EA's Online Pass

[Pakman3000]

Publisher EA is extending its "Project Ten Dollar" scheme to make buying used copies of EA Sports games a bad idea. Don't expect to play your EA Sports games online without the "Online Pass" included in new copies.

What is Online Pass? It's a game-specific, single-use registration code included in new copies—and in new copies only—of games like the upcoming Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 that will grant Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners access to online content—"online services, features and bonus content" according to EA.

Yes, that does include head-to-head and multiplayer online gameplay modes. Online Pass also grants access to online leagues, roster and playbook updates, user-created content downloads and tournament features. More details on that sweeping change at EA Sports' official site.

Those who purchase Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 used can purchase an Online Pass for $10 USD. EA is also offering a "free 7-day trial to experience Online Pass." According to the official Online Pass web site, Madden NFL 11, EA Sports MMA, FIFA 11, NBA Live 11, NFL 11, and NCAA Football 11 will also employ the "original purchaser" targeted plan.

EA has implemented similar anti-used game measurements with games like Mass Effect 2, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and The Saboteur, leading to one class action lawsuit against retailer GameStop, which specializes in used game sales.

If this sounds unappealing to you, let the soothing words of EA Sports president Peter Moore ease your troubles. "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. I feel better already!

http://kotaku.com/5535577/eas-fight-aga ... iger-woods

[River_Rat_459]

Looks like the release of UFC Undisputed 2010 by THQ this week will also be featuring this new money making scheme. This is fromUSA Today's Tech section:

Remember last week, when Electronic Arts unveiled the Online Pass for its sports titles? To refresh memories, this is a code free with new game purchases that allows access to a game's online components. If you buy it used, the code costs $10.

Well, EA may have some followers in this practice. THQ is reportedly doing the same thing with UFC 2010 Undisputed, requiring a code to grapple with online modes. New games will have it, and players with used copies must pay $5.

Meanwhile, according to Gamasutra, Ubisoft is watching EA's endeavors very closely, and expects to try a similar strategy down the road.

Of course, all this is done to tempt players into buying a shiny, new copy of their games instead of a used version.

What do you think of these efforts by publishers? Will it work, or will it turn off players?

[DaCajun]

They are doing it because of crappy Gamestops and other retailer like them that buy used games for 25%-30% then resell them for 90 % of a new one. Publishers are losing that money so they make it up by charging $5-$10 to play online with a used copy to basically make gamers say why buy a used for $55 and pay $5 to play online when I could just buy it new for $60 with no online fee. I personally don't see the problem. It costs a lot of money to make good games. If buying new keeps the money in there pockets so they can make better games and out of the pockets of those con-artists like Gamestop, I'm all for it.