After saw the success of Project ten dollars, EA introduces Online Passes to its game. Basically this is the next after Project ten dollars that EA implemented in Battlefield Bad Company 2, which require you to input the redeemable code that available when you buy the new copy.
So what is Online Passes? According to Joystiq, "Online Pass" will be title specific that enables access to "online services, features, and bonus content." If the code has already been redeemed (i.e. if you bought the game used) additional Online Passes will be available for (you guessed it!) ten dollars. Each game will include a seven-day free trial.
So what does it mean really? It means that for people who buy used game, they will be forced to spend 10 dollars for online play. Not just bonus content like in BC 2, but the entire Online play mode!
I can understand that development cost this generation cost a lot, with servers for online play and everything, publisher really trying hard to get maximal return for their games. But games are also expensive hobby. Many gamers out there don't have resources available to buy new games all the time. Pre owned games will help brand recognition as more and more people will play that game.
This Online Passes thing is a bit harsh to punish people with relatively lower income in my opinion. I think EA should consider this through and find the right balance.
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Come on! Don't be mad! All they're trying to do is to make PC gaming impossible! (or at least legitimate PC gaming impossible) Nothing to be mad at them for.
ReplyDeleteand it is a significant blow to pre owned game industry.
ReplyDeleteNah, It's just PC, you can still buy used games for your consoles, nothing's changed in those parts.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, they're trying to increase sales on PC, but it won't happen. It'll just make PC gamers mad, and they'll start pirating more to show that "EA can't stop them".
The success with Battlefield BC2, can't be transformed to other games. BC2 was a AAA title, so everyone wanted to have a new copy. You have to measure the success with those games that are not good enough to buy new. some sites encourage their audience to "rent" these games before buying. This system will only damage those games and make the gap between AAA titles and other games wider.
I think they've got no idea how to stop people from pirating, so they're doing whatever that comes to their minds.
IMO The only way to stop pirating, is educating. I think I'm gonna write an article about piracy in my blog, since I've been thinking about it a lot lately.
I think Online passes is implemented in console, so if you are buying a pre owned game, without paying $10, you'll be locked out from online play.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to look on how publisher make an effort to increase the sales of their title. And somehow it is getting ridiculous at some point.
Nah, Microsoft won't let that happen, it will ruin XBOX-LIVE. people can't play XBOX-LIVE with pirated copies anyway. SONY will copy Microsoft not to stay behind in the Online aspect from microsoft.
ReplyDeleteThe reason that publishers do stupid stuff with PC is that no one is supporting it. In fact microsoft tries to lower the sales on PC so people would buy their console. It's all stupid.
But don't worry, it won't happen on consoles.
Geze it already happen with upcoming Tiger Woods 11 I think.
ReplyDeleteThe online pass will punish people who buys original used games. And it will be a sports games that EA targeting right now.
ReplyDeleteI see. In that case, EA's plans will definitely fail. I have to see what XBOX-LIVE and PSN have to say for this. (Specially XBOX-LIVE, 'cause if all the publishers start copying EA, then customers start asking themselves: "If we have to pay for online play, then what was that XBOX-LIVE I just bought for???" That's bad news for LIVE since it will damage their reputation, and less people will be wanting to pay for something they can't actually use. (Cause people buy LIVE to play online, remember? offline can be done with no LIVE))
ReplyDeleteYes, some people already spoken about it. If they buy used games, not only they pay for Xbox LIVE, they also need to spend additional $10. It's like you are buying a used car, buy you have to pay in order to actually drive it.
ReplyDeleteexactly.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, it's like paying people to buy a used car, paying people for using the streets, and they still ask you to pay some more to let you drive the car you bought on the streets you paid to use!
ReplyDeletehahaha well said!!
ReplyDelete