Sunday, December 4th 2011
EA: New Online Gaming Content Codes Could Expire Before Even Being Used
If you're buying an Electronic Arts game, be prepared for the Online Pass that came with it to have already expired. This was the recent experience of a NeoGAF member who bought a brand new copy of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit from Amazon, only to find that he got an error message saying that the code was either incorrect or no longer valid. Gaming website Joystick picked up on this and asked an EA advisor about this situation. It turns out that it's EA's corporate policy to have some of these codes expire, but that no one should be faced with this, as a rule. However, if they are, then they can get a new one for free, by either downloading it or getting it from EA directly. Checking the EULA shows that at the moment, there is only one game with this restriction. It's only Dragon Age 2 (packaged) which has a time-limited an Online Pass code and that it expires on March 31, 2012:
The advisor didn't explain why these codes are designed to expire and it's hard to see exactly why. However, maybe it's to increase security of the product somehow, perhaps in a similar way that passwords at workplaces usually expire after a certain amount of time? Regardless, it's another inconvenient hoop that the honest gamer who's shelled out their hard-earned money has to jump through. In particular, one can see how these games that find themselves in the bargain basement a year later will all have expired codes, which will only be renewed at EAs discretion. Imagine the disappointment and frustration for the customer to see the online features being proudly advertised on the box, only to be denied at the point of installing the game. Then, it will be even more annoying should they contact EA about this only to be told that this feature has been removed. A feature like this could make or break a sale, so allowing such a situation potentially opens up EA to lawsuits for false advertising, since they are selling games that have had features removed by stealth. At the very least, such a customer would be entitled to a refund, which the shop would then be unlikely to give, because the box has been opened...
ONLINE PASS SERIAL CODE EXPIRES MARCH 31, 2012. EA ACCOUNT, REGISTRATION WITH ENCLOSED SINGLE-USE SERIAL CODES, INTERNET CONNECTION AND ACCEPTANCE OF END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY AND TO ACCESS BONUS CONTENT (IF ANY) AND ONLINE FEATURES AND/OR SERVICES. SERIAL CODES ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE ONCE USED. EA ONLINE PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF SERVICE CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.EA.COM. YOU MUST BE 13+ TO ACTIVATE SOFTWAREAND REGISTER FOR AN EA ACCOUNT. EA MAY RETIRE ONLINE FEATURES AFTER 30 DAYS NOTICE POSTED ON WWW.EA.COM/2/SERVICE-UPDATES.Note that it doesn't say anything about a replacement code at all. Only by contacting EA does the customer have any idea what to do about this, which can be very frustrating.
The advisor didn't explain why these codes are designed to expire and it's hard to see exactly why. However, maybe it's to increase security of the product somehow, perhaps in a similar way that passwords at workplaces usually expire after a certain amount of time? Regardless, it's another inconvenient hoop that the honest gamer who's shelled out their hard-earned money has to jump through. In particular, one can see how these games that find themselves in the bargain basement a year later will all have expired codes, which will only be renewed at EAs discretion. Imagine the disappointment and frustration for the customer to see the online features being proudly advertised on the box, only to be denied at the point of installing the game. Then, it will be even more annoying should they contact EA about this only to be told that this feature has been removed. A feature like this could make or break a sale, so allowing such a situation potentially opens up EA to lawsuits for false advertising, since they are selling games that have had features removed by stealth. At the very least, such a customer would be entitled to a refund, which the shop would then be unlikely to give, because the box has been opened...
56 Comments on EA: New Online Gaming Content Codes Could Expire Before Even Being Used
i dont trust EA either nor do i think they are worth defending. but that's at least what i would do. stay calm and act polite and understand that not everyone is perfect.
Thee maybe olny be product keys and a miniscule size of space taken up on their database but it would be a lot in the long run with so many people all over the World.
So in order to get rid of the unused product keys within the database and crate more space instead of purchasing new space, they make the product keys expire.
HOT DAMN... if I paid full dollar for a physical copy of a game, I want it to work on my PC, where ever that PC is. At any time in the future. Without the need for internet connections or calling up some company and paying a fortune in international call costs.
"code expiry" is a very clever way to move toward software subscription. TODAY, they might give you a code if your code expires... but there is NO guarantee of commitment to do this in the future.
THIS just deserves to be cracked/hacked. Remember, not for pirating, but to improve my ownership experience. (Just like the NoCD hacks I used on older games)
But seriously, my voucher is still sealed in its brown A5 size paper envelope, waiting for me to open it when my new PC build is ready. I'm sure it looks just the same as yours (with a different code, of course, lol). I'm certainly not gonna wait until it expires before activating it...
Actually I am 33 years old and would be widely considered a "man" as I own my own house work 40+ hours a week and pay all my bills on time. At the same time I know I would be very upset if I bought a game at the store whether for me or as a gift and had to jump through any hoops to be able to play it considering for consoles they're supposed to just work out of the box. To suggest otherwise and to call anyone who feels such as "kids" is very rude and misguided at best.
a) a child bitches and moans on internet forums and sends hate mail to EA playing the victim.
b) an adult sends a nice calm email to EA explaining the circumstances and gets a new code.
adult wins, child loses. every time.
@Easy Rhino, you are repeating yourself so often you sound like a bot. ;)
this is a terrible, terrible idea. you're buying a physical item that should never expire, and they're doing exactly that.
so you go buy crysis 2 next year in the bargain bin at your local store, take it home... and it doesnt work. its expired.
you can buy a brand new product off the shelf or from an online store, discounted or full retail doesnt matter - and it wont work. your new purchase is completely legit, but it past its use by date, so its dead.
yes, this atm is used for free vouchers like those that come with video card bundles - but you know it wont stop there. DLC codes will be next, then full game install codes for retail packages.
i just want to headbutt a wall :banghead: when they do this... this is what happens when someone is paid to prevent piracy, and they have to come up with new ideas all the time.
in all honesty, no the repercussions aren't THAT bad - and i'm not complaining or asking for anything for free - but how does this make sense to you? first off, what possible reason could they have for making codes expire?
i'm sorry, is this not a tech forum meant to discuss these type of actions? they are a major player that just made a ridiculous move, and your wisdom is to just wait until it affects you, and then call the company. politely.
well thanks rhino, i never would have thought of that ;) but the fact as i see it, is it should never come to that. i can accept having to place a call to support months or years after, to get more installs or whatever - but immediately after you bought a game to get the code in the SEALED box to work? that makes absolutely no sense. i truly cannot understand why you would defend this decision.