Let the rush to charge used-game buyers for multiplayer gaming begin. Electronic Arts kicked things off with its announcement of Online Pass, Ubisoft said it would soon follow suit, and today THQ announced its upcoming MMA brawler UFC Undisputed 2010 will be its first title that will charge gamers who rent or buy used and want to play online.

Just like Online Pass, which EA said would launch with Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 in June, THQ is including a one-time use code in each copy of UFC Undisputed 2010. Try to play online, and you'll first be prompted to enter the code. Buy the game used or rent it and you'll have to pay $5 to enter the online Octagon.

Destructoid broke the news this morning and managed to get a statement and confirmation from THQ this afternoon.


THQ is delivering a truly unmatched online gaming experience for fans of UFC and across all fighting games in general. The main enhancement of UFC Undisputed 2010's premium online content is the new Fight Camp Mode, in which players can assemble ranks of up to 40 people and train together. This is a significant value-add to the game as players can continually improve their skills by training with their friends and bringing teams of MMA specialists together.

This multiplayer content for UFC Undisputed 2010 will be available via a one-time code included with the game at purchase. Codes for accessing the content will be available for second-time buyers for an additional $5.
UFC Undisputed 2010 is set to ship on May 25 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.



Sharkey says: EA has started a publishers' revolution. Entering a code to access multiplayer modes will soon be the norm in all games, and I fully expect Activision to really test gamers this fall with the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops. If gamers have shown an overwhelming willingness to pay $15 for the privilege to play three new maps in Modern Warfare 2, I have no doubt Activision will try to find out if they're willing to pay to access the core game's multiplayer right out of the box -- whether you're buying new or used. I think $5 sounds about right. And after that, I fully expect the CoD series to graduate to a monthly subscription model. It's coming, folks. In some way, shape or form, it's coming.