EA: Online Pass can expire for new-game purchases, but it shouldn't

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A NeoGAF member posited that his new copy of EA's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit contained an Online Pass that was expired, blocking him from accessing online content -- others on the forum came forward with similar stories, suggesting that EA's disclaimer covers this clause and he was out of luck. Since blocking new-game purchasers from using online content seems like an unproductive move (even) for EA, we asked an EA Advisor for clarification on its Online Pass expiration policy.

EA's Online Pass can indeed expire for some new games, blocking buyers out of online content until they download a new pass or attain one from EA directly, EA confirmed to Joystiq. As a rule, no Online Pass should expire, but a few titles will have a time limit on their use, even for new purchases, EA said. Dragon Age 2, for example, has an Online Pass that expires on March 31, 2012, according to EA's EULA description. Re-downloading or getting a new Pass is free, EA said.

This still seems like a strange extra step for EA to infuse in its new games, and we have contacted EA more directly for further clarification. Until then, maybe you shouldn't wait until the holiday tear the shrinkwrap off that copy of Dead Space 2.

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Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/03/ea-online-pass-can-expire-for-new-game-purchases-but-it-should/#comments

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"EA: Online Pass can expire for new-game purchases, but it shouldn't" :: Login/Create an Account :: 41 comments

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Clearly2BeastPosted:

Clearly2Beast
CastleCrashers
Steuby44
CastleCrashers
iJarH3ad
Clearly2Beast Who cares? They get an extra code for free if its expired. Number one most greedy company ever..


Just fixed it for you... we play COD online for free.. EA doesn't because they want some money.. see the difference? Activision is not greedy at all. JS
They do it for a reason. New games come with a pass so whats the problem? Used games make EA lose money, and they dont want to lose movey considering they're one of the biggest publishers for games out they're and run probly over 50k servers for each one of their games. CoD doesnt charge because they over charge their customers on everything else, such as map packs and their Elite system. Also CoDs servers are horrible and full of mods, Ea's you wont find that.


I usually don't get involved in CoD vs BF arguments because I like them both but I don't know how you could even say that EA has better servers. EA had an online beta that didn't work for a week then they launch the complete game and I still cant join a server. CoD doesn't have a beta and I've never had a problem on MW3.
I wasnt trying to start a CoD Vs BF here i was just saying EA is better than Activision, because its true. They charge $10 for the online pass for people who didnt buy it new because when you buy a used game the retailer gets the money not Ea, then you do multiplayer and they lose money beccause you're using they're millions of servers without ever giving them money to use the servers.


You realize the whole point of the BF3 beta was to stress the servers right? The software they gave you to play was a late alpha build.. Not to mention Elite's servers have been way worse, there still not 100% functional a month later! And don't even get me started on Activision's greed! The CEO wanted to charge people for cutscenes in a campaign! The DLC is overpriced, they never give enough money to the developers (hence the whole Infinity Ward vs Activision lawsuit after MW2 and the reason why the developers still use a 12 year old engine), and why they force the developers to put out a Call of Duty title every year. Point being, its pretty much fact that Activision is one of the most money hungry corporations in the world besides Apple. At least with EAs online pass you get lots of great dedicated servers, unlike CoDs shitty peer to peer connections.


Also almost all of EA's games are unhackable. MW3 got hacked literally a week after release.

Clearly2BeastPosted:

CastleCrashers
Steuby44
CastleCrashers
iJarH3ad
Clearly2Beast Who cares? They get an extra code for free if its expired. Number one most greedy company ever..


Just fixed it for you... we play COD online for free.. EA doesn't because they want some money.. see the difference? Activision is not greedy at all. JS
They do it for a reason. New games come with a pass so whats the problem? Used games make EA lose money, and they dont want to lose movey considering they're one of the biggest publishers for games out they're and run probly over 50k servers for each one of their games. CoD doesnt charge because they over charge their customers on everything else, such as map packs and their Elite system. Also CoDs servers are horrible and full of mods, Ea's you wont find that.


I usually don't get involved in CoD vs BF arguments because I like them both but I don't know how you could even say that EA has better servers. EA had an online beta that didn't work for a week then they launch the complete game and I still cant join a server. CoD doesn't have a beta and I've never had a problem on MW3.
I wasnt trying to start a CoD Vs BF here i was just saying EA is better than Activision, because its true. They charge $10 for the online pass for people who didnt buy it new because when you buy a used game the retailer gets the money not Ea, then you do multiplayer and they lose money beccause you're using they're millions of servers without ever giving them money to use the servers.


You realize the whole point of the BF3 beta was to stress the servers right? The software they gave you to play was a late alpha build.. Not to mention Elite's servers have been way worse, there still not 100% functional a month later! And don't even get me started on Activision's greed! The CEO wanted to charge people for cutscenes in a campaign! The DLC is overpriced, they never give enough money to the developers (hence the whole Infinity Ward vs Activision lawsuit after MW2 and the reason why the developers still use a 12 year old engine), and why they force the developers to put out a Call of Duty title every year. Point being, its pretty much fact that Activision is one of the most money hungry corporations in the world besides Apple. At least with EAs online pass you get lots of great dedicated servers, unlike CoDs shitty peer to peer connections.

supermodmonkeyPosted:

Saints row 3 also had online pass hat did nit work!

CastleCrashersPosted:

Steuby44
CastleCrashers
iJarH3ad
Clearly2Beast Who cares? They get an extra code for free if its expired. Number one most greedy company ever..


Just fixed it for you... we play COD online for free.. EA doesn't because they want some money.. see the difference? Activision is not greedy at all. JS
They do it for a reason. New games come with a pass so whats the problem? Used games make EA lose money, and they dont want to lose movey considering they're one of the biggest publishers for games out they're and run probly over 50k servers for each one of their games. CoD doesnt charge because they over charge their customers on everything else, such as map packs and their Elite system. Also CoDs servers are horrible and full of mods, Ea's you wont find that.


I usually don't get involved in CoD vs BF arguments because I like them both but I don't know how you could even say that EA has better servers. EA had an online beta that didn't work for a week then they launch the complete game and I still cant join a server. CoD doesn't have a beta and I've never had a problem on MW3.
I wasnt trying to start a CoD Vs BF here i was just saying EA is better than Activision, because its true. They charge $10 for the online pass for people who didnt buy it new because when you buy a used game the retailer gets the money not Ea, then you do multiplayer and they lose money beccause you're using they're millions of servers without ever giving them money to use the servers.

soaffb1337Posted:

booger6256 Hahaha xbox fail,Ps3 doesnt have them codes



um yes it does...retard

aBoxOfMintsPosted:

Idc what anyone has too say, I think what EA is doing is a good thing! You can't hack games as easily in the EA department online that you can hack that's not an EA game, i.e."Call of Duty", which is a fun game, but is seriously annoying to play because everyone is always trying to find new hacks either for fun or to cheat, to be the best in the game and it's irritating, I'm glad EA does there own servers and that you have to pay for them, because at least with that you know the security is higher and the games aren't tampered with!

shadow1Posted:

Sometimes EA servers are good, but you better watch out for that Fifa 12 hack.

SteelSeriesPosted:

Steuby44
CastleCrashers
iJarH3ad
Clearly2Beast Who cares? They get an extra code for free if its expired. Number one most greedy company ever..


Just fixed it for you... we play COD online for free.. EA doesn't because they want some money.. see the difference? Activision is not greedy at all. JS
They do it for a reason. New games come with a pass so whats the problem? Used games make EA lose money, and they dont want to lose movey considering they're one of the biggest publishers for games out they're and run probly over 50k servers for each one of their games. CoD doesnt charge because they over charge their customers on everything else, such as map packs and their Elite system. Also CoDs servers are horrible and full of mods, Ea's you wont find that.


I usually don't get involved in CoD vs BF arguments because I like them both but I don't know how you could even say that EA has better servers. EA had an online beta that didn't work for a week then they launch the complete game and I still cant join a server. CoD doesn't have a beta and I've never had a problem on MW3.


MW3 doesn't have dedicated servers for playing online with, which means you get laggy games, random disconnects, and crappy host migration.

That's why EA try and make money on used games to pay for there servers.

jwmc1971Posted:

whats a PS3 ?

MUFFPosted:

Hahaha xbox fail,Ps3 doesnt have them codes


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