Battlefield 3 will employ Online Pass, required for multiplayer

by Richard Mitchell on Oct 14th 2011 2:40PM

In an offhanded way, Electronic Arts has confirmed that Battlefield 3 will indeed use Online Pass. Responding on Twitter to a fan asking if a new copy was required to play multiplayer, DICE core gameplay designer Alan Kertz responded, "You can also purchase an online pass for a used copy." Kertz explained the reasoning behind Online Pass to another fan, writing, "Because servers cost money, and used games don't make developers any money."

Of course, the fact that an EA-published title will include Online Pass isn't exactly surprising, and we've suspected as much for Battlefield 3 for months now. What is somewhat surprising is that Battlefield 3's Online Pass is required for all multiplayer access. In the game's predecessor, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Online Pass granted players extra multiplayer content, but was not required for multiplayer access. Then again, that was before Online Pass started earning millions of dollars.

Via: MP1st, That VideoGame Blog
Source: @Demize99 (1), (2)

Tags: battlefield-3, DICE, EA-DICE, microsoft, online-pass, pc, playstation, ps3, xbox

Reader Comments (203)

I fear for what greedy practices the industry will apply in the next console generation.

@nerdydesi1 Of all the new "features" in this gen this is one i don't mind. You shouldn't either if you buy your game new.

@bxgt These practices not only suck for those that buy used games, but for those that rent games such as from GameFly. I'm a PC gamer so EA screws me by using Origin as the PC client. They are screwing console gamers with these online passes. I'd still use GameFly to play console games occasionally, so online passes and digital-only games don't work for me.

@bxgt Agreed. If it is cheaper to buy the game used by less than $10 (the cost of an online pass), just buy it new.

@nerdydesi1

Greedy practices? Really? EA is protecting their investments with Online Pass. As much as I don't like the practice, it makes sense. You talk so much about your precious PC gaming but that industry has been doing the same thing for years in the form of serial numbers.

@nerdydesi1 - At the very least with doing it in a Battlefield game, we're getting dedicated servers & not peer to peer.

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power If used games had as big of an impact as EA thinks they do, they'd quit selling retail copies and go to digital only distribution.

But really, saying used games don't pay for servers is stupid, because no matter how many times the copy gets sold it's still just one copy using the same resources as the last guy.

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power I don't think online passes are cool for those that use services like GameFly. What do you think?

@nerdydesi1
Greedy practices like trying to make a profit? Funny, i thought that was the purpose of having a business. If you dont like it, dont buy it. Go read a book.

@nerdydesi1

Even if you don't like online passes you have to recognize how narrow minded your response is. They are putting money and work into sustaining the servers on the game and keep it functioning.

The bottom like is you know what you can get when you get the game used. You still have the opportunity to get it used but recognize you are now getting a lite version.

@nerdydesi1
Well maybe if you saved some money you could actually buy the game. I didnt realize the gaming industry is obliged to cater to "renters".

@Klearwater Killer There's a line in which you are running a business to when you are being obnoxiously greedy.

@Klearwater Killer Really? Then why is GameFly so popular? Maybe I'd rather pay a flat rate per month to play as many games as I want rather than paying $60 (at least at launch) to play a game I may get tired of. We know especially with console games, games popularity comes and goes. One day, everyone is playing that game online and the next day, the servers are all empty.

@Stevetrop Man of Mystery If it's really just to keep the servers functioning, they don't have to make up some nonsense about "used games". MMOs have been charging a fee for decades but nobody bitches because they're honest about it.

@Klearwater Killer

where would dead space be with out rentals and used sales?

how many of us bought that game brand new? compared to how many of us bought the second one.

I'm sick of this nonsense where people say the used market brings them no money. I just traded fro red faction: armageddon. you know what? when the next installment comes out I'm buying it new. I liked it that much. if it wasn't for trading I would have never played it and I wouldn't think about the next installment.

I bought darksiders used for $12 and because of that I'm going to preorder darksiders 2. but no no no every used sale is a lost sale!!!!

on the opposite end of the spectrum, I bought LA NOIRE brand new for $60 not on sale, because I loved the trailers for it, then I loved the game so I bought all of the DLC for it. If devs want to make money they jsut need to make a good game and stop trying to scam people

@nerdydesi1
You're calling them greedy yet you sell your used games to Gamestop and get ripped off in the process.

@nerdydesi1

Do you guys not understand why EA and other companies are looking into this?

@Stevetrop Man of Mystery

I preordered BF3 Right? That means that EA now knows that I will be playing this game online and like you said, I am paying for that server space or whatever. So now, after a few months, I tired of BF 3 and just ive it to my cousin. He goes online and plays it online and he cannot do so, Cause know it is used, However, the SAME GAME that I BOUGHT and paid EA for their "space on their server" it is now VOID? So the same game I BOUGHT that is on the same space server, my cousin will have to pay 10 dollars even though I already paid for the game new! WTF, it is not an extra BF3 he is playing, it is mine!

@Slomoshun

why is it that everyone assumes everyone trades to gamestop?

Have you dolts never heard of amazon, or ebay, or craigslist, or other human beings?

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power Do you not understand how dishonest and shady their justifications are?

@nerdydesi1
back in the old days rental companies did profit sharing with company so they could get video games and movies at cheaper price. Maybe blockbuster does it for mail service because they have to wait 3 months before new release ship out.

I'm sure they going have to make 3 or 5 day free trial for online play for rental companies.

@nerdydesi1

Console, PC, all the same when it comes to this stuff.

I'll start worrying about online passes when Valve starts letting me sell my games on Steam to other members.

ST

@Captain Planet Planeteer Power
This is not the same as a serial number. A serial number is not a one-use code. This is greed plain and simple. I could get into it in great detail but I will not. The bottom line is that this is a money grab. It has nothing to do with "cost money to run servers", and has everything to do with screwing people that buy used games (or rent). This is charging money for a non-existing product (like phone companies charging you for texting).

Think of it this way: EA produces 100 copies of Battlefield. 100 units are sold. If a person decides to sell their copy to someone else then there are still 100 copies. There are not 101 people using servers, it's the exact same amount. EA should have no rights to any money from a used sale since they already made money on the initial purchase. If this game is resold 5 times EA is making money for nothing. If life tells me anything it's that money for nothing is criminal!! This is one reason why people are marching on Wall Street.

@xreadmore
ALSO this prevents people from lending games to friends... it's effing ridiculous.

@nerdydesi1 "I fear for what greedy practices the industry will apply in the next console generation."

3 words... Digital Distribution Only. Say good bye to rentals, sharing with friends, used games, sales at retail stores, etc. I've been a gamer for over 20 years now but I will bow out completely if this happens.

@nerdydesi1

Gamefly's not earning the dev any more money than used game sales, so why would they be concerned for one non-paying customer and not another?

@nerdydesi1
I think if you rent a game, they give you a week of trial for online...

@Colin Really? How do you think Gamefly gets their copies to rent out? Magic?

@xreadmore

"This is not the same as a serial number. A serial number is not a one-use code"

They are now days with PC gamers stupid obsession for steam.

@nerdydesi1

its applying now, psn pass limit your game to work on only 5 devices... thjat full of crap.

and ea online pass only works for a signle account so your brother, sister friend or whatever cant come to your house and play the game with their account

@nerdydesi1

Time to give up consoles before you spend any more.

@Faceless Troll

Yeah. Game gets resold once, maybe twice at Gamestop, resulting in two non paying customers. Game gets rented ten or fifteen times on Gamefly resulting in ten to fifteen non paying customers.

@eat it
Excellent point. A robust resale and rental market enables more people to play a game, which can increase sales for future entries in the series.

But, of course, piracy enables people with more time than money (kids, students, unemployed people) to play a game, which might improve sales once those players have more money than time, but the industry still complains about that as well.

@Colin Ok, so you're an idiot. Rental companies like gamefly pay licensing fees to get their copies. Those fees are usually pretty exorbitant and more than make up for "non-paying" customers.

If a company wants to profit off "non-paying" customers then they should make DLC that people actually want to buy instead of crippling standard game modes.

@Faceless Troll

Last time I checked, Catwoman is a DLC people actually want, or there wouldn't be such massive amount of bitching about it.

Anyhow, I think I need to never read an online pass post again, because everyone commenting on them seems to be eight shades of entitled and completely throw logic out of the window. Good day.

@nerdydesi1

Or you could play the single player mode(s)?

I think we can just make a list of what games DON'T require an online pass since it will be smaller.

@dtrain1183

I think the biggest kick in the nuts is calling it "online pass" as if I am lucky enough to be ALLOWED to use THE GAME I ALREADY PAYED FOR.

Condescending and arrogant simultaneously.

"Because servers cost money, and used games don't make developers any money."

What a dumb argument. If I buy the game new, and sell it to my brother, then I am no longer playing and his account takes place of mine for the server.

@mywhitenoise Its funny how these big companies had plenty of money to maintain their servers despite "evil used games" until just recently when these online passes started. Don't buy the BS, they are just increasing their bottom line at the expense of their customers. The same goes for other industries such as wireless carriers.

@mywhitenoise You see that is where you are right and wrong. Your situation is very specific, and likely to happen to many other people. In your situation, however, the "solider" account you used would have to be used by your brother. In this case, there is no server impact.
If you trade the game away, then a new "soldier" account would need to be created on the server by the person who purchases the used copy. Your solider account would remain on the server, as DICE/EA would not remove player data, unless maybe you requested it.
So basically, more data gets added to the server while almost none is being removed. This kind of server maintenance costs money, and I think we should be thankful there is no annual fee to use them. It's an awful nice service we get for very little.

@mywhitenoise so if this ONE copy exchanges hands 10 times, and all These owners played online. That sounds reasonable to you? And what If through all of next year this one copy was played online virtually nonstop due to the exchange of hands as a used copy, that seems fair to you? Nine people played this used game and exhausted it of all it contents without the developer seeing a dime?
let me ask you this. what if we ALL BOUGHT USED! NOT ONE DIME TO DEVELOPERS! How long could they stay in business. you are standing on the shoulders of those who buy new and really support our passion that is gaming. I know i want the next Gen systems to come out some day soon. I know when games went HD with current systems, developers could barely make ends meet. I have no problem with buying this new. And if you rent from Gamefly wouldn't you want to support the developers some how?

my God, Gamestop trys to sell you a used copy any chance they get over new. Gamestop isn't going to forward a dime to the developers. If i knew some of the profit gamestop made off of used did go to the devs, I'd totally support used games.

@Gregorysharp why not donate if you love them that much? I just want to enjoy my game

@Gregorysharp Funny, I buy mostly new games. I manage to pay for these by trading in games I'm finished playing. But I guess people don't want me buying so many new games.

@(Unverified) Well, I actually do pay an annual fee to play online and so does anyone else who has a gold subscription for Xbox Live. If I had to pay for Live AND then pay all these different companies an annual fee to play their games online, either I would no longer be an Xbox owner or I wouldn't play those games.

@Gregorysharp

"let me ask you this. what if we ALL BOUGHT USED! NOT ONE DIME TO DEVELOPERS!"

if everyone is buying used, then where are the game copies coming from? idiot.

"so if this ONE copy exchanges hands 10 times, and all These owners played online. That sounds reasonable to you?"

YES.

"And what If through all of next year this one copy was played online virtually nonstop due to the exchange of hands as a used copy, that seems fair to you?"

YES. a single person has the right to play online for a year nonstop, it shouldn't matter if it was multiple people.

@maveric101

>>"let me ask you this. what if we ALL BOUGHT USED! NOT ONE DIME TO DEVELOPERS!"

>if everyone is buying used, then where are the game copies coming from? idiot.

Seriously. +hearts

@Gregorysharp I want to take you to a library, it'll blow your mind.

People getting books, DVDs, even games, for free, and the publisher doesn't see a penny of it. They even let you read all of a book, they don't cut out the end because you didn't buy it new.

Libraries. How unfair.

@(Unverified)
"People getting books, DVDs, even games, for free, and the publisher doesn't see a penny of it."

Actually in some countries, publishers receive a small payment every time one of their books is lent out.

Wait, people are still freaking out over this?

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Battlefield 3

Battlefield 3 will employ Online Pass, required for multiplayer

Reader Comments (203)

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:43PM nerdydesi1 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:45PM bxgt said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:47PM nerdydesi1 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:54PM wrongThinker said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:55PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:59PM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:00PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:01PM nerdydesi1 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:05PM Klearwater Killer said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:06PM Stevetrop Man of Mystery said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:06PM Klearwater Killer said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:10PM nerdydesi1 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:12PM nerdydesi1 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:13PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:26PM eat it said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:28PM Slomoshun said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:38PM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:38PM sykane said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:38PM eat it said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:43PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:50PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:50PM Steel Toad said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 4:06PM xreadmore said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 4:11PM xreadmore said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 4:40PM ShadowAsura said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 6:03PM Colin said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 6:57PM eNriqeu said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 7:47PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 9:39PM This Little Man Says His Name Is said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 10:01PM eilegz said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 10:35PM teeftwo said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 11:22PM Colin said

Posted: Oct 15th 2011 1:23AM antelope said

Posted: Oct 15th 2011 3:32AM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Oct 15th 2011 11:32AM Colin said

Posted: Oct 19th 2011 4:37PM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:45PM dtrain1183 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:20PM Rob Liv said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:45PM mywhitenoise said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 2:49PM nerdydesi1 said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:08PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Oct 14th 2011 3:27PM Gregorysharp said

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