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

[ViRGE]

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

Anything that uses Origin. So Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3, and newer EA games beyond that. The same goes for any games that are heavily integrated into Steamworks and require activation with Steam, such as Portal 2.

In any case I find myself in agreement with the OP; retailers should not be reselling used games that can't be played. They're quite literally worthless.

 

[Powermoloch]

research before you buy

 

[waffleironhead]

a-z guarantee

 

[mcmilljb]

Anything that uses Origin. So Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3, and newer EA games beyond that. The same goes for any games that are heavily integrated into Steamworks and require activation with Steam, such as Portal 2.

In any case I find myself in agreement with the OP; retailers should not be reselling used games that can't be played. They're quite literally worthless.

Oh you mean PC games. Maybe you and the OP should just buy new PC games since you can't decide if the used price + new key is cheaper than buying new. Seems like people would know this. Unless it's your first time, I think you know what you're getting into when buying an EA PC game. Or even if you buy a PC game on steam.

 

[ViRGE]

Oh you mean PC games. Maybe you and the OP should just buy new PC games since you can't decide if the used price + new key is cheaper than buying new. Seems like people would know this. Unless it's your first time, I think you know what you're getting into when buying an EA PC game. Or even if you buy a PC game on steam.

This isn't Project $10 though. You can't just buy a "new key", because it's not just multiplayer and DLC that's tied to the key. It's the whole game that's tied to the key. The used game is completely worthless and should not be sold.

 

[mcmilljb]

This isn't Project $10 though. You can't just buy a "new key", because it's not just multiplayer and DLC that's tied to the key. It's the whole game that's tied to the key. The used game is completely worthless and should not be sold.

Looks like EA said the OP could buy the key for $10. Plus what if someone just needs to buy the media since they lost theirs? PC games have been requiring keys for years. I wouldn't want to buy used PC games for the simple fact you never know what DRM that company is pushing. Wouldn't even have protection from the original buyer finding some way to use that code even if it was multiple use. Used PC games just don't seem worth the hassle without knowing what you're buying. Seems more like the OP was ranting because he didn't know how EA does their PC games.

Also looks like most of the used listings state whether the code has been used or not. A-Z guarantee comes into play if it does not activate for you.

 

[blurredvision]

I love how everybody is hating on EA when they are, by far, not the only company that does this...

 

[Double Trouble]

EA is not the only company that does this, but I certainly refuse to buy anything from any company that does this. I'll either pirate it or not play it.

 

[rh71]

I paid $60 for Starcraft II and apparently because it's linked to my Blizzard account I can't even sell it. I played it for less than a week. SOB!!! Someone tell me I'm wrong please.

 

[Hacp]

I paid $60 for Starcraft II and apparently because it's linked to my Blizzard account I can't even sell it. I played it for less than a week. SOB!!! Someone tell me I'm wrong please.

Activision

 

[shortylickens]

I paid $60 for Starcraft II and apparently because it's linked to my Blizzard account I can't even sell it. I played it for less than a week. SOB!!! Someone tell me I'm wrong please.

If 60 dollars was really that important to you I dont know why you didnt investigate the DRM in advance.

 

[mvbighead]

This isn't Project $10 though. You can't just buy a "new key", because it's not just multiplayer and DLC that's tied to the key. It's the whole game that's tied to the key. The used game is completely worthless and should not be sold.

This. Is took quite a bit of prodding but they relented and gave me a page to buy a key.

Problem is, I have to send them a letter with $10 and they'll send me the key. Hello 2-3 week turn around.

Anyhoo, this whole situation is just a little bit much. I get the piracy thing, I really do. But when I purchased a legit used copy, I would expect to be able to play it. In my case, the PC version of BF3 will not allow an install without activation. I prodded their EA support as to why PC users are treated differently than PS3 and Xbox users, but got little to no reply.

Amazon at least made things right. As I now have to spend an extra $10, or lose about $8 on shipping charges ($4 non-refundable from buyer, $4 to ship it back), Amazon went ahead and gave me a $10 promo to use on my next purchase. That'll at least eat the difference.

Anyhoo, my issue with Amazon is the fact they facilitate the purchase of a useless product. Some people may need install media replacements, but the media itself is not worth half the product price. As you can see, in my case, the install media is worthless. Guess I'll ship it back and likely use the promo on something else. Maybe I'll give in and buy the game. I dunno.

 

[alent1234]

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?

you can play a used game single player, online you have to pay up

perfectly legal since online requires the company run and maintain servers

 

[mvbighead]

you can play a used game single player, online you have to pay up

perfectly legal since online requires the company run and maintain servers

In the case of BF3 for PC, that is incorrect. It will not allow install without an unactivated product code.

 

[NuclearNed]

It's kind of weird that back in C64 days, everyone loved EA and thought their games were the absolute best. How times have changed!

 

[alent1234]

when your market is growing you live off the new customers. once things mature you start sucking them for every penny

give it another year or two and you will see this in the iOS app store. HD versions and freemium are the first steps. watch most apps go to annual versions in the next few years

 

[AdamK47]

The only used PC games worth buying on amazon and eBay are the early 2000s or the 90s classics.

 

[shortylickens]

The only used PC games worth buying on amazon and eBay are the early 2000s or the 90s classics.

:thumbsup:

 

[alent1234]

i remember a while ago the Alpha Centauri expansion was selling for like $100

 

[Pheran]

I wonder what would happen to any car manufacturer who implemented some system that recognizes the driver and only allowed it to be activated once, thus preventing resale of the car.

 

[KLin]

I wonder what would happen to any car manufacturer who implemented some system that recognizes the driver and only allowed it to be activated once, thus preventing resale of the car.

Detroit would burn to the ground!!!

 

[gorcorps]

Detroit would burn to the ground!!!

Well... at least it'd be an improvement

 

[aoya]

Have you tried contacting Amazon? They are generally pretty good about taking care of their customers, even if it's sold by a third party.

 

[mvbighead]

Have you tried contacting Amazon? They are generally pretty good about taking care of their customers, even if it's sold by a third party.

Yep. They've at least issued a $10 promo credit which'll negate the loss for the most part.

I just wish they'd stop facilitating the sale of the used games, but I suppose after enough people complain, they may consider it.

 

[0roo0roo]

And the manufacturers wonder why people turn to pirating games.

nope, they get paid for making the game, is that awful?

gamestop and other resellers create a market where a game gets bought once and resold over and over with the developer never making money ever again and everyone else getting the profit...so how is that fair. they just figured out a way to stop this, as anyone would in their place.

you buy a used game, they get zero dollars, so how would you be voting with your money anyways, you are already ripping them off.

whining about piracy is going to get you no where anyways, piracy helped nerf the pc gaming market already, so if you think piracy punishes anyone other than yourself, you gotta be kidding.