EA Does it Again

[Jaded Scribe]

Because they can. It's their right, and frankly i support it. Ignoring everything else, why do people that buy used games feel like they deserve to be treated like any other customer when they don't want to give their money to the publisher/developer? Go complain to those you buy used games from.

YES! Thank the heavens humanity might have a chance yet! I couldn't agree more.
---
OT:Buying the game you want used is a rather dickish thing to do IMHO. I see it in the same light as people getting games pirated. If your money isn't reaching the developer of a game, you shouldn't be allow to play said game. If money is the problem there is allways the discount section on the half-a-year/three months old (depending on the games popularity) games you can go to y'know...

*Raises flame shield against the legions of the used-game buyers and backs away slowly*

I don't see buying used being the same as pirated. You are at least gaining the game through legitimate means, and the company did make at least some money (someone had to buy the game new at some point).

But I do think it's very much a trade off. If you buy used, you don't get full functionality, simple as that. I buy Used if I can (and the incentive to buy new is not worth the price). Once my income is a bit stronger (currently a student living off Financial Aid) then I'll buy a lot more new.

So, Just dropped my money for EA Sports' NHL 11 last night... lo and behold, there is an online activation code on the back of the manual. Seems like if you buy the game used you are locked out of online play.

Why do publishers have to be restrictive instead of rewarding? At least with Bioware, if you bought new you just got more stuff, DLC you would have had to pay for, maps, etc.... People should be rewarded for buying new, not punished for buying used.

The answer's simple: Because people like you haven't figured out how to stop giving them money yet.

This is just silly. If you buy new games anyways, then these changes don't affect you in any way, shape, or form. If you buy used, boycotting them does nothing as they were never seeing your money in the first place.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

Why do publishers have to be restrictive instead of rewarding? At least with Bioware, if you bought new you just got more stuff, DLC you would have had to pay for, maps, etc.... People should be rewarded for buying new, not punished for buying used.

You do realize that that is exactly what they are doing at EA, right? Look at Bad Company 2. If you buy that new you get codes to unlock things. Same will go with Medal of Honor. They are only doing online activation for sports games to get people to buy new.

Also, BIOWARE GAMES ARE PUBLISHED BY EA.

 

[Serving UpSmiles]

So, Just dropped my money for EA Sports' NHL 11 last night... lo and behold, there is an online activation code on the back of the manual. Seems like if you buy the game used you are locked out of online play.

Why do publishers have to be restrictive instead of rewarding? At least with Bioware, if you bought new you just got more stuff, DLC you would have had to pay for, maps, etc.... People should be rewarded for buying new, not punished for buying used.

Whats wrong with making money, it is actually a great decision for EA's marketing, i know it sounds bad but his will improve EA's games in the future.

 

[Krion_Vark]

I agree. Locking the online is a bad move in EAs current reform to surprisingly good moves.

The online locking is only sports titles I think.

I could be wrong.

But the other stuff for rewarding new buyers with free DLC is excellent.

Currently it is ONLY sports games. Most people I know that buy sports games dont play them online anyway so it doesnt really affect them.

 

[infinity_turtles]

OR maybe I'll buy the next game when it comes out because I liked the first one so much. Someone pays for something, he sells it back because it's not worth keeping to him. Simple.

Or maybe you were just bullshitting, in that case...

Hoping for maybes is a bad business model. More so when it requires you to dump sales on your current big project for that maybe on the next one. Sure, trying to build up brand loyalty is important, but it's not THAT important.

It's just business. I sell someone a watch. He doesn't like it anymore and sells it to someone else. That's how it goes. Not happy? Big fucking deal.

Selling an updated roster with one new crosscheck animation for 70$, that's what I find disturbing. Fuck Ea and fuck anyone against a used market.

See, I'm not arguing that Madden is worth the price they sell it for. I think Madden 11 is a horrible game that's worse than the previous one. I don't think it's even worth five dollars. But that isn't the point. The point is, you're demanding the right to pay less to own an identical product. Think about that for a second. Why do you feel entitled to be able to pay less for the same thing? I mean, it makes sense that if you can get the same thing for a lower cost you will, that's just smart, but why do you feel entitled to it?

Also, restricting multiplayer to the people paying the company maintaining the servers is just business too. That's how it goes. Not happy? Big fucking deal. See what I did there? That is not an argument in support of why things should be the way you want. It's petulant whining that people are doing things you don't like.

Why not make deals with the shop that gives them a percentage of every used game sold?

Publishers would jump at a deal like that, but retail stores would never agree to it. Which is sort of the problem. This is mainly an issue between publishers and retailers. Because selling used products is not a problem until' you start selling them right next to the new ones.

 

[TPiddy]

But its not their customer base. They've never seen a cent from the people who buy used games. Calling them a customer of EA would be a very long stretch.

Ok, so they're not a customer of EA, but why doesn't EA just open their own stores or restrict their game releases to stores like Wal-Mart and Future Shop who don't have much of a used market? They're still feeding the EB and Gamestops of the world, the very companies that are causing them so much trouble.

 

[TPiddy]

I think you are missing a big part of the business thing. Every figurine the guy re-sells is a figurine you don't sell, it's therefore considered a loss, since there was a potential customer for your product but instead giving his money to you he decided to give it to the guy who just makes money off -your- work.

Totally untrue. Perhaps the customer would not have bought a figurine at all if it wasn't at that price. It is not a 1:1 lost sale ratio.

 

[Chibz]

Because they can. It's their right, and frankly i support it. Ignoring everything else, why do people that buy used games feel like they deserve to be treated like any other customer when they don't want to give their money to the publisher/developer? Go complain to those you buy used games from.

YES! Thank the heavens humanity might have a chance yet! I couldn't agree more.
---
OT:Buying the game you want used is a rather dickish thing to do IMHO. I see it in the same light as people getting games pirated. If your money isn't reaching the developer of a game, you shouldn't be allow to play said game. If money is the problem there is allways the discount section on the half-a-year/three months old (depending on the games popularity) games you can go to y'know...

*Raises flame shield against the legions of the used-game buyers and backs away slowly*

I don't see buying used being the same as pirated. You are at least gaining the game through legitimate means, and the company did make at least some money (someone had to buy the game new at some point).

But I do think it's very much a trade off. If you buy used, you don't get full functionality, simple as that. I buy Used if I can (and the incentive to buy new is not worth the price). Once my income is a bit stronger (currently a student living off Financial Aid) then I'll buy a lot more new.

So, Just dropped my money for EA Sports' NHL 11 last night... lo and behold, there is an online activation code on the back of the manual. Seems like if you buy the game used you are locked out of online play.

Why do publishers have to be restrictive instead of rewarding? At least with Bioware, if you bought new you just got more stuff, DLC you would have had to pay for, maps, etc.... People should be rewarded for buying new, not punished for buying used.

The answer's simple: Because people like you haven't figured out how to stop giving them money yet.

This is just silly. If you buy new games anyways, then these changes don't affect you in any way, shape, or form. If you buy used, boycotting them does nothing as they were never seeing your money in the first place.

That's why their current customers need to stop giving them money.

 

[infinity_turtles]

I think you are missing a big part of the business thing. Every figurine the guy re-sells is a figurine you don't sell, it's therefore considered a loss, since there was a potential customer for your product but instead giving his money to you he decided to give it to the guy who just makes money off -your- work.

Totally untrue. Perhaps the customer would not have bought a figurine at all if it wasn't at that price. It is not a 1:1 lost sale ratio.

No, but if the guy is setting up shop right next to you, chances are anyone who'd buy a new one from you is going to buy from him first.

 

[TPiddy]

The thing is with used games is that people who buy them generally were never going to buy a new copy in the first place. Poor folk simply won't shell out 60 bucks for a new title and getting a new copy for 15 dollars less is the right move for their wallet so I don't think used games impact the publishers/devs as much as they would like to think. Someone who purchases a used copy of Madden not once ever thought of buying the game new so they never had a customer to begin with. I buy tons of used games and that's the way I shop. With no intention of ever buying a new copy so therefore I was never one of their targeted demographics or a potential customer.

Exactly. I never would have paid $60 for Brutal Legend. I got it for $20, still new, from Future Shop. And I liked it. And I may consider buying a sequel new now. Different pricing models of games could be something they should look into as well. Sell two different versions of the disc. One with all the features, one with offline only for less money. Markets like cars and clothes have a range of options to suit every budget. Games don't really have this kind of set up.

 

[Woodsey]

It's because EA are greedy fucks, Even though they allready have a ton of money.

How is it being greedy for wanting people to buy your product new so that you see the money? You know, the money that means you stay in business and can make more games.

 

[TPiddy]

I don't think that's how it always works. If you go to the store, see two of the exact same product, but one's cheaper, which are you going to buy? Even if you're willing to buy the more expensive one if you have to, you're probably going to buy the cheaper one.

Yes, this is the problem with the stores though, not the publisher. I call it the 'Wal-Mart' effect. Used versions of hit games go on sale a week, perhaps even days after the release and they're only $5 off. But how many consumers get suckered in by that $5? Then again, the car market has the opposite problem, where the used prices are so far removed from the new prices it makes no sense to buy new at all.

EDIT: The car market also has the luxury of a car being on the market for an average of 3-4 years before you start seeing any available as used. Could you just imagine if used models of a car were available in the same year?

 

[Cousin_IT]

They want your money & they don't care who knows it, though they would prefer you didn't know it till you buy the wrong version requiring you to spend even more of your money making it work like it's supposed to in the first place

 

[Jaded Scribe]

Because they can. It's their right, and frankly i support it. Ignoring everything else, why do people that buy used games feel like they deserve to be treated like any other customer when they don't want to give their money to the publisher/developer? Go complain to those you buy used games from.

YES! Thank the heavens humanity might have a chance yet! I couldn't agree more.
---
OT:Buying the game you want used is a rather dickish thing to do IMHO. I see it in the same light as people getting games pirated. If your money isn't reaching the developer of a game, you shouldn't be allow to play said game. If money is the problem there is allways the discount section on the half-a-year/three months old (depending on the games popularity) games you can go to y'know...

*Raises flame shield against the legions of the used-game buyers and backs away slowly*

I don't see buying used being the same as pirated. You are at least gaining the game through legitimate means, and the company did make at least some money (someone had to buy the game new at some point).

But I do think it's very much a trade off. If you buy used, you don't get full functionality, simple as that. I buy Used if I can (and the incentive to buy new is not worth the price). Once my income is a bit stronger (currently a student living off Financial Aid) then I'll buy a lot more new.

So, Just dropped my money for EA Sports' NHL 11 last night... lo and behold, there is an online activation code on the back of the manual. Seems like if you buy the game used you are locked out of online play.

Why do publishers have to be restrictive instead of rewarding? At least with Bioware, if you bought new you just got more stuff, DLC you would have had to pay for, maps, etc.... People should be rewarded for buying new, not punished for buying used.

The answer's simple: Because people like you haven't figured out how to stop giving them money yet.

This is just silly. If you buy new games anyways, then these changes don't affect you in any way, shape, or form. If you buy used, boycotting them does nothing as they were never seeing your money in the first place.

That's why their current customers need to stop giving them money.

Why would I? Roughly 20% of the games I own have the EA stamp, and I'm happy with all of them. I'm intelligent enough to find out what is and isn't offered on Used games, and determine if the change in the cost is worth it. If I want a feature that badly, I pay for it rather than assuming they owe me something for buying their product from someone else where they never see the money for it.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Basic Economics states "Greed is Good". Profits, not people or art, drive EA.

Love it or hate it, that's why EA does this. Period.
This isn't a topic about ethics; it's a matter of what is and what isn't.

If you don't like how a company does their business, unless it's a necessity of life DO NOT BUY THEIR PRODUCT. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM.

It's that fucking simple.

 

[ReaperzXIII]

Publishers would jump at a deal like that, but retail stores would never agree to it. Which is sort of the problem. This is mainly an issue between publishers and retailers. Because selling used products is not a problem until' you start selling them right next to the new ones.

But what they're doing now is demonizing the wrong people, we buy used because either we don't trust/like the quality of the product enough to shell out for the full price, we don't have the cash to pay full price or it is the only copy availiable. We aren't deliberately trying to take money from the developer we are just doing what is best for our financial situation and attacking us for it is unfair when its the retailers stealing their money.

 

[TPiddy]

The bottom line is why should you get to pay less and get the exact same thing as someone who paid for it new, without even waiting a significant time period.

Yes, this is part of the problem with the software industry and it does drive a big stake through the comparisons to cars.

Since champions of Used games often cite the economy, isn't better for you economically to not buy the game at all? Or, wait a short while (usually a year) and get the Game of the Year edition for half price AND several DLCs bundled in? If the game wasn't popular enough to warrant a Game of the Year edition, then after a year it will be significantly cheaper anyways.

Sports games come out EVERY year. They typically have no discounts or GOTY's. And they add more and more features designed for online. In this particular case they have several different online leagues they are maintaining. They are basically taking away the option to play it offline local because you're missing out on more than half the game's features. When a game's selling point becomes online play (CoD, Halo and now sports) it's not really fair to sell the game and then charge more for the online feature.

Imagine buying CoD used and only getting to play the 5 hour single player offline experience. You'd probably feel pretty ripped off. Even if you did have to fork over an extra $5 - $10 for online access it's a total cash grab. If Halo, LBP, CoD L4D and other game franchises can run servers for their games without cock blocking used game owners, why can't EA?

 

[archvile93]

People should be rewarded for buying new, not punished for buying used.

This.

This should be mailed, emailed, texted, IM'd, graffed, limericked, rhymed, sung in song, carrier pigeoned, strippogrammed and even sent by smoke signal to every damned publisher and developer on the face of the planet.
Repeatedly, until their eyes/ears bleed from the unstoppable assault and agree that rewards are better than punishments when trying to give incentive for people to buy their products.

It really is such a basic premise. Punishments and treating your user base like criminals from the get go (ant-piracy measures) anger and frustrate your consumers. Rewards allow people to make an informed choice. If the rewards are good enough, less and less people will buy the game second hand. Unless they are one of those supremely unlucky people who don't have easy access to the internet. In which case, punishing them is even more cruel and unusual.

The problem is the only way to reward new players is to give them something used don't. To the used, that thing they don't get is a punishment. No matter what you do, the reward will always also be a punishment to the others because they don't get it.