Online Pass rewards game owners with a game-specific, one-time-use registration code for online services, features and bonus content. Each title-specific Online Pass may be used with upcoming releases of EA SPORTS simulation games on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, beginning next month with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 11. The one-time Online Pass registration code comes included with each unit sold new at retail. Once redeemed, additional Online Passes will be available for $10. Fans also may sign up for a free 7-day trial to experience Online Pass. International pricing will be announced within territories in the near future.
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
Wow..... really EA? I buy my sports games new so it doesn't bother me, but the fact that if I'm on Xbox Live, I have Gold membership, but can't play online without this online pass if I buy the game used is stupid and a greedy move on EA's part. Paying 10$ to play a game online is ridiculous. I guess this is to combat all of the people who buy the games used, I guess they gotta make their money somehow...
But eh, I'm buying my NHL 11 brand spanking new so we'll see what happens. I'm interested in this "bonus content coming in August". Wonder what that's going to be?Xbox LIVE GT: oALEXtheGREATo
PSN ID: oALEXtheGREATo -
Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
I think all new games will come with a code for the pass. No need to gather torches and pitchforks...yet.Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
New yes, used no. Its the same thing they did with Dragon Age:Origin by giving Shale/The Stone Prisoner for free with new copies of the game or with Mass Effect2 with the Cerberus Network. Its EA's way to combat used game sales that they receive nothing for as an incentive to buy new. To be honest I don't blame them either.Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
And besides...who really buys used sports games with the intention of kicking *** online, anyway? The hardcore players are 90% of the time gonna buy new.Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
I don't see the point in buying a sports game used because they're released every year and their used price is usually 5$ below the retail price... at least that's what it's like Canada for used sales. So for 5$ more you could buy the new copy and get this for free.Xbox LIVE GT: oALEXtheGREATo
PSN ID: oALEXtheGREAToComment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
This is a money grubbing move on EA's part with poor excuses to rationalize it. I buy my games new but if I sell my game to someone, it means I am not using EA's online services anymore so it is not costing them any extra bandwidth as 1 copy of the game can only be used by one person. I now also no longer have the option of taking the latest NHL to a cheapskate friend's house and teaming up to play online since his account won't have the online pass. This is ridiculous and I will not be buying my standard FIFA and NHL purchases this fall in protest. Too bad since I really am enjoying the World Cup game. If EA wants to play hardball like this, they should really lower their prices of new sports games to $50. Ideally they would switch to a biannual development cycle and just release roster updates in the off years to result in better games but we all know that will never happen. By keeping the price of these yearly updates at $60 and screwing people by lowering the potential resale value of their games, EA is trying to have it's cake and eat it too and I will no longer be purchasing from them. Back to Pro Evo and NHL 2k8 for me, I'll see how long I can play World Cup before they shut down the servers for it.Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
I only buy just a couple of games a year, and always new. So I guess it doesn't really effect me. But I can see others being a bit pissed who buy games used. I mean $60 for new games isn't a drop in the bucket for everyone. Especially theses days.1969 NFL ChampionsComment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
I guess I have zero problem with this. EA is a business. The primary function of this business is to make money on a product, or service they are providing to a consumer.
As someone who refuses to buy used games, this doesn't effect me at all.
I am not going to go as far as to say buying used games is kind of along the same lines as piracy. However, the developers only see money on the intial sale of a game in each instance.
The more I think about it, the more I like it. Its laughable that a company like Gamestop profits so much on used games. Something should be done to even the playing field. Games sell new for 59.99. Trade in value is 28.00. Then they turn around and sell the game for 54.99. I know it fits my business model above. I just
don't like it. If this is a way to curb used game re-sells, I'm all for it.Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
Don't agree with it, but it doesn't affect me very much either. I usually only ever buy NHL new. Just means I won't be playing the new Madden this year, as I usually grab that used on Ebay or craigslist to play with a few of my friends.Pittsburgh - 2009 City of Champions! YES WE DID!Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
It makes sense, at least in the way EA has implemented it with Dragon Age and Mass Effect, but to charge extra to play online when Xbox users already pay to play online is completely ridiculous. Microsoft should not be allowing this at all.Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
First, I love the whole, "New buyers will be rewarded" propaganda statement. Excellent marketing there.
Many players buy one specific favorite sports game on day-1 of the release (let's use NHL as that example). Then 6 months later, these players buy 2nd and 3rd-favorite sports titles used like TW or Madden, with the idea of playing online with a buddy or two for maybe a month. They typically buy used because the game has been out for awhile and since they don't plan to play much, they buy used for the discounted price. These players represent a portion of the server population for all EA Sports games.
NOW that the price of these used titles will be higher (for the online pass), the long-term effects of this move is you will see reduced ancillary sales of EA Sports titles as those buyers will turn to something else for a better bargain. What does this mean for day-1 buyers of NHL? Reduced server population as time goes on.
Not the way to attact new customers and keep existing customers loyal EA. Good luck.Last edited by aBiNeR1; 05-15-2010, 05:45 PM.Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
Well good thing this doesn't effect me much since I rarely play online. Besides, does EA not already have enough money as it is.Comment
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Re: ONLINE PASS FOR NHL 11
Does anybody know if the pass is tied to the game or the account? If I buy the game and use the online pass myself does that mean I would have to buy another pass for my son so we could both play online with our different accounts?Comment
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