New game releases of May 20-26
Killzone: Mercenary shoots onto Vita on September 10
Trion Worlds hit with more layoffs, Defiance team impacted
Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault defending Vita next week
Game & Wario was originally going to be pre-installed on Wii U
The Last of Us digital download lets you start playing sooner
Weekend PC download deals: Borderlands 2 for $11
Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection coming to PS3 in July for $50
Madden NFL 25's $99 'Anniversary Edition' includes Sunday Ticket
Final Fantasy 8 getting PC re-release (in Japan)
Rumor: Warner initiating 'Online Pass' program for core titles, beginning with Mortal Kombat
by Xav de Matos, Mar 29, 2011 6:02pm PDTA tipster has shared an email with Shacknews that NetherRealm's upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot will include an one-use code to enable online multiplayer.
According to the email, Warner Bros will now utilize a "1st purchaser reward program," comprised of one-use codes included in new copies of upcoming games. Mortal Kombat is the first game Warner plans to feature for the new direction. Those without access to a one-use code (purchasing the game used, for example will be able to purchase an online pass for $10, the source notes--similar to other "Online Pass" enabled titles throughout the industry.
The Shacknews source says that users without a code will be able to play Mortal Kombat's online multiplayer for free for two days before being forced to purchase entry into the online features.
Other titles Warner Bros. plans to attach to the new program include FEAR 3 and Batman: Arkham City; however, it's unclear how the single-player Batman sequel will benefit from the promotion at this time.
Rumors of an online pass for Mortal Kombat have been swirling since gamers peered into the raw code of the recently released Mortal Kombat demo.
All attempts to confirm the information with Warner Bros. have yielded silence.
Joystiq reports, via its own source, that Warner has no plans to promote the inclusion of the pass. Instead, the publisher is attempting to educate retailers on the new model.
Joystiq's source added an email excerpt being distributed to retailers that explains the promotion in relation to Mortal Kombat:
Mortal Kombat, available on April 19 for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, includes a one-time-use registration code that gives players access to all online modes in the game. Players who do not have a code will get a free two-day trial of the online play and then be able to purchase the online modes for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and $9.99 on the PlayStation Network.
Comments
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I've made the argument in the past that DD will reduce or eliminate many costs and if the industry ever moved to it entirely then the costs of distribution and covering the material costs of units that don't sell will make lower prices possible, but many people point out to me that those costs are minuscule compared to the development and marketing efforts.
A lot of games like Crysis will sink a lot of money into new engine technologies, but I wonder if we'll ever hit the point where engines are just good enough. I mean, DNF is about to come out with visuals that were probably locked down just a few years ago and people say it looks dated. Is it really that significant or will we ever hit a point where the visuals just work? As in, will Unreal Engine 5 be the point at which we stop inventing engines and just making games with them? When Steven Spielberg makes a movie he doesn't have to invent a better camera first. Sure, new camera technologies come along and there's shit like 3D which requires more technology but there's companies dedicated to that - the guys making the movies don't have to be the ones making the cameras.
So when we hit a point at which, either technologically or culturally, we're fine with game engines and the developers can just make games instead of GPU showpieces, will the prices come down?
I tend to think they will - the guys who made Torchlight used an open source engine so they could focus on the gameplay and that title debuted at $20.
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