EA Takes Its Project Ten Dollar Program To EA Sports, Announces Online Pass

31
Dan Webb

EA Sports recently announced that they would be taking forward the company's initiative to combat the used game market - Project Ten Dollar - and using it in their upcoming sports titles.

The "Online Pass" follows a similar trend to EA Games' Project Ten Dollar in almost all respects - it comes with new versions of the game and if you don't buy it new, you can still buy it for $10.

Unlike its EA Games counterpart though, the Online Pass actually offers a trial of 7 days for those who didn't purchase the game new, but also, it appears that it's the first time they'll be holding back more substantial aspects of the game, such as online multiplayer.

An EA rep told Joystiq that although they were decided on a game-by-game basis, the Online Pass could grant access to "basic online multiplayer, as well as group/league features, roster and playbook updates, downloads of user-created content (like Photo Game Faces) and tournament support."

Ironically enough, this is a movement that used-game giant, GameStop, actually supports as they also announced that they would be selling point cards for the service in stores.

This initiative will start kick off with Tiger Woods '11.

Comments
31
  • hmm, this sorta sucks for people who get their games used (I get quite a few), but I can understand where they are coming from. Game developers make nothing of pre-owned games, whereas retailers take 100% profit.. so yeah. Plus, $10 isn't that unreasonable.. depends on how much of a saving you're getting with the pre-owned game in the first place.
  • we have seen this before. (BFBC2 VIP code)
  • This really sucks. How many times can they possibly expect to profit from an item? Double dipping is a no-no IMO.
  • Oh goodie. At least now, people who whine about this sort of thing have some ground to stand on (not a whole lot, though). Before, it was incredibly stupid when they were going "WAAAAAAAAAH! I have to buy my DLC separate from my used game, just like before Project Ten Dollar ever existed! WAAAAAAAAH!"
  • good thing EA sports games suck dick
  • i wish they would do it as a psn download though so that 5 playstations can use it, like i borrow my brothers bfbc2 but cant use vip code because its for just one user. i dont blame them for doin this tho
  • Wow, I see a lot of support for a douche move EA pulls by restricting online aspect to there sports titles just so they can make a profit, but then you all tear down Activision because they want to make a ....profit. Hmmmm!
  • @ #7, how is it a douche move? Buying Used games gives 0% back to the Publisher. How would you like it if someone bought a piece of your work and you got nothing in return?
  • i hope its not as restricted as the fight night 4 demo. i paid $5 for an "exclusive demo" that was pretty boring..it showed off the new features but lacked ali vs tyson...the main draw!
  • oh yeah and tiger woods golf will cost you extra money for all the courses and clubs! yeah will give you madden 11 for $10 but you gotta pay more if you want the redskins...no thanx ea....
  • I applauded EA with Project Ten Dollar. I thought it was a great thing they were doing rewarding players for buying their games new. Now this Online Pass thing is just unacceptable. Players should never have to pay for playing the game online. I don't care if they bought the game new or used. Now they are deliberately holding content and features from players
  • I will find ways around this. No problem.
  • its starting with TW11 as if he doesnt have enough problems of his own lol
  • They want MONEY!!! Just Money!!!
  • @8 You don't charge your friends when you let them use a game of yours do you? Then subsequently send that check to EA? Didn't think so, so if I want to buy a game used because that's easier for me to afford, then I should have that right. You want to have DLC? Cool. Go for it. But to take away a whole section of the gaming experience because of greed is ludicrous. And the funny part is when Activision starting mentioning charging for online, everyone jumped down there throat.
  • This really hurts trophy hunters a lot too. I have no intention of paying 10 dollars just to get 1 or 2 online trophies for a sports game. I would rather just not purchase the game at all.
  • One may think this would entice people to prefer buying the new game. Another position would be to consider that less people will want the game, sales will drop, and so will the price...
  • They make their profit from each unit sold, not re-sold! Making money from pre-owned games is a joke! They are just lining their own pockets as usual. If this system takes off, are they going to reduce the price of the game the first time its sold? DON'T F**KING THINK SO!!!!
  • as if the largest video game company on earth didn't make enough money. the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer; because the rich have the resources to come up with these shady ideas.
  • So if I sell my Nissan to my neighbor I suppose Nissan deserves a portion of that transaction too. I guess the same should be true of houses. The original builder should get a fee when I sell my house too. What happens with rentals. I buy very few games, love my gamefly.
  • I only see this huting trophy whores and cheap people. But since I buy Madden on release day (every 2 years), i got nothing to complain about
  • i guess im done playing ea games oh well not too many great games there anyways
  • WTF Are EA Thinking
  • Yeah, 21. Trophy whores and cheap people. Keep bringing that superior intellect. We are all proud of you for buying Madden on release day every 2 years!
  • @5 im pretty sure ea sports has beasted 2ksports
  • Just out of principle, EA has lost my money for upcoming sports games that support this. I rarely play online anyways, but I'll join the cause.
  • All this is gonna do is make EA lose money
  • I don't buy sports games personally, but I don't see the bad in this. This is a way for EA to actually make money off there games (not saying the need the dollars). buying used games may be cheaper, but in the end it only supports places like gamestop. It's 100% profit for them. Buying new is only way to support the developr/publisher you like, and keep the game companies going, instead of buying into gamestop and supporting there billion dollar company. Major publishers like EA don't really need to do this (hell madden will sell no matter what), but for some of the other companies it's a good idea.
  • Yea this is insane fuck EA. I hate EA Sports games anyways NBA2k11 FTW! $10 for online wow lol next its going to be $5 for the game case lol $2 for the manual and $60 for the game itself
  • lame!
  • Wow. What a ripoff!
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