PSN Pass Makes Uncharted 3's Online Content Possible, Says Dev

[chadachada123]

I have a legitimate question about servers that is probably a dumb question for you tech savvy server nerds, and possibly straight out of my ass;

Does buying one copy of the game, and then trading it with other people, really only give one server spot?

See, here's what I'm thinking. The person that bought the game new, online pass n' all, purchases one server spot for the multiplayer. Okay, whatever. The system takes the console's information, the person's account info, all that good stuff.

Now the person gives it off to a friend. The friend wants to play online. According to some, this would mean that the server numbers stays the same, but hang on. Wouldn't the server have to collect new data from the new person? The person can't just magically fill a space, can he? And the previous person's information is still in the system, so there are now two server spots instead of one.

This could be a completely stupid question straight from my ass, but it's got me wondering. If what I'm asking is correct, then the developers are still paying for extra servers that they aren't getting compensated to keep up.

It essentially takes up no new space because the data stored (should) only take(s) up a floppy-disc's worth of space. It (should be) next to nothing. Cents of space.

It still requires an extra server space, no? If that's the case, then the argument that "Only one space is being used!" is moot no matter how small the subsequent spaces are (again, if what I'm asking is true).

With one copy of the game, some space will be used for multiplayer ("space" in this case being bandwidth, stuff that is only used when this copy is specifically online) and some space being used for storing data ("space" in this case being bytes of data). The main argument here is that when the game copy changes hands, the original owner is no longer using any "space" (that is, bandwidth), as that type of space costs significantly more than the other kind (which is just a few (kilo)bytes, saving just your rank and gamertag and some other trivial stuff like
KD-ratio).

*Edit* To answer your question, the only extra space used when the game changes into new hands is the small amount of storage on their servers, which simply marks "this gamertag has played online, here's his rank and stats." It does not cost the developers much money (or, really, any money, since the developers very likely already had the server space, space that would otherwise be empty).

 

[DustyDrB]

Errr...for someone who bought the game used to be able to play it, someone else had to sell the game. That means you have one more person and one less who would be online. So...I'm not seeing how used sales put a strain on servers. So...

I wish companies would just come out and say, "We want money for every sale of our game, new or used". I'd respect their honesty, at least.

 

[Frostbite3789]

Snip

Way to take offense to something that wasn't offensive guy. If you found it offensive, apparently it applied to you and you took exception.

While you're citing reality, I will too, Gamestop will for the most part sell used games for $5 less within a good few months of the game being released than a new copy.

Meanwhile, it's gone on sale at multiple locations in that time frame, where not only are you saving more money, but you're still giving money to the developer.

Fine, buy used, but don't ***** about Online Pass like it's ruining your life, because you're buying used to save money. If you're that strapped for cash, but too lazy to look for things that are on sale, there might be a reason you're that strapped for cash.

 

[Frostbite3789]

Buying used within the first 4-5 months of the game being released is desperation of the worst kind. You know, that window where it's still only $5 cheaper than the new product, and the new product has gone on sale multiple times at other retailers, but people will still ***** at publishers, because they're lazy and can't be assed to find sales.

Really now? I didnt know that looking around and getting the best deal on a purchase was considered being desperate. I think the only person being desperate here is you as you desperatly try to justify buying a game at $60 when there is an identical one sitting next to it for $50 or less.

Did you read past the first line? No? Because if you're buying a game used while it's still $60 new, you probably didn't actually shop around for the best deal.

I have no need to justify paying $60 for a game, because I usually don't. I have patience.

 

[DracoSuave]

Snip

Way to take offense to something that wasn't offensive guy. If you found it offensive, apparently it applied to you and you took exception.

While you're citing reality, I will too, Gamestop will for the most part sell used games for $5 less within a good few months of the game being released than a new copy.

Meanwhile, it's gone on sale at multiple locations in that time frame, where not only are you saving more money, but you're still giving money to the developer.

Fine, buy used, but don't ***** about Online Pass like it's ruining your life, because you're buying used to save money. If you're that strapped for cash, but too lazy to look for things that are on sale, there might be a reason you're that strapped for cash.

It also screws over the new buyer. In a very subtle way, but you're getting screwed by it more than the used buyer.

See, as a new purchaser you are buying a product, but stripped from that product is a 'service contract' that is also included with that purchase. In law, you are allowed to sell contracts. The lending industry -thrives- on this. But more importantly, it means that game companies are allowed to sell their property, and thus any server obligations (and DLC opportunities) as well. However, online passes strip YOU of the same rights they enjoy. You cannot sell your end of the agreement, while they absolutely can.

Thusly, they are creating an artificial devaluation of their product after the point of sale. They are actively sabotaging your rights as a new game buyer just to line their pockets with someone else's lucre. They are attacking paying customers, to spite used game buyers.

Moreover, the argument 'they need to fund the multiplayer development, not the server costs' implies that the sales are not covering their costs.

That means that they have projected to not make thier costs back with the sale of their product.

That means they're business model is fucking stupid, and they never should have taken on the cost of multiplayer to begin with.

No rational person can see how 'We screwed up and went over budget' gives carteblanche to then say 'So you need to give up some rights as a new purchaser.' And if 'we went over budget' is NOT true then their stated reason for 'we need to devalue the product' is false.

Did you read past the first line? No? Because if you're buying a game used while it's still $60 new, you probably didn't actually shop around for the best deal.

I have no need to justify paying $60 for a game, because I usually don't. I have patience.

No one cares about your patience, but seriously? "If you saved money on the purchase of a game you didn't actually shop around?" That's probably the biggest bit of nonsense thing I've read all day, and I've been reading Lewis Carrol.

 

[Frostbite3789]

Did you read past the first line? No? Because if you're buying a game used while it's still $60 new, you probably didn't actually shop around for the best deal.

I have no need to justify paying $60 for a game, because I usually don't. I have patience.

Ok im a little confused here. How is shopping around and getting a game for $10-20 cheaper then the new price not looking around for the best deal? Sure I could wait a year for it to drop even more but thats not looking around for the best deal.

I'll use this as an example then.

http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/dead-island/93156

I got the PC version at Best Buy for $30 new. The PS3 and 360 versions were $40. But yeah, you totally get the best deal if you buy it used. Because Best Buy put it on sale for a week. Cheaper than the used price.

Edit: First new game I searched, I immediately found a deal better than buying it used. I just decided to test out Gears 3. And I didn't even have to find some obscure place. Flippin' Target.

http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/gears-of-war-3/77663

http://www.target.com/p/Gears-of-War-III-XBOX-360/-/A-13426636

 

[gavinstaceyvg]

This is just an ill thought out idea so please feel free to shoot it down but why aren't games companies just putting advertising in online multiplayer to cover running costs. For example an FPS set in a city environment could have billboards with product adverts that oculd easily be changed when a company bought a new contract with the game company. Even small environmental props like litter could be textured to look like a real life company's product.

 

[Smooth Operator]

It's true people, multiplayer didn't exist until online passes came along, honestly!

 

[Frostbite3789]

Snip

You're joking right? Or trolling? That was my entire point to begin with. If you have patience and look for sales, you can get the game cheaper, than buying it used, still quite close to the release date., while not having to worry about Online Pass or anything. Isn't that your entire point? To get the game cheaper? So why wouldn't you look for the best deal? Laziness?

I mean...how did you miss that with every post you replied to? I just can't even fathom of it.

 

[Frostbite3789]

It's true people, multiplayer didn't exist until online passes came along, honestly!

Online Passes or 'CD keys' as PC gamers have known them for years, have been around a lot longer than online multiplayer.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Online Passes or 'CD keys' as PC gamers have known them for years, have been around a lot longer than online multiplayer.

You do understand those two are not the same thing right?

 

[Frostbite3789]

Online Passes or 'CD keys' as PC gamers have known them for years, have been around a lot longer than online multiplayer.

You do understand those two are not the same thing right?

You have to go enter them, now online for both platforms to either unlock content or in the case of some CD keys, unlock the whole game.

No...they sound pretty much the same. There's a reason Gamestop hardly carries computer games.