EA are scrapping Online Passes going forward

[Aulayna]

EA's Online Pass Program is No More | Side Mission | GameTrailers (http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/52207/eas-online-pass-program-is-no-more)

As someone who hasn't brought used games in a while and tends to use PC games more often these days this doesn't hugely affect me. Although I do know some console buddies who should be pretty chuffed with this news. :)

[Night Fury]

Still not gonna help me with ME3.

:colbert:

[Slothy]

Still not gonna help me with ME3.

:colbert:

Yeah, fuck those guys.

This might affect me more personally if I'd bought an EA game in the last four years or so. Still, a step in the right direction for them. Now if they can just reverse some of their other, even dumber, decisions then I might actually consider giving them my money in the future.

[Night Fury]

Yeah, I think if they're scrapping it they should patch the other games that have this on them. It just seems a bit half arsed to do it like this.

I also don't want to be like "Well done EA, this is excellent!" because it's something they should never have done in the first place.

[Shauna]

I also don't want to be like "Well done EA, this is excellent!" because it's something they should never have done in the first place.

Pretty much this.

[Aulayna]

They're sadly not the only publisher who's done this but they've also been one of the first to drop the system. I believe Sony and Ubisoft are still using them on games they've published recently.

That being said, I'm not a major EA fan by any stretch of the imagination considering the past decade - but I'm hopeful that this is a sign of a gradual change of dynamic at EA following the change of guard at the higher levels of the company.

[Pike]

I actually haven't heard of this until now :shifty:

[Goldenboko]

This is good because I like Bioware.

[tony12]

Those people who play those online sports games are insane. I talked on an EA college football forum for the college game way back when (quit going to it very quickly because all anybody did was whine about how everything wasn't exactly how they wanted it).


Anyways those guys that play those sports games competitively online memorize all the strengths and weaknesses for each and every team player by player so they know exactly what each teams strengths and weaknesses are and what they can do and can't do with them.

[Elite Lord Sigma]

It's a sorely wanted reversal of a negative, but EA still has a long way to go before I'd give them my money without questions.

[Mirage]

This is actually one of the things i never really minded.

[Jowy]

Awesome. I bought NHL 12 used a while ago to save a few bucks and wasn't able to access the online mode without forking over an extra $15.

[Del Murder]

You can play games online now?

[Bolivar]

I don't buy used games so not a big deal. EA makes and publishes a lot of fun games I like, corporate decisions like this don't really come into the equation for me.

[edczxcvbnm]

The only reason they are probably scrapping this is because it wasn't really making them any money. Then with these passes, they have to pay and work with Microsoft/Sony to set them up and get them in the system. I think this proves that the terrible used game market that is stealing sales, isn't stealing all that much away from them or that these modes don't interest people enough to warrant dropping another 10 on the game.

It is the huge waste of time we all thought it was to begin with.

[Skyblade]

The only reason they are probably scrapping this is because it wasn't really making them any money. Then with these passes, they have to pay and work with Microsoft/Sony to set them up and get them in the system. I think this proves that the terrible used game market that is stealing sales, isn't stealing all that much away from them or that these modes don't interest people enough to warrant dropping another 10 on the game.

It is the huge waste of time we all thought it was to begin with.

Yep. That, or they think they've found a better way of monetizing the situation or punishing used sales.

[Night Fury]

Awesome. I bought NHL 12 used a while ago to save a few bucks and wasn't able to access the online mode without forking over an extra $15.

You still won't be able too. It's only their next titles. I don't think they're scrapping it from current games.

[Quindiana Jones]

I don't understand. EA have done something that... benefits consumers? :confused:

[Shauna]

Well, not really. They've just brought it back to reasonable, expected treatment of consumers.

[Jowy]

Awesome. I bought NHL 12 used a while ago to save a few bucks and wasn't able to access the online mode without forking over an extra $15.

You still won't be able too. It's only their next titles. I don't think they're scrapping it from current games.

Well yeah, plus I'm pretty sure the servers are down now. Just helps for future purchases.

[Iceglow]

the online pass thing never bothered me, sorry but so what it requires a pass, so what that EA are making a cut on a used game sale? It's no big deal. In fact I applaud EA for saying "screw this" and making that cut considering the Second Hand Games market accounts for near enough 40% of all games sales. In my opinion it's simple why go pay HMV/Game/whoever else £37.98 for a second hand copy of a game when the online pass will cost more than the difference up to the £39.99 new copy tag. If you want the game and want to play it online buy it new.

[NorthernChaosGod]

the online pass thing never bothered me, sorry but so what it requires a pass, so what that EA are making a cut on a used game sale? It's no big deal. In fact I applaud EA for saying "screw this" and making that cut considering the Second Hand Games market accounts for near enough 40% of all games sales. In my opinion it's simple why go pay HMV/Game/whoever else £37.98 for a second hand copy of a game when the online pass will cost more than the difference up to the £39.99 new copy tag. If you want the game and want to play it online buy it new.

What if I want to borrow my fucking friend's copy?

[Madame Adequate]

Making games harder for people to enjoy or punishing people for perfectly legitimate second-hand trading is terrible business, insane, and might even be illegal in the latter case. Steve you say I love cock and yet you're all over EA's more than I could ever be :greenie:

[Mirage]

the online pass thing never bothered me, sorry but so what it requires a pass, so what that EA are making a cut on a used game sale? It's no big deal. In fact I applaud EA for saying "screw this" and making that cut considering the Second Hand Games market accounts for near enough 40% of all games sales. In my opinion it's simple why go pay HMV/Game/whoever else £37.98 for a second hand copy of a game when the online pass will cost more than the difference up to the £39.99 new copy tag. If you want the game and want to play it online buy it new.

What if I want to borrow my smurfing friend's copy?
Then borrow it and play offline. When it comes to online passes, it's not just about getting a cut of used game sales (although it is that too!), but also that keeping game servers online costs money, money they would usually get from first-hand game sales. So, if you want the game used, just do that, but you still need to pay if you want to use their game servers that require constant maintenance and is a continuous expense for the game companies.

[Iceglow]

Making games harder for people to enjoy or punishing people for perfectly legitimate second-hand trading is terrible business, insane, and might even be illegal in the latter case. Steve you say I love cock and yet you're all over EA's more than I could ever be :greenie:

I don't say you love cock, I know you love cock.

Also if I'm so all over EA's cock is that making you jealous?

[Del Murder]

Steve, nobody cares what you and EA do behind bedroom doors, or you and anyone else for that matter, so let's keep it out of this thread.

[Lawr]

They're taking it away so they can implement something even more sinister. You heard it here first folks!

[edczxcvbnm]

I thought I would post the latest update to this situation. EA is now going to retroactively remove the online pass from their entire library of games. I guess coding requirements and updates means they will not be removing the prompt but will provide free passes for these games for anyone who wants them (they would probably remove it all together if Microsoft didn't charge for patches beyond the first one). That is kind of awesome of them.

EA also stripping Online Pass requirements from its existing games | GamesBeat (http://venturebeat.com/2013/05/30/ea-stripping-online-pass-requirements-from-its-existing-games-as-well/)

[Pike]

I thought I would post the latest update to this situation. EA is now going to retroactively remove the online pass from their entire library of games. I guess coding requirements and updates means they will not be removing the prompt but will provide free passes for these games for anyone who wants them (they would probably remove it all together if Microsoft didn't charge for patches beyond the first one). That is kind of awesome of them.

EA also stripping Online Pass requirements from its existing games | GamesBeat (http://venturebeat.com/2013/05/30/ea-stripping-online-pass-requirements-from-its-existing-games-as-well/)

Didn't see that coming... fascinating.

[Freya]

Locky might be able to play mass effect online now!

[escobert]

I had no idea about any of this since I'm new to the newer consoles. Went and got the newest NHL and Madden used. Couldn't believe EA wanted me to pay them more to play online. If I'd have known I would have just got new copies..