EA to start charging for online play...

[allthatisman]

Looks like consoles only, but you know that if it's remotely successful that it will trickle to PC's soon enough:

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/how-playing-madden-online-could-cost-you-10/1398633

Discuss

 

[rivan]

I'm not surprised - companies of that size look to monetize every last corner of the market; nothing is "included" anymore.

Frankly, I'm completely shocked battle.net is still free.

The idea of "revenue streams" where there's consistent cash flow has to be really attractive to gaming companies. Collector's editions, DLC, paid multiplayer - all of these things are attempts to increase revenue on each game.

 

[Lonyo]

They aren't charging for online play, they are charging for online play if you buy a used game.
That's not the same thing. It's basically the day one DLC type idea, but instead of DLC it's online access.
It's a way of monetising used game sales, not a way to charge people who buy new for online access.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

<Edit> Thanks for clarifying, Lonyo. Maybe something like that will be implemented for used PC games as well.

 

[BladeVenom]

The used game market for the PC is very small, and EA Sports has mostly abandoned the PC market.

 

[lupi]

Yeah, the clarification post is a helluva lot different in meaning than the OP title. And this is not something new, been around since last fall.

<Edit> Thanks for clarifying, Lonyo. Maybe something like that will be implemented for used PC games as well.

Already has been, PC equivalent is them locking the games key to an individual account. But it has made for a good laugh for the console weenies to experience our pain for a change.

 

[dud]

IF EA starts charging to play BF 1943 online on my PS3 I will make sure that it is the last EA game I ever buy.

 

[Firsttime]

The used game market for the PC is very small, and EA Sports has mostly abandoned the PC market.

But this effects people on Live and PS3 too. So it's kinda a big deal for console users. Just another sign of the times we gamers live in haha.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

dont people already pay for xbl?

 

[KMFJD]

I have no problem with this....

 

[crownjules]

dont people already pay for xbl?

If you buy the game brand new then you won't need to pay anything. It's when you buy the game used that you pay EA $10 for a new online key. The original one presumably has been used by the initial buyer.

As has been pointed out, it's EA trying to make money from the used game market from which they currently get $0. And that's why EA wants to do this, to profit from those who use their products but the money they spent doesn't actually go to EA. It'll be interesting to see how this effects Gamestop's model of buying back your slightly used MW2 for $20 credit and then putting it back out on the shelves for $55 (I know MW2 is not an EA title, just an example).

 

[zerocool84]

I have no problem with this....

You don't have any problem that they're trying to get rid of the used gaming market??? It's ridiculous making people pay extra for this.

 

[Maximilian]

I have no problem with this....

Then gtfo of the gaming forum because you clearly dont belong here.

 

[krnmastersgt]

I wonder how this is going to affect those video game rental stores, or is everyone going to have to just play the 7 day free trial? (okay it affects a smaller portion than used games but its still there!) Most people that I know that rent games usually hold onto for a couple of weeks unless they just dislike the game from the get-go.

 

[Rifter]

if you are ok with them killing the rental and used market then i agree with max, GTFO.

 

[KMFJD]

No problem with them killing used/rented games, everyone should pay for the games they play.

 

[Firsttime]

I wonder how this is going to affect those video game rental stores, or is everyone going to have to just play the 7 day free trial? (okay it affects a smaller portion than used games but its still there!) Most people that I know that rent games usually hold onto for a couple of weeks unless they just dislike the game from the get-go.

I think I read on Ars earlier that each game only gets one 7 day trial. So if you want to rent and play you have to pay.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

No problem with them killing used/rented games, everyone should pay for the games they play.

you do pay for it. You pay out the ass to buy the game, then you need to buy the system, then the interwebs. Paying to play on something you already pay for is stupid. That is like if you had a 24 fitness subscription, which is 15 a month for the basic one with unlimited access, then every time you go in you have to pay an extra 15 bucks to use the treadmill, then 15 for the elliptical, 15 for the pool.


Its stupid, and makes no sense So gtfo please.

 

[pontifex]

does this mean that cheaters can just buy another key to start playing again if they get banned?

 

[HybridSquirrel]

does this mean that cheaters can just buy another key to start playing again if they get banned?

they already do that....

 

[coloumb]

No problem with them killing used/rented games, everyone should pay for the games they play.

That's seriously wrong. Here's why:

- DVD movie is registered and linked to the original buyer. If you want to watch the DVD - you have to enter a code for which the DVD player verifies against a remote server that you are authorized to watch the DVD. If you want to sell the DVD - you can, but the buyer would have to pay a fee to have it registered in their name and go through the same process in order to watch it.

- A hard back book protected by an electronic lock is linked [registered] to the original buyer. Everytime you want to read the book, you have to enter a unique code which is linked to YOUR account. The electronic lock talks to a remote server, verifies the information, and unlocks the book so you can read it. If someone wants to buy your book, then they'd have to pay a fee to re-register your book in their name.

 

[pontifex]

they already do that....

cheaper than it is now to buy a whole new copy of the game.

 

[mindcycle]

EA has been looking for a way to kill the used games market for a awhile now. It looks like they may have found their solution.. at least in some respect. This and shitty DLC released the same day as the regular game hits is pretty despicable IMO.

The sad part is that people will still buy their products (essentially supporting this nonsense) and it will most likely make the CEO and EA shareholders that much more wealthy. But at what cost? When the used market is gone how many people will simply give up on gaming or move to a platform without these restrictions? Companies like EA are blinded by dollar signs and don't understand that the used market is vital to the gaming industry as a whole. The more games you can afford to own means more time and money you will most likely spend on games, and the greater interest you have in gaming in general.

When short term money making schemes are done without considering the impact it will cause later on, you have to start questioning the morality (and sanity) of the person making those decisions. But like most other industries it's all about making money right now, the future be damned! Who cares right? The CEO needs his fifth yacht and one for his shareholders as well. What did you say? .. Making games for gamers and listening to what they want? .. What does that have to do with me making more money?

 

[Scooby Doo]

All the more reason to stay away from them. I get a good chunk of my games used.

Edit: Oh it's for online... nevermind. I dont play online anyways.

 

[paperfist]

Kind of funny tail chasing here.

Console games cost $60 and because they are so expensive people opt to save a coin or two and buy used. So now that publishers aren't making enough because no one wants to pay for $60 games they are going to charge you to buy used.

Kind of silly and I have a hard time believing this would be successful.