SOCOM 4 Shipping With "Pro" Voucher (See: EA Online Pass)

Players who purchase new get access to exclusive multiplayer modes and features.

By Brad Nicholson | April 18, 2011

Zipper Interactive is dropping its own Project Ten Dollar-like hook into brand new copies of SOCOM 4. As announced on the official PS blog this morning, each new copy of the shooter is shipping with a one-time redeemable voucher that grants owners “SOCOM Pro” status. With it, users will receive “exclusive” access to Pro custom ranked queues that’ll be updated “regularly over the entire lifespan of SOCOM 4” and two guns: the ever-popular AK-47 and the M-16 for insurgents and spec ops respectively.

More content exclusively for Pro users is in the pipeline. In the post, Zipper confirms that “exclusive” multiplayer maps, “various” co-op add-ons, and dedicated leaderboards will be part of the deal, too.

The Pro pass is, in some respects, similar to Electronic Arts' vouchers. Using Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network, the pass granted users access to some free DLC and other content. In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the pass gave players "VIP" access, which translated to exclusive maps and guns. Zipper appears to be taking a similar route: no matter what, owners can play multiplayer, but without a pass, users won’t be privy to some game types, weapons and other features (i.e. "pro" custom game queues).

Of course, if you find yourself without a pass after the game releases (i.e. you picked up a used copy of the game), you’ll be able to buy one from PSN starting on April 26. The price? $14.99.

SOCOM 4 launches this week for PlayStation 3.

32 Comments

Soliddragon24on April 18, 2011 at 1:17 p.m.

boom

LIquid1024on April 18, 2011 at 1:17 p.m.

Cool.

AxleFGKon April 18, 2011 at 1:31 p.m.

I'm 100% for this, i think its a great idea. fuck the consumer, its all about money...

/sarcasm

Example1013on April 18, 2011 at 1:31 p.m.

I found the lack of AK-47/M16 disturbing.

Seriously, the M16 is historically one of the best guns in the game.

IamTericson April 18, 2011 at 1:31 p.m.

Read this on Destructoid a few minutes ago. I so appreciate the non-slanted news reporting compared to Jim Sterlings heavily opinionated attitude.

TheCrazedMadmanon April 18, 2011 at 1:32 p.m.

Take that gamestop! Seems like the battle between used games and devs rages on

AxleFGKon April 18, 2011 at 1:32 p.m.

@Mikkorama: your blog is irrelevant to this post. this is technically just spam. thanks!

Example1013on April 18, 2011 at 1:34 p.m.

@Mikkorama said:

" I don't wan't to plug my blog, especially since its not even on GiantBomb, but i feel like it's relevant and possibly a good read for some people...
http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Mikkorama/warning-faux-region-lock-198427.phtml

"

Yeah, I'm sure you feel really awful about trying to get hits on your blog. I'm not going to call it shitty, either, but seriously. Could you come up with a less likely situation to post about? And there's a workaround regardless, because you could just fucking buy the game used, and drop the $10 or $15 on the American Online Pass.

EDIT: And I'm sure if you bitch to EA enough, they'll be willing to give you an American Online Pass code. It's not like they're hard to come by, and you gave them what they wanted already (i.e. your money).

Mikkoramaon April 18, 2011 at 1:34 p.m.

@Axleisbored: I'll get rid of it then. my bad.

Hot_Karlon April 18, 2011 at 1:37 p.m.

Yikes, $15? Steep.

Eh, whatever. Socom 4's kinda boned. This is one of the only times where a huge system exclusive is going to get overshadowed by two, much bigger multiplatform releases. Specifically, the PS3 versions of Portal 2 & Mortal Kombat are going to sell way more thanks to the exclusives.

SpicyRichteron April 18, 2011 at 1:45 p.m.

If these kinds of vouchers replace preorder bonuses, I will be very happy

yoshimitz707on April 18, 2011 at 1:51 p.m.

@Axleisbored

I'm 100% for this, i think its a great idea. fuck the consumer, its all about money...

/sarcasm

This only affects people who buy games used. When someone does that the publisher and developer get none of that money. So yes, fuck the used consumer for not supporting the people who make the games possible.

Solh0undon April 18, 2011 at 2:10 p.m.

Ugh. I understand what game companies are trying to do but I thought the PSP one was unnecessary. Regardless of the piracy and used sales issues.

OneManXon April 18, 2011 at 2:12 p.m.

@VinceNotVance said:

" Yikes, $15? Steep.

Eh, whatever. Socom 4's kinda boned. This is one of the only times where a huge system exclusive is going to get overshadowed by two, much bigger multiplatform releases. Specifically, the PS3 versions of Portal 2 & Mortal Kombat are going to sell way more thanks to the exclusives.
"

I'm not too sure about that one. SOCOM is a well know exclusive for the Playstation, and Portal might hit the hardest on the PC, where most people would of already purchased it through steam or it's lower price on Amazon/Best But etc. MK, is he big gun for tomorrow (shit I have it pre-ordered). but I wouldnt be shocked if SOCOM 4 does good-great numbers

Cybexxon April 18, 2011 at 2:12 p.m.

I think the last couple Socom PSP games did this.

The_Paintedon April 18, 2011 at 2:23 p.m.

Misleading title is misleading.

deltaalphabravoon April 18, 2011 at 2:37 p.m.

This type of action will now haunt us all; for the rest of our days. Preying on the less fortunate even more so.

ThaMilkManon April 18, 2011 at 2:47 p.m.

I honestly have no problem with "project 10 dollar" as long as the consumer is informed. As long as they know going in that if they buy it preordered and want this pro-access they need to pay 15 dollars then they should temper themselves. If they don't...it's rough but it is also a part of the consumer's job to be knowledgeable on what they spend money on to some degree. So I honestly see nothing wrong with this tactic. Just needs fair implementation.

BigLemon is online on April 18, 2011 at 3:45 p.m.

@IamTerics said:

" Read this on Destructoid a few minutes ago. I so appreciate the non-slanted news reporting compared to Jim Sterlings heavily opinionated attitude. "

Brad is a great writer in that respect. Always enjoy his informative articles.

Enigma777on April 18, 2011 at 3:47 p.m.

Not surprised since Socom Fireteam Bravo 3 had a similar thing last year.

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