Whether or not you agree with the industry’s near-universal adoption of Online Pass services or an equivalent attempt to push back on used games, you expect the code to work when you buy new.

That hasn’t been the case for some year-old Electronic Arts games, including Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, as originally reported by users of the gaming message board NeoGAF.

EA is, thankfully, standing behind those games, and recommends users to contact the company. This statement was sent to me last night:

EA Online Pass codes for first-purchase games do not expire as long as EA’s servers support that product. Customer service is our top priority--anyone encountering a problem redeeming an Online Pass for an EA game should contact EA Customer Support at 866-543-5435 for assistance.

It’s an extra, annoying hoop to jump through for a legitimate purchase, but that’s a separate issue.

Whether or not you agree with the industry’s near-universal adoption of Online Pass services or an equivalent attempt to push back on used games, you expect the code to work when you buy new.

That hasn’t been the case for some year-old Electronic Arts games, including Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, as originally reported by users of the gaming message board NeoGAF.

EA is, thankfully, standing behind those games, and recommends users to contact the company. This statement was sent to me last night:

EA Online Pass codes for first-purchase games do not expire as long as EA’s servers support that product. Customer service is our top priority--anyone encountering a problem redeeming an Online Pass for an EA game should contact EA Customer Support at 866-543-5435 for assistance.

It’s an extra, annoying hoop to jump through for a legitimate purchase, but that’s a separate issue.

EA...

As someone in the know, let me tell you that the process is not as easy as that rep is portraying it.

@themartyr said:

As someone in the know, let me tell you that the process is not as easy as that rep is portraying it.

Feel free to explain in PM.

Might have to be jumping through these hoops soon. Just cracked open my new copy of BF3 I've been sitting on, and sure enough my code is coming back used/invalid. Hopefully I can get a new code, but I have a sneaking suspicion I'm in for some headaches and possibly for zero gain.

If Your EA Online Pass Code “Expired,” You’re Covered

Flying in the face of common internet stereotypes, Patrick Klepek dares to use proper homophones.

And if you act up on our message board, then your pass code is expired automatically!

Don't worry, EA's got you covered...at least for 18-24 months, and then they pull the servers on you, and you're screwed.

@Krakn3Dfx said:

Don't worry, EA's got you covered...at least for 18-24 months, and then they pull the servers on you, and you're screwed.

This.

Oh, thank god. Because if there's one thing I don't get enough of, it's entering fucking codes on a shitty controller and having to login to third party services and register for things and get new codes and enter new codes. Whatever happened to entering a serial number from your CD insert and never having to do anything ever again? This really is starting to undermine the "consoles benefit you by just sticking the CD in and things just work" thing.
 
What they should do is, after nine months to a year, disable the need for codes at all. You've "protected" your asset for the first year. Now get rid of all the bullshit.

@patrickklepek said:

@themartyr said:

As someone in the know, let me tell you that the process is not as easy as that rep is portraying it.

Feel free to explain in PM.

Might be what he's referring to.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=33228188&postcount=315

I have a much better idea: Don't buy EA games :)

@sofacitysweetheart said:

I have a much better idea: Don't buy EA games :)

EA not making a good name for themselves nowadays

Dealing with customer service is such a chore.

Guess after ME3 I am done with EA games with online passes.

Having to call customer support to use something new in wrap that you just bought is not even remotely acceptable.

Online passes! What could possibly go wrong?

I hate working in customer service. Wish I had a real job even though I have my bachelors' degree.

@Shuborno said:

Guess after ME3 I am done with EA games with online passes.

Having to call customer support to use something new in wrap that you just bought is not even remotely acceptable.

This

Solution: Just put serial keys on console games. PC games have been doing it for decades and it isnt that big of a deal.

I think EA's recent shenanigans call for a bit more editorial expression of disapproval.

@Rirse said:

And if you act up on our message board, then your pass code is expired automatically!

Along with access to any other games and functionality tied to your Origin account. And remember, if you're in the US you can't file a class action lawsuit.

EA's continuing and worsening dubious, anti-consumer practices and policies have finally gotten us to a point where I can no longer justify supporting this wretched company. I'm getting Mass Effect 3 used, because I have to, but after that I'm bailing out.

So... now the best way to get the full game content when you buy a game is just buy it used and then buy the online pass content online. Even if the price comes out the same, at least you don't run the risk of getting a code that doesn't work.

Good work, EA.

@Shivoa said:

@Krakn3Dfx said:

Don't worry, EA's got you covered...at least for 18-24 months, and then they pull the servers on you, and you're screwed.

This.

Main reason I'm not interested in NFS: Hot Pursuit.

HA! And here everyone said that online passes were the best way to go.

And then they wonder why people pirate stuff... :rolleyes:

At least they are doing something, so there is that. It just sucks that it happens in the first place

I just realized I hadn't played NFS: Hot Pursuit yet, I still had the Limited Edition in the shrink wrap and this article made me panic. I was able to redeem the code with no problem, though. Maybe because it's the Limited Edition version?

Also - has it really been a year?? Jesus.

@Atramentous: I think the idea is to stop the buying of used games. Unlike piracy, you can say that these people were going to buy the game, but now GameStop or whoever is getting the money.

Not that I approve of online codes in the slightest, or really much of what EA does these days, but adding a serial number would do nothing to prevent reselling of the games. Unless you lose the code, I guess...

@Paul_Is_Drunk said:

@Atramentous: I think the idea is to stop the buying of used games. Unlike piracy, you can say that these people were going to buy the game, but now GameStop or whoever is getting the money.

Not that I approve of online codes in the slightest, or really much of what EA does these days, but adding a serial number would do nothing to prevent reselling of the games. Unless you lose the code, I guess...

Tie it to your Xbox live or PSN profile. Steam does it, why couldn't they do it on consoles.

EA Online Pass codes for first-purchase games do not expire as long as EA’s servers support that product.

@Phototropic said:

@Shivoa said:

@Krakn3Dfx said:

Don't worry, EA's got you covered...at least for 18-24 months, and then they pull the servers on you, and you're screwed.

This.

Main reason I'm not interested in NFS: Hot Pursuit.

It has a very good single player campaign and the online is fun for 5-10 hours, so it's worth playing. No one's going to play it for years like CoD 4 or something.

At my local game store, I picked up Hot Pursuit for the PC for $4 last week and the online pass/serial code didn't seem to have an expiry date. Guess its a console thing.

@themartyr said:

As someone in the know, let me tell you that the process is not as easy as that rep is portraying it.

As someone who is also "in the know", let me tell you that this process would not even be an issue if online pass codes did not exist. There are plenty of other series that sell millions without the requirement of this nonsense.

I bet if the games didn't cost so damn much, people wouldn't buy used. And they act like they're nor robbing you further with DLC?

As someone who is also "in the know", let me tell you that this process would not even be an issue if online pass codes did not exist. There are plenty of other series that sell millions without the requirement of this nonsense.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Go digital, and the problem's been solved!

@elisajefferson said:

my best friend's mom makes $77 an hour on the computer. She has been out of job for 9 months but last month her check was $7487 just working on the computer for a few hours. Read about it here NuttyRich.com

Doing what, running an escort service from her home?