EA Sports games require 'Online Pass' to play online @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on May 11, 2010

News: And if you buy used, a new Online Pass will cost you $10.

After spending the last three years rehabbing their image as the "Evil Empire" of gaming, Electronic Arts has regressed a bit to their former ways with the announcement of the EA Sports Online Pass.

Starting with next month's release of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11, the publisher plans to pack a title-specific Online Pass inside every future EA Sports game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. This one-time use code will enable players to access servers for online play and bonus DLC content. Gamers who purchase used copies of EA Sports titles will be able to purchase an additional Online Pass code from GameStop for $10. Free trial codes, that are good for seven days, will also be available.

УThis is an important inflection point in our business because it allows us to accelerate our commitment to enhance premium online services to the entire robust EA Sports online community,Ф said Peter Moore, President of EA Sports. Moore didn't comment on whether or not this additional fee to play EA Sports games online would ensure server support for some of EA's older games. Typically, EA drops server support for EA Sports titles within three to four years.

More information about the Online Pass program can be found at EASports.com/onlinepass, including a list of all of EA's 2010 releases that will require the registration code:

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11

NCAA Football 11

Madden NFL 11

NHL 11

NBA 11

FIFA 11

EA Sports MMA

We'll have more on EA's latest ~~cash grab~~ business decision soon.