Mass Effect 2 Gets A Downloadable Content Portal…Well, At Least the Original Purchasers Do
This is a definite shot to the heart for people who love buying used games. Looks like BioWare has opted to create a portal for downloadable bonus content that is available only to those who are the “original purchaser” of a disc (something tied to a non-transferable EA account).
“The Cerberus Network” will be accessed via a special code included with downloadable and retail versions of the game. When accessing the network, gamers will be rewarded with messages, news, and (the big kicker) bonus content.
So, what items are Mass Effect lovers missing out on if they buy used? First, a DLC pack that contains in-game items and extra missions. Without these extra missions, players will miss out on a new character: Zaeed, an assassin who is recruited to join Commander Shepard’s mission.
The next DLC pack will include a new vehicle, new ammo, and new armor that will be impossible to get without access to The Cerberus Network.
I’m hoping this was misguided on BioWare’s part. They want to, like other companies, do whatever they can to prevent piracy. However, they’re alienating an entire segment of gamers who just plain don’t buy things new and are willing to wait.
A quote from BioWare co-founder Dr. Ray Muzyka seems to indicate that they know exactly what they’re doing, though. ““We’re thrilled to be able to reward loyal BioWare and Mass Effect fans with ongoing, high quality content and provide a direct channel for our players to dive deeper into the intriguing lore of Mass Effect.”
Sorry, everyone who buys used games – BioWare only wants to reward loyal customers, and somehow, you’re not.
Everyone that buys new: Mass Effect 2 will be available January 26 for Xbox 360 and PC. Enjoy The Cerberus Network, and tell us how it is, okay?
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This doesn’t appear to be about piracy so much as it is Bioware ensuring that a major revenue stream (ie. retail product sales) does not take as big of a hit – especially over time – as most games do thanks to used game sales. Think about it. Publishers see no money off of used game sales. Considering how many companies have been losing sales thanks to the rise of the used game market, why shouldn’t they try to do what they can to earn back the difference that used to be there? They’ve already targeted the superfans with collector’s edition so why not go after the less hardcore consumer with things like pre-order bonuses and other incentives to make sure that their game is bought new and that their money goes to the people who made the game? I see it as less of a punishment to gamers and more as a reward. In this case, which is also the case of most “exclusive” DLC, if you buy used and don’t have access to a friend’s DLC passcode or something, you’ll be able to purchase it from the marketplace at a premium at some point. Not that it’s a consolation, but it’s better than nothing.
Well, from what I got out of the press release, the first DLC pack is free, but the next ones aren’t. So they’re blocking another potential revenue stream by not allowing used disc people access to the store – if people buy the same DLC multiple times per disc (it’s possible, like if Original Purchaser gets DLC packs 2-5 and Used Purchaser buys the same thing), they could easily make back whatever they theoretically lose through the resale without having to have additional discs manufactured (if that’s even a concern in the first place). Even charging for access to the store to buy stuff would be better. Maybe the code makes it free, and paying $4.99 to get access to the store if you bought a used disc would be fair. Especially since early on, that’s about the price difference between used and new. That way, if you didn’t care, you wouldn’t have to do it and wouldn’t be missing out.
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[...] now, not only are people who buy used missing out, but it looks like BioWare’s loyal “original purchasers” are, as [...]