[Kalyx triaD]

Electronic Arts' experiment to dissuade users from buying used games seems to be working, at least initially, for two of its sports games released this year. The publisher noted during its Q1 fiscal earnings call this afternoon that the number of online customers who played Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 and NCAA Football 11 and redeemed the Online Pass reached over 60 percent. "We are pleased to see 60 to 70 percent of online connected users redeeming the code," said COO John Schappert. "The level of online play amongst our user base is up from last year, and revenue from paid downloadable content is also up." EA plans to incorporate the Online Pass, a one-time use code, with the majority of its sports titles going forward. All games purchased new come with the pass, however, if purchased used or if the code has already been entered, users much then purchase a pass for $10 to gain access to multiplayer features. EA says, for right now, it's still too early to tell how the Online Pass has affected revenue from new and used sales. "It's too early to tell," Schappert added. "What we are encouraged by is we are seeing more people play online on both of those titles, so it's certainly is not holding them back." "We think the extra gift, if you will, when you activate your online pass is driving some of that adoption."

I imagine EA and Activision laughs when the stats make mockery of the loud detractors to their controversial decisions.