Buy an EA Sports game second-hand, pay for online.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Last year, EA Sports introduced the long-awaited Online Franchise mode in Madden NFL 10. But if you wanted to play it, you had to either buy the game new and type in a one-time-use code that came in the box, or pay $10 for a code. This year, EA Sports is extending that policy across all of its games, and now, the code won't merely unlock a single online mode -- it's a gatekeeper for online play altogether.

You may not know Electronic Arts' "Project Ten Dollar" initiative by name, but if you've bought an EA game in the past year, you've probably dealt with it. It encourages gamers to buy EA games new -- as opposed to renting them or buying them used -- by offering bonus content with a pack-in code; used buyers and renters have to purchase a code for $10 to $15 in order to access the content. Examples include the Cerberus Network in Mass Effect 2*and the "VIP" content in Battlefield: Bad Company 2, both of which cost $15.

Starting with the release of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11*on June 8th, all EA Sports games going forward will include a code in the case, and you'll need to type in that code in the menu in order to enable online play. If you buy an EA Sports 11*game used, or if you rent one, or if you borrow one from a friend, you'll have to buy a code from the Xbox Live Marketplace or the PlayStation Store for 800 Microsoft Points or $9.99, respectively. Of course, EA Sports will still afford you the privilege of purchasing DLC (or downloading free DLC) for its games, but without an Online Pass, you'll only be able to use the content offline.

Thankfully, EA Sports has included a provision for renters and borrowers: if you don't want to buy a code, you can activate a free seven-day trial of online play -- but you can only do it once per EA Sports game.*Surprisingly, GameStop is on board with the EA Sports Online Pass -- the retailer will be selling Xbox Live Marketplace points and PlayStation Store cash cards alongside the 2010 EA Sports games.

Frankly, I don't have a problem with publishers trying to incentivize new purchases, and I'm not surprised that EA Sports is going as far as preventing renters and used buyers from playing online. As EA Sports' Senior VP of Worldwide Development, Andrew Wilson, notes, "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."*I bet they'll see a marked increase in new purchases of their 2010 games. What do you guys think of this?

http://www.destructoid.com/ea-sports-online-pass-buy-new-or-pay-10-to-play-online-173358.phtml

I really wish devs could just make a deal with the 2nd hand retailers, because this is getting silly now. I guess not many people bought the other project $10 things like online franchise so they're going for the big one...

[Kane Knight]

Yeah, this is kind of stupid.

On the other hand, I haven't bought an EA Sports title in years, so not supporting it is pretty easy.

[G]

can't wait till you need a code to unlock single player

[Kane Knight]

can't wait till you need a code to unlock single player

I can't wait to watch GameFAQs support the move.

[Funky Fly]

I can deal with this. I'd just prefer that they do sports titles every other year to boost quality.

[Ermaximus]

Much like KK, this doesn't bother me as I don't play sports games. If this is their initial way of trying to persuade people to not buy used games, then more power to them. They have to think though, will people go for what's available or for what's the cheapest? Either this idea works and places like Gamestop take a major hit to their used games market, or EA loses a lot of money to people who will say fuck their online play modes. Either way is ok with me.

[Kane Knight]

Gamestop says they're behind this. I doubt they'd publicly support it if they didn't think they could make money off it.

[Ermaximus]

Gamestop says they're behind this. I doubt they'd publicly support it if they didn't think they could make money off it.

They'll back it until customers start getting pissed that they have to end up spending more money on a used copy than a new one.

"What? I have to spend $54.99 on the used copy of Madden 2011 and then spend another $10 online just to get the code to play franchise mode with my boys? Fuck that man."

[Kane Knight]

Honestly, I have trouble picturing this hurting either Gamestop or EA. I think it's most likely that the consumer ends up the only losers. Especially for the 360 user, since they're already paying fifty bucks a year for online and it's now effectively premium (I know, new buyers get a voucher, but that doesn't really change it so much as turn the premium into a retail incentive).

And, especially, since this is not likely to be the end of it.

[Ermaximus]

Honestly, I have trouble picturing this hurting either Gamestop or EA. I think it's most likely that the consumer ends up the only losers. Especially for the 360 user, since they're already paying fifty bucks a year for online and it's now effectively premium (I know, new buyers get a voucher, but that doesn't really change it so much as turn the premium into a retail incentive).

And, especially, since this is not likely to be the end of it.

Good point KK. Again I say, I'm glad I don't play EA sports games.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

The only time this will hurt me is when I buy one of the NCAA football games, which I do about every other year. Plus, I can get it cheaper from Gamefly then I can through Gamestop used.

I wonder how this will work with Gamefly though, since when you buy something from Gamefly, this send you the case, and everything in it unused. Basically, I wonder if the vouchers will be time sensitive.

Also, while I'm not a huge fan of this idea, it is smarter than some of the other ideas I've heard, like having to pay money for later stages of the game.

[Kane Knight]

The only time this will hurt me is when I buy one of the NCAA football games, which I do about every other year. Plus, I can get it cheaper from Gamefly then I can through Gamestop used.

I wonder how this will work with Gamefly though, since when you buy something from Gamefly, this send you the case, and everything in it unused. Basically, I wonder if the vouchers will be time sensitive.

Also, while I'm not a huge fan of this idea, it is smarter than some of the other ideas I've heard, like having to pay money for later stages of the game.

The vouchers will be time sensitive, but most of them last a year, so it's hard to argue this will hurt people. The beautiful thing abotu a yearly franchise is if you're waiting a whole year, the prior game is probably dirt cheap and you can afford to pay an extra ten if it is expired.

Of course, purchasers of the game new might not think of that, and Gamefly users might not either.

[Kalyx triaD]

I buy new so.....................................................................................

[D Mac]

I usually only play regular Franchise modes anyway.

[Kane Knight]

I buy new so.....................................................................................

And that's the way they get away with reducing quality. They get a bunch of retards to say "I got mine, so fuck you!"

[Kalyx triaD]

I don't think this will change much. Most people buy new so yeah... "I got mine, so fuck you." While some of you were bitching at me for apparently 'not understanding how business works' when I had my qualms with certain corporate moves, it's funny that I'm the corporate cock-sucker who doesn't care about quality now.

Fuck off.

[.44 Magdalene]

As someone who works for a game retailer, I can hear the bitching already

[.44 Magdalene]

In fact, I think I can literally smell customers complaining.

[BigDaddyCool]

I'm the corporate cock-sucker who doesn't care about quality now.

Which is why you cream your pants over swinging tits in fighting games, and bayonetta and what ever commersialized piece of shit that comes out.

[.44 Magdalene]

To be fair, Bayonetta was actually pretty good

[Kane Knight]

I don't think this will change much.

because you're a retard. :)

[Kalyx triaD]

"We'll see."

[Kane Knight]

To be fair, Bayonetta was actually pretty good

It was well-received, but I'd hardly call it good.

Unless it's in the "60s Batman, so terrible it's charming" sense, in which case I still think it's shitty, but I can at least see that.

[Kalyx triaD]

Which is why you cream your pants over swinging tits in fighting games, and bayonetta and what ever commersialized piece of shit that comes out.

Bayonetta, the best action game evars?

Oh wait, you own a Wii.

[BigDaddyCool]

To be fair, Bayonetta was actually pretty good

Meh, but the point I'm making is that Kylax reposts games specs and marketing campiagns for games here. Go into a random thread kylax started in the video game forum. The first 2 or 3 replies will be from him updating the status of the game in progress, show sprites from the game, screen shots, and answer questions no one asked about the game. Sounds like a corprate whore to me.

[Kane Knight]

"We'll see."

We'll see on the further erosion of consumer rights.

You're still retarded.

[Kalyx triaD]

LOL

The both of you.

[BigDaddyCool]

Bayonetta, the best action game evars?

Oh wait, you own a Wii.

Only a corprate whore would use the "You own a wii, so what do you know about games?" line. Is Sony at least paying you?

[Kalyx triaD]

Only a corprate whore would use the "You own a wii, so what do you know about games?" line. Is Sony at least paying you?

That would be darkpower. I'm under contract with Acclaim.

[Kane Knight]

LOL

The both of you.

Right, you have no argument. Check.

[alvarado52]

Is the Wii your only system? If it is, i feel bad for you...but you must be a hit with the kids.

[BigDaddyCool]

Is the Wii your only system? If it is, i feel bad for you...but you must be a hit with the kids.

No, I have an X-Box 360 as well.

[alvarado52]

ANYWAY, the only game i play online sports wise is NBA2k, so i got little to worry about, but do you think theyll cut you off from the roster updates and what not? Im not sure how Madden does roster updates anymore, but in nba2k10 it checks and downloads them on the splash screen.

[Kane Knight]

No, I have an X-Box 360 as well.

Now all you need is internet at home.

Bastard.

[BigDaddyCool]

Yeah, and a new wireless router, gave mine to my parents so they could get netflix on their bluray player.

[Kane Knight]

ANYWAY, the only game i play online sports wise is NBA2k, so i got little to worry about, but do you think theyll cut you off from the roster updates and what not? Im not sure how Madden does roster updates anymore, but in nba2k10 it checks and downloads them on the splash screen.

Since they're still talking free DLC, I'm betting roster updates are still on the table. It looks like they're only shutting down free access to online.

Though I wouldn't be surprised to see more on the chopping block, especially if this doesn't provide them what they think they're entitled.

[Kane Knight]

Yeah, and a new wireless router, gave mine to my parents so they could get netflix on their bluray player.

You should be able to access it from the basement.

You still do all your gaming there, right?

[Kalyx triaD]

Right, you have no argument. Check.

I made my argument and you posted nothing that would be considered a 'turn'. Just more "big business = evil" rhetoric. Where was this bravado when the same EA shut down their NFL competitors? Oh yeah, you don't play football games so "I got mine, fuck you."

I've played watchdog before while you people either told me to calm the fuck down or played my thought off as ridiculous. Now I'm the corporate mouthpiece. Funny how the switch occurs in a case where people are coerced into buying games new. I seem to recall mass bitching over a certain thread covering game piracy. Hmmm....................

Fact: The average price-cut for games are 5$ - 10$. EA aims to get that money one way or another.

Fact: You can just wait for the price to drop again in the future, whereas the 'DLC' may not drop, you could subtract the price via time.

Fact: Because of fact two, gamers still have a choice in the matter. It's not terribly convenient, but nobody is forcing you.

Ya know... the way EA's NFL deal did. These events don't hold a candle to past actions by EA, Activision, Microsoft, Ubisoft, fucking SONY. Don't bitch because you have to pony up or wait. At least there's an alternative.

Pathetic. Goodbye.

[Droford]

I play sports games like Quick Hit Football and Goal Line Blitz. Both are sort of free, though I have coughed up maybe 20 bucks over almost 2 years on GLB for boosts. I just started on QHF, which is sort of more comparable to online play with EA.

Someone should do a good online baseball game like those.

[BigDaddyCool]

You should be able to access it from the basement.

You still do all your gaming there, right?

Apartment over the seperate garage, don't get the greatest reception there.

[Kane Knight]

I made my argument

nothing of substance.

Just more "big business = evil" rhetoric

False. Come on, I'd expect you to at least not make up my argument.

Where was this bravado when the same EA shut down their NFL competitors?

I don't think you meant "bravado."

Oh yeah, you don't play football games so "I got mine, fuck you."

Again, false.

I don't play football games so it slipped under my radar, yes. to claim any more, to claim, for example, "I got mine, so fuck you" is to misrepresent.

Of course, you're full of that, aren't you?

I've played watchdog before while you people either told me to calm the fuck down or played my thought off as ridiculous.

Examples? Were "us people" actually involved? Like say, me? BDC?

Now I'm the corporate mouthpiece. Funny how the switch occurs in a case where people are coerced into buying games new.

Actually, coercion seems to be a big thing there. Notice how I didn't complain about Rock Band 2 or the Export codes for the Guitar Hero series or Mass Effect 2--all games I've purchased, by the way.

I'm betting you didn't mean to use the word coerce. However, it's gone from incentive to coersion, and there's the problem. As it was, there was no problem. And then the terms changed.

I seem to recall mass bitching over a certain thread covering game piracy. Hmmm....................

Now you're trying to artificially correlate the two.

Fact: The average price-cut for games are 5$ - 10$. EA aims to get that money one way or another.

Fact: You can just wait for the price to drop again in the future, whereas the 'DLC' may not drop, you could subtract the price via time.

Fact: Because of fact two, gamers still have a choice in the matter. It's not terribly convenient, but nobody is forcing you.

Pretty weak "facts." Those arguments don't hold much water in favor of whether or not this is right. They do sound like specious reasoning from a corporate apologist though, in the same post you get offended by such a claim.

These events don't hold a candle to past actions by EA, Activision, Microsoft, Ubisoft, fucking SONY

Once again, arguing others have done worse doesn't make this correct.

Don't bitch because you have to pony up or wait.

I'm not, you moron. I've clearly demonstrated it doesn't affect me. You've even cited that yourself. No wonder you spazzed out and are saying "Good-Bye." Your whole argument hinges on things you know I'm not saying.

[Kane Knight]

Apartment over the seperate garage, don't get the greatest reception there.

*insert Kano joke*

[Funky Fly]

It was well-received, but I'd hardly call it good.

Unless it's in the "60s Batman, so terrible it's charming" sense, in which case I still think it's shitty, but I can at least see that.

Storyline was so reminiscent of 60s Batman cheese that I was sure I saw a "Biff!" and "Zang!" from time to time. Gameplay was pretty fun tho.

As long as they keep the vouchers in the new copies (something I can see them doing away with, sadly) there isn't a problem here. While I've stated time and again that sports titles should be every other year, the trade off has been that most of them have been generally cheaper than non-sports titles.

[.44 Magdalene]

To jump on this a bit better, the funny part about it is that only the consumer is really suffering at all. If Gamestop has trouble pushing as many used sports titles because of this, they can make the money up by giving less for trades on said titles, or by charging more for the used titles when they hit the shelves. Gamestop could easily avoid losing a dime from this if they balance the books right.

Meanwhile, there's plenty of people who only get their sports title of choice off the Pre-Owned rack, many of which aren't going to research ahead of time just how fucked they are by doing so. Gamestop still makes its money, EA makes its money from new and used alike now, and Johnny Buysused across the street gets the shaft while both corporations laugh it up.

[Johnny McNasty]

The big problem I have with this is the big fuck you to people who like to rent games. Why should I shill out ten bucks for a code that allows me to play online, when I have no plans of keeping the game past the return date. I don't play many sports games anyways so no biggie really, but I don't like the way this could affect other titles.

Then again my local rental place are pretty stupid. They never check the game cases for any free promotional codes or what not. Like when GTA IV came out with the free monthly, me and a buddy cleaned up at our local rent shop. We walked away with a free year of X box live for the both of us.

[.44 Magdalene]

Hell, nevermind renting it--if I let my roommate borrow my game (let's say for 360 so it's funnier) and he puts it in his god damn system that he god damn paid for a god damn XBox Live Gold account for, he still has to pay another ten fucking dollars to take it online.

It's fucking silly.

[.44 Magdalene]

Past that seven day mark, that is. Assuming I didn't let a friend borrow it or something already, totally blowing that "free trial."

[Kane Knight]

To jump on this a bit better, the funny part about it is that only the consumer is really suffering at all.

Agreed. Though I already said it, I can't imagine Gamestop actually taking a loss off of this. People are arguing that it hurts the used market, but I'm having trouble seeing Gamestop just smiling and taking it on the chin. This will be passed on to the consumers in same way, and again, I think that's why Gamestop is openly supporting it.

Hell, nevermind renting it--if I let my roommate borrow my game (let's say for 360 so it's funnier) and he puts it in his god damn system that he god damn paid for a god damn XBox Live Gold account for, he still has to pay another ten fucking dollars to take it online.

It's fucking silly.

It is, but they've wanted to stop game swapping, lending, etc. for years, so I don't think they care. You want to lend it to your friend, he pays ten bucks for the "right" to use the online service for more than 7 days. So I'm pretty sure they feel they've won. Assuming, of course, people buy it.

[Kalyx triaD]

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/9/2010/05/500x_uu4ke.jpg

[D Mac]

Man I wish NFL 2k would come back. :(