Rumor has it that Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) has followed in the footsteps of Electronic Arts and THQ, in encouraging players to shy away from purchasing used copies of its most prolific titles, including the upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot.
According to Joystiq, new copies of Mortal Kombat will contain an “online pass” that must be activated prior to playing online. That is not to say you won’t be able to play online with a second hand copy of NetherRealm Studios-developed fighter, as WBIE have stated players can purchase online play codes for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 via their respective online stores.
The info comes via a recent email that has been distributed among retailers.
“Mortal Kombat, available on April 19 for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, includes a one-time-use registration code that gives players access to all online modes in the game. Players who do not have a code will get a free two-day trial of the online play and then be able to purchase the online modes for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and $9.99 on the PlayStation Network.”
Additionally, WBIE intends to give the same treatment to other high profile games in its catalogue, including F.E.A.R. 3 and Batman: Arkham City.
Mortal Kombat is set for release in the US on April 19, 2011.