EA's Assault on Your Pockets Continues

**Vegetatheprince** · 2010-05-11 05:43

Like to share? Like cheaper games? Feed us moneyz.

from IGN:

EA Sports is going after the used game market.

Starting with the release of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the publisher will introduce a new Online Pass, a one-time registration code included with each brand new copy of the game. The code allows players to access "online services, features and bonus content."

Those who purchase the game used can buy an Online Pass for $10 or sign up for a free 7-day trial. The pass will be implemented for NCAA Football 11, NHL 11, Madden NFL 11, NBA 11, FIFA 11, and EA Sports MMA as well. The pass offers different features for each title, however, players will not have access to basic multiplayer features if purchased used.

"You will be unable to play multiplayer online game modes or use your downloaded content in online game modes," EA says. Online leagues, dynasty and franchise modes are also only available with the Online Pass. The break down for each title can be seen on the publisher's official website.

"This is an important inflection point in our business because it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhance premium online services to the entire robust EA SPORTS online community," said Peter Moore, President of EA SPORTS.

Despite being the leader in used game sales, retailer GameStop, which acknowledged it plans to focus on digital content in the future, supports Electronic Arts' new direction.

"GameStop is excited to partner with such a forward-thinking publisher as Electronic Arts," said Dan DeMatteo, Chief Executive Officer of GameStop Corp. "This relationship allows us to capitalize on our investments to market and sell downloadable content online, as well as through our network of stores worldwide."

Digital content is the future, I guess. As such, this is probably just inevitable progress much like the excessively DRM'ed Ubisoft single-player titles of late. But, I don't know...the idea that when you buy a game you can only play it on one profile or pony up $10 for each new one (the multiplayer aspect at least) seems a little asshole-ish, no? At least with that $10 you can expect a robust experience of online gaming that will include things such as roster and stats updates all the way up until not the end of the playoffs for the team sports games. Also, don't they shut down the servers for previous games when the next one comes out? You know, because you have to pay your $60 roster fee.

Ummm...basically, I just miss the NFL 2k series. And EA still sucks.

**Pikarya** · 2010-05-11 05:44

Read this on /v/ earlier. Good stuff.

**Kiarax** · 2010-05-11 05:46

Originally Posted by Vegetatheprince

But, I don't know...the idea that when you buy a game you can only play it on one profile or pony up $10 for each new one (the multiplayer aspect at least) seems a little asshole-ish, no?

I don't think you understand why they're doing this. This could easily get out of hand, but the idea is a good one. It stops developers constantly losing out on fuckloads of money due to people buying used games where the dev makes nothing out of it.

**Fallyn** · 2010-05-11 05:52

They've already started doing it, see MassEffect2 for example.

And EA > Activision atm.

**Hyan** · 2010-05-11 05:54

So soon you can't get games for cheaper anymore because you have to pay the devs to access them on top of the normal price.

Oh well, hopefully there's still long time to go for that to happen.

**Vegetatheprince** · 2010-05-11 05:57

Originally Posted by Kiarax

I don't think you understand why they're doing this. This could easily get out of hand, but the idea is a good one. It stops developers constantly losing out on fuckloads of money due to people buying used games where the dev makes nothing out of it.

Indeed, maximizing profits in the same way DRM works to try to prevent loss from piracy. Ultimately though, the consumer suffers. They are fully within their right to do whatever they wish with their content. I'm just more a fan of the "make a consumer happy and the profits will come" attitude than the "can...can we charge for that too?" attitude from a developer. It's a business, and one EA has by the throat.

**Kaisha** · 2010-05-11 06:01

Originally Posted by Vegetatheprince

Also, don't they shut down the servers for previous games when the next one comes out? You know, because you have to pay your $60 roster fee.

http://www.ea.com/2/service-updates

Oh noes, they shut down the server for two PC games and two old golf games due to inactive online communities!

**Vegetatheprince** · 2010-05-11 06:11

Originally Posted by Kaisha

http://www.ea.com/2/service-updates

Oh noes, they shut down the server for two PC games and two old golf games due to inactive online communities!

That was for the month of may. I am surprised though, I thought I read few years ago they were shutting down online servers for games when the next edition was released but apparently they wait a little longer.

Still though:

Spoiler: show

...they've shut down a bit more than four games over the past few years.

**Celeras** · 2010-05-11 07:06

People complaining about this are retarded. They could just as easily make the game require an account signup with registration codes/CD keys that come with the game. You know, like almost ALL online PC games? In which case, there are no used sales at all, because once the account is made the code is done.

This is an additional option that keeps used sales intact, allowing you to still buy used for cheaper AND sell off old games you don't want anymore. It's a good thing, they didn't have to go this route.

**dejet** · 2010-05-11 07:37

Originally Posted by Kiarax

I don't think you understand why they're doing this. This could easily get out of hand, but the idea is a good one. It stops developers constantly losing out on fuckloads of money due to people buying used games where the dev makes nothing out of it.

If they would drop the price of games that are old I would not buy used, but come on is mw1 worth 40? Screw that.

5 year old ds games are not worth 20 still. I will buy a 5 year old game used.

**Kyo** · 2010-05-11 09:25

I already posted this in the console wars thread, had mixed feelings about it, but ultimately I think its a good idea.

**Kurp** · 2010-05-11 09:40

I don't see how this is comparable to many of the DRM models, such as Ubisoft requiring an internet connection to play single player games like Assassin's Creed. That is beyond retarded.

This will just force used game sellers to sell their used games cheaper. I guess it's annoying for people selling used games, but that's the point. People buying used games will likely end up paying around the same price once it's fully in place. It seems like a sound decision to me.

**Insanecyclone** · 2010-05-11 09:48

Socom fireteam bravo 3 has something similar to this. If you buy the game used and you want to play online you have to sign in on the psp or ps3 and buy the activation code for $20.

**Arrmani** · 2010-05-11 10:58

I don't think its a problem because from what I've seen, most people into the online and hardcore sports experience from a couch buy the new ones in the first couple of days. A lot of used sales seem to be for little kids with cheap parents, or old guys who just started playing and don't care if its the current title.

**Akucaen** · 2010-05-11 11:02

This is a good idea though. It isn't EA making a money grab for people who bought the game at launch or even a few months later during price reductions, it's for the people who buy games used.

**Neoscrilla** · 2010-05-11 11:24

Buy a used game for $10 cheaper than new ($5 cheaper if it is a very new game), then pay an extra $10 for online. If they are cheaper than $10 off the new price, chances are that the online communities for them are dead or dying.

Long story short: If you are going to play a game online, just buy it new, lol.

**Baha** · 2010-05-11 11:48

Would probably affect used prices a bit too (fair used prices, from one dude to the other, not buying used in stores, those rip you off anyways). I've seen sellers saying that they'd used codes, and knocked off a bit from their asking price, and potential buyers asking about it and haggling.

Overall, I think this is a decent idea.

**BadKarma** · 2010-05-11 12:11

EA is as EA does, they are still smaller assholes than Activision

**BRP** · 2010-05-11 12:19

I imagine this will just lower used-games sells for us or lower them quickly. Buying something used for 5 dollars less is stupid.

**aru** · 2010-05-11 13:32

Originally Posted by Kiarax

It stops developers constantly losing out on fuckloads of money due to people buying used games where the dev makes nothing out of it.

I can't wait for auto manufacturers to start charging for activation of my brakes if I buy from a used dealership.
Is there any industry in America that continues to make money from the second, third, etc sale of their product? I'm having trouble thinking of one.

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