In the modern world, the creators of computer games try to earn as much as possible on a large project and release various additions to one game. If earlier the concept of periodic additions was applied to online games, now this can also be found in single-player projects. Some companies even release their creations in episodes. On the one hand, this allows players to enjoy the game and the sequel, and on the other hand, interest is lost and the quality of such projects is reduced. Now there is a tendency to release Season Pass sets, which give access to game content that has not yet been released for the release of the game. It can be plot additions, spin-offs, objects and so on. The player goes through the main storyline and gets access to updates.
What is a Season Pass?
So that readers can understand exactly what seasonal passes mean by themselves, consider a simple example.
Let's start with single games (although they have multiplayer, but the emphasis is on passing the company). Far Cry 5, developed and published by Ubisoft, is sold on PCs and consoles for 2 and 4 thousand rubles, respectively (in the CIS). For this amount, the player receives a full storyline, open world, multiplayer, map editor - that is, the finished game Far Cry 5, which can be enjoyed without additional acquisitions. But along with this, Ubisoft offer gamers to purchase a pass for additional content, which will be released in a few months.
What does Far Cry 5 Season Pass give?
The seasonal kit in this shooter is diverse, and also differs in that a full-fledged game released by the same Ubisoft is added to it. Having paid 2 thousand rubles for Far Cry 5 Season Pass, you will receive the following content:
- Several major plot additions. These include the “Prisoner of Mars” about battles on another planet with arachnids and “Dark Time”, which tells about the military operations in the Viet Cong. As you can see, both DLC are fundamentally different from the main game, which attracts fans of the series. A similar approach has already been used by developers in Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon, which mimicked the fantastic action movies of the 80s.
- Speaking of the third part of the series, you also get a copy of it with Season Pass. Unfortunately, you get the main game without any additions, but this is good, because its full price is 2 thousand rubles to this day.
- Set "Care". This kit includes three thematic sets - The Survivor, American Muscle, and Outlaw. Each of them is distinguished by a unique car, suit and personal weapon.
- The Fierce Zombie Day add-on is the final DLC that Far Cry 5 players received the latest, having already enjoyed plenty of original content and all kinds of external customizations. This extension is a cooperative campaign for two players. In terms of plot and gameplay, the addition resembles a classic zombie shooter: kill monsters in the city, farms, military bases and other interesting locations. The plot is divided into several chapters.
In what form can I get it?
We figured out what Season Pass is for Far Cry 5. Read on how to get it.
You can get access to the seasonal pass even before the release of the main game. To do this, it’s enough to pre-order the full version of Gold Edition, which will include the shooter itself, a pass and pleasant bonuses.
Since Far Cry 5 has already been released, the pre-order option is no longer relevant, but works for other projects. As for this game, you can purchase a pass separately at any time and enjoy additional content. Or not to buy the kit at all - this will not affect the game that you already have. Now you know what Season Pass is for a good example. Consider another single player walkthrough game with integrated multiplayer.
Sniper Ghost Warrior 3: Season Pass Edition
In fact, the concept of a seasonal pass for this game almost completely repeats Far Cry 5. A player buys either the main game or the extended edition, which includes access to add-ons, or acquires a pass after purchasing the main game.
A tactical first-person shooter, which focuses on long-range shootings and stealth mechanics, offers customers the following options:
- Separate game Sniper Ghost Warrior 3. You get access to the full story campaign and multiplayer. You have access to all the content that the developers planned to show in the full version of the shooter.
- Option Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 Season Pass Edition. You get the full set of content that was created by the studio during the development.
- Separate Season Pass. It works if you already have an original game. In the fall of 2018, it can be obtained for free from the Microsoft Store after purchasing a digital copy of Sniper Ghost Warrior 3. The Steam store has a slightly different policy: you still have to pay for a seasonal pass, but you can not buy the whole set, but only the part you like.
What is included in this kit?
Now consider what a player gets when they purchase Season Pass Edition on Sniper Ghost Warrior 3. The full package includes the following:
- Two plot additions to a single player game. These include missions: The Escape of Lydia and The Sabotage.
- New maps for multiplayer games in the amount of two pieces.
- New vehicles, among which there is a unique buggy.
- New sniper rifle and composite bow.
All listed items that are added with a seasonal pass can be used both in single player and in multiplayer.
Seasonal Pass in Online Games
Now you know what Season Pass is in single-player projects. However, in fully multiplayer games, this approach to content has a slightly different form. First, consider it with the Destiny 2 shooter, which was released on PC and next-generation consoles.
The standard version of the game includes the main storyline company, a number of raids, PvP modes and similar content. Gradually, players explore the whole world of Destiny 2 and they get bored: all the missions are completed, maps in the multiplayer are fed up, cool guns are received. At this point, the creators begin to release one add-on, which expand the game world and introduce new activities for players. You can purchase Season Pass for the first year, which was scheduled to include two major updates. Without them, the gameplay in the main game becomes irrelevant, since cooler weapons, new raids and missions are only available in Season Pass. By the second year of the game, developers presented a second seasonal pass with the same access to two major updates and a number of smaller events. Thus, we can conclude that Season Pass in MMO projects is a standard content update that comes out during the validity period of the pass. The need to purchase is voluntary-compulsory: you can play in the standard version, but at this time other players will conquer new raids and enjoy missions.
Season Pass in Session Projects
In the case of various MOBA and online shooters, seasonal passes are slightly different. For example, the Battle Pass in Dota 2 is released before major tournaments. It includes tasks that can be completed directly during matches, and one separate mode.
The same goes for the popular Fortnite. The main advantage of such passes is the external customization of heroes in the form of a reward for completing tasks.
Now you know what Season Pass is in a wide variety of game projects.