this topic mainly exists because I'm amazed the online pass controversy by itself doesn't have a topic

but to tl;dr the inevitable debate, yes Mr. Chocobo, anything is A-ok when big corporations get money, interesting interesante, whatever. Some people who have no idea what they're talking about will debate with you and make you look more right than you actually are and TEXT AND TEXT that no one will actually read all of unless they feel the need to always be right and want to internet debate. As I just described it, none of you have to internet debate so please don't, I like my topics not being horrible and annoying. You can have opinions without topic-ruining debates.

Now my opinion is that while the advertising of Catwoman in the past was a horrible idea in retrospect and my initial reaction was "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?", I am willing to somewhat forgive it as
1. Arkham City will almost certainly be one of my favorite games this year.
2. There are so many more blatantly greedy and bs things that have been done in next gen gaming that you kinda have to accept it and worry about other things. I at least kinda sorta get the logic with this. I just hope this does actually lead to Gamestop being forced to sell used games for less than 54.99.

And I feel sorry for the developers as right now this is maybe overshadowing the brilliant work they presumably did in this game (presumably because I actually haven't played it yet), as regardless of somewhat forgiving this, I am dissappointed that it's inevitable that this will end up being the big discussion for this game for now because of greed from WB and the like instead of how we all need to buy this game.

Was going to make a thread on it myself. Still may get the game (maybe as a christmas present.

Also the DLC costume's extra heroes rub me the wrong way. I don't really care about the weird Jason/Tim/Damien algamation that's supposed to be robin. But I want to play with Nightwing so im in a bit of a bind there.

It was kind of a mess with how they revealed that, wasn't it? I understand why they do the whole online pass thing but it's a hard pill to swallow having to buy the game new (or a pass)just to be able to play as Catwoman.

it's just lucky that Arkham City is one of the few next gen games that seems like it deserves the full 60 dollar price tag

If anything, wait for the GOTY edition. I'm not paying $7 each for Nightwing, Robin, and their corresponding challenge maps.

That is, if I even get a PS3/this game this holiday.

The pass comes with all new games, correct? I was pretty sure that's how it worked. I understand why they are doing online passes and such, and I am ok with it. As it stands, there is little difference (if not none) between a new and used game. So publishers need a way to ensure there is some reason for people to buy their game as new. There is always that worr of what you will have to be replaced first on your used car; maybe the brakes are getting worn, or the alternator is about to go. With video games, as long as the disk is ok, the game will be identical no number how many times you've jumped on that enemy's head.
However, I don't fully agree with this system locking out single-player content. At least with multiplayer content, they have server upkeep and whatnot as a reason locking it out to player who have not payed for it. The used games market has become a somewhat bigger problem than piracy consoles for publishing houses (and by extension, developers).

A writer on Destructoid, JimSterling has strong views on this, and in some respect, I agree with him.

His main argument is that if you buy a product second hand, it's already been paid for. The original owner isn't online playing the game because he/she doesn't own it any more, and the developers have no right to try and squeeze more money out of people.

That is unless the game is pirated.

Is this topic solely about the online pass? Otherwise, as a simple Wii owner, I have no opinion on the actual game.

Eh. All for this. As kkslider alludes to in his first post, I think it's a good thing when publishers and developers get money from the sale of their games, as it means that'll actually get to make another one.

Well, the arguement there would be that the person who originally bought the game has stopped playing, therefore he should not be needing the online servers. But this isn't about an online experience, which makes it a little meh for me.
Either way, this will not be affecting me as I will be buying this on the PC (on a Steam sale probably) and no one buys used PC games

Forgive my ignorance, but what is actually involved with the online pass for this game? What i mean is, for me, i don't really care about any multiplayer or online play; i'll just be playing single-player offline. I personally would not be affected by this, correct? Granted, i'll probably be buying it new anyway so it doesn't matter, but i am curious.

As for the concept of the "online pass" in general, though i do understand the reasoning behind it — and companies certainly have the right to go that route — i think we can probably all agree that as a whole it does not make for good PR, especially considering the reactionary nature of the gamer-community in general.

You do need the online pass in order to play the Catwoman missions early. Otherwise, you can unlock her after you beat the game. At least, that's what I've heard.

I hear its an either or thing. if you don't have the pass you no have Selena Kyle.

well yeah...but, it isn't like Arkham City isn't gonna be a HUGE hit anyway. I mean, if something less likely to make a profit did this(Bulletstorm?), I could get behind it more, in a "rooting for the underdog" sort of way and be like "yeah, screw you Gamestop!", I dunno.

also since Mark Hamill is retiring as the Joker after this game, if anything, we need to hope they never make a Batman game again as it wouldn't be the same.

IGN has their review up for Arkham City and it looks AMAZING!

And GameInformer gave it a 10/10! Dayum.

So a developer and publisher is only entitled to make money if their game is unsuccessful?

Street date was broken in Australia.
_{/me hugs jb hi fi and never lets go}

did you stop reading the news or something he didnt say hes retiring as the joker

I only want 2 games this year. Skyward Sword and this. I'm only getting Skyward Sword cause of the limited collector's edition.

Yep, a game getting 9-10's isn't gonna be a HUGE hit.

Doesn't surprise me. It's the only gig he can get these days