Shacknews is
reporting that THQ will be adding it's Online Pass system to
Homefront when it is released later this year. The system, which was introduced with
Smackdown vs. Raw 2011, will limit players to level 5 in the games online mode unless they enter the one time code that ships with new versions of the game. The move is intended to help THQ make at least some money off of used game sales.
I know this annoys a lot of people terribly but it's something that we're going to see a lot more of in 2011 as companies try to find some way to earn money off used game sales. Given the success that EA had with their $10 program last year this shouldn't be too much of a surprise and it feels like it is starting to become and industry norm. It is worth remembering that game developers pay money to Microsoft and Sony to host servers and provide access to their networks for online gaming so seeing them charge for playing online isn't that surprising.
