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Online Pass Watch: Gears of War: Judgment


On 08/09/2013 at 10:38 PM by NSonic79

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GoW: Judgment + No Online Pass = EPIC WIN!

I never really thought I’d put a Gears game into an Online Pass Watch blog. Since the completion of the first trilogy it has shown that the series was more inclined to sell overpriced DLC than it was in embracing the Online Pass model. Most people figured it was crazy talk to even consider that Microsoft would allow one of the prominent console exclusive game series to receive such treatment. But during this day and age I have to say that ALL games should be considered possible candidates for the use of an Online Pass system. Resistance (a Sony console exclusive series) had the misfortune of having PSN Pass attached to Resistance 3 and suffered for it in sales, thus ruining what could’ve been an excellent trilogy. If a game series as prominent as the Resistance can find itself saddled with an Online Pass even before the original trilogy ends, then any game series could be ripe for the inclusions of Online Pass.

And what better place to add such a system than with a new entry into an existing franchise.  When I originally made my list of “Games I better not see with Online Pass” last year, happened to group Gears of War: Judgment and God of War: Ascension together in my double down blog edition because they were the start of a possible new franchise trilogy in a well-established series. And if there was a better time to try to add an Online Pass system to a series that no doubt had a dedicated fan base, a fan base that wouldn’t care if they were legitimizing the use of Online Pass by buying this game, then these two game series would be an excellent time in trying to incorporate Online Pass into them.

But for now let us focus on the first game mentioned in this blog title (don’t worry God of War: Ascension, you’ll get yours) since it is the subject of this blog. Trust me; I’ll need as much room as I can when I get to God of War: Ascension….

At first glance it would appear that Gears of War: Judgment is nothing more than the same old thing as past Gears games. But there are subtle differences offered from the original trilogy in the form that it’s a prequel to the original trilogy, adds a secondary mode of play in the single player campaign that is germane to the game’s plot, and has a revamped the online multiplayer modes.  Whether this helps or hinders the game as a whole is not the intention of this blog to decide. I’m sure fans of the Gears series will enjoy this entry whereas others might not see enough of this game to offer something new to the franchise. But when I saw those subtle changes I was concerned we’d see any one of those mentioned items as a perfect candidate to have Online Pass attached to them.  Online play is an easy mark and it would be easy to keep the “declassified” mode of play locked behind a pay wall given how some consider it an over glorified hard mode. Plus given how this game could be the start of a new Gears Trilogy, what better time to add Online Pass to it than with the first game.

Fortunately for us none of that is the case. Instead we get Gears of War: Judgment Online Pass Free!

 

It’s moments like these I’m glad to be proven crazy in thinking we could see Online Pass with a Gears of War game. Sure the game is taking the route of a VIP Pass that allows gamers to gain future DLC at no extra cost but I’d prefer that than any form of an Online Pass. At least there I still get a choice whether to buy the DLC in a bundle, individually or at a reduce cost early on. Though I’m not sure what some would say about the DLC prices, but at first glance at the DLC offerings on Xbox Live Marketplace, it would appear that the makers of this Gears game this go around have realized that overpriced DLC is not the way to go. So thank you Microsoft for not putting Online Pass in with this new Gears of War game, it would’ve been a shame if such was to be the case. So far you’ve decided not to follow the path that Sony has with their PSN Pass system, a system that they now say will not follow onto the PS4.

I can’t say I’m a big fan of the series myself; the only game I’ve played thus far has been the first one. But I’ll be looking forward to trying out this prequel, so long as the curse of the Online Pass does not find its way onto later additions to the franchise.

Online Pass Watch Games Checklist:

Games w/out Online Pass: 8

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Resident Evil 6
Doom 3: BFG Edition
Halo 4
Hitman: Absolution
Tomb Raider
New Super Mario Bros. U
Gears of War: Judgment

Games w/Online Pass: 1

Dead or Alive 5


 

Comments

transmet2033

08/09/2013 at 10:44 PM

I think that Kevin Bulter and that gun-thing for the PS Move are what killed the Resistance 3 sales.  Was it smart to market the game with only one ad that had Butler on a horse and a portion of gameplay obscured in the background?  Probably not.

NSonic79

08/09/2013 at 10:54 PM

too true. though not exactly a mandatory option to play this game with the PS Move, I'm sure that didn't help the game out along with that really odd advert. Plus I'm told it looks almost like a carbon copy of Half-Life 2.

Still I like to think Online Pass had a hand in the games demise. Look at most games out there that had some form of an ONline Pass system. 75% suffer from low sales in one form or poor game design to help justify it's use. I'm just glad EA finally got the message.

GrayHaired

08/09/2013 at 10:53 PM

Im hoping the trend is turning away from online passes. It blew my mind that LBP Karting has an online pass. A game that sells itself as a major multiplayer game.

NSonic79

08/09/2013 at 10:58 PM

That is my hope too. EA's decision to kill it's Online Pass System (a grave I have no qualms dancing on this halloween) is a good start to what will hopefully be the death of Online Passes. But then again despite Sony saying PSN Pass will not be on any PS4 titles we still find some PS3 titles getting it. LBP Karting having it was an odd idea and The Last of Us still sporting it only fuels my fears that companies hope that if the game is so stellar, we'll accept it so long as we keep getting games like The Last of Us.

I'm sorry but even getting a good game is too high a price for me to allow Online Pass in my gaming hobby.

Ranger1

08/13/2013 at 02:13 PM

I was unaware of the online pass for LBP Karting and luckily bought a new copy, which came with the code. I also found it quite disoncerting that a game that is essentially built for online multiplayer requires it.

NSonic79

08/17/2013 at 01:53 PM

And that's how they get you. If you happened to buy this game at that price used you'd have to pony up the dough to actually play the full content. Lucky ineed that you found it still new with the code intact but that's a headache I'd rather not deal with unless the game was sold at 1.99, the true price of what an Online pass game is worth to me!

I know people say that even at that low price used, you'd still make out in the long run given how the online pass would cost about 10 dollars more. I say that's not the point when in the past you use to get the same access without the paywall. change the way we play/buy games will they!

Super Step Contributing Writer

08/10/2013 at 04:35 AM

It would be awesome if I were to buy a PS4 after skipping this generation, only to discover Online Pass was no longer a thing. 

NSonic79

08/13/2013 at 01:12 AM

Then you maybe in luck! One of the small tibits to come out of E3 after the PS3 reveal was that Sony plans to no longer use PSN Pass on the PS4, though they didn't rule out the option of other companies allowing them to use their version of the Pass on the PS4.

Though a welcome step I'd think more of Sony if they decided to follow EA's route and kill their PSN Pass right now on the PS3. I guess we can't have everything.

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