EA Sports to charge used game buyers $10 to unlock basic online multiplayer

[HaRuMaN]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/ea-sports-to-charge-used-game-buyers-10-to-unlock-basic-online/

Pretty lame, if you ask me.
 

[Ginsu Victim]

This has been talked about for a few months, but it appears as though it's finally happening. It's quite lame. Good thing I don't like their sports games. (Still playing the 2K games on Dreamcast!)

[Dartful Dodger]

It sounds like a trick or scheme. they'll probably get (if they haven't already pounded out the details)  with those big used game franchises and game rental companies to pay a fee so they can give new codes with their old games.  Everybody, except for the smaller mom and pop used game stores, will be okay.

[pointdablame]

It sounds like a trick or scheme. they'll probably get (if they haven't already pounded out the details)  with those big used game franchises and game rental companies to pay a fee so they can give new codes with their old games.  Everybody, except for the smaller mom and pop used game stores, will be okay.

I have to totally disagree on that one.

Why would EA make a deal with the Gamestop's of the world as you say when this plan is meant to directly stop people from buying Used games at the big chains?  No one at EA cares about mom and pop shops... they care about all the lost revenue from Used game sales at Gamestop

And why would Gamestop make the business decision to buy these new codes from EA when used game sales account for something like 85% of their profit?  Do that with EA and every publisher will do that and will severly deflate their profit.  All this will do is drop the used price of EA games by $10 more than their current used values IMO.  There will be no deals with big chains

[opt2not]

(Still playing the 2K games on Dreamcast!)

Bless you sir. Bless you.

[Malenko]

I'll just continue to not buy EA Sports Games.

[MidnightMenace!]

besides the fact that EA makes crappy games and sports games suck in general


why would anyone buy a game used that gets rereleased every year anyway? doesnt the online multiplayer dry up pretty quick on its own evey 10-12 months?

[northerngames]

that's my problem with EA games too the 2010 is the same as the 2000 games just change some names add a play or two that differers and there you have it ten years in the making and thats the best they can come up with and now they think there worth more for online play lol good luck to you EA.

this is suppose to happen with many other gaming company's too but I think there all going to go downhill soon as they stop the used game sale's becuase people just won't buy them anymore.

 I have bought many games over the years but never paid $60.00 for a new 360 game becuase the same game is usually $20.00 or less 2 weeks later.

if they all change and do that then I would just be a classic gamer and play old school games and have no interest in newer console's to me there just games and no matter what the title is there not worth $60.00+ dollars its just a game and usually they only last a couple day's and not worth even half of what they want for it new.

[massive88]

Eh, sales of used games are worse for their bottom line than piracy, and I imagine EA is a little sick of people holding out a few months to get last year's game for next to nothing.

Hardly.

Madden 2010 came out in August of 2009, which was what, 9 months ago?

Today Gamestop sells it pre-owned for $45, thats only $15 off the new price.

The EA sports games in particular are a gold-mine for stores like Gamestop, which Im sure is what has driven this sort of concept.

[Samstag]

Madden 2010 came out in August of 2009, which was what, 9 months ago?

Today Gamestop sells it pre-owned for $45, thats only $15 off the new price.

I usually buy Madden every year, but I buy the previous year's version.  I can't remember the last time I paid more than $10.  I'll be picking up Madden 2010 for $8-10 sometime in the next couple of months.

I doubt you'll ever see deals like that at Gamestop, though.  Game publishers would have a much bigger problem with used game sales if the Gamestop shoppers realized there were much better deals out there.

[Hoopz]

Madden 2010 came out in August of 2009, which was what, 9 months ago?

Today Gamestop sells it pre-owned for $45, thats only $15 off the new price.

I usually buy Madden every year, but I buy the previous year's version.  I can't remember the last time I paid more than $10.  I'll be picking up Madden 2010 for $8-10 sometime in the next couple of months.

I doubt you'll ever see deals like that at Gamestop, though.  Game publishers would have a much bigger problem with used game sales if the Gamestop shoppers realized there were much better deals out there.

I don't buy a lot of console games.  Where's the best price to pick up used games now? 

[massive88]

I usually buy Madden every year, but I buy the previous year's version.  I can't remember the last time I paid more than $10.  I'll be picking up Madden 2010 for $8-10 sometime in the next couple of months.

I doubt you'll ever see deals like that at Gamestop, though.  Game publishers would have a much bigger problem with used game sales if the Gamestop shoppers realized there were much better deals out there.

Im sure the price drops quote a bit when the new version comes out as well.  Madden 2009 is $8 used at Gamestop.  Im sure 2010 will drop sharply in August with 2011 comes out.

And yeah, Gamestop isnt the cheapest place to get used games, but their market proliferation and profits are assuredly what EA lusts after with this move.

[Samstag]

I don't buy a lot of console games.  Where's the best price to pick up used games now? 

Gamefly is the best place to get dirt-cheap used games , but only when they have a sale.  Newegg and GoGamer have cheap new games on a regular basis.  Amazon has some really great deals on new games once in a while and their marketplace is worth at least checking if you have a particular used game in mind.  You can even trade your old games in at Amazon and they pay for the shipping.

Slickdeals.net and cheapassgamer.com are great places to find the latest deals.

[Hoopz]

I don't buy a lot of console games.  Where's the best price to pick up used games now? 

Gamefly is the best place to get dirt-cheap used games , but only when they have a sale.  Newegg and GoGamer have cheap new games on a regular basis.  Amazon has some really great deals on new games once in a while and their marketplace is worth at least checking if you have a particular used game in mind.  You can even trade your old games in at Amazon and they pay for the shipping.

Slickdeals.net and cheapassgamer.com are great places to find the latest deals.

Thanks.  I'm buying a DSI XL today for my daughter so I'm in the market for a few used games for that. 

[Samstag]

Thanks.  I'm buying a DSI XL today for my daughter so I'm in the market for a few used games for that. 

DS games are a little harder to find good deals on.  The ones that don't hold their value usually aren't very good.

[Hoopz]

No, you're in the market for an Acekard. 

Tomorrow's agenda at work is figuring out what I can do with the DS to make things easier.... 

Thanks.  I'm buying a DSI XL today for my daughter so I'm in the market for a few used games for that. 

DS games are a little harder to find good deals on.  The ones that don't hold their value usually aren't very good.

I've got like 20ish DS games I need to get rid of... a few A-listers in there.

I've offered them in bulk to a couple of people but they always want to cherry pick.  I see my cousins so infrequently they had already moved on to ipod touch games by the time I could scrounge them all up.

Who wants to pay $100 + shipping for a mystery box?   

My daughter's turning 8 so I'm a little limited to what she'll play.  Me, on the other hand....   

[SavannahLion]

Doesn't Steam put the used PC game market into a total headlock? Don't see a whole lot of backlash against that.

I don't agree with this in any manner, but if EA can successfully convince a large enough dumb ---fudgesicle--- fan base to continue buying their games, $10 fee or not, what do they care what the rest of us think?

[versapak]

Not that I wholly condone this, but it isn't near as bad as some make it out to be. It only effects those that buy the games used, and if you buy the game used, then the developer/publisher isn't getting any money from that sale to you.

It isn't all that unreasonable for them to try different things like this to make money from those sales.

I think $10 is too high a price, but say it were $5, then I would see absolutely nothing wrong with this (as long as it remains a charge solely to the rental and used markets).

I also would support such a move more if there were a week or two free trial play as well. That way rental customers have a chance to fully try a game out, which very well could lead to a sale of the game new, and wouldn't be penalized too much.

[Ginsu Victim]

I also would support such a move more if there were a week or two free trial play as well. That way rental customers have a chance to fully try a game out, which very well could lead to a sale of the game new, and wouldn't be penalized too much.

It says in the article you get a 7-day trial.

[versapak]

I also would support such a move more if there were a week or two free trial play as well. That way rental customers have a chance to fully try a game out, which very well could lead to a sale of the game new, and wouldn't be penalized too much.

It says in the article you get a 7-day trial.

Ahhh...

Well then, other than it being $10 instead of what I consider a far more reasonable $5, I see absolutely nothing wrong with this.

If you like waiting a year to buy your sports games, then you probably aren't one to really play them online anyway, and this really doesn't effect you.

I do think that publishers need to start mentioning new purchase benefits on the game cases though, and making it clear that buying it used will have extra charges for certain things. You can't really expect the used game stores to track what a developer/publisher is going to include/exclude otherwise, and if there is no clear mention of it then the end user is quite easily getting screwed.

A game that came out relatively recent is often only discounted about $5 for used, and if it is going to additionally cost that much or more for some of the features, then it truly isn't worth it. If it is made clear to the consumer though, then the stores like Gamestop will likely have to start reflecting those additional costs in their used prices.

[Ginsu Victim]

Plus, if the game was owned by someone who never takes it online in the first place, there won't be a $10 charge anyway.

[massive88]

Plus, if the game was owned by someone who never takes it online in the first place, there won't be a $10 charge anyway.

Only if it still has its code with it, which is doubtful.

Mass Effect 2 was the first EA game that I saw something like this, where they you register an online account, separate from your XBL account, and enter in a code printed on an insert that was separate from the manual, which I assume all of these would be.  Makes more sense to mass produce the manual, then have unique codes on a single insert.  If I loan ME2 to my friend, they wont have the Cerebus network access unless they buy a separate DLC item for $10 in MS points.

Anyway, point being, even if someone didnt use the online code, they would still have to keep it with the game.  Gamestop probably wouldnt care when buying the used game, cause they dont want to take the time to verify if its been used or not, so theres no incentive there for the original buyer to hold onto it, unless hes going to resale it himself.

[versapak]

Plus, if the game was owned by someone who never takes it online in the first place, there won't be a $10 charge anyway.

Only if it still has its code with it, which is doubtful.

Mass Effect 2 was the first EA game that I saw something like this, where they you register an online account, separate from your XBL account, and enter in a code printed on an insert that was separate from the manual, which I assume all of these would be.  Makes more sense to mass produce the manual, then have unique codes on a single insert.  If I loan ME2 to my friend, they wont have the Cerebus network access unless they buy a separate DLC item for $10 in MS points.

Anyway, point being, even if someone didnt use the online code, they would still have to keep it with the game.  Gamestop probably wouldnt care when buying the used game, cause they dont want to take the time to verify if its been used or not, so theres no incentive there for the original buyer to hold onto it, unless hes going to resale it himself.

If it is on a slip included in the case, but the user never uses it, why would it not then still be in the case?

No, there is no guarantee, but still... If a user didn't bother to use it, then it isn't all that likely that they decided to throw it away.

Do you instantly just pull everything out of the case of your games and leave only the manuals?

Heck, I don't even bother taking the manual out 90% of the time, much less anything that is in there with it.

[northerngames]

Plus, if the game was owned by someone who never takes it online in the first place, there won't be a $10 charge anyway.

Only if it still has its code with it, which is doubtful.

Mass Effect 2 was the first EA game that I saw something like this, where they you register an online account, separate from your XBL account, and enter in a code printed on an insert that was separate from the manual, which I assume all of these would be.  Makes more sense to mass produce the manual, then have unique codes on a single insert.  If I loan ME2 to my friend, they wont have the Cerebus network access unless they buy a separate DLC item for $10 in MS points.

Anyway, point being, even if someone didnt use the online code, they would still have to keep it with the game.  Gamestop probably wouldnt care when buying the used game, cause they dont want to take the time to verify if its been used or not, so theres no incentive there for the original buyer to hold onto it, unless hes going to resale it himself.

If it is on a slip included in the case, but the user never uses it, why would it not then still be in the case?

No, there is no guarantee, but still... If a user didn't bother to use it, then it isn't all that likely that they decided to throw it away.

Do you instantly just pull everything out of the case of your games and leave only the manuals?

Heck, I don't even bother taking the manual out 90% of the time, much less anything that is in there with it.

people sell code's on gametz.com all day long.

even if it is only a couple bucks to them it must add up when they have a handfull.

[Ginsu Victim]

I remember back when Phantasy Star Online came out for Dreamcast going to a rental store and grabbing the code sticker out of the placeholder case. Since you didn't get the case when you rent the game, I was able to use my burned copy online because no one had used the code yet.

Still have that sticker in my case to this day.

[massive88]

Plus, if the game was owned by someone who never takes it online in the first place, there won't be a $10 charge anyway.

Only if it still has its code with it, which is doubtful.

Mass Effect 2 was the first EA game that I saw something like this, where they you register an online account, separate from your XBL account, and enter in a code printed on an insert that was separate from the manual, which I assume all of these would be.  Makes more sense to mass produce the manual, then have unique codes on a single insert.  If I loan ME2 to my friend, they wont have the Cerebus network access unless they buy a separate DLC item for $10 in MS points.

Anyway, point being, even if someone didnt use the online code, they would still have to keep it with the game.  Gamestop probably wouldnt care when buying the used game, cause they dont want to take the time to verify if its been used or not, so theres no incentive there for the original buyer to hold onto it, unless hes going to resale it himself.

If it is on a slip included in the case, but the user never uses it, why would it not then still be in the case?

No, there is no guarantee, but still... If a user didn't bother to use it, then it isn't all that likely that they decided to throw it away.

Do you instantly just pull everything out of the case of your games and leave only the manuals?

Heck, I don't even bother taking the manual out 90% of the time, much less anything that is in there with it.

Its all theoretical sure, but if I open a game, and 3 things fall out, I will throw them away, which happens quite frequently as they put flyers or promos in game cases.

If its tucked in nice and tight with the manual, sure, it might still be there, the cases are designed to hold manuals though, not loose sheets.


--

Thats awesome Ginsu.

[versapak]

Its all theoretical sure, but if I open a game, and 3 things fall out, I will throw them away, which happens quite frequently as they put flyers or promos in game cases.

If its tucked in nice and tight with the manual, sure, it might still be there, the cases are designed to hold manuals though, not loose sheets.


--

Thats awesome Ginsu.

Yeah, I have never had the "loose" sheets fall out when I opened the case. It isn't like they are in there without a manual.

The only point initially though was that there are instances where you could be lucky enough to not have to pay the extra fee even when buying used.

It certainly wouldn't be the norm though, and anyone would be silly to not assume that the code wasn't used.

[Epyx]

I worked for EAC up here in Vancouver (Triple Play, FIFA, NHL etc) and the games were as bad then as now...to this day I still can't play EA sports games without feeling nauseous...suffice it to say my non-disclosure ran out years ago...the games were released riddled with bugs and the engines were barely modified from year to year.

[Ginsu Victim]

the games were released riddled with bugs and the engines were barely modified from year to year.

Got anything better than this? For being out from under a non-disclosure, you sure as heck didn't tell us anything we don't already know

[SavannahLion]

the games were released riddled with bugs and the engines were barely modified from year to year.

Got anything better than this? For being out from under a non-disclosure, you sure as heck didn't tell us anything we don't already know

That says a lot. He's basically saying EA Genesis crap has the same code as it does on the EA Xbox crap.

[Necroticart]

What i'm interested in is Backbreaker it uses actual physics instead of mocap for play, and the crazy part about this game is It has modding tools that resemble what Modnation racers has. So while it's not an officially NFL game it's something new unlike madden plus online play is included on the used copies

Edit:included the link to the mod video
http://www.youtube.com/v/N4M4hpM-SSY&hl=en_US&fs=1&#

[shateredsoul]

*cough*boycott*cough*

[Loafmeister]

I don't see that big a deal, online comes with a cost to the dev so aside from the $10 versus $5, I don't see a problem with it (agree with you versapak).

The only problem I have is someone buying Madden 2010 a couple of years down the road, paying the $10 rate and then EA announces they're dropping the server access in a couple of months.  That would suck real bad. If EA wants to charge for the used copy to connect online, fine, but then they need to keep servers running a lot longer than 2-3 years.

[Necroticart]

Honestly as far as servers go people should be hosting their own just look at old PC games for example. If I install quake I can still play online and it's almost 14 years old. For no reason should EA be hosting the servers. Basically they make it so you have to upgrade every few years for the online functionality and considering the lack of innovation on their part it's no surprise got to cheat customers somehow to make a little extra green.

[Loafmeister]

Here's a couple of other reasons aside from greed for the devs to host the servers:

- Helps curb piracy
- Helps prevent some of the cheating that comes into play (though it's no guarantee)
- Many games, even sports games, have RPG elements build into them via stat tracking.  It's much easier to handle that, considering the focus on team play, via their own servers.

For me, the limitation on cheaters is one of the reason I started to play online again.  I'll agree though, for many of the games out there, it's a pity they don't support local servers as well.  I agree them making money is certainly a factor too .

[Dartful Dodger]

EA's losind revenue from Gamestop? I traded in a couple of PS2 Karaoke Revolutions and a Resident Evil to put towards the pre-order of a new Battlefield  Bad Company 2 from GameStop.

The person buying the used 1995 NHL isn't going to be buying the 2010 limited edition version and EA isn't making any 1995, (or 2009) versions anyway so they aren't losing any revenue from it.

It's like buying a car.  People buying used cars aren't in the market for new cars, but people in the market for new cars are thinking about the resale value of that car.

The person buying the NHL 2011 won't be getting as much cash for it when they trade it in.

Unless Gamestop (with EA's support) has an incentive for them to trade in the old one for a new one, people are going to sit on the games for another year or so.

On a more personal note, Battlefield will be/was the last EA game I buy new.

[TOK]

Honestly as far as servers go people should be hosting their own just look at old PC games for example. If I install quake I can still play online and it's almost 14 years old. For no reason should EA be hosting the servers. Basically they make it so you have to upgrade every few years for the online functionality and considering the lack of innovation on their part it's no surprise got to cheat customers somehow to make a little extra green.

This is the whole Dedicated Server argument that caused the uproar about Modern Warfare 2.
Many new games aren't coming with the option, and having to depend on the developers server/matchmaking creates exactly the problem you describe. There is an entire generation of multiplayer games that will lose their online ability if developers shut the matchmaking servers down.

This EA thing is another layer to that. They aren't making any money on the sale of used games this is their plan to get it, either by getting the 10 bucks or more likely by discouraging people who want to play online from buying used stuff at all.

EDIT: Pre-Coffee grammar. 

[Samstag]

Gamefly is having one of their used game sales I spoke about.  I'm not sure if non-members have to pay shipping.  It may vary by title.

The really good deals go in and out of stock, so if you want something grab it quick.

[Hoopz]

Gamefly is having one of their used game sales I spoke about.  I'm not sure if non-members have to pay shipping.  It may vary by title.

The really good deals go in and out of stock, so if you want something grab it quick.

Thanks for the heads up!

[shateredsoul]

Ubisoft is joining the party

http://kotaku.com/5541773/assassins-creed-publisher-could-copy-eas-downloadable-content-model

*edit* woops, it turns out they are adding the Downloadable contect part, not the limited internet scheme, bu they are considering it