EA killing off its Online Pass program

Electronic Arts' Online Pass program was put in place to gain revenue from the sales of used games. If a game was part of the program, it required a registration code to play online. New copies would come with the code, but once used, gamers would have to buy a new Online Pass. Today, EA announced their future titles will not use Online Passes due to the negative backlash from consumers.

In an email to GamesBeat, EA senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg confirmed the company's move away from Online Passes. “Initially launched as an effort to package a full menu of online content and services, many players didn’t respond to the format,” Reseburg explained. “We’ve listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward. We’re still committed to creating content and services that enhance the game experience well beyond the day you first start playing”

This is great news for consumers and hopefully influences other publishers to do away with similar registration codes. After being voted the Consumerist's "Worst Company in America" for the past two years in a row, perhaps EA is making this their first step towards redemption?

Ernest Lin is a US Editor for PSU when he's not fighting for the consumer. Follow him on Tumblr & Twitter for updates on gaming, movies, traveling, anime, Japanese pop culture, and more.