• EA Sports Announces Online Pass

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    cdj
    Published on 05-10-2010 04:52 PM
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    Today, EA Sports announced Online Pass, an initiative to help encourage gamers to buy the game new while giving the company a way to make money off of used game sales. Currently, they receive nothing from sales of used titles. In 2008, 23% of GameStop's total annual revenue came from used software and hardware sales (over $2 billion), and used sales accounted for 48% of their total profit ($974.5 million). [Source] For comparison's sake, EA Sports reported net annual revenue of $4.2 billion in fiscal year 2008 and a $1.08 billion loss. Needless to say, any revenue from used game sales would be huge for the company.

    Starting with June's release of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 and continuing through the EA Sports '11 titles (including NCAA Football 11), brand new copies of the game will receive a code allowing the user to play online. Should you buy a used copy of the game, getting the code to play online will cost $10, though gamers can sign up for a free 7-day trial to experience Online Pass.

    While this announcement is likely to get met by extreme opposition from some in the sports gaming community, many "hardcore" sports gamers typically buy the game new and will not have to worry about purchasing Online Pass. With many users not avid online players, the 7-day pass may be enough to satisfy any online desire they may have. There is the belief by some that this may lead to a lower price-point for used EA Sports titles at stores such as GameStop who will also be selling the Online Pass.

    According to the EA Sports Online Pass website, the following features will be available for users who purchase a new copy of NCAA Football or purchase a used copy and buy Online Pass:

    • Recruiting Reports for use in Dynasty Mode
    • Twelve TeamBuilder Slots to download your custom teams for use in Play Now, Head-to-Head Online, Dynasty, and Online Dynasty Modes
    • Online Multiplayer Modes such as Online Play Now, Head-to-Head, Online Dynasty, and More**

    **Xbox LIVE Gold account also required to access online features.
    1. Categories:
    2. NCAA Football 11,
    3. EA SPORTS
    Comments 35 Comments
    1. steelerfan's Avatar
      steelerfan - 05-13-2010, 02:59 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by JBHuskers View Post
      Yeah what kills me is people think that EA is alienating everyone by doing this. No, they're not alienating anyone. Plus you get a WHOLE WEEK of a free online pass. You can still rent the game, and try it out. You like it, you buy it. You don't like it, it goes back. Simple as that.

      Right on brother. The people they're alienating are not their customers. They're Gamestop's.
    1. Kwizzy's Avatar
      Kwizzy - 05-13-2010, 06:23 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by steelerfan View Post
      Right on brother. The people they're alienating are not their customers. They're Gamestop's.
      That's been one of my main thoughts on this when people have said their just gonna piss people off... The only people they might piss off are people they weren't making money off of in the first place.

      I normally wait to buy Madden used & I will most likely buy it new now depending on reviews of the game. I am intrigued by the potential of this gameflow/gameplanning feature. Just smart business though.
    1. BlindRedBaron's Avatar
      BlindRedBaron - 05-13-2010, 11:07 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by cdj View Post
      I think a lot of the criticism is coming from people who aren't fully understanding what Online Pass is. 'Buy the game new and you don't need to buy Online Pass.' - People aren't getting that.

      Add in Peter Moore's blog where he says GameStop will be selling the Online Pass. That should indicate a lower price point for used EA Sports '11 titles at GameStop/EB, etc. They cannot (in good conscience at least) sell NCAA 11 used for $55 and then expect a person to pay for Online Pass, making a used title now cost more than a new version.

      I have to shake my head at how so many in this country now despise companies that make money. If EA could recoup some of the money lost on used game sales, maybe game quality would go up significantly. People don't seem to hold anything against GameStop who is pulling in profit hand over fist via their used game sales system, which many in the know may consider more shady than the Online Pass system.
      Definitely agreed on the lowering of the price point. I think a lot of people strongly against this overlook the fact that used game dealers (Gamestop in particular) will be forced to lower their prices of used EA games. It's a simple matter of pricing theory. To people who value online play, which I'll assume is a slight majority of people who buy used (definitely going out on a limb here), they will be unwilling to pay the typical high prices (50/55 dollar price tag) for used games. Demand shifts down, forcing Gamestop and other retailers to lower prices so they can actually move their inventory of used games.

      All in all, this is a great thread and great site. Great job guys!
    1. Rudy's Avatar
      Rudy - 05-14-2010, 10:54 AM
      Here's a good article on it: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/2...nline_Pass.php
    1. JBHuskers's Avatar
      JBHuskers - 05-19-2010, 11:23 PM
      So funny how "gaming fans" are not all up at arms for THQ doing the same thing for UFC 2010. But yet they were so quick to jump all over EA for doing it.
    1. JeffHCross's Avatar
      JeffHCross - 05-20-2010, 01:58 AM
      I've actually seen it worse. It seems like THQ is getting more lambasted, especially because their press release was absolute crap.

      EA also probably took the brunt since they were "first". And probably a lot of people are going either "Eh, they're just doing the same thing EA is ... it's EA's fault" OR "I wasn't planning to get that game anyway".
    1. Rudy's Avatar
      Rudy - 05-20-2010, 05:44 AM
      This article had some developers calling the selling of used games a problem bigger than piracy.

      http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...em-than-piracy
    1. JBHuskers's Avatar
      JBHuskers - 05-20-2010, 08:23 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by JeffHCross View Post
      I've actually seen it worse. It seems like THQ is getting more lambasted, especially because their press release was absolute crap.

      EA also probably took the brunt since they were "first". And probably a lot of people are going either "Eh, they're just doing the same thing EA is ... it's EA's fault" OR "I wasn't planning to get that game anyway".
      I'm was directing my comment in a particular direction lol
    1. xGRIDIRONxGURUx's Avatar
      xGRIDIRONxGURUx - 05-20-2010, 09:08 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by JBHuskers View Post
      I'm was directing my comment in a particular direction lol
      yet... he teases... even in casual conversation...

      i vote that we add this emoticon i made just for JB... Attachment 41

      "E"
    1. steelerfan's Avatar
      steelerfan - 05-20-2010, 10:12 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by PISTOLxCOACH View Post
      yet... he teases... even in casual conversation...

      i vote that we add this emoticon i made just for JB... Attachment 41

      "E"
      That emoticon needs a short skirt and some silicone to be truly representative of the situation.
    1. JeffHCross's Avatar
      JeffHCross - 05-20-2010, 10:38 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by JBHuskers View Post
      I'm was directing my comment in a particular direction
      At first, when you posted the same thing in the other thread, I thought you meant a particular poster here.

      Now I know better.

      Amusingly, the thread on EASportsFans about Online Pass is titled "Good business strategy, EA!". And, at least the original poster, was being sincere. The dichotomy is amazing when you look across the community.
    1. JBHuskers's Avatar
      JBHuskers - 05-20-2010, 10:39 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by JeffHCross View Post
      At first, when you posted the same thing in the other thread, I thought you meant a particular poster here.

      Now I know better.

      Amusingly, the thread on EASportsFans about Online Pass is titled "Good business strategy, EA!". And, at least the original poster, was being sincere. The dichotomy is amazing when you look across the community.
      Yeah it's predictably quiet on another site in regards to THQ....I mean ZERO posts had been made as of yesterday bitching about THQ who is doing it a WEEK before the game releases as opposed to closer to a month.
    1. cdj's Avatar
      cdj - 12-04-2011, 12:45 AM
      From Joystiq:

      EA: Online Pass can expire for new-game purchases, but it shouldn't

      A NeoGAF member posited that his new copy of EA's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit contained an Online Pass that was expired, blocking him from accessing online content -- others on the forum came forward with similar stories, suggesting that EA's disclaimer covers this clause and he was out of luck. Since blocking new-game purchasers from using online content seems like an unproductive move (even) for EA, we asked an EA Advisor for clarification on its Online Pass expiration policy.

      EA's Online Pass can indeed expire for some new games, blocking buyers out of online content until they download a new pass or attain one from EA directly, EA confirmed to Joystiq. As a rule, no Online Pass should expire, but a few titles will have a time limit on their use, even for new purchases, EA said. Dragon Age 2, for example, has an Online Pass that expires on March 31, 2012, according to EA's EULA description. Re-downloading or getting a new Pass is free, EA said.

      This still seems like a strange extra step for EA to infuse in its new games, and we have contacted EA more directly for further clarification. Until then, maybe you shouldn't wait until the holiday tear the shrinkwrap off that copy of Dead Space 2.
    1. morsdraconis's Avatar
      morsdraconis - 12-04-2011, 05:34 AM


      Just keep on digging it deeper EA.

    1. cdj's Avatar
      cdj - 12-05-2011, 09:48 PM
      An update. The earlier report was incorrect:

      Electronic Arts has told Shacknews that 'Online Pass' codes, which are included in select games giving users access to multiplayer components and additional bonuses, are not intended to expire. The publisher says it will work to resolve any issues players have with invalid codes.

      Last week, members of the gaming forum NeoGAF noted that one-use codes included in copies of Need for Speed Hot Pursuit were no longer valid, leading some to speculate the codes had an unadvertised expiration date. An earlier report suggested unused codes will expire over time; however, EA tells Shacknews that report was incorrect, saying "as long as EA's servers support that product" included codes should not expire.


      The EA spokesperson told Shacknews: "EA Online Pass codes for first-purchase games do not expire as long as EA’s servers support that product. Customer service is our top priority – anyone encountering a problem redeeming an Online Pass for an EA game should contact EA Customer Support at 866-543-5435 for assistance."

      Shacknews informed EA that users are still encountering issues with replacement codes, but the publisher maintains continued contact with customer service will resolve the issue. "[Users encountering issues] should continue to contact customer support," the spokesperson said. "As long as the game is still supported by EA servers, customer support is able to provide valid replacement codes that will work."
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