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[AppleMIX]

It doesn't make any god damn sense for them to embrace online only DRM.

Why would they announced the Sims 4 and say it doesn't have online only DRM then suddenly embrace online only DRM? Stop being reactionary idiots.

 

[DryvBy]

Good, now get rid of Origin and never, ever use DRM that isn't Steam again.

 

[Baconsammy]

I guess they finally realized that Activision makes a ton more money on DLC without requiring Online Passes.

Or that Gamestop makes far too much on used games.

It doesn't make any god damn sense for them to embrace online only DRM.

Doesn't really imply that, though. Not the always-online part anyway.

 

[Parallacs]

EA announces new Offline-Pass program.

All games will require a small fee (typically $7 to $9) to play offline. This montly fee will add what EA calls "enhanced single player experiences".

 

[Meus Renaissance]

Maybe this is platform exclusive

 

[pantsmith]

Educated guess:

People will buy more DLC if they have access to a games online out of the box. If someone bought Mass Effect 3 used, for example, maybe they don't know that they even want to buy boosters because they haven't played the online. But if its free to play the online, theyll be exposed to the environment thats supposed to drive them to want that dlc.

 

[Psi]

Online passes would only be a barrier to their extensive microtransaction plans.

 

[jbug617]

Maybe this is platform exclusive

are you saying EA games going exclusive? I think it can be anything from a 1-time activation or something like always-on for certain games. BF4 and Respawn games are rumored to be always online.

 

[ffdgh]

....Has hell frozen over?

 

[RedNumberFive]

Mark my words!

There is no way that EA is removing this without replacing it with something even more disgusting. Expect always on DRM as the standard, coupled with microtransactions up the ass.

 

[Quixz]

We're not stupid EA, tell us what you're going to replace them with!

I boycott their games a while back.

 

[crazepharmacist]

 

[Zaventem]

So Sony is going to drop this shit too right?

 

[Piano]

Wow.

 

[Spongebob]

Always Online DRM will replace it.

 

[neto]

Wait what?? is this a trap?

Educated guess:

People will buy more DLC if they have access to a games online out of the box. If someone bought Mass Effect 3 used, for example, maybe they don't know that they even want to buy boosters because they haven't played the online. But if its free to play the online, theyll be exposed to the environment thats supposed to drive them to want that dlc.

Now this makes sense

 

[SoulPlaya]

Twist, used game won't exist anymore and that's why EA is killing the Online Pass program.

Probably.

 

[Fonz72]

Always-on confirmed! EA Xbox exclusive!

No, this is good news. Especially if they did it in response to player opinion.

 

[crazepharmacist]

I wonder if this is a result of the new CEO taking over.

 

[RionaaM]

See, guys? If you had voted Bank of America as worst US company, we would still have to deal with Online Passes!

 

[PerZona]

Just kill off Origin...it's not even needed at all. Especially for Battlefield 3 where players have battlelog already, I don't see the need of that stupid POS Origin program.

 

[Zombie James]

EA kills their online pass the same day MS kills points. Happy day.

 

[MikeE21286]

All EA online games are riddled with DLC. Makes no sense for them to put up a barrier to their online DLC store.

 

[KojiKnight]

Mark my words!

There is no way that EA is removing this without replacing it with something even more disgusting. Expect always on DRM as the standard, coupled with microtransactions up the ass.

This. I'm expecting we'll see a wide new range of "next gen" measures designed to supplant the online pass system.

 

[Jibbajabbawockky]

I wonder if this is a result of the new CEO taking over.

Nope. They still don't have a new CEO. I'm guessing this is just a prelude to some other announcement which makes it clear why they're not bothering with Online Passes.

 

[Insane Metal]

Wow, out of nowhere.

 

[Fonz72]

Nope. They still don't have a new CEO. I'm guessing this is just a prelude to some other announcement which makes it clear why they're not bothering with Online Passes.

Oh shit! the monkeys are running the zoo! That explains it!

 

[DGRE]

Haha. EA tries to turn next-gen's evils into goodwill with players.

This is only being allowed to happen because the next Xbox won't allow used games to work anyway.

 

[KarmaCow]

I'm sure they'll discontinue online passes for existing games, won't they? *crickets*

Yea they'll just discontinue the authentication servers.

 

[DigiMish]

My guess is that they killed it because it creates friction in offering people IAP in their games, which they're going to continue doing and expand on.

 

[SRTtoZ]

Now kill Origin and put everything on Steam.

 

[RoboPlato]

All EA online games are riddled with DLC. Makes no sense for them to put up a barrier to their online DLC store.

This is what I think as well. Activision has made a shitton of cash off of DLC since they don't have online passes.

 

[Oersted]

Good, now get rid of Origin and never, ever use DRM that isn't Steam again.

You got that part after "... and" horribly wrong.

 

[Z3M0G]

I agree with those saying...

Goodbye Online Pass

Hello Play Pass

Edit: as in, I also suspect this is the reason... its not something I want.

 

[VanWinkle]

So Sony is the only one with online passes now, right?

 

[Killthee]

Can't sell a lot of DLC to people who don't play your game online.

Exactly. Dumping online passes in favor of ME3 MP microtransactions.

 

[number47]

Microsoft actually bought EA.

 

[Rogue_Ledr]

I hope this is the start of a trend, I'm sick of this online pass garbage! A better way to do things is to give preorder bonus or something. Hopefully other companies will follow suit. Especially Sony! Why they went in for this crap is beyond me.

 

[Decado]

From now on, all online modes will be DLC.

 

[Psi]

Microsoft actually bought EA.

Micro Arts

The art of microtransactions

 

[Danthrax]

That is a pretty amazing cover

It's terrible because there should be a comma after the first "run" in "run faith, run."

 

[nhlducks35]

It's terrible because there should be a comma after the first "run" in "run faith, run."

What? No, it's "Run Faith (Pause), Run.

It's correct already.

 

[Deleted member 80556]

From EA this sounds like a trap

Aw fuck. We're screwed.

 

[soxinthebox]

I'm thinking the potential DLC they'll sell is the driver for the change.

 

[nampad]

Good, now only Sony needs to follow their example and cancel their stupid online passes.

 

[Omikaru]

I'm suspicious regarding this.

EA does not do something good for consumers, so I suspect they -- or the console manufacturers -- have something far worse lined up in next-gen.

And in the meantime, EA might as well reap some positive PR because, technically, they have killed the Online Pass.

 

[metalslimer]

Something is coming, I don't buy this is over for a second.....this might be the second time I like EA in the past couple of years after their gay rights outreach

 

[antitrop]

What? No, it's "Run Faith (Pause), Run.

It's correct already.

I'm pretty sure it's Run, Faith, Run. Like Run, Forrest, Run!

 

[Unregistered007]

Whats the point of EA Online PASS.


OH WAIT LET BUY AN OLD EA Game,

well lets enter the ONLINE PASS Code to activate Multi player.

.... SUCCESS 20 characters entered...


..SORRY THE SEVERS HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN... SUCKA!

 

[shinra-bansho]

Probably because they don't need it anymore...