Electronic Arts Affirms the End of Online Pass

[Andy Chalk]

Electronic Arts Affirms the End of Online Pass

Electronic Arts says the Online Pass will stay dead and buried despite Microsoft's decision to ease restrictions on trading and selling games on the Xbox One.

Electronic Arts step back [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124481-EA-Ditches-Online-Pass-Fees-For-Select-Xbox-360-Titles-UPDATE] from its plans to do so on the Xbox One.

But EA is sticking to its story that the end of the Online Pass was brought about by "player feedback," and more importantly confirmed yesterday that it's staying dead and buried. "[There is] no change to our decision to discontinue Online Pass," John Reseburg, EA's senior director of corporate communications, told Polygon.

"As we said a few weeks ago, none of our new EA titles will include online pass, and we are removing it from existing games as well," he said. "Nothing else on today's news, but did want to be clear that our online pass decision was based on player feedback, and there's no change."

Earlier this month, EA Chief Operating Officer Peter Moore said the publisher "did not aggressively lobby for the platform holders to put some gating function in [next-gen consoles] to allow or disallow used games," and added that he is a "proponent of used games."

Source: Polygon [http://www.polygon.com/2013/6/19/4446822/ea-discontinued-online-pass-policy-xbox-one-ps4]


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[Dragonbums]

I could've sworn there would be an alternate in place.

Won't the PS4 have something like the Playstation Pass?

 

[Dr.Awkward]

Okay, yes, we get it - The Online Pass is dead, buried, so on and so forth. No need to tell us again.

However, if there is still one thing on people's minds, It's what's going to happen to the content the online passes barred from used game owners. Multiplayer, extra missions, alternate skins and the like - Will it now be free for everyone who owns the game, or is it going to be converted into DLC?

 

[Kiya]

I could've sworn there would be an alternate in place.

Won't the PS4 have something like the Playstation Pass?

No - Sony specifically said that an online pass was something they would not allow even from third party publishers because users are already paying for PS+

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/PS4-Doesn-t-Allow-Online-Passes-Even-From-Third-Party-Publishers-56656.html

 

[Eiv]

I somehow think while he's saying this, his brain is shouting in outrage.

 

[tdylan]

"As we said a few weeks ago, none of our new EA titles will include online pass, and we are removing it from existing games as well,"

So...the people paid for online passes for existing games, will they be reimbursed?

 

[spartandude]

Ok what about the big kicker, day 1 dlc, get rid of that and i will start buying from you again... on consoles because origin isnt quite good yet but my hate for EA is steadily declining if they can keep this up

"As we said a few weeks ago, none of our new EA titles will include online pass, and we are removing it from existing games as well,"

So...the people paid for online passes for existing games, will they be reimbursed?

no just as people buy games that then go free to play they will not be reimbursed, while it would be awsome if EA did that i dont think should have to

 

[Ghonzor]

And yet I still refuse to buy anything baring EA's grimy signature.

 

[Eiv]

Ok what about the big kicker, day 1 dlc, get rid of that and i will start buying from you again... on consoles because origin isnt quite good yet but my hate for EA is steadily declining if they can keep this up

"As we said a few weeks ago, none of our new EA titles will include online pass, and we are removing it from existing games as well,"

So...the people paid for online passes for existing games, will they be reimbursed?

no just as people buy games that then go free to play they will not be reimbursed, while it would be awsome if EA did that i dont think should have to

It wouldn't just be awesome, it would be the first sign of the apocalypse.

 

[fix-the-spade]

However, if there is still one thing on people's minds, It's what's going to happen to the content the online passes barred from used game owners. Multiplayer, extra missions, alternate skins and the like - Will it now be free for everyone who owns the game, or is it going to be converted into DLC?

Most of the games that use online pass are no longer supported or won't be shortly, so it's irrelevant.

For the non sports games, a few (like Mass Effect 2) have already had their Online Pass content priced down to $0.00, whether it happens to the rest, who knows.

I suspect EA have done this because it's a hugely expensive system to run. All those auth servers checking every copy of every game twenty four seven must dwarf whatever income they gained in extra (or fewer) new sales and $10 payments.

 

[idarkphoenixi]

Just because they're dropping online passes doesn't mean they won't have another system put up to replace it. They very likely will, in fact.

 

[Something Amyss]

I could've sworn there would be an alternate in place.

Won't the PS4 have something like the Playstation Pass?

Are you referring to requiring PS+ to play online? That's a little different.

Besides, PS3 games had online passes, too.

Okay, yes, we get it - The Online Pass is dead, buried, so on and so forth. No need to tell us again.

Have you been reading the Escapist lately? There's a ton of people on here who think that the only reason they did this in the first place was Microsoft's crippling online DRM reducing the need, and more than enough people worrying the online pass is coming back now.

Obviously, they DO need to tell us again.

We shall not morn it's passing

No worries, I'm sure Saints Row 4 will still have them despite the death of THQ.

So...the people paid for online passes for existing games, will they be reimbursed?

lolno. they don't even refund your money if the game doesn't work.

 

[Seracen]

Wow, it must gall EA that they said no online passes, and the feedback is vehement enough to keep them from reinstituting them.

As for "supporting used games," maybe they shouldn't have done the shady DLC and DRM practices in the first place. I really don't think anyone is falling for their nonsense anymore.

When one CEO says they should have lowered the prices passed the $60, and another said that they would charge even more if they could, I hardly have faith in the "unified vision" of this group.

It's okay, I'm sure they'll just monetize the hell out of on disk "DLC" to bypass the used games market, just like Capcom (although these two companies penalize their new buyers as much than their used buyers).

 

[Ukomba]

The XBox180 goes down an all the dominoes start falling.

 

[RicoADF]

I could've sworn there would be an alternate in place.

Won't the PS4 have something like the Playstation Pass?

Playstation plus isn't a DRM, it's simply covering the cost of Sony servers. From what I've been able to gather they have been taking a more active role in supplying servers so the devs don't need to set them up. Publishers still have the option to create their own though.

I will tip my hat to EA for standing their ground and proving that yes they were listening to customer feedback (and probably the income sheet too).

 

[Something Amyss]

The XBox180 goes down an all the dominoes start falling.

Err...You realise this predates the announcement that the Xbone would have online check-ins, let alone the reversal, right?

I could've sworn there would be an alternate in place.

Won't the PS4 have something like the Playstation Pass?

Playstation plus isn't a DRM, it's simply covering the cost of Sony servers. From what I've been able to gather they have been taking a more active role in supplying servers so the devs don't need to set them up. Publishers still have the option to create their own though.

I will tip my hat to EA for standing their ground and proving that yes they were listening to customer feedback (and probably the income sheet too).

Definitely their income sheet. They said the money gained off OP didn't make up for the drop in numbers.

 

[RicoADF]

Definitely their income sheet. They said the money gained off OP didn't make up for the drop in numbers.

Agreed, after all their a business and they quite literally can only see the numbers. It's what they exist for, which is why I have no issues with not buying from corporations I don't agree with.

 

[Something Amyss]

Definitely their income sheet. They said the money gained off OP didn't make up for the drop in numbers.

Agreed, after all their a business and they quite literally can only see the numbers. It's what they exist for, which is why I have no issues with not buying from corporations I don't agree with.

also, I've grown to understand why they do ignore us. We've conditioned them to not take them seriously. I feel like I'm thumping on a dead horse here, but we as gamers spend a lot of time saying we won't buy stuff and then going out and buying it anyway.

I don't like being dismissed or ignored, but what they see is a ton of people who will whine but buy anyway. The only way we can change that perception is if the numbers no longer work for them. Which is why I'm glad the numbers actually reflect an environment in which we don't act like wallets with legs.