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(7)Cheats and Walkthroughs
Electronic Arts has been one of the most aggressive companies in developing solutions to the perceived used game dilemma. Publishers don't see a direct revenue stream from used games, so EA is one of many publishers coming up with incentives for consumers to purchase a new copy of their games. With Mass Effect 2, it was the Cerberus Network. With EA Sports, it's "Online Pass."
"Online Pass" is required for all online features. You don't have a choice. If you don't have an "Online Pass" code, it will cost you $10 to generate an "Online Pass." That's EA's carrot to used game fans.
What's in the "Online Pass"? According to EA: "you’ll have access to multiplayer online play, group features like online dynasty and leagues, user created content, and bonus downloadable content."
This new initiative will begin with the release of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 next month and continue forward. The code needed to access Online Pass is included on the back of every game's manual. "Online Pass" is only required for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 releases. The announcement does not mention Wii or PC being involved in "Online Pass" and I'm currently seeking clarification there.
EA themselves make it clear this move is connected to the used game market.
"In order to continue to enhance the online experiences that are attracting nearly five million connected game sessions a day," explained senior VP of worldwide development Andrew Wilson in a post at EASports.com, "we think it’s fair to get paid for the services we provide and to reserve these online services for people who pay EA to access them. In return, we’ll continue to invest in creating great games and offer industry-leading online services to extend the game experience to everyone."
Like Cerberus Network, however, the hook is not just online connectivity; it's access to content that won't be available without hooking into "Online Pass." You can happily play Mass Effect 2 without Cerberus Network, even purchase premium downloadable content, and the same philosophy is being applied to games connected to "Online Pass." Your game isn't unplayable, but it is missing features, and to tempt used gamers even more, there will be a seven-day pass made available free of charge.
"When we see how many people are playing all of our games online," said Wilson, "consumers are telling us that competition is endemic to sports in a way that most people don’t get just by playing a game alone on their couch. As a result, we’ve made a significant investment to offer the most immersive online experience available. We want to reserve EA Sports online services for people who pay EA to access them."
For Xbox 360 players, this doesn't negate the requirement for an Xbox Live Gold membership.
If you're a used game buyer, will this influence your purchases going forward?
Have something to share? Sitting on a news tip? E-mail me. You can also follow me on Twitter.
Comments
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roboman82
This also a jab at the people who just rent the games from Gamestop.
I just rented Tiger woods 11 but I get mine from blockbuster and must have been the first because online code worked kick a$$
Amoite
hey isnt our economy like really bad rite now? and they still wanna start charging for this? and for ppl who the economy really hurt have to buy used games cuz they cant afford to buy the new game and then they have to pay 10 more bucks to play online.i think ea is greedy and selfish and just want money. like cmon. i know madden is there like main game cuz everybody plays and buys madden games every year. and bad company 2 is like one one the best shooting games i have ever played. and i know that has sold alot. so how r they like losing money? idk! our whole economy is bad rite now and then they wanna pull this! its really stupid if u ask me.
Amoite
ok so like i have many questions. so like i just bought bad company 2 new. r they gonna charge me still? cuz it hasnt started yet? cuz if so so i dnt really support the idea. bt im most likely gonna pay cuz bc2is like my fave game. and yea. i think ea is gonna lose so much money cuz of this. especially for the 360 ppl. cuz alot of ppl have 360s and pay for online and play madden. idk. i think its dum. bt then again i usually buy games new. why did i comment this? oh yea for the first question.
quesadia
Don't mind the EA juggernaut back up to its old schemes to get money again. Yes, "CD-keys" are old solutions and we can't complain too much other than, not buy the games. But yeah madden is gonna sell like always I know game renting (not gamefly) is dying too, but that was how i played my maddens. I never really did online, except co-op. But taking away privileges like that isnt going to make me satisfied either. To hell with em. I BORROWED MASS EFFECT 2 FROM A FRIEND EA, the last game i bought from you was BC2. I HAVENT BOUGHT A SPORTS GAME SINCE NBA LIVE 99. suck it
Tylerbear
i'm getting really sick and tied of huge game developers nickle and diming me to death. go ahead and charge me 10 bucks to play online, i ain't paying it, because for what i pay for the game online multiplayer shouldn't cost extra. not to mention the rediculous pay full price plus ten bucks, or wait buy it pre-owned and pay ten bucks. what does EA think people are going to do? they'll buy pre-owned and EA will invariably lose alot in sales anyways. EA is shooting themselves in the foot with this move. yes some will buy it full price plus ten but the people who are strapped for cash in these times can afford to wait and get it cheaper.
we're in the era of big game companies, and these are both terrible times financially but could very well be the second golden age of gaming. the question is how much are we willing to pay for it. the answer is whatever they tell us to because games make us lazy and lobbying prices seems frivolous so we'll just bend over and take it up the preverbial tailpipe.
mrcooper89
wow this is going to really suck, now i have to pay for used games.........oh wait EA makes sports games! Even more of a reason for me to not buy them! (FAIL)
steveredd
Note to Myself Watch EA. Well here we go people the game companies are going to start charging to play on their servers. wont be too long till they realize that charging to play a game online is stupid and the sales numbers will prove it. But theres always those stupid people who ' BUY IT Anyway"
lowkevmic
I'm surprised no one saw this coming. With the ever growing popularity of online gaming, developers were bound to cash in on all of the action. In the next few years, don't be surprised if we start to see more and more games, building on the online aspect of the game so much, that it will be more and more difficult to even enjoy the game without having to purchase some type of online access to all the things the game has to offer. We'll even begin to see console games with online accounts just like WOW or Everquest, that gamers will have to pay monthly in order to even play the game. Capitalism at it's best, why did people think the gaming industry was immune to it??
wh0urdady
Most of you guys act like this is a bad thing. I would rather have a new game over a used copy. Why you ask? there is a $5 difference from new and used. This is basically an incentive for you to buy the new game, which you will get the online for free. so this is making it more expensive to buy a used game if you want to play the game online.
samr64
so if you use gamefly, you are screwed? thats bullshyt!
DrowNoble
EA is just getting more and more greedy. Apparently they just can't make enough off the $50-60 they charge for their games? EA is lucky they have Bioware now otherwise they would never be getting another dollar from me again. That being said, I haven't bought an EA sports game in years and this pretty much assures that trend will continue.
Can't say I'm surprised though. They did the same thing with Mass Effect 2. You had to join the Cerberus Network to have the "right" to pay them for DLC.
MJH243
Not a problem with me since I buy new anyways. Even if I buy used, I see no problem with a one-time charge of $10. With the frequency in the cycle of buying, selling, and trading video games, I see this as a reasonable argument, but more for the developers than the publishers.
Gaming sure is an expensive lifestyle...
EntropyMu
I can't wait until some housing developer catches on that this idea is supported (from some on this board, strongly) by consumers. I'm sorry you bought a used house, consumer, but the developer/builder of that house didn't profit at all from that transaction. You'll have to purchase a $20,000 code to enable the heating and air conditioning system to work. You'd save the money if you had just bought a new house instead!
Evimaki
This is utter bullcrap, I am not paying the additional 10 dollars to get "free content". Thats lunch for a week! Seriously, I hate when the big companies get greedy and try to control their sales in everything. And btw, if EA is gonna do this, then make the codes apply to the xbox, not an account.
Archnemesis
This is why Piracy will live on. Who cares how someone bought a game (i.e. new/used)? I've never seen GM or Ford force used car buyers to purchase a "driver's pass" for one of their used vehicles. This is just another reason for people to look for a quick fix to their gaming dilemma.
FanGirl33
Well damn, I can only imagine how pissed GameStop executives are.
GHOSTY009
They way I understood it is that this won't be any different than the Cerberus Network or VIP codes in previous EA titles. For those who fork over the money for a new copy, thats includes your "Online Pass" which I could really see the benefit of this with a sports title if they will be constantly updating rosters based on their RL counterparts. I don't personally have anything against this practice because at the end of the day EA is a company just like any other and they are in this industry to make money (GASP). For a savvy bargain gamer even having to pay the 10 extra won't add up to the $60 dollar tag, so really its not a bad situation for all. Oh and those gamers who don't have the net? The wouldn't be able to access the online features anyway so they won't be missing anything.
The ideal scenario would be for game companies to drop the prices on their new titles, but we do not exist in a perfect world. So if you can afford the new title, buy it and enjoy the online pass. If you can't, buy it used and fork over ten bucks for the online pass.
DarthHerter
this is a great idea especially with used games. companies have to make money anyway possible. since the retailers like gamestop only make money off used games. game companies like ea should to. they can't have one of their game in someone's home and not make any money off of it especially if they are playing online.
Reese8732
No you play what you normally pay if you get it new, but if you buy a used game then you will have to pay $10 to get certain features. If you saying that not fair, then that tells your age and that's part of the problem. Being a working adult, I understand getting paid what you deserve and everything. As a gamer that plays different types of games and systems, finding the best deals for the most games for my buck.
I tend to buy most of my games new now that I heard companies don't paid for used sale. I want my GOW, Uncharted, Gears, and other series and new games. i don't want my favorite companies to close so I support them. Do what you do, but when that sequel doesn't come out that been waiting for, remember your comments.
wesleyhypes
sooo all of you feel this way!!!! need to be on the other side of this and realized what really goes in to making a game? While we are complaining some of these guys and gals are trying to put all of these games out and not lose their jobs. Think about it, Think about it, Think about it
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