Electronic Arts Kills the Online Pass

[Lunar Templar]

Call me cynical but just what are they going to put in it's place? install limits?

more then likely they'll just keep abusing the mircotransactions, only worse now

 

[Bat Vader]

That is cool. Perhaps EA does listen to what gamers say and isn't as evil as everyone thinks. So Ubisoft basically is trying to steal a game they have no rights to after firing the guy making it and EA does something on the other side of the spectrum and does something good. Perhaps the world is going to implode now.

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

I do wonder if they are do this because of sales drops, because they actually listened, or doing in a continued attempt to make up for the PR nightmare that was Sim City.

 

[Freyar]

They aren't actually changing anything here. On the PC, games will still require registration with Origin which means that platform will remain the same.

As for consoles, there will be either be "New Purchase!" DLC incentives, there will be Origin incentives much like Dragon Age, or the consoles will require people to be online and verify ownership anyway. I don't expect EA to actually improve here, it'll be the Online Pass in just another name.

 

[-Dragmire-]

I'm just amazed that EA made a public PR statement and didn't fuck it up!

I'm curious if this ties in with Microsoft's rumored publisher controlled drm systems on their next console but for now, good show EA.

 

[marcooos]

Yay? I'm with Andy, who knows what new brand of evil machination they'll spawn next. I doubt they did it just because of customer feedback.

Offline pass - nuff said

OT: yeah I don't trust EA at all in the slightest I seriously reckon they've got summit up their sleeves

 

[Mikeyfell]

Sweet...

Now that we know you're listening: Please make Bioware do Mass Effect 3 again, and tell them to get it right this time!

 

[Mr C]

"Yes, we're discontinuing Online Pass," EA Senior Director of Corporate Communications John Reseburg told VentureBeat. "None of our new EA titles will include that feature."

About time.

However I must grumble a bit.

Feature??? Forgive me Mr. Businessman but:

Definition of product feature: A function of an item which is capable of gratifying a particular consumer need and is hence seen as a benefit of owning the item.

What bloody need of mine were you satisfying? The need to put in a 16 digit code every time I buy a game?

 

[Drizzitdude]

so wait, who do we hate now? I mean evil EA higher ups get fired, and now they are listening to the community? Whats next free dlc for bf4?

 

[JagermanXcell]

Wow... they're actually learning?! I'm kinda proud of them.
Now just lose the DRM, the shutting down of every company you buy out, and the high expectation in profits, and that cash you want so bad will come flowing in!

And for the love of God, don't make something worse then the Online Pass, you're on a roll, don't ruin it

inb4 EA happens...

 

[UsefulPlayer 1]

I think some of the people around here are right.

Why have Online Passes when the game is Always Online!?

There is probably a subscription service or account linkage going on.

 

[RWillers]

There's no way they actually did this because of "customer feedback". The pass system is a big money maker for them.

[...]

I'd say our wallets not filling theirs is the best kind of customer feedback any company can get. It looks like the whole "If you don't like it, vote with your wallet" mantra finally worked.

Now let's make them drop the store for the Sims 4! I want expansion packs that are actually worth buying.

 

[dalek sec]

Already, you exalt me for my triumphs,
When I ask only that you remember me for my treacheries

Victory is nothing more than survival.
It carries no weight of honour or worth beyond what we ascribe to it.
If you wish to grow wise, learn why brothers betray brothers.

Yes Grand Master. (From "The Emperor's Gift" I see... you have good taste brother.)

Thought for the Day: Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.

OT: Yeah, I'm agreeing with others, this is just far too good to be true. Time will show us what these bastards have in store for us since they dropped this stuff now. Let's not give them a hero's welcome when they have so many more failings to make up for.

 

[The Great JT]

Good. Step in the right direction, this.

That said, I'm watching you, EA. *Leer*

 

[Charli]

Keep walking the path and we shall walk with you. Keep walking, I'm not seeing enough to walk with you yet EA.

Just keep your PR department silent. They are not good at spinning your shit.

This speaks louder.

 

[cahtush]

Hmm...
EA actually doing something nice?
Bobby has just opened his mouth again?
I think we might just be time to hate on Activision again
[sub]Unless there's some evil catch and EA will make things worse. I'm watching you, EA.[/sub]

 

[FalloutJack]

They still don't have anything I want. What is being big deal? They're still idiots.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

.....WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH EA!?

I mean...Jesus Christ. They're listening! They're actually fucking listening!

I read it and was stunned with amazement, wonder and joy.

Five seconds later, brain functions returned to normal.

It's EA. I really, really want them to turn around and make ECA EA fun again. But I still find it exceedingly hard to trust them. I'll be watching them. But I'm still not over the general asshattery, and I'm still not over always-on Sim City.