Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

EA Introduces "Online Pass" To Get In On Used Games Market

Posted by Soulskill on from the gee-thanks dept.

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.'"

1 of 223 comments (clear)

  1. Re:cheating the laws by FLEABttn · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Seems game companies like Ubisoft and EA are keen on sending more ammunition to ppl defending piracy to be used against them.

    To people who would have pirated anyways. You're not entitled to their game, no matter how bad of a deal it is. Their business failings don't forgive your moral failings.