Since Resistance 3, all major Sony published games have included the “PSN Pass”, an online pass that requires purchasers of a used copy of the game to pay a one-off fee to play online. But Twisted Metal co-creator David Jaffe doesn’t want his game to include a pass, as he thinks it will damage their chances at gaining new fans.
Eat Sleep Play boss Jaffe told Eurogamer:
I know that we have been asked to look into some code work for it but I don’t believe that a decision has been made at this point. Or if it has been made it has not been shared with me yet.
I’d actually prefer that we don’t do it, even though it’s probably good business, only because we have such a mountain to climb in terms of gaining people’s good faith, especially in Europe, and really letting people know that this is a title that’s worth getting excited about.
Continuing:
I’m okay with the fact that we might lose sales on this first game if, because of it, we generate a lot of fans that otherwise wouldn’t have played the game. The online is so much the bread and butter of this game, so I’m okay with it because it means we’re setting ourselves up for a possible return to the franchise one day.
Unfortunately for used gamers, Sony, as the title’s publisher, will make the final decision:
It’s not my call and I’d totally understand if Sony as a company said ‘Look, this is a mandate that permeates all of our titles. We’re not making selective choices’. Those are decisions that I’m no longer privy to as I don’t work for Sony any more.
What is your take on the increasing use of online passes? Is it fair for publishers to try and make some money off the used games industry, or are they just hurting gamers?
