EA charging twice for downloadable content [update 1]

by James Ransom-Wiley { Oct 24th 2006 at 5:55PM }

It's hard to top the Madden tutorial scam, but EA appears to be trying. Downloading the "Level 4 Tommy Gun – Spectre Minigun" for The Godfather will set you back 100 Microsoft points ($1.25); actually getting to use the weapon will set you back $750,000 worth of in-game currency. Don't got $750,000? Don't worry. EA's got you.

You can purchase $250,000 worth of Godfather bills for an additional 150 points ($1.50). Not a bad exchange rate, eh? (Sense our sarcasm?)

Let's review: you buy the Spectre once with real money, and then again with virtual money. When you realize you don't have enough virtual money, you turn around and use more real money to buy more virtual money, so you can re-buy the gun you already bought with real money. Ain't that something?

Update: To clarify, you can only purchase the $250,000 in-game currency download once ($50,000 & $100,000 downloads are also available for one-time purchase). What's most alarming is that EA removed the cheat code for money from the Xbox 360 version.

Tags: download, EA, Electronic Arts, ElectronicArts, Marketplace, premium content, PremiumContent, The Godfather, TheGodfather, Xbox Live, XboxLive

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

dan s. @ Oct 24th 2006 6:02PM

joystiq writer- math/proofreading skills not required.

Ethan @ Oct 24th 2006 6:02PM

And you can have all of this available out of the box with the xbox 360.

Doc @ Oct 24th 2006 6:03PM

EA really needs to stop the whoring out of it comsumers!! This is really getting old and needs to stop the next thing that you know is that they will charge for online and per map for other games or even per bullet or clip you use online! Plus no reach around? WTF?? I really hate EA and HATE isn't a strong enough word IMO

Nter @ Oct 24th 2006 6:06PM

EA go to hell.

Ubisoft will reign!

_>

DWells55 @ Oct 24th 2006 6:09PM

I've really had it with EA. It's become absolutely disgusting.

Join me in the BF2142 Spyware/EA boycott - http://www.petitiononline.com/bf2142ad/petition.html

Doc @ Oct 24th 2006 6:10PM

ubisoft is starting to scare me too...shipping half baked games...GRAW too what 7 months to get a patch that did nothing but make the online experience worse?I just hope they don't become the next EA! EA is crap

Ed @ Oct 24th 2006 6:11PM

Lordy. At least the Saints Row DLC was all $1 in-game.

LordMinogue @ Oct 24th 2006 6:11PM

Oyay Ethan!

Do you honestly think EA won't pull the same scam on PS3 consumers? The developer is using tools at its disposal to maximize revenue from each unit sold; I dont't blame them. I blame the rich gamers who made this concept economically feisable in the first place.

Don't like it? Don't buy it (or any incomplete titles shipped with pay-to-play in mind). I have yet to purchase any extra content over Xbox Live. Want a true scam? Grand Turismo HD.

Gullible is Written on the Ceiling.

striderhayasa @ Oct 24th 2006 6:16PM

Horse Armor, Lumines and now this. I guess console gamers are definately the new market to fleece.

Sorry EA, I'm not feeling it. Try again.

360us Maximus @ Oct 24th 2006 6:16PM

Ha! I said it last week that sooner or later someone was going to try and have us pay for guns and ammo in games. How much longer before you have to buy ammo for multi-player? Hmm, or how about a speech pack, you know, everything's in the game via subtitles but if you really want "immersion" then buy our voice pack. Maybe make you buy a new puck when you put one over the boards in NHL 07 too maybe? Idiots that actually buy this shit need to be taken out and shot in the face for they are too stupid to live. Some chuckleheads are like "oh, it's only a dollar or so, lighten up." Problem here is, if this garbage gets paid for by fanboy idiots, then it's only going to get worse in a hurry. Soon you'll buy paying full price for games but you have to buy over half of the content. Gran Turismo on PS3 fiasco anyone? Stop this shit NOW.

Your Fat Mother @ Oct 24th 2006 6:17PM

I Love this little game they're playing. Can't wait until Ubisoft takes a fat shit on them.

Ryan @ Oct 24th 2006 6:18PM

I'd like to see them try that bullshit on the Wii.

360us Maximus @ Oct 24th 2006 6:19PM

Oh and Ethan, have a seat before I have to spank you in public again idiot.

Brandon @ Oct 24th 2006 6:30PM

Kotaku explained buying in-game monies as a one-time affair, such that you can only buy $250,000 (Godfather bills adjusted for inflation) once, and $100,000 (more Godfather bills) once. I don't know if you can buy both amounts, or one or the other.

Your argument doesn't hold though. Hypothetically, if I buy a mod for Oblivion that gives me the opportunity to buy boxing gloves and receive unarmed training from a boxing coach for my medieval Rocky Balboa character, you wouldn't consider it "re-buying" if I spent septims on the gloves and training. Now let's say Bethesda begins selling septims at some unspecified exchange rate. I don't necessarily have to spend my quick septims on boxing gloves or unarmed training, so I'm still not rebuying them. I have the freedom to the septims as I wish, same as with the Godfather.

If you want to criticize microtransactions, look towards the Microsoft Points system. You're constantly left with points you can't spend how you want. You can either buy something small you don't really want, or pony up more cash for real stuff. Or worse yet, leave your points unspent, which is what Microsoft wants you to do.

Ethan @ Oct 24th 2006 6:30PM

lordminogue, 360us maximus. Pleasure seeing you here. May I please re-route you to the last time I was right, only a few days ago.

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/20/sony-to-replace-ps3-controllers-when-if-they-die/#c2478871

Didnt see you post any comments on that story, wonder why? Good day ladies.

Anthony D @ Oct 24th 2006 6:31PM

Ryan, get ready for it, because it's gonna be next gen wide. Do you really think that this is going to get any better?? Deal with it, don't download any of it, and move on.

At least the marketplace is what it is supposed to be, a marketplace.

AS LONG AS THE LITTLE RICH BOYS DOWNLOAD THIS CRAP IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY!!!!

Anthony D @ Oct 24th 2006 6:32PM

PS3 Gran Turismo, no cars, no tracks....no cash....no play!!

Brandon @ Oct 24th 2006 6:36PM

#10 They already have charged money for the immersive technology of speech. It's called a "talkie" version. I can't remember if there was a price difference, but you had to choose between a version in which people spoke and a version in which mute people communicated through text.

This was a limitation of floppy discs versus CD-ROMs though, since not all computers had CD-ROM drives at the time talkies existed.

Vercin @ Oct 24th 2006 6:42PM

Man, back in the day, we had to enter cheat codes to get lots of in-game money. Being able to charge it to my credit card is so much easier and less time-consuming than pushing all those buttons on my controller. I hope EA sells me an option that will let the computer take control of the game and finish all the missions for me while I watch. That would be pretty cool. Or, better yet, gives me an option to just give them money for absolutely nothing in return. I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility.

Frosty22 @ Oct 24th 2006 6:44PM

Ethan... you're an idiot.

Measure @ Oct 24th 2006 6:50PM

150 XBL points == $1.87

Ethan @ Oct 24th 2006 6:52PM

Wow, what a comeback frosty33, how long did it take you to think of that??? Oh, and why havent you other two responded yet? Just wondering...

Denney @ Oct 24th 2006 6:53PM

LOL. I wont buy an EA game never mind online content

Dave @ Oct 24th 2006 7:03PM

Guys lets face it EA is the worst games company ever.In fact im embarrised to even say that they are a games company.

number40one @ Oct 24th 2006 7:04PM

I've got a feeling that the nickle-and-dime... er... "dollar-and-quarter" business model will deflate once these yay-hoos realize that even the most gullible of us isn't all that stupid.

tommy @ Oct 24th 2006 7:05PM

more power to ea if they can get dumbasses to pay for this stuff

Measure @ Oct 24th 2006 7:08PM

If this content is really crap, nobody will pay for it anyway. It's not like EA is forcing anyone to buy this crap.

tommy @ Oct 24th 2006 7:11PM

if you dont wont it dont buy it.
guarantee they wont do it again if you dont buy it.

LordMinogue @ Oct 24th 2006 7:25PM

Oyay Ethan!

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, dinner arrived (Chinese...yum). I'm supprised that you're still so sore over a comment made 5 days ago, but i'll take the opportunity to rub some salt into the wounds.

This quotation form the Joystiq article sums things up:

"the company will provide a service to replace wireless PS3 controllers "when and if" their lithium batteries degrade"

"Provide a Service" - the first word that crossed my mind was "Ipod" - Apple replaces Ipod batteries "If and when they die," but at a cost. About $66.

http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/battery/

"If and when" - Lithium Ion batteries decay, steadily. Read a Wiki article if you doubt me.

Gullable is Written on the Ceiling

Brandon @ Oct 24th 2006 7:25PM

Gah, either no one read my comment, or doesn't get it. We all knew this would happen, and it makes more sense that a company that already does microtransactions would do it. People won't look at the large picture, only at the letters EA. I'm not a fan of microtransactions, but people are looking at the business model as if it's scandalous. Joystiq, please append an explanation to this. You can't say EA makes you pay twice for the Tommy Gun because they can certainly earn it the hard way, or use the Godfather bills on anything else they want. Please think before posting something that is going to get a lot of negative comments.

This is like a much smaller scale of when you held Wii news until midnight. The same hype isn't here, but the forethought isn't either.

reguy @ Oct 24th 2006 7:35PM

i dont know why you guys are so mad
i mean ethan is always right and not a fanboy at all
the ps3 will never have this sort of stuff in its online network
i mean when was the last time you heard sony doing or saying something shady like this?

(Sense my sarcasm?)

Ethan @ Oct 24th 2006 7:38PM

Lord Minogue
Hey, argue all you want, the fact is, ps3 controller batteries will not degrade at a fast pace, and when they do, sony will replace them. I am perplexed as to how it took you 4 days to eat chinese food, however.

Gullable is Written on your arse.
**Lordminogue turns around and gets a good view of the crap stains covering his jeans**

mandarin @ Oct 24th 2006 7:38PM

EA = Scum

Shogan @ Oct 24th 2006 7:43PM

This is exactly what I suspected would happen with these microtransactions, and we're seeing the greediest companies having the least amount of shame here too.

EA, you've made it to my boycott list. I remember when EA used to make awesome games, now it's one of my least favorite companies in gaming.

If there's a must-have EA game, buy it used. They don't get a dime.

Wilky @ Oct 24th 2006 7:54PM

lordminogue, 360us maximus and ethan. Take your bitch fight elsewhere. Preferably the freeway. Go and play with some matches and petrol. Or do I need to slap all three of you, your like a gaggle of fairie's. Put down your handbags, tidy your hair, and apply more lipstick if you want, but other than that - Shut the fuck up.

On another note. EA are doing this because they can. Why not sue them, they say "its in the game", and clearly its not, its a downloadable chargeable extra.

Optimus Prime @ Oct 24th 2006 8:06PM

"17. PS3 Gran Turismo, no cars, no tracks....no cash....no play!!"

Actually, thats completely different; the cars in GT HD/5 take an **incredible** amount of time to model properly.

Whereas, here, theres basically no extra programming or development effort on the part of EA.

Joe @ Oct 24th 2006 8:09PM

Hey, Ethan:

-20 GB are fine with me, and you'd really buy 3 hard drives? Bullshit.
-Don't need HD-DVD, normal DVDs are fine with me
- Xbox Live cards get given away by the handful, you can get them SO MUCH CHEAPER in other places, not to mention the freebies on XBL
- I have an Ethernet cord leading down to my basement- no wifi needed

So maybe over the 5-6 years I'll have my 360, I'll have spent, maybe, 600 bucks... Hey, that's what you're paying first day!

Lookie thar, your fanboy "logic" has failed you.

Wedge @ Oct 24th 2006 8:15PM

Same thing as before. EA is charging for the crap you just normally throw in as cheat codes in game. And here it actually is cheat codes in the other versions of the game. This is total BS. Say goodbye to having fun with a game using an Unlock All cheat.

Moogle @ Oct 24th 2006 8:23PM

Optimus Prime - Doubtful. Even if you can't just ask the car company for a full 3d model, scanning in a real life object is a well-exercised practice. Hell, regular people have cobled together lasers and cameras into devices that can scan objects pretty well.

Creating *new* content, like racetracks, for example, is hard. Cars... not so much.

kuri @ Oct 24th 2006 8:35PM

You know, I was going to defend the whole "marketplace" stance, but after re-reading it seems like EA is just cashing in on laziness akin to gold farmers. Not only that, they're also working the game mechanics around profiting from laziness.

I'm one who takes the stance that "real life affluency should not determine in-game status/progression", which seems to be entirely at odds with what EA is doing these days.

We're shelling out money for a complete game, not something that's 9/10 there with the other 1/10 waiting online.

The LEAST EA could do, if it wants to take advantage of Live's marketplace so badly without tarnishing their reputation with consumers (that care), they could at least mention what is NOT available in the packaged game and only purchasable online. But they'd never do that- it's almost guaranteed loss of sales.

Best advice I can give is: let your wallet do the talking. Don't get this marketplace shit, put XBOX Live's version to shame, and get developers to distribute all-inclusive games again.

theGreenGrunt @ Oct 24th 2006 8:43PM

EA = EVIL

BklynKid @ Oct 24th 2006 8:48PM

I really can't stand EA...

swoosh bnd @ Oct 24th 2006 9:12PM

On the original Xbox, I bought a lot of extra game content because I felt the games were complete. This generation, the games don't feel complete and they are leaving things out of games only to charge you for them later. I also hate the idea of consumables and cheats being charged for on the marketplace. On the Xbox 360, I have felt that I will not pay for a part of the game that should have been included initially, therefore I am boycotting EA and any other companies that try to pull this crap.

JPRacer @ Oct 24th 2006 9:12PM

You're not alone. I hate EA so much... And if they're successful in their practice other companies can do the same shit. EA must burn in hell.

Optimus Prime @ Oct 24th 2006 9:13PM

"Optimus Prime - Doubtful. Even if you can't just ask the car company for a full 3d model, scanning in a real life object is a well-exercised practice. Hell, regular people have cobled together lasers and cameras into devices that can scan objects pretty well."

I think you are seriously underestimating the work that Ployphony Digital is putting into their cars. But, it will be a while before its out, so im not going to elaborate or anything.

alex @ Oct 24th 2006 9:16PM

they removed the cheat code so they can milk us??!?!?!??! wow, im done with ea. scum

otakucode @ Oct 24th 2006 10:58PM

Don't forget, not only did they remove the cheat code, but they've removed the possibility of the creation of Game Genie-like devices. Over the years, the Action Replay and Gameshark devices have really skirted legality, using reverse engineering to get their way into systems since console manufacturers have actively altered their systems to make such devices difficult to create.

Now, thanks to the DMCA, any such device is definitely illegal. Sure the DMCA is unconstitutional as all hell, but until someone can afford to fight the court cases all the way up to the SCOTUS, it's not going anywhere. It could have been knocked out right after it was signed if the folks who made Streambox VCR could have afforded to keep going in the courts, they won each and every single court case RealNetworks threw at them and they had a clear cut-and-dry case with no holes. But, they ran out of money and had to fold.

Maybe one of the companies that makes the Gameshark or Action Replay are solvent enough that they can take their case all the way to the top (because they WILL get sued if they circumvent all the copy protection to gain access to game memory) but I wouldn't expect them to even try going up against Sony or Microsoft. Nintendo probably wouldn't bother with a suit, they lost hard against Galoob back in the day and their lawyers probably still remember that...

yu8 @ Oct 25th 2006 12:44AM

wow the console crowd have it really bad, i thought them EA BF2 booster packs were a scam now i read about buying miniscule content on the console. makes me sad that game companies have come down to this sort of cheap money grabbing tactics. fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. i guess i shouldn't be angry at them for just doing business but only if more people would wise up and say no. perhaps they might take a hint and go back to making more bland sports games.