NHL 2k8 charges $5 to unlock features already on game (joystiq.com)

[7th lutz]

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/20/nhl-2k8-charges-5-to-unlock-feature-already-on-game/

2K Sports released the 2K Reelmaker add-on for NHL 2K8 yesterday at 400 MS Points ($5 USD); the program allows a variety of video recording and playback options for the game. According to 1UP, the download for this feature is a puny 108K, which means consumers are paying to unlock a feature that is already on the game's disc.

[geneshifter]

They can kiss it.

[neuropolitique]

Bullshit. Complete bullshit.

[kaedesdisciple]

I knew it, I knew it, I knew this would happen. All they have to do to keep themselves out of legal trouble is put a little microscopic star on the package that says "additional fees may apply." The frustrating part is it will work because morons will buy into it. Welcome to the new "full price."

[agbulls]

Wow.

Did they seriously not think this was going to get out? X_x

[Slate]

See, EA IS A greedy monster!

[Gamereviewgod]

Wow.

Did they seriously not think this was going to get out? X_x

It should of last year when they did the same thing with all of their sports games. No one seemed to care then. Why is it an issue now?

[heybtbm]

This isn't a totally new concept. EA did the same thing last year with the 360 version of The Godfather.

The only way to combat these types of things is to not purchase them.

[Raster]

2K Sports released the 2K Reelmaker add-on for NHL 2K8 yesterday at 400 MS Points ($5 USD); the program allows a variety of video recording and playback options for the game. According to 1UP, the download for this feature is a puny 108K, which means consumers are paying to unlock a feature that is already on the game's disc.

I was leaning towards buying NHL 08, this seals the deal. I have no interest in the replay add-on, but what else have they locked out?

[8-bitNesMan]

See, EA IS A greedy monster!

While I agree that EA is greedy, what do they have to do with a game made by 2K?

[CanadianMehd]

lol Just another reason for people to let the 2k act as a dust collector and rot

[YoshiM]

Stuff like this isn't new. Look at Karaoke Revolution for the Xbox-the files are tiny, tiny, tiny compared to the sheer number of songs you get. I think it took a whopping few minutes to download everything. Even though I got hours and hours of entertainment out of getting the extra content, I can't help but feel slightly miffed that the content was on the disc the whole time and I essentially bought a bunch of keys.

[esquire]

Stuff like this isn't new.

An interesting thread was started some time ago addressing these concerns:

video gaming as we know and love it, is in SERIOUS DANGER! (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93972)

[kaedesdisciple]

It sounds like gloom and doom predicting, but how long before unlocking "secret" content in games is governed solely by wallet size rather than gaming skill? The masses these days seem to crave instant gratification over rewards reaped with time & effort and corporations will move toward the masses, as that's where their money is. Capt. Obvious I know, I know, but think about it.

[smokehouse]

Does this actually surprise anyone?

The fact is that fleecing of gamers is only going to get worse. You’ll buy a game for $59.99 and get 1/10 of the actual game.

Want a roster update? $4
How about more than just 3 levels? $5/level
Don’t like driving only one o f 4 cars? $3/car
Only 2 guns to choose from? $2-5/gun

This is only going to get worse. Pretty soon a “fully loaded” game will actually run somewhere around $125 when it’s all said and done.

[Virtualogik]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but 108k of code is an awful lot of lines and characters....

It's entirely possible that this option is contained in 108k worth of code (there's already a replay option in the game I suppose? It's just a matter of coding something to use this and make a "replay library" out of it..)

I'm still way against it... downloadable content will ultimately kill the possibility of stricly buying a "ready to play" game... there will always be a little something to add to the experience (that will be stripped to the most basic form out of the gate) for a little extra $...

And don't start me on the "virtual console" games...

The collecting part of our hobby will die in a few years with all these "non-physically existant" games and add-on...

[smokehouse]

The collecting part of our hobby will die in a few years with all these "non-physically existant" games and add-on...


Meh, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. It might hurt prices a bit but retro collecting will not go out of style anytime soon. If “virtual” games were going to destroy collecting, emulation would have accomplished that almost 10 years ago.

Basically virtual titles only flush out the people who aren’t truly serious about retro gaming. I for one want to have the real deal and that will never change.

[7th lutz]

And don't start me on the "virtual console" games...

The collecting part of our hobby will die in a few years with all these "non-physically existant" games and add-on...

The virtual game console is not hurting the collecting part of the hobby as much as you think.

The people that are buying the vc games on nes, genesis, snes, or n64 never were game collectors a first place for the system. I am interest in n64 game vc games instead of the real thing is because there is not a lot of titles on the n64 that interest me. I feel buying a n64 would be a waste of money just to get anywhere 5 to 10 games for the system.

Neo Geo collecting will not be dead in a few years after the Neo game console is up. Neo games games and systems are on the expensive side for buying them "physically". People like myself wouldn't buy the system or the games without the virtual game console. I don't own a Neo Geo because of the price on the system and the games.

There always will be collectors for the Neo Geo from a physical point of view. The only people who would've buy the "physical version" of Neo Geo games but wouldn't do to the vc is the ones who don't have deep pockets. Those people shouldn't be buying the Physical version of Neo Geo game a first place.

[Buyatari]

Wait till all games are downloaded (no discs) and you pay $1 per play

[ProgrammingAce]

Wait till all games are downloaded (no discs) and you pay $1 per play

Wait till all games are downloaded for $60 (no discs) and you pay $1 per play

[Icarus Moonsight]

Wait till all games are downloaded for $60 (no discs) and you pay $1 per play

Wait till all games are downloaded for $60 (no discs), you pay $1 per play and still pay for online service packages and downloadable content. :o

This unlock key crap has got to die NOW. Anyone feel like writing an obit for Mr. Easter Egg? *sob*

[smokehouse]

This is only going to get worse my friends. With consoles costing more and more coupled with the fact that they a re loss leaders to begin with, software is where the $$ is at. I know this is no news flash but once the door is open there’s no going back. If a company can sell you a game for $60, then get a small cutback from say MS and their paid Xbox live accounts, THEN get $1-5 even $10 per “upgrade” or unlockable…

They will use it and exploit it. They’ll look at it like this:

Game only $60

New package $60 + $1.5 (XBL) + $2 + $2 + $2 + $2…..then take that times some 500,000-1,000,000+ games…

Cash money my friends.

[sisko]

If the content was already on the disc, shouldn't it be possible to hack the game with device such as an Action Replay [whenever they come out]?

Or is the Action Replay simply not sophisticated enough?

[Sothy]

I am so glad I hate sports games.

EA is whores.

[raregamergirl]

Does EA suck? Yes.... but as someone else pointed out, how does EA have the slightest thing to do with nhl 2k8?

[Sothy]

Its not an EA game?

[Nick Goracke]

Sega knows what they're doing. As anyone who has read this thread can attest, 90% of gamers' ire resulting from this stunt will be directed towards EA.