14 DAY TRIAL // The Online Pass idea was met with a certain level of hostility when it was announced but it seems that it is genuinely helping publisher Electronic Arts in its effort to limit the sales of used games. The system means that sports games published by the company come packed with a code which can be only redeemed once that allows access to multiplayer modes. Those who get the game used from popular chains like GameStop need to pay 10 dollars in order to be able to enjoy the same content.
John Schappert, who is the Chief Operation Officer working for Electronic Arts, has told investors after the company's financial figures for the first quarter were announced that, “We are pleased to see 60 to 70 percent of online connected users redeeming the code. The level of online play amongst our user base is up from last year, and revenue from paid downloadable content is also up.” he was talking about games like NCAA Football 11 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 that have been released until now. The same system will be used in the upcoming NBA Elite 11, FIFA 11 and Madden NFL 11. The backlash from second hand buyers might increase in the future when better known games using the Online Pass concept are launched.
Schappert says that both NCAA Football and the golf simulation are apparently getting more people enjoying online play, suggesting that the Online Pass is a good idea but Electronic Arts needs more information before it can fully evaluate the effects on new and used games sales.
Electronic Arts posted a profit for the first fiscal quarter of the year, reversing a losing trend that seemed to take shape during the same period of last year. The publisher is also looking ahead to the rest of the year, when it aims to relaunch the Medal of Honor franchise and will put out its usual string of sport simulation games.