EA Sports MMA News Post

EA Shutting Down MMA Servers on April 13th, Online Pass Users Affected, Is it Fair?

12:32 AM - March 20, 2012 by Steve_OS

Due to lack of activity, there are quite a few game servers shutting down on April 13th. EA Sports MMA is one of the games included on the list, which might raise a few eyebrows.

The game has been out for roughly a year and a half and required an Online Pass for multiplayer. Anyone buying a used copy, had to cough up another $10.00 to access the feature.

Is it fair to the consumer to shut down online services for a game that is roughly 18 months old?

Below is a list of games that will be affected.

April 13, 2012 -- Online Services Shutdown

BOOM BLOX Bash Party for Wii
Burnout� Revenge for Xbox 360
EA Create for PC, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360
EA Sports Active 2.0 for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360
EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp for Wii
FIFA 10 for PlayStation Portable and Wii
The Godfather� II for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
MMA for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Need for Speed� ProStreet for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
The Saboteur� (loss of The Midnight Club access) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Spare Parts for PlayStation 3 Xbox 360

March 31, 2012 -- Online Services Shutdown

BATTLEFIELD� 3: Aftershock for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
Fantasi Safari for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
Ghost Harvest for iPhone

Game: EA Sports MMAReader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 5 - View All

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Member Comments

# 1 gigadkc @ 03/20/12 07:26 AM

do I think it's fair? No. I love EA's MMA but there are never more than 10-20 players online (on PS3) so I see why they shut down the servers. It's sad because I like the game more than the UFC games.

# 2 jkra0512 @ 03/20/12 09:16 AM

That's a fundamental problem with the the Online Pass, you run the risk of not getting full value. I'm not an online gamer by any means, but I feel for online gamers. In this day and age, you have to support the things you love, whether it be financially or just being online playing the game constantly. In this case, EA already made their money and no one is showing up anymore. Costs money to keep those servers online...completely understand their decision, still stinks for those people.

# 3 woodjer @ 03/20/12 12:12 PM

I wondered about this type of thing when the Online Pass idea was announced. I'm pretty sure that it says somewhere that EA reserves the right to discontinue online service. I think they're supposed to give a certain amount of notice but they seem to be covered legally. Is it fair? If you look at it similar to a subscription, sure. $10 for 18 months of service comes out to just over 50c/month so I'm inclined to at least say that it's not unfair enough to complain about. That said, it's not sold as a "subscription" so they should consider refunding money to anyone that purchased the pass for that game within the last 3-6 months since they did so believing that the service would be available for a longer period of time. Doubt that would happen but that's my opinion.

# 4 GuyinPA75 @ 03/20/12 12:38 PM

I've always been against the online pass and always thought it was a complete ripoff. When I go buy a used car and go to drive it off the lot, there is not a $200 code I have to insert into the dashboard to make the car run.

Best thing to do is not only voice your concern to EA but stop buying games that support this sort of "Pure Greed". That is what it is. Pure and simple. Greed. And best way to support it, is to stop buying the games that have online codes. There have been many games that I never played due to online codes. I am not going to support that type business practice. Homefront was a game I did not buy soley of the Online Pass, I had fun during the online trial period. Would have purchased the game if no Online Pass. Way the game did not sell, think lot of other people felt the same as me.

Dumb thing on companies like EA that do this -- they lose lot of other and easy money. Like Mass Effect 2 and 3 I never purchased the DLC. I would have bought the DLC and played it, but to charge me $10 for just the mere privilege to "download" the DLC, forget you. You lost my money to even buy more of the game.

Bottom line: Online Pass Codes are very bad practices and is only fustrating players to not want the product.

# 5 MMurda @ 03/20/12 01:10 PM

guess ill never get that achvmt for having all the online belts for each class. only had the lightweight left but nobody barely chose those classes. this sux. im a gamer that has a extensive library. i kinda run around a rotation. but then i like to spice it up and revisit games i havent played in awhile. this was one i wanted to play again just to get that belt i need. its almost like i feel i have to play a game constantly before servers get shutdown. esp if its a yearly release.

i think this is bad for MMA because there isnt gonna be a MMA 2 to take over. we're just left out in the cold. they could easily run this game on very few servers since its not a ton of players like a COD or Battlefield. reallocate a few servers from the crappy games on the list and continue support.

i primarily buy all games new. my new to used ratio is like 85% new 15% used. but i still dislike online pass regardless cuz its totally unnecessary. if u put out good product...most will buy new on release anyway. they still got a good cash grab with dlc to get money from late comers who buy used. put out quality titles and quality dlc and you will make ur money.

# 6 jyoung @ 03/20/12 02:59 PM

2K Sports maintains online servers for all of their games that don't have sequels (All Pro Football, College Hoops, NHL 2K, etc.).

I don't see why EA can't adopt the same policy.

It makes sense to drop the servers for Madden 09 or FIFA 08, but not for a game like MMA that has no direct sequel.

# 7 elgreazy1 @ 03/20/12 03:34 PM

Perfectly stated wEEman. I'm STILL playing APF2K8 to this day with plenty of friends.

EA is simply doing what big corporations do: make that money, even if it is on the backs of it's customers. Online Pass is a complete sham, but I understand why it was implemented: to make money off the millions of copies of yearly-throwaway sports games which are traded in within weeks upon release. Its really unfair to the sports gamer who has to purchase a new game each season simply for a glorified roster update and minimal game updates - this goes for nearly ALL sports games from any developer - and then you couple the fact that these games have even less shelf life due to Online Pass fees and server shut-downs.

Sports gamers get it the worst, yet we continue to bend over backwards to accomodate.

# 8 DaveDQ @ 03/20/12 03:50 PM

I think it's fair, but I think what really is sad is that the online feature set for EA MMA was borderline perfect and no one really looks to it for vision in other games. I'm sure some had hiccups in online play, but whoever brainstormed the ideas for EA MMA online deserves a pat on the back.

Think about how much sense the fight card made and then how much a compliment to gamers the Live Broadcast was. I had some great times in the online fight card.

Setting up a spectator mode for a sports game. You would think we'd see this several times over by now, but this game nailed it to me and hopefully was a pioneer of what is to come.

# 9 ManiacMatt1782 @ 03/20/12 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveDQ


	I think it's fair, but I think what really is sad is that the online feature set for EA MMA was borderline perfect and no one really looks to it for vision in other games. I'm sure some had hiccups in online play, but whoever brainstormed the ideas for EA MMA online deserves a pat on the back. Think about how much sense the fight card made and then how much a compliment to gamers the Live Broadcast was. I had some great times in the online fight card. Setting up a spectator mode for a sports game. You would think we'd see this several times over by now, but this game nailed it to me and hopefully was a pioneer of what is to come.

Online Fight card is bar none the best multiplayer mode ever created. God that first night with the game, and the sheer reactions from that one punch ko. Then setting up cards with friends, and actually watching your friends fights. Sheer awesomeness.

# 10 jyoung @ 03/20/12 04:08 PM

Are there even any other sports games with an online spectator mode? I can't think of any.

For some reason, spectator mode has only caught on in fighting games.

# 11 mhanson93 @ 03/20/12 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wEEman33


	Are there even any other sports games with an online spectator mode? I can't think of any. For some reason, spectator mode has only caught on in fighting games.

You can watches races in Forza, I believe...

# 12 GuyinPA75 @ 03/20/12 06:17 PM

I still take the stance of stop buying games that have Online Pass codes, go to forums of the game, voice you are not buying for that reason.

Granted you will still have the typical 10 year old (or the maturity of one) saying "don't buy it no one will miss you". Yet, if the sales are missed. Someone WILL miss you. And it WILL change.

Let�s be honest, the Online Pass is a complete, total, utter, pathetic ripoff to games and customers.

But they say ohhhh, we do this cause we have to. We have to make money. Ohhhh, this is what must be done. WE NEED MONEY!

Want to make money? Pretty simple. Make a good game and people WILL play it. CHARGE us to play it AFTER we BOUGHT it and people will skip it. It is proven repeatedly, a solid business strategy is -- make a good product. It is really just that easy. Ray Kinsella be first to tell you he learned �build it, and they will come�.

Let us breakdown this simple business practice of having and making a good product. If you keep saying, WE NEED MONEY! Then go about making it happen.

John goes to a game store, picks up a new game, and is having a blast with it. He wants his friends to play. But no one wants to put down money on a game with no history behind it, nor do they want to PAY $10 for the �privilege� to PLAY the game they JUST BOUGHT. But John talks to let�s say, for this conversation, 8 friends. Only one of those friends buys. So game + online pass is $70.

Say John plays that same great new game. He thinks it�s great and is having a blast. John says to his friend, hey Tim, you really got to play this game. Tim is, well I'm not sure it�s a new game with no history, it might suck. John retorts, the game is solid. After several weeks Tim does buy the game. Being not sure, he does buy it used to play with John. Once again lets stress the used factor. Tim buys it used.

Well Tim likes it. And he talks Joe into playing it too.

Then Robert.

Then Jason.

Then Mike.

Then Jose.

Then Ryan.

Then Howard.

So we have John who bought the game first. So there is one copy sold at $60. But John brought 8 other people to play and enjoy the game who would have avoided the game all together since buying a NEW game with ZERO history behind it was NOT their style or would have AVOIDED the game if they HAD to PAY $10 to play online.

Now we have a customer base here of 9 people. Next year, or when the next games comes out, it will still draw from that customer base. Now we have 9 sold at $60 for $540 versus the one sold at $60 and an Online Pass of $10 for $70. Call me crazy but if I'm running a business and I have a chance at $540 in sales versus $70, I'm taking the $540. Plus I just grew my customer base for the future cause IF that iteration of the game is good, when next year or the third sequel is out my numbers will grow again. This is a good thing. WE NEED MONEY!

Without the Online Scam, errrr, I mean Online Pass, you could argue that no money is being made off the used copies of games sold. Ok, I'll give you that. But look at the model there -- if they are not buying the game at all, you are NOT SELLING anyway. Good business will always be solid business growth. Plain and simple. Greed will get you nothing but a short product life.

Yes, Gordon Gekko said "Greed is good". But greed without growth is worthless. So while many will say "greed is good", I have to say "growth is grand". For without that growth you will eventually fall behind and to the wayside. When that happens, you will no longer be saying WE NEED MONEY!

You will be saying, WE NEED JOBS!

# 13 mcmax3000 @ 03/20/12 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyinPA75


	Homefront was a game I did not buy soley of the Online Pass, I had fun during the online trial period. Would have purchased the game if no Online Pass. Way the game did not sell, think lot of other people felt the same as me.

I could be wrong but I remember Homefront selling pretty well. Heck, it's getting a sequel so it must've sold a few copies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyinPA75


	Like Mass Effect 2 and 3 I never purchased the DLC. I would have bought the DLC and played it, but to charge me $10 for just the mere privilege to "download" the DLC, forget you. You lost my money to even buy more of the game.

I'm not sure I follow this one. Are you referring to the Cerberus Network in Mass Effect 2? If so, you don't have to pay & then pay extra. You pay for the Cerberus Network and then you get a bunch of extra content from it.

Yes, there is additional content beyond that which has a separate cost but that stuff doesn't require you to have paid for the Cerberus Network.

# 14 mcmax3000 @ 03/20/12 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyinPA75


	So game + online pass is $70.

If you're paying that, you're really getting ripped off because you're paying the exact same price for a used copy that you could be paying for a new copy that comes with the online pass at no additional cost.

# 15 GuyinPA75 @ 03/20/12 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcmax3000


	If you're paying that, you're really getting ripped off because you're paying the exact same price for a used copy that you could be paying for a new copy that comes with the online pass at no additional cost.

You really need to go back and read that entire post. Then you will see your comment really does fit in with what you are saying here.

# 16 GuyinPA75 @ 03/20/12 06:31 PM

And yes with Mass Effect I am 99.99999999999999% sure without Online Pass, you are not able to play the DLC you purchased.

Someone please confirm this for me?

# 17 mcmax3000 @ 03/20/12 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyinPA75


	And yes with Mass Effect I am 99.99999999999999% sure without Online Pass, you are not able to play the DLC you purchased. Someone please confirm this for me?

For Mass Effect 2, there are two types of DLC:

1) Cerberus Network. That's the "online pass". It gives you access to additional content. If you buy the game new, you get access to that content at no charge. If not, you have to pay for the Cerberus Network membership but the content you download does not have any additional costs once you have that membership.

2) Premium DLC. That content has no link to the Cerberus Network. You pay for each piece of content and you can play it regardless of whether or not you've redeemed the "online pass".

So, yes, there is some content that requires the online pass but it's not content that you have to pay extra for outside of the Cerberus Network pass.

I've played through all of ME2 & all of its DLC (Cerberus Network & Premium) so I'm well aware of how it works.

# 18 mcmax3000 @ 03/20/12 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyinPA75


	You really need to go back and read that entire post. Then you will see your comment really does fit in with what you are saying here.

I'm not really sure what you're saying there.

My only point was that your $60 + $10 math doesn't make sense because no rational human being would pay $60 for a used game when they could get a new copy for the exact same price, meaning they wouldn't need to pay the additional $10 for the online pass.

# 19 GuyinPA75 @ 03/20/12 08:11 PM

"John goes to a game store, picks up a new game, and is having a blast with it. He wants his friends to play. But no one wants to put down money on a game with no history behind it, nor do they want to PAY $10 for the �privilege� to PLAY the game they JUST BOUGHT. But John talks to let�s say, for this conversation, 8 friends. Only one of those friends buys. So game + online pass is $70"

John buys game new that is $60. His friend buys game used then online pass which is $10. 60 + 10 = 70 last time I check. Think my math makes sense. That is of course if you read the post as I suggested you do so.

This is money the publisher should see in "theroy". Used game sales do not show up.

Once again, let suggest on reading the post.

# 20 Iceman87GT @ 03/20/12 08:19 PM

I think they should consider the reason why there are so few people online for certain games. Most of them seem to be old but MMA is less than 2 years old and its online community is no doubt suffering because people picking it up late don't want to commit to an online pass. I saw this for $5.99 last week now there's no way I'm picking it up new or used. I know they are likely happy that this means more people will buy 2 and 3.

If you are going to force the online pass you should really be prolonging the server life, not necessarily 3 or 4 years but certainly more than 18 months. I also feel they should eliminate the online pass from the moment they announce the shutdown and let new users play free until the shutdown happens, that way nobody spends the money on the pass for only a few weeks of use.

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