Rest in peace, EA's Online Pass program

According to EA senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg, as of today, the company’s Online Pass program is no more.

[NYC_Gamer]

That's good news coming from EA

[a_bro]

too good to be true, especially from EA

[HammadTheBeast]

I have a feeling this might be something stupid.... like Multi player/Single Player separate or Premium Packs with built in online passes.

I've grown wary of EA after their BS.

[zeal0us]

Yeah I wouldn't get my hopes up just yet and if it is true, I pretty sure EA will come up with a alternative that work similar to online passes later on down the road.

[badz149]

Looks like they have found another way to rip us off! ...something bad is coming guys, and it will start with BF4! Get ready for impact!

[NeverEnding1989]

Let's hope SONY follows EA's footsteps and gets rid of this greedy feature. Good move, EA.

[nukeitall]

I really dislike the online pass, because it never added anything. Was just purely an extra cost and a limited access.

Now, if they had online pass similar to season passes I would be all down for that. Ideally though for both publishers and gamers, they should just raise the price and give us more content overall.

More map packs and so on for everyone that has access to new or used game, but the cost can be a modest $5 above what we pay now.

I hate it when developers split the community with DLC especially the multiplayer type.

[JBallerX]

A lot of negative responses on here. This is good news! I understand being wary of EA because of their past, but until we hear something else, this is great news! We have no idea if they are going to implement something in the future or not. No point in speculating (or assuming) that they will. The time to get upset is if they announce some other form of gouging in the future, but this is great for now. I'm sure I'll get disagrees to this...but I don't care.

[ThanatosDMC]

More DLCs that are actually the whole game cut into pieces.

[ziggurcat]

@ nukeitall:

you're only half right.

you're correct in that the online pass doesn't really add anything, but it only has an extra cost if you are the type of person who only buys used copies of video games. if you never buy used or if you buy used and don't give a **** about multiplayer, then it costs you $0 extra.

[abzdine]

this only means more and more like me are boycotting their games so in the end they lost more money than they thought they would be earning from this online pass fee.

good news indeed

[Army_of_Darkness]

” Reseburg said. “We’ve listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward.”

Finally doing something none-greedy for once. My stance into not ever buying an online pass helped make a difference;-) yeah baby!

[guitarded77]

"Rest in peace" my ass... More like "BURN IN HELL ONLINE PASS".

They know they can make more money off DLC if MP is free for even used game sales.

[Awesome_Gamer]

Good move by EA.

[coolbeans]

Certainly a good start. Now to clean up just about everything else.

[Root]

I think with them looking for a new CEO after John Riccitiello and the fact we have a brand new gen coming up this would be the perfect time for the new guy, when he's made CEO, to fix this company.

If I was taking over from John Riccitiello and knew the amount of hate the company gets from gamers I would want to turn the company around to restore it's rep. That means stop restricting devs, allow freedom, stop cutting content and selling it as DLC etc

No more online passes is a step in the right direction but they still have a long way to go

[dasbeer88]

Your second paragraph can also be said to Microsoft too, except the John Riccitello part.

[redDevil87]

I'm sure they'll have something else in store.

Both next-gen consoles have the ability to block used games. I can see EA using it.

[kagon01]

Agreed, the PS4 has this abominable feature...

[aLucidMind]

Sony has already flat-out stated that the PS4 won't block used games. Because Sony isn't doing it, Microsoft won't either because that would essentially be handing their customers to their biggest competitor on a silver platter.

[DragonKnight]

This is just so they can look better for when they really bring out microtransactions.

[DOMination-]

Or always online drm. Just because neither console forces it doesnt mean a publisher cant do it. Sony said they can do what they want. Same with used games. The PS4 doesnt block them as a feature built in but publishers are free to do it. Same on xbox of course. People must learn this.

[DragonKnight]

@DOMination: Sony never said anything of the sort. There is no always-online DRM for the PS4. Sony's "always-on" is strictly for downloading updates or games and stuff like that. As for used games, Jack Tretton and Shuhei Yoshida confirmed that they will work on the PS4. If you're referring to that tidbit where Yoshida mentioned that it was up to publishers when it comes to online registration, everyone believes that that is just a continuation of the already present online passes, which is a form of online registration.

So to reiterate. Used games will work on the PS4 and there will be no always-online DRM. Publishers will not be able to do whatever they want.

[MikeMyers]

@DragonKnight
"Publishers will not be able to do whatever they want."

Of course they can. In fact they already are.

http://www.ps3news.com/PS3-...

Sony also uses online passes so it will be interesting moving forward if they continue to support them and if it carries over to the PS4.

[showtimefolks]

EA get better, you control so many IP's that you should be making more money than any other publishers only of you care about few things

Stop trying to rip us off with online pass and micro transactions
Releasing games with always online
Also it would help gain profits if any and all games release by EA were really quality titles with a lot of polish

Army of two
Dead space 3

Both games could have used more interesting ideas and more time to really make both quality titles

Here is HOOING with a new GEN we get a new EA that cares about gamers as much as hey care about making money

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

EA is finally doing something right.

[B-radical]

So with battlefield 4 we will still need origin?

[Imalwaysright]

Great. Now Sony needs to do the same and MS must kill their giant online pass aka Live as well.

[coolbeans]

You mean Xbox Live Gold. Live is their online service altogether.

[kamakaz3md]

hah, the damage has already been done. Tho ea has alot of great games, I will not forget all the @ss raping they did to me in the past. And next gen consoles are a whole new story, so it could pick back up with some kind similar scheme.

[StraightPath]

greedy Sony and Ubisoft should follow too. Stupid they thought this will help increase sales..

[Bobby Kotex]

SO you like EA now? Next time I want people to like me, I'll continuously do something crappy and then stop, then everyone will like me.

[Blaze929]

could be an indication of what Sony/Microsoft may soon be announcing about there online services.

[Neoninja]

Can't believe I'm going to say this but, good job EA! Hopefully other publisher who do that online pass junk decide to dump it as well.

[antz1104]

I know, right? WOOOOOOOOOOT!!!

[irepbtown]

At least now we can buy used EA games and not worry about a pass :D

[animegamingnerd]

now hopefully companies like ubisoft, sony, warner brothers and anyone else who are dumb enough to think online passes are a good idea can do this too

[Lucreto]

I am surprised I thought it would go the other way more online passes.

One part says this is good of EA but another part says they might have always online instead or something worse.

[Alexander24]

Never thought I would say this but good going EA! I hope they keep on doing things like this.

Here's hoping other publishers follow suit.

[ihatetrolls]

EA: "We have now got rid of online passes. Instead, we are introducing the used game pass".

[B1663r]

I was thinking they would make BF4 online free to play. Now all you have to do is buy bullets....

[MikeyDucati1]

Very, very smart move. I was in a game store checking out games and this guy was on the fence about BLOPS 2 and BF3. I told him the differences between the two. I enjoy both but I like BF3 more so less arcadey feel and strategy involved, so I tried leaning him towards that purchase. He was interested until the clerk told him about the online pass thing (it was a used copy nonetheless). So after he learned that he could play BLOPS2 right out of the box online, he immediately picked BLOPS. Nothing wrong with BLOPS but I know plenty people who skipped EA products because of the online pass issue.

Or if they are getting rid of this...does this mean something else down the pipeline will come that equals the same thing in next gen? Who knows...

[MikeyDucati1]

You know Mike, you might have point about what's next.

Does this confirm that used games will not be played on the next gen? Why else would they suddenly agree to this when gamers were compliant with the format? Things that make you go hmmm

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

I don't get it, are you actually answering the questions you raised yourself? Patting yourself on the back? LOL

[eliteslaya13]

The future is looking ever brighter for EA. Now about those micro-transactions...

[animegamingnerd]

and day 1 DLC

[THamm]

micro-transactions thats the catch

[PygmelionHunter]

And still being butthurt about what happened with Nintendo... Origin... Lol, EA's such a joke nowadays. I blame DLC, turned them into greedy bastards.

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

EA had been greedy bastardas waaaay before DLCs. I remember people mad at 'em as far back as before PS2 was out.

[bluetoto]

"We’ve listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward."

I love the power of the consumer who votes with his/her wallet! I've passed on buying any game that came with one.

Can't try the MP without one? Oh well I guess I won't miss whatever it is you were offering, especially with so many other good games available. Good start EA, let's keep it going.

[RegorL]

Why have a $9 online pass when you can have $39 non transferable DLC?

[Supermax]

Making 160 million on battlefield premium dost hurt eather.glad they dropped it,but I think there working on other ways to make a profit ie more dlc wich isn't bad.lets all hope for battlefront 3 as well.

[Bhuahahaha]

too good to be true ><
what's the catch EA?

[Prodigy-X]

hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Conzul]

Hell hath frozen over.

[irepbtown]

Praise the lord!!!!

[nevin1]

I thought they made some money on this online pass system?

Or was it Sony?

[kagon01]

That's because they'll be able to sell you trough their Origin service with their co branded partners, also don't forget their micro transactions by selling incomplete products out of the box(DLC)...

[M-M]

Did I really just hear EA state this?

[animegamingnerd]

either they did or we all just might be going crazy

[moodgamer]

What? Is it a dream?

[andrewer]

Hell with the in peace

[Majin-vegeta]

I must be dreaming someone quick break a chair on me so i know it's real?
http://youtu.be/yqyixwqiCag

[PooEgg]

I will say that I am would be willing to give EA the benefit of the doubt, however it will take more then this to renew my faith. The online pass is just one thing in EA's long list of sins, how about we talk about:

1)Microtransactions in games that are not free to play.
2)Pulling content out of games to be sold as Day 1 DLC.
3)Buggy games that never get patched.
4)Forcing multi-player components into single player series,at the expense of the single player experience.
5)Repricing digital content, no matter if we are talking DLC or sims 3 store content, everything cost 25-50% more then it is really worth. Drop the prices and I am sure you will sell a lot more and make customers a lot happier.

I could go on an on... but sure Online Pass a step in the right direction, but why take a single step when you could go all in and it would earn a lot of good faith.

[Ashlen]

I'm inclined to believe this just means all future EA games will require an internet connection and need to be registered, like Sim City.

[duli14]

so that might be the catch.

[Gamer-Z]

One thing is certain EA didn't do this out of generosity.

[duli14]

ok so now its SONY's turn.

[CRASHBASHUK]

and ubisoft?

[sourav93]

Rest in peace? More like burn in hell...

[ACEMANWISE]

Let me get this straight. EA starts a trend that, in effect, causes the entire industry to charge more money for buying used...and now they're the good guys for backing out?

While I agree used games can hurt potential new game sales, I never felt that supporting the online mode for two years was enough service when 5-10 gamers paid "their share" to play online off the same copy. It would be a bit more understandable if the charge was for game access. At least it would be permanent. In this case it was access to a service, which requires maintenance.

[SeraphimBlade]

"Rest in peace, EA"
Holy crap, finally! Quick! Somebody buy the rights to Wing Commander! No! Never mind! I'll do it! Where do I-

"...'s online pass program"
... I uh... I guess that's cool too.

[r21]

Pretty good move on EA. Good to see that some gaming companies are paying attention to gamer feedback *cough*SE*cough*

[Harkins1721]

Its not greedy. Its to make sure some money goes towards developers. Dont like it? Buy the game new. Its thats easy.

[Slowbrosef]

What's even easier is stop with the sky high game budgets, make games fun to play and charge less for them.

Then maybe people wont rush to gamestop, I'd gladly buy a reasonably priced game brand new.

[Caffo01]

you don't have to buy a brand new game if you think it's too expensive... just wait for it to be cheaper. Nowadays games price drops in 3-4 months.
If you have to wait to buy it used you can also wait and buy it new when it's cheaper.

[Slowbrosef]

EA must be trying to appease the fans after the backlash it's been feeling recently.

[darkness625]

now all they have to do is mind their own business and let developers develop games properly and give a complete experience. and give proper dlc.

[BitbyDeath]

Online pass program gone, now introducing the offline pass program.

[Crazay]

Rest in Peace?!?

How about Rest in Hell with E.T. for the Atari.

[OC_MurphysLaw]

I like what I am reading but... I am fearful of what isn't being said by EA. Kinda like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[SonyNGP]

Good. It was never needed in the first place.
Take notes, Sony.

[Caffo01]

it is needed.
Too many ppl buy used games, not realizing they're killing their hobby/passion to save a few dollars.
Buying used games isn't different for developers from piracy. They don't earn any money. You can say you paid for it but you paid Gamestop or other retailers, not developers or publishers.

Less money for developers = less risks developing new games = less innovative games.

just think about it.

[madara0sama]

Don't listen to Ondore's lies!

[ginsunuva]

Wait it's not April 1st?!

[hazelamy]

well, that's good.
but with the way ea have been operating lately, i worry about what they might replace it with.

[Inception]

Wut the hell just happen with EA? Am i dreaming? Please, someone must slap my nuts so i can wake up! :P

[ZapFool]

My immediate thought is, OK great but we all know EA have a huge interest in micro transactions. If they grant easier access to online features by getting rid of the online pass, all it means is they can throw micro transactions in more people's faces to "benefit" players online.

[Dark_Overlord]

This is bad news! (in a way)

I suppose you're all thinking how the hell is that possible?

Easy, EA are just changing to implementing micro transactions into every game (they confirmed this themselves), why shaft the consumer for £7.99 etc when you can shaft them for £0.99 dozens of times...

[Kran]

EA: "We're getting rid of online passes"

*months later*

EA: "Our games will lock onto your consoles, meaning you can never sell your copy, so you're stuck with our games....... forever........"

[corrupted_sharingan]

EA must be thinking its April fools day today

[KumquatGOATBEEF]

Assuming this comes to fruition and that EA doesn't screw us over in other ways, game companies could learn something from this.

Here we have a game giant who has been losing a ton of money over the past year, saw one of the most dismal launches of a game franchise that has existed since the 80s (SimCity), and has gone through major restructuring and layoffs and you would think they would WANT to keep the online pass to generate more sales since, according to every game company out there, used games are hurting sales right?

So if a company that has had a bad year is giving up the online pass, that kind of says something about how important it is to sales. The online pass is just a scam.

[Shnooze]

I feel like they're going to have every game follow the sim city model now.

[linkenski]

EA: Listening to their playerbase since 2013

[aLucidMind]

It's definitely too good to be true; EA likely is going to implement a plan that is very similar to online passes or something more exploitative of their customers and try to feed us some PR BS about how it is more beneficial for anyone but themselves.

But, if this truly is indicative of a new leaf being turned, I gladly welcome them in trying to earn my money in the future.

[leahcim]

Rest in Pain stupid program, now I´m praying for the same for microtransactions

[Hayabusa 117]

Rest in peace? REST IN PEACE? Good riddance more like.

"I'd quite like to try Dead Space 2 online..."

"Wasdis? I need an online pass? But I borrowed it from my brother and he's used the code...screw it, I'll just play Modern Warfare 2 instead"

[Dogswithguns]

Don't worry about it people, get rid of the online pass... then something else to be blocked.. will see.

[kostchtchie_]

Rest in peace, EA's Online Pass program

yeah, next is hello all games ONLINE

[Enigma_2099]

Rrrrrrrrrriiiight. Cause I'm very sure they don't have ideas for something else to substitute for the Online Pass.

I hate to admit it, but a one time fee for online play doesn't sound that bad. Unless you have to pay it for EVERY game you buy from them used, in which case disregard everything I just said.

Publishers are just too greedy to embrace the simplest solution to used game sales. Price. Although anyone that thinks that GameStop's $5 difference is a deal is living in denial. Another solution for consumers is to simply not buy the games until the prices drop. Unfortunately, publishers and retailers sometimes are just stubborn.

"Price will not go down.
Now we play the waiting game.
Everyone loses."[/Zer0]

[Sideras]

Wow a rational choice from EA, I'm suprised. Keep going like that and I might forgive you.

[Th3 Chr0nic]

They say they got rid of it cause gamers didnt like it and they listen to feedback. Thats a load of BS, gamers were against this from the beginning and they did it anyway. it has everything to do with money and nothing to do with feedback. IF any feedback it was the type that comes from sales numbers and not gamers communication.

[YodaCracker]

Wha...? Is this a late April Fool's joke? If not, EA has gained back a bit of respect from me.

[listenkids]

Rot in hell*

[Bobertt]

They gonna add fingerprint recognition now lol.

[extermin8or]

Hmmm can't help but think this might be a bad thing... What are they replacing it with...maybe we'll find out next Wednesday about this.....

[sak500]

Prepare for Ads in game like they tried with BF 2142.

They probably saw how activision's making billions more than them without having online passes for their COD series. Now you follow you stupid F&(&Ks at ubisoft.

[Soldierone]

Rest in peace? More like die in hell lol

Either way, I smell something fishy. I'm not getting too excited about it because a company like EA never throws out money. No matter how small it is.

Either the backlash to it was massive and they got tired of it, or they have another way to steal money planned.

[ZBlacktt]

About time.... think of everytime you rented a game from RedBox, etc. You couldn't play the online at all. Such a very bad move. Where some Devs got it right. Let the players play and limit cap the players levels. So at least you'll know if you like it or not.

[iistuii]

If you buy your game new there isn't a problem.

[djthechamp24]

Now i can start buying used games again.

[MasterCornholio]

Death to online passes burn the sinners who implement them especially Microsoft for their yearly online pass.

DEATH TO ONLINE PASSES

[Jek_Porkins]

In the end I bet they weren't making that much money off the Online Passes, honestly if you're a hardcore gamer, you're going to buy Battlefield, FIFA and Madden new anyway, and if you buy them used, you probably weren't going to play online.

This is honestly a business move because of all the negative press lately, trying to earn back consumer confidence. Hard to tell if it'll work, but the gesture is nice.

[Getowned]

now if they can just get rid of origin and put their games back on steam, I would be even more happy.

[Codey47]

Might also mean that EA reserve the right to retire game servers quicker.
Can you imagine, for example, Battlefield 4's component having a year lifespan?

I wouldn't put it past EA to verbally bash their community with a rebuttal along the lines of "Well, you did complain about online passes. How else do you expect servers to be paid!"

[CourierSix]

Maybe EA can pull themselves from this hate hole they buried themselves in.