EA Ends Online Passes

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**KalashnikovMarine**

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/192289/Three_years_on_EA_decides_Online_Pass_isnt_really_its_thing.php

Newsbrief: Electronic Arts is discontinuing its Online Pass program, according to VentureBeat.

"We've listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward," says EA senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg. "None of our new EA titles will include that feature."

First introduced in 2010 as a counter-piracy measure and means by which to draw revenue from used game sales, EA's Online Passes were required for online features on a number of the publisher's titles, including multiplayer. Several major publishers including Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft have introduced similar systems to their games, many of which remain in place.

While EA claims it has done away with Online Passes in part based on player feedback, it is likely also the result of larger-scale market realities -- such as the oncoming console transition and EA's recent end-year fiscal statements noting consumers' trend toward digital sales.

So probably a good plan... but... I'm kinda waiting for the other boot to drop on our throats with NEW super gakky DRM. Sorry EA, too little, too late for me.

**Fafnir**

"feature"

Heh

Damage is already done, really. That said, it looks like at least Microsoft is playing with the idea of doing that job for them already, and the general focus on digital distribution in the upcoming console generation does much of the same.

Really, the only thing they're reacting to is that other people will be doing that for them. It likely has nothing to do with consumer complaints or the goodness of their hearts.

**DA's Forever**

Fafnir wrote:
"feature"

Heh

Damage is already done, really. That said, it looks like at least Microsoft is playing with the idea of doing that job for them already, and the general focus on digital distribution in the upcoming console generation does much of the same.

Really, the only thing they're reacting to is that other people will be doing that for them. It likely has nothing to do with consumer complaints or the goodness of their hearts.

This.

All they're doing is trying to make themselves look marginally better. Throwing their hands in the air and screaming: "We're not going to do it anymore" While full well knowing others are going to handle it