per say but it encourages the buying of new games instead of used. and you get free content for buying the game new. You get a discount for buying used and if all you care about is single player then your good to go. but MP you get to pay the developer that you decided not to pay in the first place and they make some money off of you to enjoy their game.
I’ve never been able to understand the hate, buy the game new and it’s free. Buying used games, though it does save you money, hurts the developer because they make no money from it. I understand some people don’t have money, but thats what sales are for, and if you can’t afford a $60 game don’t tell me that you can afford a $50 or $55 one used.
My fear now, with online passes leaving, is what is going to come in their place? More DLC? More cut-content? time will tell, but I have a feeling that most of us will miss online passes when the worse alternative arrives.
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From Official VGHC: There Is Nothing Wrong With Online Passes - Nathan Olonoff
