Capcom tries to kill used video game sales with the one-save game [Archive]

gatti

06-27-2011, 12:16 PM

I can think of a few games on my shelf that are already like this, and those are just a few I know of off the top of my head. However, I believe those were just oversights. Intentionally not having a data reset feature seems silly. Here's hoping it backfires.
Yeah, I've experienced the lacking of the "full reset" option too with one or two more "casual" game titles. I always thought that it was simple oversight though since they were made by smaller developers. But, I've never seen it with hardcore games.

My thoughts is that if the publisher doesn't want people to re-sell then they should release via DSiWare. This whole thing has the opportunity to seriously backfire on Capcom.

Sailorneorune

06-27-2011, 12:32 PM

They've already told the Ace Attorney fans to piss off; I guess it's the Resident Evil fans' turn to be stabbed in the back (pun intended).

Oh, Capcom, may the depths of your stupidity come back to bite you in your nether regions swiftly and with great force.

TonyTheTiger

06-27-2011, 12:43 PM

It'll backfire when the solution turns out to be some kind of exploit, probably related to gray market activity, that is the means by which to erase the save file. And whenever the gray market becomes relevant to the game buying public, piracy invariably becomes a viable avenue for many people.

Shit, Nintendo should take issue with this for just that very reason.

Kid Ice

06-27-2011, 12:45 PM

Since replay value tends to significantly influence review scores, rest assured the game will be buried.

There was an adventure game for the C64 that erased itself when you died. A funny thing happened...no one bought it.

Sailorneorune

06-27-2011, 12:46 PM

I'm going to get a huge kick out of seeing the Capcom-Unity guys trying to do damage control on this one. They know how they can make up for this - they just refuse to do it.

TonyTheTiger

06-27-2011, 12:52 PM

I'm going to get a huge kick out of seeing the Capcom-Unity guys trying to do damage control on this one. They know how they can make up for this - they just refuse to do it.

To their credit, after fielding questions and concerns from the community, they did scale back the DRM in the PC version of Super Street Fighter IV Arcade Edition. We'll see what happens this time around.

Sailorneorune

06-27-2011, 01:04 PM

Yeah, they seem to do their job quite well except when it concerns Ace Attorney. Apparently Phoenix Wright fans fit somewhere between plague rats and Man-Yoko.

TonyTheTiger

06-27-2011, 01:08 PM

You know what would be the icing on the cake? If there are missible items and plot points.

http://www.meh.ro/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/meh.ro7193.gif

kupomogli

06-27-2011, 01:32 PM

Isn't Mercenaries 3D just like the RE4 and RE5 Mercenaries titles? It's just playing for points and you unlock all characters and stages? What's stopping everyone from just using the first characters you start with on the earlier stages? The only penalty I see is that you can't start over and unlock everything all over again.

I'm more displeased about them selling half a game for retail value.

Tupin

06-27-2011, 01:33 PM

So you can only play the game one single time through?

Won't stop pirates, they'll find a way around it. Capcom kind of deserves it for tackling the matter in such a stupid way.

RCM

06-27-2011, 01:36 PM

This is pretty oppressive and fucked up. I openly encourage everyone and anyone interested in this title to pirate it. Fuck you, Capcom.

Vectorman0

06-27-2011, 01:41 PM

Yeah, I've experienced the lacking of the "full reset" option too with one or two more "casual" game titles. I always thought that it was simple oversight though since they were made by smaller developers. But, I've never seen it with hardcore games.

The games I were thinking of that lacked a data-wipe feature were Metal Gear Solid for the GBC, Magical Drop Pocket for the NGPC, and now I can't recall the third I was thinking of.

So you can only play the game one single time through?

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but it sounds like you can play it again, but most of the unlocked features and or items will still be present.

Frankie_Says_Relax

06-27-2011, 01:45 PM

Just trying to decode the language in that article ...

Consider this: lending Mercenaries 3D to a friend, a little brother or sister will be worthless because they'll only be able to continue playing the game with your saved settings and create their own.

So ... before we march on Capcom HQ with torches and pitchforks ... it seems that users can't wipe the existing save file, but they can create their own new slot.

While I fully understand this may be the poor choice of wording by the author of the article, if there is some clearer explanation that the game can't in any way be reset I'd like to see it, because that's not what I'm seeing when I read that quote.

*EDIT*

What I'm essentially looking for is some evidence that a new game can't be started on level 1 where your character has no money/experience/items etc.

Oobgarm

06-27-2011, 01:53 PM

Yes, but

According to both the U.S. and U.K. game's instruction manual "saved data on this software cannot be reset."

It would be completely and totally pointless to force someone's settings on another person while letting them start a new game. Why would they even implement such a feature and tout it as something much more serious? Seems like that would be a waste of time, resources, and public image.

Frankie_Says_Relax

06-27-2011, 01:59 PM

Yes, but

It would be completely and totally pointless to force someone's settings on another person while letting them start a new game. Why would they even implement such a feature and tout it as something much more serious? Seems like that would be a waste of time, resources, and public image.

Since none of us know what "settings" are yet (AFAIK the game isn't out yet) ... what is to say that you can't go in and simply adjust them?

I'm just seeing the typical knee-jerk gaming press/gaming public internet reaction here, and until the game is in the hands of consumers who can verify exactly what all of this means, I'm cautious to call for the heads of those at Capcom.

If the game creates a locked-down save file that we can't erase or reset, that could be viewed as a bad thing if you're only allowed to make ONE game file that will not allow you to re-start at level 1.

If you're allowed to make more than one game file ... I don't see this as a major problem, unless you're so OCD that you can't handle having more than one game file on your cartridge.

If the game forces you to carry over all the experieince/weapons/money from the un-erasable master save file, that could also be a bad thing ... but if NOT ... again, no reason to get our collective panties in a bunch.

If the un-erasable file only handles SETTINGS ... I'm pretty sure that most games allow settings to be freely adjusted. If the previous owner had the game set to hard ... what is stopping the new owner from going in and adjusting the setting to easy or extreme?

As most people know, I'm not a fan of reacting based on hearsay so I'd like some more info before I make a decision as to how good/bad this decision was.

Aussie2B

06-27-2011, 02:06 PM

Yeah, I too found the article confusing. It doesn't flat-out confirm that you can't replay at all. If you can replay, then it's just a matter of being stuck with what you've unlocked, which still sucks but isn't nearly as bad. That wouldn't be a new thing either, as even games that go back to the 90s feature that at times (of course, you can try to wipe a cart by turning the system on and off repeatedly if you're desperate).

TonyTheTiger

06-27-2011, 02:09 PM

If the game creates a locked-down save file that we can't erase or reset, that could be viewed as a bad thing if you're only allowed to make ONE game file that will not allow you to re-start at level 1.

If you're allowed to make more than one game file ... I don't see this as a major problem, unless you're so OCD that you can't handle having more than one game file on your cartridge.

That would still be a bad thing, though, since you're probably not going to be given near infinite save files. Even if you can make 10, that's going to bite you in the ass when you want to play that 11th time.

Mayhem

06-27-2011, 02:12 PM

I see where you're coming from Frankie. I think the fear (and the suggestion) is that there's just one save file on the cartridge full stop.

Xtincthed

06-27-2011, 03:00 PM

i wonder what their motivation for it was.. and if they will still defend it now that the media jumped on it

killersquirel

06-27-2011, 03:14 PM

Torches and pitchforks! Torches and pitchforks!

wingzrow

06-27-2011, 03:47 PM

First the anti piracy stuff with arcade edition and now this? Sweet jesus, I can see why mikami, keiji inafune, and everyone else that was even remotely important in that company left over the last few years.

It's like they have meeting to come up with the worst possible ideas ever.

Gameguy

06-27-2011, 03:50 PM

I can think of a few games on my shelf that are already like this, and those are just a few I know of off the top of my head. However, I believe those were just oversights. Intentionally not having a data reset feature seems silly. Here's hoping it backfires.
Wasn't Gunpey DS like that too? I seem to remember you couldn't clear any data so everything was stuck unlocked once you beat it. You could replay the levels but the challenge was gone as you didn't have to unlock anything. It was a pretty crappy game though.

lookfun78

06-27-2011, 04:33 PM

There is dbz supersonic warriors 2 for the DS that does this and has no two player mode this means that if this is anything like that then not with only one, but two games like this will hurt them. No one will ever buy a game for a one time only play. What if every game was like this even arcade games would you ever play them?

gatti

06-27-2011, 04:55 PM

I strongly doubt that it's a one-play dynamic. I bet that when supplemental content is unlocked, it's unlocked and always accessible regardless of play-through.

This whole conversation makes me start to think about the proliferation of Wi-Fi on Nintendo and Sony devices. I wonder if publishers may even try to start limiting how many devices you can play a game on. I bet you the game can have a script in it to grab the serial number of the device and write it to the "save" file. Now that's just a matter of Nintendo or Sony allowing publishers to do that. Hopefully they won't allow that. Now, that approach can severely affect the selling of used video games.

LaughingMAN.S9

06-27-2011, 05:13 PM

so what if im midway thru playing the game and then my ps3 yellow lights or my xbox red rings? im basically fucked right? do i then have to go back and re buy what i already own just for the priviledge of starting all over again?

coming from a guy who's lived thru 4 ps3's yellow lighting on him.....capcom can suck a bag of dicks

i supported what the industry was doing especially ea with making people who buy used have to purchase an online code so that at least this way, they can at least see SOME profit from bootleggers and people who buy used alike, but this is going way to far, get the fuck outta here, if this sticks, this is likely to be my last console generation before giving up and just buidling a gaming rig

Kellhus

06-27-2011, 05:14 PM

Fucking insane. Seriously. Fucking insane.

pixelsnpolygons

06-27-2011, 05:32 PM

Frankie_Says_Relax

06-27-2011, 06:03 PM

Dobie

06-27-2011, 06:39 PM

This sounds like a late April Fools joke - it's so absurdly dumb. I won't buy any game that has been compromised like that. It seems like the industry is trying to find ways to cripple the used game market - and if that drives GameStop, etc., out of business I don't care. But this isn't the right way to do it.

Just thinking this through in my head, I dont pretend to hold an advanced business degree here... if publishers and developers hate Gamestop's used sales so much, why do they continue to let Gamestop sell their games? I know they're a top (if not THE top) retailer, but if their business model undermines game sales so much, just cut them off. The reason GS gets so much of the used business is because gamers can trade in their old games to get the newest releases... but if GS doesn't have the newest releases to sell, they essentially become a reseller. GS has no leverage in this regard. Why can't developers quit complaining about competing against their own product, and cut off the primary culprit at the knees? This would open up the used market to other retailers (Amazon for sure), but it would send a message... don't sell used at a discount next to our new product. I know of no other retailers other than perhaps car dealerships where this kind of thing is the norm.

LaughingMAN.S9

06-27-2011, 07:54 PM

Um. We're talking about a 3DS game.

If you're playing 3DS games on PS3 you've obviously come from some future time where hackers have figured out how to emulate the 3DS on the PS3.

im talking in general, 3ds will eventually lead to ps3 if successful

TonyTheTiger

06-27-2011, 07:57 PM

im talking in general, 3ds will eventually lead to ps3 if successful

That would be impossible. Think about it. How could a PS3 game prevent people from restarting from scratch if they so choose?

Sysop

06-27-2011, 08:08 PM

There was an adventure game for the C64 that erased itself when you died. A funny thing happened...no one bought it.
This game sounds like fun, could you please tell me what the game was called?

heybtbm

06-27-2011, 08:53 PM

Since none of us know what "settings" are yet (AFAIK the game isn't out yet) ... what is to say that you can't go in and simply adjust them?

I'm just seeing the typical knee-jerk gaming press/gaming public internet reaction here, and until the game is in the hands of consumers who can verify exactly what all of this means, I'm cautious to call for the heads of those at Capcom.

If the game creates a locked-down save file that we can't erase or reset, that could be viewed as a bad thing if you're only allowed to make ONE game file that will not allow you to re-start at level 1.

If you're allowed to make more than one game file ... I don't see this as a major problem, unless you're so OCD that you can't handle having more than one game file on your cartridge.

If the game forces you to carry over all the experieince/weapons/money from the un-erasable master save file, that could also be a bad thing ... but if NOT ... again, no reason to get our collective panties in a bunch.

If the un-erasable file only handles SETTINGS ... I'm pretty sure that most games allow settings to be freely adjusted. If the previous owner had the game set to hard ... what is stopping the new owner from going in and adjusting the setting to easy or extreme?

As most people know, I'm not a fan of reacting based on hearsay so I'd like some more info before I make a decision as to how good/bad this decision was.

The answer directly from the manual...

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/8931/image03ui.jpg

Not sure how I feel about this. I only buy new, so my first reaction was "big deal"...yet I don't like having options taken away.

Frankie_Says_Relax

06-27-2011, 08:59 PM

The answer directly from the manual...

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/8931/image03ui.jpg

Not sure how I feel about this. I only buy new, so my first reaction was "big deal"...yet I don't like having options taken away.

Yes, I've seen that image, but what does that MEAN? (I'm not asking you directly since I doubt you've played the game).

Does that mean that unlocked items can't be reset? (extra movies, items, power ups, etc.) OR, does it mean that the cart only allows for one game file and once you play through the game you can't start over no matter what you do?

Can anybody confirm any of the above, or explain what "saved data can not be reset" means in the CONTEXT of the game and repeat play-throughs?

My concern is that people are "reacting" to the statement found in the manual without really understanding what it means. I can't find any information about not being able to start the game over at the 1st level if you want to. Until the game is in the hands of consumers that can verify, I wish people wouldn't get so up in arms about this.

Aussie2B

06-27-2011, 09:08 PM

And considering that you can turn auto saving off, then theoretically you can start from scratch an infinite number of times. Of course, that's probably not practical at all, and if the game has way too much for one sitting, then you'd probably never see everything the game has unless you keep your 3DS on and plugged in for a long time. But, still, it's an option for anyone OCD enough that they can't handle the game saving anything that they can't erase.

Orion Pimpdaddy

06-27-2011, 09:15 PM

When you save a 3DS game, does it save on the cartridge or on the system itself? It seems like there would be some way of resetting this game, if not through a menu, then by physical means.

heybtbm

06-27-2011, 09:22 PM

You also have to remember that this is the RE "Mercenaries" game mode turned into a full game. The entire goal of Mercenaries is to get the highest score possible and unlock better weapons, playable characters and new maps. I can see how a one-time, permanent save would work under those conditions.

I'm not sure I'm explaining it well enough, but essentially...this isn't a "regular" game with a beginning, middle, and end. Mercenaries is modeled after the arcade games of old, where the main objective is to keep beating your previous high score. You would never have a reason to "start over" since that's not a component of this type of game's formula. You're always starting from the beginning (with "0" score). I can see Capcom's logic here in the context of how this game works.

Then again...Capcom was responsible for one of the worst save system train-wrecks this generation: Dead Rising.

Just my 2 cents.

Bojay1997

06-27-2011, 09:36 PM

Just thinking this through in my head, I dont pretend to hold an advanced business degree here... if publishers and developers hate Gamestop's used sales so much, why do they continue to let Gamestop sell their games? I know they're a top (if not THE top) retailer, but if their business model undermines game sales so much, just cut them off. The reason GS gets so much of the used business is because gamers can trade in their old games to get the newest releases... but if GS doesn't have the newest releases to sell, they essentially become a reseller. GS has no leverage in this regard. Why can't developers quit complaining about competing against their own product, and cut off the primary culprit at the knees? This would open up the used market to other retailers (Amazon for sure), but it would send a message... don't sell used at a discount next to our new product. I know of no other retailers other than perhaps car dealerships where this kind of thing is the norm.

Under the laws of the United States as well as individual states relating to unfair competition, you can't blackball a retailer for engaging in legal conduct. As such, even if publishers and developers felt the desire to cut Gamestop off, they couldn't stop distributors from selling to them.

LaughingMAN.S9

06-27-2011, 10:46 PM

That would be impossible. Think about it. How could a PS3 game prevent people from restarting from scratch if they so choose?

witchcraft?

Leo_A

06-27-2011, 11:16 PM

This hardly seems new, I've came across this quite a few times over the years.

Just the other day I wanted to erase the memory on a Jaguar game and start fresh since it was second hand and I didn't have a clue who most of the initials belonged to (Super Burnout has onboard memory to track the best times on each circuit), and couldn't.

As long as I'll be able to go back and replay the game, as it sounds like you'll still be able to, I'm fine with this.

JSoup

06-27-2011, 11:17 PM

That would be impossible. Think about it. How could a PS3 game prevent people from restarting from scratch if they so choose?

By using any one of the special functions of the PS3 that only they have access to, of which we only know one of (remotely bricking a system)? Backing up save files MMO style to an external server, then requiring a connection to the internet EA style for general play? It can't be that difficult.

Leo_A

06-28-2011, 12:31 AM

Every PS3 disc for a specific title, unless there are subsequent revisions, are identical. And there is no area on one that is rewritable where a console could signify that this game has been played and can't be allowed to be restarted (and the PS3 lacks the ability to write to disc anyways).

There is no way to lock out a disc from being restarted or played in the future on the Playstation 3.

duetzFanz1

06-28-2011, 12:50 AM

This is so dumb. They should do this if they want to kill sales for their games.

Icarus Moonsight

06-28-2011, 01:38 AM

This might hamper the used market, sure. It could also hamper new sales and it surely increases incentive to pirate. Corporate empty suits are fucking morons.

In 2011, we ought to be expect more options and player control, not less.

kupomogli

06-28-2011, 01:41 AM

There is no way to lock out a disc from being restarted or played in the future on the Playstation 3.

Unless Capcom releases the game with a single use DLC code that's required to input before starting a new game. And you have to be logged into PSN or XBL in order to start a new game.

I can see something similar to this happening. Some company releasing DRM on the PSN or XBL that ties the physical copy of the game to one account. Something like the online pass, but also single player. Like the game cannot be played at all unless you download the DLC key.

PapaStu

06-28-2011, 02:04 AM

Knowing how much I buy, how infrequently I play the many handheld games I have and my general tendency to just leave games sealed cause I like to play Picross and its ilk over and over, I'm sure this one save thing will never affect me. You be a good RE: Mercs and sit in your shrink wrap!

Leo_A

06-28-2011, 02:20 AM

Unless Capcom releases the game with a single use DLC code that's required to input before starting a new game. And you have to be logged into PSN or XBL in order to start a new game.

I can see something similar to this happening. Some company releasing DRM on the PSN or XBL that ties the physical copy of the game to one account. Something like the online pass, but also single player. Like the game cannot be played at all unless you download the DLC key.

There are too many offline Playstation 3 owners for it to happen.

JSoup

06-28-2011, 02:40 AM

There are too many offline Playstation 3 owners for it to happen.

I think it was EA that was going to require logging into to PSN to get a specific code to make the game work for that system only and a constant internet connection would be required to play thereafter. Used copies would require buying a new code online of the game wouldn't boot.

Just because a reliable way to locking one disk to one system doesn't exist doesn't mean someone won't come up with one eventually. And Capcom just got the ball rolling.

Leo_A

06-28-2011, 02:58 AM

I don't think Capcom got the ball rolling here, I have things like DS games that already don't have the capability of erasing your current save. People are just making a leap here to think they're doing this specifically to curb used game sales.

And of course they're going to keep going further and further in the future to combat used game sales, they're certainly not keeping that strategy a secret. But retail games on any of the current systems that require a online connection to play, besides online multiplayer only games?

Isn't happening with this console generation. Far too many customers keep their consoles offline for it to be practical.

Icarus Moonsight

06-28-2011, 04:50 AM

Whether you agree on the reasons why it was done, it's still a fairly dumb thing to do for a product you intend to entice people to spend their money on.

Leo_A

06-28-2011, 05:04 AM

Whether you agree on the reasons why it was done, it's still a fairly dumb thing to do for a product you intend to entice people to spend their money on.

I'm not defending it.

Icarus Moonsight

06-28-2011, 05:30 AM

I was building on a point you raised, that this isn't really new. I have a few games already like this myself. This is the first time I'm hearing about it before I actually bought and played the game though. That difference is important.

Save management should be easy, full featured and straight forward on pay products. The sheer number of questions and uncertainty this kind of shit creates is all blowback with no benefit.

Capcom has sold more flashcarts than anything here. Good job numbnuts! I laugh at the ineptitude.

JSoup

06-28-2011, 07:10 AM

Isn't happening with this console generation. Far too many customers keep their consoles offline for it to be practical.

With the exception that it's already happened this console generation due to EA. That any number of gamers may keep their systems permanently offline doesn't limit the control placed over the game and the system, given than an internet connection is required to even boot the damn thing.

Leo_A

06-28-2011, 07:55 AM

EA hasn't released any games "with a single use DLC code that's required to input before starting a new game" that requires you to be logged into PSN or XBL in order to start a new game.

They're certainly crippling the single player experiences in their games (Such as the limited selection of golf courses in their most recent golf game, with most being DLC add-ons), but they haven't done that. Their games can still be played on offline condoles and you can still start new games while offline.

Oobgarm

06-28-2011, 09:14 AM

given than an internet connection is required to even boot the damn thing.

Please, explain.

binici

06-28-2011, 11:24 AM

Interesting...
There are multiple save slots though, right? I don't mind playing once through and perhaps another time if there is a reason to.

Darko

06-28-2011, 11:29 AM

I'm pretty sure SMT Devil Survivor is already like this. You can't erase saved games/restart as far as I know.

Also, there's no way that a company can force people to go online (unless you're playing an online only game). I think we'll see more single use online play activation codes like in Homefront. Not that you missed anything if you skipped the multiplayer in Homefront...

Frankie_Says_Relax

06-28-2011, 11:30 AM

Interesting...
There are multiple save slots though, right? I don't mind playing once through and perhaps another time if there is a reason to.

From everything that I've been able to gather on the subject (which is many many gaming news blogs sensationally reporting on the issue with no clear explanation of how it relates to/affects the actual gameplay)

It appears that the un-erasable save file will track things like unlocked levels, unlocked weapons, unlocked extras, high scores, etc.

So, we can assume that when you boot the cartridge up for the first time there will be a few levels available to select from, and many that are "locked". Once any player has earned the right to play in those levels they will permanently remain unlocked.

Since Mercenaries is NOT a traditional story-driven Resident Evil game (it's essentially the multiplayer game from Resident Evil 5) I'm not certain why anybody would WANT to go back and reset the levels/items/extras/high scores that had previously been locked.

There is no evidence available that new players will not be able to start from the starting point of the game and play through the levels in the appropriate sequential order that they were intended.

Mayhem

06-28-2011, 01:11 PM

From what I've read since yesterday, it appears my previous comments holds true; there is only one save file on the cartridge.

TonyTheTiger

06-28-2011, 01:26 PM

I still think not being able to clear data like that is just dumb regardless of whether there are "sinister" motives or innocent oversights. Why not offer the option? What's the benefit there?

I suppose there can be some effects that upon unlocking don't necessarily need to be erasable. The New Game + option in Chrono Trigger springs to mind. But in the case of significant unlockable content in the ballpark of stages/scores/characters/trophies/awards/stickers/etc., having the option to start from square one would still be nice to have.

I mean, I've never taken advantage of the "clear all data" in Star Fox 64 but I can at least appreciate somebody wanting to re-acquire all the medals. Even though none of the unlocks preclude anybody from experiencing the full gamut of content the game offers, why not?

I actually have taken advantage of it in Mario Kart 64 once when I went back to get golds in everything during a lazy summer weekend not too long ago. So even if the lack of an erase feature doesn't exactly stop people from accessing all the content later on, having mere access to that content, while forever losing access to the act of earning the reward again, is still a black mark. This becomes especially true when the game is particularly reward driven.

Frankie_Says_Relax

06-28-2011, 01:45 PM

A potential benefit to a locked-down save file would be in the case of online play/matchmaking to prevent expert users from coming in to a deathmatch scenario as a "level 1" and throwing off the balance of a skill based match.

I'm sure we've all experienced that at some point in our online competitive gaming lives .... FAR more experienced players hiding behind the guise of a beginner level stat character.

Of course, that benefit could also work in reverse if you buy a used game with a high-level character.

I'm still holding out for an actual DP forum member to get their hands on the game and give the world a detailed explanation of how this save file nonsense impacts every aspect of the game.

j_factor

06-28-2011, 02:16 PM

A potential benefit to a locked-down save file would be in the case of online play/matchmaking to prevent expert users from coming in to a deathmatch scenario as a "level 1" and throwing off the balance of a skill based match.

This game has a deathmatch mode? I thought it was only co-op.

Regardless, from what I gather this is essentially a throw-away release. It's not really a major game. As has been mentioned, other games have non-resettable saves, mostly games that are not too important. This is in the same category. I don't see how it's a big deal for this particular game, how it got attention beforehand, or what it has to do with used games.

Frankie_Says_Relax

06-28-2011, 02:23 PM

This game has a deathmatch mode? I thought it was only co-op.

Regardless, from what I gather this is essentially a throw-away release. It's not really a major game. As has been mentioned, other games have non-resettable saves, mostly games that are not too important. This is in the same category. I don't see how it's a big deal for this particular game, how it got attention beforehand, or what it has to do with used games.

Mercs in RE5 on PS3/360 had deathmatch in addition to team death match (co-op).

Mercs on iOS has deathmatch in addition to team death match (co-op).

I assume that we'll see the same format in this one. It's just an arcade type game ... it's not like a locked-down save in Resident Evil 1,2,3,Code Veronica,4 or 5 that won't allow you to go through the adventure again a second, third or fourth time.

Swamperon

06-28-2011, 02:41 PM

Dobie

06-28-2011, 04:58 PM

Under the laws of the United States as well as individual states relating to unfair competition, you can't blackball a retailer for engaging in legal conduct. As such, even if publishers and developers felt the desire to cut Gamestop off, they couldn't stop distributors from selling to them.

Thanks for putting up with an idiotic question. I thought it might have to do with anti-competitive laws. Still, don't big retailers get games at reduced prices equal to or less than a distributor? So if GS bought their games through a distro, like a mom n' pop would, their margins would be thinner.

Of course, ultimately the end game in all of this is digital distribution, assuming broadband caps don't interfere. I'm thinking the writing is on the wall for used game purchases and Gamestop as well.

kedawa

06-28-2011, 05:13 PM

This will be a good excuse to pirate once the game is out of print, not that anyone needs an excuse.

Gameguy

06-28-2011, 05:37 PM

Now Aus EB are refusing to sell it within stores!

http://www.vooks.net/story-20260-EB-Games-Australia-recalling-Mercenaries-from-sale-over-save-file-debacle.html

No word on if this is temporary or permanent... Imagine if NA EB did the same. Will be interesting to see if other retailers follow suit.
Then Capcom's plan is already working. The best way to prevent used copies from being sold is to make less used copies available for sale, the best way to do this is to prevent people from having copies of the game that they could sell used. The best way to do this is to prevent people from buying new copies of the game, this plan of theirs seems perfect as less people will be buying new copies of this game.

In a few years they'll get their system perfected to eliminate all used copies, they'll make new games but never offer them for sale at all. It's genius!