Skate 3 is out today, so the chances of you finding a used copy at your local shop are slim. But if you’re holding out to save a few bucks on a second-hand copy, you might want to reconsider.
One of the key features of Skate 3 is the ability to create and share custom content, including massive skate parks, with other users. But in order to access these features, you’ll need to redeem a one-time-use code that comes with each new copy of Skate 3.
Electronic Arts is calling it the “Skate Share Pack,” and if you don’t have a code, you can purchase one via Xbox LIVE or PlayStation Network. The pack isn’t currently available for purchase, and EA hasn’t confirmed pricing. But if it’s more than $5 (generally the price difference between a new and used title at a retailer like GameStop), it would basically kill any “value” in purchasing the title pre-owned.
Yesterday, EA Sports announced a similar approach for all of its titles, requiring gamers to redeem a code in order to access all of a game’s online features.
“In order to continue to enhance the online experiences that are attracting nearly five million connected game sessions a day, again, we think it’s fair to get paid for the services we provide and to reserve these online services for people who pay EA to access them,” EA Sports Senior Vice President of World Wide Development, Andrew Wilson, said in an online Q&A.
Perhaps it wont just impact second-hand sales, but piracy as well — users are already looking to purchase unused “Skate Share Pack,” presumably for use with illegally obtained copies of the title.
I’ll have my full review up of Skate 3 later today, so stay tuned. (Spoiler: It’s excellent.)
