Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3 MP Will Require Online Pass

Gamers waiting to pick up a used copy of Battlefield 3 and Mass Effect 3 at a somewhat discounted price might as well purchase a freshly printed version, as the multiplayer components of both games will require an Online Pass. Those who purchase new retail copies will get this pass for free, but customers lingering in the used games sector will have to fork out the extra bucks if they want to play online.

"The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War feature can be activated via the Online Pass code found in every new copy of Mass Effect 3," the company said in an official statement. "The Mass Effect 3 Online Pass can also be purchased separately on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system."

Just days ago Battlefield 3 core gameplay designer Alan Kertz said that an Online Pass can be purchased separately for used games. While most of us already know that it's a way for publishers and developers to generate revenue from the used games sector (because, after all, they get absolutely nothing from second-hand sales), Kertz said the Online Pass revenue also helps pay for the cost of keeping multiplayer servers up and running.

Earlier this week EA went into further detail about Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode, explaining that progress made the multiplayer component and "a suite of Mass Effect games and applications" will directly link back to the player's main campaign, helping Commander Shepard "rally the forces of the galaxy to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all."

"Featuring four-player cooperative gameplay, multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 puts players in the role of a team of elite Special Forces soldiers sent to protect resources and assets that can help the war effort against the Reapers," EA said. "Players will have the option of playing as one of six classes and from six different races: Human, Krogan, Asari, Drell, Salarian and Turian."

Details surrounding the multiplayer portion of Mass Effect 3 can be found here.

  • ben850
    What's the difference between someone buying the game and playing it for the next 10 years, or someone playing it for 5, selling it, and the 2nd person playing it for 5? There's still only one person on per disk. Not like it's putting any extra strain on the servers..
    Reply
  • -Fran-
    "because, after all, they get absolutely nothing from second-hand sales"

    Oh, come on! It's not like the online servers are going to get an additional person per used/resold game! Besides, they already got 100% value from the first buyer (and overpriced, that is).

    This thing is a totally stupid money milking strategy of people by the publishers.

    Now, if they let the online part of the game with the old online pass code active and independent from the "offline"/SP still playable, I'm all in for that. So, you just sell the "offline" part of it and continue to rock online. I really doubt it's that way though.

    Cheers!
    Reply
  • "because, after all, they get absolutely nothing from second-hand sales"

    So what! They are not entitled to revenue from second hand sales! Games are still goods and not services.
    Reply
  • wiinippongamer
    Greedy bastards.
    Reply
  • jryan388
    Good thing I'm not planning on buying either of those games ^.^ I don't buy EA anymore.
    Reply
  • This just in:

    Businesses and companies exist to make the most money they can
    Reply
  • dane332
    9317888 said:
    What's the difference between someone buying the game and playing it for the next 10 years, or someone playing it for 5, selling it, and the 2nd person playing it for 5? There's still only one person on per disk. Not like it's putting any extra strain on the servers..


    The difference is that the second person's money did not go to EA , Bioware, and anyone else related to production and distribution of the game.

    The only person who benefits would be the guy who sold the game used, or gamestop.
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    ben850What's the difference between someone buying the game and playing it for the next 10 years, or someone playing it for 5, selling it, and the 2nd person playing it for 5? There's still only one person on per disk. Not like it's putting any extra strain on the servers..
    Its about money. Mainly because that person buying used does not give them any money, only the store thats reselling it gets money. If that same customer who was buying it used bought it new, this wouldn't be needed.

    So instead they tack on another fee that really makes used pointless. If its a popular game, it will be $40ish used. Then they add this which is normally $20ish so its $60 and you could have just gotten it new.
    Reply
  • Scoregie
    You no what piss's me off the fact that on xbox you pay for gold membership to play "online" so in other words we have to pay 2 membership... shouldn't EA/Bioware get royalties from Microsoft since people are buying there game to play online which then makes people buy gold so on so forth?
    Reply
  • Well, guess I'm not playing BF3 then.
    Reply