It is no secret that EA and many other publishers are growing increasingly frustrated by the tendency of console gamers to buy, sell, and swap games amongst themselves. Indeed, the second hand market is easily one of the most appealing things about console gaming.
Capcom a few weeks ago announced a form of DRM that will be applied to Final Fight: Double Impact, to prevent it from being shared over PSN. Depending on how the DRM affects sales, they will decide whether or not to use it with future games. This was the first blatant appearance of DRM on current gen consoles.
EA enters console DRM fray
Now EA has stepped up to the plate with the initiation of its “Online Pass”. It’s a bit like the Cerebrus network that shipped with Mass Effect 2. Players would receive a key to create a Cerebrus account when they purchased their copy of the game for PC or Xbox 360. All DLC is distributed via the Cerebrus network, and only players who buy the game new are able to sign up for free. If you buy the game second hand, you will need to buy a Cerebrus network activation code if you want access to the DLC.
While this was annoying, it wasn’t a train smash, as the DLC had a negligible impact on the game.
What EA has planned for its future online games is far more devious.
The Online Pass
The Online Pass initiative takes the principle applied by the Cerebrus network, and applies it to the online component of all EA Sports titles. In order to make use of the online component of any EA Sports title, you will need an online pass. One online pass ships with each game disk. If you buy it second hand, you will not be able to reuse the seller’s online pass (assuming they activated it). If you want access to the online component, you will therefore have to buy an online pass directly from EA for $10 (R75).
This will apply to online gaming, as well as DLC, leader boards etc. Without an online pass, you may as well disconnect your console from the internet. The annoyance factor is further compounded for Xbox 360 owners by the Live Gold subscription fee, which is required to play online.
Now, as infuriating as this may be, we can see where EA is coming from. If you buy a game from someone second hand, the money that you spend does not go to EA. You effectively are able to play on their servers without paying them a cent. However, the counter argument is that the original buyer has paid EA, and is entitled to a lifetime (relative to a console’s life span) of online play. If they forfeit that service by selling the game, should they not be able to pass their lifetime access to the buyer?
Either way, the reality is that EA is clamping down on user access to its online services. The first game to make use of the Online Pass will be Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2011. More titles confirmed to use it include NCAA Football, Madden NFL, NHL and Fight Night, but all future games under the EA Sports banner are expected to get the Online Pass treatment.
As of now, the Online Pass program will only be applied to the console market.
Discuss EA’s Online Pass initiative in the forums
Loading ...
