A recent trend in video games is the use of a code you get when you buy a game new just so you can play online. It discourages people like myself from renting or even borrowing these games because I cannot try the full experience of the game and become a potential buyer. This was put into practice because the money from a new copy of a game goes to the publisher. When you buy a game used, however, the money goes straight to the retailer. But now we have a game that has no multiplayer and content is being locked out to those who do not buy the game new.
Last week, before the release of Batman: Arkham City, it was revealed that Catwoman would only be available to those who buy the game new and you would have to buy a code for $10 to play as her if you bought the game used. This rattled the cages of gamers who were surprised to see this practice in a single-player-only game. A Warner Bros. Rep disclosed that “Playing as Catwoman is not required to complete the game.” To me, this is like saying to used car buyers, “a sunroof is not required to drive it.” It’s entirely possible to drive a car without a sunroof but if everyone else has one for the newer cars and you don’t, wouldn’t it feel like you’re missing out on the full experience of that car?
Not only that, but apparently some consumers who bought the game new do not have the Catwoman code at all. According to gamepolitics.com, “Gamers in North America have been complaining about missing codes since the game launched there earlier this week and now UK gamers are joining the rising chorus of complaints.” In the article, the number of people who were experiencing this were in a mere .5 percent of those who bought Batman: Arkham City on the first day but this should have been a whopping 0 percent to begin with.
From here, it only gets more convoluted. Warner Bros. released a five-step process of information for you to receive your Catwoman code from Warner Bros. if you did not get it on release day. Such information required is, “A dated proof of purchase (receipt, invoice) showing the purchase of a NEW copy of the game (not a rented or used copy, nor a copy purchased from eBay), A scan or digital picture of the package and game disc(s), A scan or digital picture of the code sheet (both sides).” If this all seems like some sort of bureaucracy purgatory, you’re spider-senses are indeed tingling, true believers.
While this is in a very small percentage of those who bought Batman: Arkham City, it still goes to show the kind of madness codes like these can bring consumers. Not everyone can buy video games the day they come out and to lock these people out of content is a practice I do not excuse. Sound off in the comments with your opinions on these game codes.
