EA is finally ending its Online Pass program, a decision the video game publisher says is partially based on player response.
“Yes, we’re discontinuing Online Pass,” EA senior director of corporate communications John Reseburg confirmed to GamesBeat in an e-mail. “None of our new EA titles will include that feature.”
First introduced in 2010 with the intent of being exclusive to EA Sports games, it quickly grew into other EA properties such as Need for Speed and Battelfield 3. The Online Pass revenue generated between $10-$15 million for EA in its first year alone. Other games have since followed in these footsteps including the likes of Uncharted 3 and Assassin’s Creed III.
“Initially launched as an effort to package a full menu of online content and services, many players didn’t respond to the format,” Reseburg said. “ We’ve listened to the feedback and decided to do away with it moving forward.”
Hopefully this is a step forward moving into the next generation of consoles. What are your thoughts on the matter?
