Well, I think Sony has outdone everyone : For Modnation Racers for PSP (a $40 game), they will charge a $15 "online entitlement" fee for anyone who doesn't buy the game new. Without that, the game is pretty useless since it's a "Create Play Share" game that allows the community to build their own mods karts and tracks to share with anyone and it wouldn't allow any of those features without the online access. Really weird since the $60 PS3 version has no such restrictions. I'd be super-pissed if I bought that PSP game second-hand.

That is exactly my thought. People complain, but they do it anyway. What's the point? In the end, companies like MS and EA, where they sit around and think of ways to make more money, will do so if consumers continue to allow it.

Well, today is the first day of the Online Pass with the release of Tiger Woods 11 (except for the PSN where it won't be available until 6/10 due to server issues ). I checked EA's website and they have a very reasonable explanation of their new policy. I'm still not sure I agree with it, but it seems pretty fair the way he explains it. In either case, they damned well better not take down the servers after a year or two now that they're charging consumers for the service.



Five Questions with Andrew Wilson, Senior Vice President of World Wide Development, EA SPORTS



What exactly is Online Pass and when does it launch?
Online Pass launches in all EA SPORTS simulation games on the PS3 and Xbox 360 beginning in June with Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11. It’s quite simple – every game will come with a game-specific, one-time use registration code with each unit sold new at retail. With your Online Pass, you’ll have access to multiplayer online play, group features like online dynasty and leagues, user created content, and bonus downloadable content for your game including, for example, a new driver in Tiger. If the original access code has been redeemed and fans wish to get access to the online content (for example, if you pick up a used copy), you can access a free 7-day trial or additional Online Passes will be available for $10.

What do you mean by “bonus content”? What type of content will that be?
In addition to Online Team Play, Live Tournaments and other modes and features, we expect every product will include additional content as part of its Online Pass. Access to bonus content is included in the purchase of an Online Pass for a particular product. For example, in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 11, an advanced driver used on the PGA TOUR for play in-game will be included with the Online Pass. Our goal is to provide value to consumers, and this is one piece of that philosophy.

We’ve seen a lot of different publishers, including EA, introduce the concept of registration codes. How is this different, or the same, from others we’ve seen in the past year?
The concept of a code isn’t new, and in fact it’s something we’ve used in recent years with Live Season in FIFA and with Dynamic DNA in NBA LIVE. The Online Pass though accelerates what we’ve done in the past and is unique in that all users will have access to the premium online services and content we provide. Customers who purchase the games new for the full retail price get access to online services and features, as well as bonus game content; other customers will have access to all the online services and content for $10. GameStop has also offered their support. Gamers will be able to purchase access to the Online Pass and additional DLC from EA at their stores and through their website.

Why charge anything for online access?
First, it’s important to be clear that all users have access to premium content. I’ve been here now for more than a decade, and the investments we’re making in developing for digital are profound, compared to even a few years ago. And it makes sense. When we see how many people are playing all of our games online, consumers are telling us that competition is endemic to sports in a way that most people don’t get just by playing a game alone on their couch. As a result, we’ve made a significant investment to offer the most immersive online experience available. We want to reserve EA SPORTS online services for people who pay EA to access them.

Is this intended to combat second sale?
We actually view the second sale market as an opportunity to develop a direct relationship with our consumers, and with Online Pass everyone has access to the same premium online services and content regardless of how and where you buy the game. In order to continue to enhance the online experiences that are attracting nearly five million connected game sessions a day, again, we think it’s fair to get paid for the services we provide and to reserve these online services for people who pay EA to access them. In return, we’ll continue to invest in creating great games and offer industry-leading online services to extend the game experience to everyone. I don’t think even the harshest cynic can argue with that and instead I think fans will see the value we’re committing to deliver when they see all the services, features and bonus content that is extending the life of their products.

So what happens if I bring my game to a friend's house? Do I have to input the code on his console? Will it block me? Will it block me after 7 days?

Would you want to bring your game to your friend's house to play online? If so, I'd suspect that it would block you after 7 days unless you had a 360 version and brought your Xbox Live profile with you on a USB stick or memory card. It's a one-time use code, so don't enter it on a friend's console.

This won't affect me as I buy these games new anyway. The used market will correct itself to allow for this cost.

"When we see how many people are playing all of our games online, consumers are telling us that competition is endemic to sports in a way that most people don’t get just by playing a game alone on their couch. As a result, we’ve made a significant investment to offer the most immersive online experience available. We want to reserve EA SPORTS online services for people who pay EA to access them."

Here's my problem with that logic. If I pay full price for a new game and get the online experience that comes with it for free/ included, but then trade it in or sell it used, I also pass on the right to play that content online. It's all part of the same package. When I give up the game, I also give up the included fee in the cost of that game that went into developing the online experience. I rarely play games online - are any companies willing to refund some money to me since I'm not accessing that aspect of the experience that I paid for up front? According to the EA guy's logic, they should lower the new price of a game to $49.99 and charge people $10 to play online, even if they bought it brand new.

I agree 100% with what you said. Also, I find it funny that he mentions that the second sale market is a way to develop a direct relationship with consumers........for 10 dollars apiece. What kind of "relationship" with consumers is he even talking about?

Agreed. Companies thrive on using 'fancy' words to justify everything. As long as they make everything sound like they are 'for' the customer, than what's the added cost?

I'm sure the EA guy would love to charge 10 bucks a MONTH to have a continuing, direct relationship with customers. And you thought that used sports games dropped in value fast before...

The kind where you bend over and take it up the...HEY HEY KIDS!

does no one read the FAQ?

http://www.easports.com/onlinepass

What happens if I play at a friend’s console?
If you have purchased Online Pass access or redeemed a code for free access on one console, you can use your access on any other console. To do so, sign in using your Xbox LIVE gamertag or PSN ID persona on your friend’s console when playing online.

Isn't that essentially what I already posted when that question was asked? Regarding the PSN, they're a little decptive there. Yes, you could log your PSN profile onto a friend's system, but you have a limit of five consoles total, so that's not a really viable option for most.

Looks like Sony wants to get in on the fleecing:
http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/25/s...functionality/

I don't have a PS3, but I'll gladly add them to the EA boycott list, though, if they do this.

I still can't manage to get worked up about this.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2...-about-you.ars

They seem to be quoting the responses from Penny Arcade here - http://www.penny-arcade.com/2010/8/25/

Of course there's the whole "building fan loyalty" thing. Bu there's also the case where some customers rarely buy anything new, which in case it really does nothing for the developer.

a strong healthy group of players on a game like MW2 helps keep the game going....it still sales well to this day, and a lot of the people playing are playing used versions..I would say that a lot of MW1 players who played that used ended up buying MW2 new because of the fun they had with MW1. I am sure many did not, but it is not as clear cut as people are making it...I also know that some people that bought it used, talk about it at school, or work...and get others to buy it new...

Also, as a person who is only looking for single player in games like Singularity, or Transformers, I welcome a code for MP....Used game places like gamestop are going to be forced to drop their newer used games to compensate for this...this will lead to used game prices being 15-20 bucks cheaper than new not, 5-10 bucks cheaper, and thus lead to better prices for me. In fact, I can seem myself buying A LOT more used games because of this...for someone who finds tacked on MP a joke, this new idea will result in less money for companies.

I noticed this seemed to be the case with Madden 11...it is 42 bucks used at gamestop (with card) already, as a result of this 10 dollar coded needed to play online. If this same thing was being done for Crysis 2...which I do not plan on playing online..I would drop my preorder...since ebay and amazon marketplace follow gamestop..always a few bucks cheaper...I would be able to pick it up in the high 30's right away..I am loving this new direction!!!!

Do you really think it will cause Gamestop to lower used prices, though? I don't.

Like I said, they already lowered their price of Madden 11...I can get it for 42 bucks used now, and the game just came...and this was not the case last year when I picked up Madden 10 for my daughter and son...it was 49 used with the gamestop card...I noticed this with Tiger Woods as well...

If demand for the used game drops even a bit, which it will if you will not be able to play online without a fee....it will forced the used price down even more...

Sports games always plummet in value, though. I don't know if you could apply that to FPS games, for example.

Madden just came out a couple weeks ago though. Sports games plummet, but not that quickly.

Aren't the Madden sales down this year though?