Sony to implement PSN Pass on all first-party releases

By Brenna Hillier

Sony Computer Entertainment America has confirmed it intends to use an online pass system for all multiplayer games out of Sony Worldwide Studios

“Online Pass will be incorporated into Uncharted 3 and future Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios games with online functionality. We will provide further information in the future,” a SCEA representative told Destructoid.

The comment came in response to a query over the system’s use in Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, due for release next month.

Interestingly, the representative didn’t mention the term PSN Pass, which Sony used when it confirmed the “game specific” system’s introduction in July.

Online passes allow the player full access to a game’s multiplayer, and are usually bundled free with new purchases but must be paid for separately by those who pick up a second hand copy. Sony has used an online pass system in the past, on ModNation Racers, SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 and most recently, Resistance 3.

EA, which uses the system on most of its games, has described the results as “found revenue”, bringing small profits from sales otherwise lost to the publisher.