Don't Buy a used EA Game from Amazon... (PSA)

[mvbighead]

Just a pro tip for the gamers out there.

If you're looking to save a few bucks buying a used EA game on Amazon, think again.

Each EA game is given one product activation. Once activated for a user, that is it. Selling the game to someone else is going to result in the reception of useable install media only. EA tech support will not deactivate that license for the other user, and thus the game is only good to the original owner. This may not be news to some, but figured some people may be unaware.

I am not sure why Amazon would allow the sale of (in my case) a used copy of BF3 if you can't even use it. In fact, I can't even install the game for local play without a valid, unused activation code. The only means EA is giving me is to send a letter via mail with $10 to get a valid code. At this point, that may be my only option. Just sucks as I now have software I can't install.

 

[crownjules]

That's not Amazon's fault. It's your fault for not staying up with news of EA's newest policies. They've been doing this for something like a year now.

Video game makers hate second hand sales because they receive no profit from the sale. So EA decided to rectify that situation by including a code that's good for a one time use so you can play the game online. If you buy the game used and the code was used to activate the online portion, you gotta fork up another $10 for a new code.

 

[Lonyo]

Exactly the same as selling a used Steam game on Amazon, only I doubt Valve would let you send them $10 for a code.

 

[Sixguns]

This is old news. Been happening for a few years now. Fail on your part for not knowing.

 

[Platypus]

You should change the title to 'Don't buy an EA Game' and leave it at that.

 

[busydude]

^^ This.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

And the manufacturers wonder why people turn to pirating games.

 

[Vic Vega]

...

 

[Atomic Playboy]

In fairness to the OP, it is ludicrous that anyone would sell a used game knowing that whoever purchased it would be unable to use it. That's like those people who sold empty Wii boxes on eBay; sure, you're "technically" getting a copy of Battlefield 3, but you bought expecting to be able to play it, not just look at the disc.

In fairness to Amazon, I'm almost positive they don't sell used games and you were going through a third party seller. While it is shady, it is not really Amazon's fault. I mean, yes, they should thoroughly vet all third party sellers to keep these shady business practices out of it, but there are a lot of people who don't know how DRM works who won't realize that a used EA game is worth less than a brick.

Lesson learned, hopefully.

 

[edro]

I thought all games were like this now.

You aren't buying a copy of the game; you are buying the right to play the game.

 

[zinfamous]

That's not Amazon's fault. It's your fault for not staying up with news of EA's newest policies. They've been doing this for something like a year now.

Video game makers hate second hand sales because they receive no profit from the sale. So EA decided to rectify that situation by including a code that's good for a one time use so you can play the game online. If you buy the game used and the code was used to activate the online portion, you gotta fork up another $10 for a new code.

to be honest, I think Amazon very much does need to get involved with this. Either prevent sellers from listing used EA games, or take it to EA directly.

The average consumer is not going to know of this, and I do think it would be a great idea for big companies like Amazon to make the issue more public.

People don't care about EA's practices because "gamers" are a tiny tiny fraction of consumers--and now more of those gamers are console people that simply won't care about this. The general population doesn't care about EA because they have no idea what they are up to.

 

[dr150]

I've bought used EA games from Gamefly, BB, etc with no issues to online play...there's a unused code with it, from my personal experience.

 

[mcmilljb]

to be honest, I think Amazon very much does need to get involved with this. Either prevent sellers from listing used EA games, or take it to EA directly.

The average consumer is not going to know of this, and I do think it would be a great idea for big companies like Amazon to make the issue more public.

People don't care about EA's practices because "gamers" are a tiny tiny fraction of consumers--and now more of those gamers are console people that simply won't care about this. The general population doesn't care about EA because they have no idea what they are up to.

Don't buy what you don't understand! They even state on the game they require a code for online play. You can still play the damn game, just not online. This is not a new policy so I don't understand the complaints. Besides why would someone play BF3 when you have MW3 which doesn't require a code?

 

[mcmilljb]

I've bought used EA games from Gamefly, BB, etc with no issues to online play...there's a unused code with it, from my personal experience.

Because gamefly saves the codes for when they actually sell the game.

 

[lord_emperor]

Sue EA for violating your rights to re-sale. Build it into a class-action lawsuit.

Please, do it, I mean it.

 

[foghorn67]

Last EA game I bought was BF3.
And I don't intend to give them my money again anytime soon.
Lent it to a friend to see if he was interested. Previously this always guaranteed a sale, because he always bought a new copy of whatever I lent him. This is an effort to find games we can play online together. MP, co-op, whatever.

He probably won't buy an EA game for a long time either.

 

[mvbighead]

In fairness to Amazon, I'm almost positive they don't sell used games and you were going through a third party seller. While it is shady, it is not really Amazon's fault. I mean, yes, they should thoroughly vet all third party sellers to keep these shady business practices out of it, but there are a lot of people who don't know how DRM works who won't realize that a used EA game is worth less than a brick.

This is my primary point in this. Amazon facilitates the sale to a third party.

Me, being the dumb consumer that I am, figures that if Amazon allows the sale of a used EA game, then I must be able to play it. Instead, I can't even do off line play without activating the product. There is no point in Amazon allowing the sale, because the goods are worthless.

And, while it may sound like it, I am not blaming Amazon. Not completely anyway, I just wish they'd remove the possibility for the sale of used EA games because people won't get what they think they're paying for. It's simply a waste.

And, while in the end, it was my mistake, the reality is I don't play games that often. And when I buy them, I generally wait til they are less than $30 or so before making the plunge. I can justify it easier that way. At this point, I am simply disappointed that used titles are even being linked on Amazon when the actual product you are getting is useless. I'd have spent the extra $10 for the digital download from Amazon and avoided this whole process.

 

[Dessert Tears]

In fairness to Amazon, I'm almost positive they don't sell used games and you were going through a third party seller. While it is shady, it is not really Amazon's fault. I mean, yes, they should thoroughly vet all third party sellers to keep these shady business practices out of it, but there are a lot of people who don't know how DRM works who won't realize that a used EA game is worth less than a brick.

I bought a used copy of Rock Band 2 from Amazon Warehouse. It has a single-use code for 20 bonus songs. I assume that it has been used/consumed, but I made the decision with full knowledge and understanding. I bought new copies of Mass Effect 2, which have codes for "Cerberus Network" DLC, but it can also be purchased like normal DLC (for $20, more than I paid for the full game). In these cases, the value of used = new - value of code.

It would be nice if the listings on Amazon and elsewhere would list single-use codes prominently.

 

[JSt0rm]

And the manufacturers wonder why people turn to pirating games.

by pirating the game you show demand for the product. Showing demand for the product puts pressures on your rights to a free internet. If you lose those rights in the future and you pirated you only have yourself to blame.

 

[spacelord]

I used to buy all (most) of my games for $39 or $49 without batting an eye. I sold a few of them later for $10-$20.
Now I wait for the $5-$15 dollar range for most games.. I think they did better before.

 

[mcmilljb]

This is my primary point in this. Amazon facilitates the sale to a third party.

Me, being the dumb consumer that I am, figures that if Amazon allows the sale of a used EA game, then I must be able to play it. Instead, I can't even do off line play without activating the product. There is no point in Amazon allowing the sale, because the goods are worthless.

And, while it may sound like it, I am not blaming Amazon. Not completely anyway, I just wish they'd remove the possibility for the sale of used EA games because people won't get what they think they're paying for. It's simply a waste.

And, while in the end, it was my mistake, the reality is I don't play games that often. And when I buy them, I generally wait til they are less than $30 or so before making the plunge. I can justify it easier that way. At this point, I am simply disappointed that used titles are even being linked on Amazon when the actual product you are getting is useless. I'd have spent the extra $10 for the digital download from Amazon and avoided this whole process.

What game can't you play offline without a code?

 

[frostedflakes]

Sue EA for violating your rights to re-sale. Build it into a class-action lawsuit.

Please, do it, I mean it.

Courts are going to have to deal with first-sale doctrine in the digital age sooner or later, I'm really anxious to see how they rule. Could have big implications for services like iTunes, Steam, etc.

Anyway, as others mentioned this has been going on for a while now, video game publishers want nothing more than to kill the used game market. You should still be able to do single player, though, as far as I know these one time use activation codes usually just lock you out of multiplayer or prevent you from accessing bonus content if you don't have one. What game is it?

 

[God Mode]

Courts are going to have to deal with first-sale doctrine in the digital age sooner or later, I'm really anxious to see how they rule. Could have big implications for services like iTunes, Steam, etc.

What if you're only purchasing a license for a single user? Not for resale license? OEM windows can only be activated on one motherboard etc. Companies have all sorts of legal speak to nullify many things.

 

[shortylickens]

Welcome to 1999.

 

[Dessert Tears]

I am not sure why Amazon would allow the sale of (in my case) a used copy of BF3 if you can't even use it. In fact, I can't even install the game for local play without a valid, unused activation code. The only means EA is giving me is to send a letter via mail with $10 to get a valid code.

At this point, I am simply disappointed that used titles are even being linked on Amazon when the actual product you are getting is useless. I'd have spent the extra $10 for the digital download from Amazon and avoided this whole process.

For those asking, the game is Battlefield 3. Not sure if it's the PC version.