EA: No Online for Used Games

[Sega Uranus]

Why is everyone against this idea? Just buy the game new, then you can play online. It is simple as that. It is effective against second hand purchases, pirates and will improve sales of all of their online-enabled products. It will also force shady dealers from being able to repackage used products as new.

Honestly, I think this is one of the smartest ideas I have seen be implemented to the industry in years, it is the kind of idea I think every publisher needs to pick up... Except Nintendo because all of their products are offline practically.  

I cannot really say I am a big EA fan at all... Far from it. The only game of theirs I own is Mass Effect, and I got that for free and it was released before EA bought BioWare! That is not to say I do not think they are a good developer or publisher at all. I think they have been on a roll for these past few years really quality-wise, fixing up their sports franchises, trying new ideas and creating tons of new IPs, lots of stuff. Though, it has obviously hurt them, so I am not sure where they will go from here.

[fluffymoochicken]

EA published Mass Effect 2 and Brutal Legend

I'm not impressed.

They really need to start making better games.

[Sega Uranus]

EA published Mass Effect 2 and Brutal Legend

I'm not impressed.

They really need to start making better games.

Like Muscle March and Rainbow Islands?

Get over yourself, Mass Effect 2 and Brutal Legend are two very good games, and that is only the tip of the iceberg my friend.

[MadeManG74]

Why is everyone against this idea? Just buy the game new, then you can play online. It is simple as that. It is effective against second hand purchases, pirates and will improve sales of all of their online-enabled products. It will also force shady dealers from being able to repackage used products as new.

Since when did second-hand buyers become bad guys? I still say if publishers want to cull second hand sales and piracy, then make your prices lower.

Even so this doesn't affect me personally since I don't buy games second hand often (prices on second-hand games are stupidly high in most shops).

EA published Mass Effect 2 and Brutal Legend

I'm not impressed.

They really need to start making better games.

Those games are both outstanding, if you aren't impressed because they only published them though, then what about Mirror's Edge, Dead Space and Bad Company 2? All of those are internally developed (I think). The Fight Night series is also fantastic, I'm not even a big boxing fan but love FN3 and 4.

[fluffymoochicken]

Like ... Rainbow Islands?

Yeah, like that.

Those games are both outstanding, if you aren't impressed because they only published them though, then what about Mirror's Edge, Dead Space and Bad Company 2? All of those are internally developed (I think). The Fight Night series is also fantastic, I'm not even a big boxing fan but love FN3 and 4.

Mirror's Edge had a very nice visual style, for sure.

But... Bad Company 2? Was that suggestion your idea of a joke?

[Sega Uranus]

Why is everyone against this idea? Just buy the game new, then you can play online. It is simple as that. It is effective against second hand purchases, pirates and will improve sales of all of their online-enabled products. It will also force shady dealers from being able to repackage used products as new.

Since when did second-hand buyers become bad guys? I still say if publishers want to cull second hand sales and piracy, then make your prices lower.

Even so this doesn't affect me personally since I don't buy games second hand often (prices on second-hand games are stupidly high in most shops).

I never said they were bad, but anyone purchasing games used hurts the industry as the publishers and the developers will never receive any of that money. Most publishers drop the price of their games within months too. Nintendo is pretty much the only exception, in which case they have been known to increase their prices. It also effectively stops pirates playing online at all, something which lowering prices could never change.

Plus it is not that bad really. Some people just want to buy games to play the single player stuff with themselves or with local friends, these people do not need to worry about anything at all.

Apparently this is also just for their sports games at the moment, so most of us will not even be effected.

[MadeManG74]

But... Bad Company 2? Was that suggestion your idea of a joke?

What exactly is bad about it? I've heard nothing but good things.

[fluffymoochicken]

What exactly is bad about it? I've heard nothing but good things.

You expect me to praise EA for making another bland, mediocre, generic war first person shooter? Do you know who you're talking to?

You must be losing it, man.

[MadeManG74]

What exactly is bad about it? I've heard nothing but good things.

You expect me to praise EA for making another bland, mediocre, generic war first person shooter? Do you know who you're talking to?

You must be losing it, man.

Wow you must be so insecure about your 'Underground gamer cred'.

[fluffymoochicken]

Wow you must be so insecure about your 'Underground gamer cred'.

Lol, naw, but if I'm going to play an FPS, I'm going to go with one that's far crazier than (and hopefully has more colors than) Bad Company 2.

Bad Company 2 is a slow paced shooter almost specifically designed for controller-only console gamers to enjoy.

[George]

Battlefield Bad Company 2 is rather good. I'd buy it if my internet ping time wasn't in the shitter.

[Orta]

EA has been a very good company this generation. While no online for used games is a bad, bad idea, I should point the evil is in Activision now.

[Monkeroony]

Wow you must be so insecure about your 'Underground gamer cred'.

Lol, naw, but if I'm going to play an FPS, I'm going to go with one that's far crazier than (and hopefully has more colors than) Bad Company 2.

Bad Company 2 is a slow paced shooter almost specifically designed for controller-only console gamers to enjoy.

Err.

This gen I have played:

Halo 3
Halo ODST
Bioshock 1 & 2
GRAW
Rainbow Six Vegas
Killzone 2
Gears of War 1 & 2
Uncharted 1 & 2
Call of Duty 2,4,5 and 6
Resistance 1 & 2
Batttlefield Bad Company 1 & 2
Battlefield 1943
Army of Two
Left 4 Dead 2
Perfect Dark Zero
Far Cry Instincts
Lost Planet

And Bad Company 2 is easily my favourite, the levels are massively varied and change from lush jungle to desert and arctic settings with changing weather effects.

If you haven't played it you don't really get an opinion on it.


-On topic, I think this is a good thing EA need money and $10 should hopefully cause more people to buy it new and support the devlopers.

[Barry the Nomad]

I'm far from hating EA, it's just that their games don't grab me as much as other publishers do. I do agree that Brutal Legend and Mass Effect are awesome, despite not owning them myself.

As for used games, I buy new when I can, but when it comes to walking into a GameStop and seeing a used copy for less than a new one, I'll buy used. I could give a rat's ass about who the money goes to. The one exception is Sega, I'll buy Sega games new.

[George]

EA has been a very good company this generation. While no online for used games is a bad, bad idea, I should point the evil is in Activision now.

I don't mind it, since I don't like the fact that Gamestop makes BILLIONS of dollars a year off of used games, publishers make $0 bucks. The only thing that pisses me off is trading. I trade a ton of games with other people, would suck if a EA game (I would never trade for or buy a EA sports game) had this that I wanted/liked.

I think EA should think about 'traders' that want to get rid of their shitty games. How about this, a user can pass OVER their license (like gifting is done on steam or something) to another user. That way there won't be a 'FACELESS CORP' making a ton of money.

Do we all win now?