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Some Of EA's Online Passes Can Expire, But Shouldn't

News

by Tim Turi on December 03, 2011 at 03:48 PM

10,313 Views

62 1

Some perturbed NeoGAF users have taken to the forums to air their grievances regarding some expired online passes. One gamer realized that his online pass for Need for Speed: The Run had expired, which cut them off from playing on Xbox Live.

While EA says that some games do indeed have Online Passes with expiration dates, getting a new code or redownloading a defunct one is free. It's good that no extra financial burden is put on folks who bought the game new, but entering in a code is pesky enough without having to track down EA for help.

So don't panic if you crack open a new copy of a game that's been on the shelves for awhile -- your right to play online is still valid, but you have to attain a new code directly from EA.

If you want to hear some Game Informer editors rant about this new effort to curb used game sales, check out the most recent episode of the Game Informer Show podcast. Also be sure to read Jeff's satirical article framing the dismal future which could result from these restrictive practices.

Source: Joystiq

Email the author Tim Turi, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.

Filed under: News, EA, Electronic Arts, Online Pass

Comments

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by DylanB Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 03:52 PM

NO CODES PLEASE NO MORE CODES! * Cries in terror while dramatic music plays *
by The guy who is meh Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 03:53 PM

That sounds annoying. I don't really have a problem with online passes, but I admit it would displease me if you had to track down EA... they have a really bad customer service.
by Boss Kowbel Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 03:57 PM

Tim failed to mention that EA's customer service is complete garbage. There are horror stories making the rounds where people can't get a working code after multiple calls to EA and code reissues.

Personally, I hope I don't encounter this problem. My backlog is currently piling up with several unopened games thrown in. The last thing I want to worry about is cracking open a game case only to not be able to play online.
by XTheNinja3 Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 03:59 PM

no more online codes just to play online!
by jon Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:07 PM

Attack of the codes. Ironic because codes used to be my best friend in the ps2 days.
by Harvester of Sorrow Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:13 PM

Online passes suck.
by Badwolf1986 Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:15 PM

I personally have nothing against online passes so long as they're for ONLINE play features only. But yeah, having to deal with EA CSRs sucks

EDIT: Also I think all games with online passes should allow a 3 day online trial for renters and such
by N0rthsideDonutz Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:20 PM

I was going to rent Battlefield 3 at the local video store, except there's a huge orange sticker on the box that says "Online Multiplayer Not Available" lol welcome to the FUTURE!
by Alex Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:21 PM

EA has been getting a lot of bad press lately. Seems like every other day something new comes out that makes them look really bad/incompetent.
by 2pacalypse Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:21 PM

yeah.... if EA didn't publish Dice titles, I would happily never purchase another EA product ever again...
by zachlukas Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:22 PM

online passes are ridiculous. I'm paying 60-70$ for a game so i don't want to pay another 10$ to access the actually game's content
by Jarvis Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:22 PM

I have to plug my code in for uncharted 3 every time I want to play online. It really ticks me off. I haven't played much of it because of this.
by Master Chief Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:24 PM

There should not be any expiration dates in the first place. Hell there should be no Online passes at all
by Steve the Random Comment Guy Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:27 PM

oh what this console generation has unleashed...
by Boyzby Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:49 PM

As if having the codes weren't bad enough...
by Masterassassin Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:51 PM

These passes are really causing some problems.
by ThisFreakinGuy Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:56 PM

Oh EA... how I loathe you...
by ThisBlueSquid Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 04:56 PM

Oh a bad idea backfiring? Color me shocked.
by duraigo Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 05:29 PM

This is just another reason why codes are a bad idea.
by opposedcrow88 Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 05:34 PM

I agree these new passcodes being attached to games are starting to get annoying. EA seems to be particularly guilty as I decided to try out the online portion of my brother's copy of Dead Space 2 a few weeks ago only to discover that since he'd used the passcode to unlock online functionality that I'd have to pay for my own passcode.

The same sort of setup is also used for Assassin's Creed Revelations multiplayer as well; unless you buy the game new or pay extra, you can't play online period. I'm all for giving incentives to pre-order or buy new but locking players out of a feature like multiplayer entirely unless they shell out either a game's full price or an extra few bucks is just wrong.