Most gamers that I know despise online passes. Some more than most. EA has been using them for a long time as a scheme to make money off used sales, as games locked off content, particularly multiplayer components, without an access code, which could be bought online.
Now, ever since Crysis 3 opted not to feature an online pass at all, I’ve had a nagging suspicion that EA was either testing the waters or just easing out of them. And today we’ve gotten official confirmation that EA has killed its rubbish online pass system.
“Yes, we’re discontinuing Online Pass,” EA’s John Reseburg told GamesBeat. “None of our new EA titles will include that feature.
“Initially launched as an effort to package a full menu of online content and services, many players didn’t respond to the format. We’ve listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward.”
Initially launched as an effort to package a full menu of online content and services, you say? What the actual fuck does that even mean? I swear they get robots to talk to the press. Of course players didn’t respond to the format. It was an idea that benefited us in absolutely no way, and was simply a control tactic and attempt to make money out of anything. Sure, you listened, at the end of the console life cycle. And because most likely you found something better to make money with. Like microtransactions.
I’m extremely happy about this personally speaking, and I’m sure Caveshen, my fellow colleague, would be screaming his lungs out in pure ecstasy at this news, as he’s made no secret of his hate for online passes.
I just wish gamers were more vocal sometimes. All online passes ever did was inconvenience legitimate buyers, and devalue the used market, which is important and needs to exist. For the love of god get off your pretentious horse if you think it’s the equivalent of piracy.
But you might want to cut your cheers short. Where’s there’s EA, there’s a way. And the company is still dedicated to extorting you as much as possible its other content plans, like downloadable extras and packing of games as services.
“We’re still committed to creating content and services that enhance the game experience well beyond the day you first start playing.”
Well, it’s a victory for us, because online passes are despicable. But I’m sure EA already has its next plan lined up, or maybe its planning to push the microtransaction thing onto all its games.
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