NEWS - Sunday, July 17, 2011
Ubisoft Adopts the Online Pass Model
Just as Sony recently did, Ubisoft today announced its intentions to begin shipping games with an online pass similar to what’s used by Electronic Arts, Codemasters, THQ, and Warner Bros.
Known as Uplay Passport, the plan is to include a one-time use code with "many of Ubisoft’s popular core games" that will grant users access to certain content that will otherwise remain locked. Among that content is online multiplayer, which has been the most frequently restricted component with these online passes.
The first game to include Uplay Passport will be Driver: San Francisco, which ships on August 30. Ubisoft’s other big core release this year will be Assassin’s Creed: Revelations. That seems like as good a target as any for Passport, as it’ll likely be Ubisoft’s best selling core game of the year. At this point, however, that isn’t confirmed.
Those who pick up a used copy of any Passport title will need to purchase the Passport online for $9.99 in order to gain access to online multiplayer and any other locked content. In the case of Driver, Passport is said to offer "exclusive bonus content" in addition to online support.
After EA spearheaded this movement early last year, Ubisoft expressed interest in doing something similar. After a hit to the company’s sales was announced, Ubisoft CFO Alain Martinez said it was "looking very carefully" at what EA was doing. He added, "We will probably follow that line at sometime in the future."
Source: http://www.1up.com
