[Update: Some that have bought the PSN version tell us that they did not need to buy the online pass to play online, and that it was included in the original price. Our apologies!]
Minna no Golf 6, or what will be called Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational when it is released here, is a fine game for the PlayStation Vita. I was so wrapped up in the single player side of the game that I didn’t try out the online portion for a few days. When I finally did, the game asked for my “Online Play Ticket.”
Wait, what?
A link was provided to the PlayStation Store to purchase this ticket, which is priced at 900 yen (about $11.50 at current conversion rate).
I bought the retail version of Minna no Golf 6, so the game’s manual sheet (yes, some games have manuals) also listed a code for a free Online Play Ticket. Those that buy the game from the PlayStation Store have to buy this ticket separately. No one is at a real disadvantage, though, as the pricing has been balanced out. A retail copy of this came is priced at 4,980 yen. The PS Store download is set at 3,900, which makes the titles the same price after purchasing the ticket.
How do you feel about required online passes in your portable games? This is pretty new territory!
