EA discontinuing online pass pay scheme

Electronic Arts is planning on dropping the online pass feature from the publisher’s future games.

Online passes are set in place to encourage new game purchases, as online content becomes locked for used copies once in-box codes have been redeemed. Second-hand users would then have to pay for an online pass to access online features, typically priced at $10.

“Yes, we’re discontinuing Online Pass,” said EA senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg. “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,” Reseburg said. “We’ve listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward.”

Good news for gamers who pick up many EA games second-hand and have been locked out of the online-centric portion of the titles; and EA is still promising to offer special online content post-launch of upcoming games.

“We’re still committed to creating content and services that enhance the game experience well beyond the day you first start playing,” Reseburg said.