The NEW Online Pass

Yet another game that kills the option
of deleting/overwriting game data.

Idiocy can be quite contagious. Take Namco Bandai Games, for example. After Capcom's colossal screw up with Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D, Namco has decided to follow suit with Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions, meaning that players cannot delete or overwrite their saved game data once they start playing the game. Capcom's weak sauce excuse was that they intended REM3D to be like an arcade game. Pardon my grammar but LYING LIES IS LIES!!! Like an arcade game? Pffft. Don't. Make. Me. Laugh! No matter how Capcom tries to word it, it's just a stupid way to block used game sales, plain and simple. If you honestly believe Capcom isn't talking out of their anus, I've got some mud I'd like to sell you.

Look, if we want to delete our save files or start over, that's our God-given right. Some may ask "Why would you even want to delete data?" I've done it numerous times with second hand games. Heck, I've played through games I've beaten more than a few times, including some RPGs. The option to delete old saves or overwrite date is pretty handy. When I started playing the DS version of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, the first thing I did was clear out all the old game data and start up my own file. I picked up some used PS2 memory cards last year. What did I do before saving on them? Delete the existing data that was there. Strange as it may sound, there are plethora of gamers out there that like having the option to clear data and records.

The online pass caused a ruckus among the gaming community when Mortal Kombat was released. If you picked up MK used and wanted to play online, it would cost you $10 to obtain the pass. This would make potential buyers think twice about buying the game used. Buying a game new means the money goes to the company. Picking up a title used means the company that published the game doesn't seen a dime on that purchase.

We're still in a global recession (no, it isn't just limited to the United States). Like deleting data, buying used games is our right. Money is tight for a lot of people and not everyone can afford to buy a game brand new. Lots of gamers shop on a budget, so picking up a game used means money towards other things.

As irksome as the online pass is, not being able to delete or overwrite game data is arguably even worse. It's a stupid move and since word travels insanely fast in this day and age, Capcom and Namco Bandai run the risk of decreasing their game sales. I'd go so far as to say that this IS the new online pass. If I were Namco Bandai, Capcom would be the last company I'd be taking notes from. I mean, Capcom is close to being the most hated publisher in the industry right now.

EDIT: According to reports you can delete the data, you just need to press "ABXYLR" when you start the game. Special thanks to dste for clearing this up.