EA Sports Debuts Premium Pass - Moving Toward Subscriptions?

Thanks to GameInformer for its story discussing EA Sports' announcement of a new Premium Pass service for Madden NFL 2005 players. Although it's explained that "This package of paid subscription-level features will be available [on the PS2 and Xbox Live] at no cost to Madden NFL 2005 owners, as long as the user enters their credit card number, by way of sponsorship by Dodge", there's some speculation that subsequent Madden seasons will include a higher-tier, optional fee, especially as "If you do not have a credit card, you can still sign up for the EA Sports Premium Pass with a PayPal account, or Telecheck for $19.95." In the meantime, this extra service means: "Players who sign up for the EA Sports Premium Pass receive a boost to their online Reputation Rating, which is a publicly visible indicator that rewards and penalizes players for following EA Sports Fair Play rules", as well as receiving: "Name in lights... personalized career pages... members only medals [and forthcoming] Web leagues [and] enhanced Web tournaments." Update: 08/06 17:47 GMT by S : Game Informer now has an interview with EA's Chip Lange which helps clarify the subscription-related shenanigans.

I don't play EA Sports games online...

[DeepHurtn!]

...but doesn't:

Players who sign up for the EA Sports Premium Pass receive a boost to their online Reputation Rating, which is a publicly visible indicator that rewards and penalizes players for following EA Sports Fair Play rules

...sound fishy to you? What value does that Reputation Rating really have as an indicator of someone's reputation if you can just buy an increase?

Just another way to try and lock you into the EA lifestyle, like the cruddy EA Bio.

ESPN NFL 2K5 here I come...

[Senjutsu]

Cheaper, smoother gameplay, no EA bullshit.

Wait a minute...

[xgamer04]

EA is becoming the Microsoft of game publishers. A console almost dies if they don't get EA games. This is definitely a Bad Thing (tm).

Re:I don't play EA Sports games online...

[Goldberg's Pants]

Have to agree, EA are saying "You can act like an asshole, quit games etc... But give us $20 and we'll make you look like a wonderful person despite the fact you're a shit."

EA said they were going to do this two years ago.

What amuses the piss out of me is they charge, AND THEN RAM DODGE ADVERTS DOWN YOUR THROAT!

Anyone who pays for this... I have a nice bridge I can sell you in London... And how about some of this lovely swamp land I have?

Re:Bah

[Goldberg's Pants]

You're mistaken. Useless features AND Dodge commercials. A company with a logo like a vagina. [columbia.edu]

Re:I don't play EA Sports games online...

[smcn]

Well the difference is that it's the company itself that is offering it...

D'oh! [uo.com]

And guess what? UO is owned by EA too!