EA Introduces "Online Pass" To Get In On Used Games Market 223
EA Sports has unveiled a new feature that they hope will help them get a piece of the lucrative used games market: the Online Pass. Each of their new titles will come with a one-time code that allows access to "premium" content and features. Players who buy the games used can get the same content, but will need to pay $10 for the privilege.
"According to EA, the content can include anything from title updates and downloads to features like online leagues — and even online gameplay and multiplayer modes. ... EA will offer 10-day trials of Pass content so that users can see what they would be getting. So far, EA seems to be limiting the premium add-on experiment to its sports portfolio. ... The company has apparently gained the support of retailer GameStop, which has been watching with a close eye efforts on the part of publishers to discourage its thriving used games business. According to the retailer, encouraging premium content add-ons still benefits GameStop, since it sells PlayStation Network and Microsoft Points cards. It praised EA's Online Pass as 'forward-thinking.'"
Re:cheating the laws (Score:4, Funny)
I would love to pirate some EA games, but unfortunately they just keep pumping out "YourGFXcardCan'tHandleThisShooter 4", and "MySims 3D, coke&whores addon-pack"
Better don't lose that manual! (Score:3, Funny)
hummm.... (Score:3, Funny)
Is all about fight the First Sale doctrine. Make games a "not transferable account", so you can't re-sell the game you have buy (only part of it, here).
I wonder we will see the ones like General Motors, fighting the user car industry.
Re:cheating the laws (Score:5, Funny)
No, you need to give them NEW money, you filthy pirate scum.
Re:cheating the laws (Score:3, Funny)
Re:cheating the laws (Score:1, Funny)
Customer satisfaction depreciates for every new game EA release! :o)