EA charging twice for downloadable content [update 1]

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...

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.

Hey guys, while you might not agree with him all the time, Ethan is right.

DONT FORGET THAT EA IS CHARGING 250 POINTS TO BE ABLE TO HIRE A NEW TYPE OF CREW MEMBER, THEN YOU GOTTA SPEND 10K VIRTUAL CASH TO HIRE.

This sucks so bad, I agree with most of the people on here, we should definitely boycott EA games, ehich is a shame because I am a fan of most of their games.. (FIFA, NBA Street, Need For Speed etc).
As for removing cheats, as long as ive been gaming, cheats have been an integral part of the gaming experience, there for the player if he/she wants to take advantage of them. To remove them and replace with this scheme is abhorrant.

ps Ethan, you are a twat.

I really don't like this, I'm an avid xbox fan and I enjoy the Marketplace system but I don't know where the blame lays. I can say, "It's MS's fault for not controlling what can and can't be sold, and for what price" but then again if it's an open market, it's going to follow supply and demand. So perhaps the best course of action is to let company's do this and just not buy these "consumables". Once companys see what people will and won't pay for, and the amount of marketplace content expands exponentially they'll be forced to price things lower to compete over your dollars.

If I have to pay more money for a game online (after the Live fee of course), I'm not paying it. Consoles are getting more expensive, and so are games. I will not allow them to fleece me everywhere. They are just getting greedy now and that's ridiculous!

Well, ya can't get the level 4 "Gat" in the PS2 version, but at least you can use the cheat code for cash if you want.

Geez, all this whine and no cheese anywhere. You 360 owners knew what you were getting into when you picked up your console, if you didn't think software companies would try to nickle and dime you (more like dollar and buckNquarter you) to death, I don't know what you were thinking.

I just hate that you have to pay $59.99 at retail for games now. I'd probably be persuaded to buy a 360 if the game prices started out lower.

Grats EA on your free press. Love em or hate em, it's obivous they are selling.

Isn't this worse than horse armor? I mean don't you actually get the Horse Armor, and not merely the OPTION to buy horse armor in game?

EA Gatling gun is the new horse armor.

BTW, anyone know what the exact description of the Gatling gun is?
If it states that it unlocks the Gatling gun for purchase for $750,000, then fine...at this point it's up to the consumer to vote with wallet.

If it only states that it unlocks the Gatling gun for purchase, without stating the (high?) price of $750k, I'd be a little miffed. Suck it up to a case of buyer beware! Of course, EA should be less shady and fully disclose how much the thing costs.

But if it merely says that it unlocks the weapon with no indication of having to buy the item, then there's a case for false/misleading advertisement. Usually marketplace purchases actually gets you an something (though it's merely digital), not the mere option to get said item.

if u wana stop get ur pich froks an ur torches an chase umm out

"What's most alarming is that EA removed the cheat code for money from the Xbox 360 version."

What a coincidence, that comes at exactly the same time I removed any plans to purchase any future EA titles, isn't that weird?

As long as there's none of this bullshit in Spore, I'll be happy. Maxis is the only division of EA I ever had any use for, anyway.