October 12th, 2011
Posted in 
It looks like Battlefield 3 will be implementing the “online Pass” feature for Battlefield 3. If you can recall, a few months months ago in an interview with GamerZines, Patrick Bach eluded to the fact that Battlefield 3 will have an online pass-esqe system in place for used copies. He refrained from calling it an online pass, Patrick explained:
“I don’t think it’s an online pass, I think it’s our own backend. I’m not sure I want to call our system an online pass.”
Today, Alan Kertz, DICE’s Core Gameplay Designer, was asked by a fan on twitter, “do you need to buy a new battlefield 3 to play xbox live?” Alan responded ”You can also purchase an online pass for a used copy.”
Although the response was very vague, it did however confirm that DICE will be using an “online pass” method. Regardless, this news should come as no surprise since EA has already been very active in the “Online pass” program. What do you guys think, is this news unexpected or did you pretty much know this was coming?
Source: mp1st.com
Tags: 
No shock there.
Who saw this coming? lol only every gamer that knows a thing about games now a days. This maniacal online pass scheme is really pissing customers off! Companies don’t care, just as long as they get their $$$. Thank God for Rockstar and Valve, cus they’re the only ones that still understand the concept of customer satisfaction.
“Companies don’t care, just as long as they get their $$$”
Are you being serious?????
What in the hell do you think devs spend millions and tonnes of time on and their knowledge to make a game…..
you think they do it for fun????
NO they do it for money…. and to make a good game [apart from Activision with IW, they just do it for money]
I dont see anythnig wrong with an Online pass atall.
If you buy the game for $60 you get to play it no problem….
If you buy it second hand for $35 a month after its out woopy doo you haveto pay like $7 so you can play online…. who cares your still getting it bloody cheap and the devs still get the money that way.
If there is nno online pass the devs could potentially lose half of the money they could. With an online pass they can get a bit of that back and isnt crapping on the consumer atall….. its good if anything.
Normally, Bieber, I think you are a fanboy and an idiot. For some reason, though, I agree wholeheartedly with this most recent post of yours.
I cant believe this needed to be confirmed?
Honestly the online pass is not an issue, if you buy the game new for $64.94(after tax) you get the pass included.
If you buy the game used for $59.53(after tax) used you have to buy a pass. Again its not an issue. Are you so prude that you cant spend that extra $5 for it new?
Who’s stupid enough to pay $54.99 for a used game?
no, I’m too “prude” to pay $10 on every damn game I borrow from friends. I’m sure u think gamefly users are also “prude.” C’mon man!
How much does it usually cost?
I’m renting BF3 so i guess i’ll just be playing the story mode.
OOOOH! SURPRISE!!!
comming from EA and DICE its not surpising the will implementing this cancer in their game. NOT SURPRISING!
honestly this is a cancer on gaming insdustry
greddy to the bone!
its disgusting….will i buy an used car and pay pass to use it to the manufacturer, obviously this pass is one of the main reason MODERNA WARFARE 3 WILL CRUSH THIS SHIT.
EA: GRAB YOUR PASS, ROLL IT, AND ENTER IT VERY DEEEEEEEEEEP AND SLOOOOOOOOOOOLY IN YOUR ASSHOLE….AND FEEL HOW GOOD IT IS. GREDDY BASTARDS!!
if iot were fior me….you would die on backrupcy. save your game for those iiots that doesnt matter to waste their money buying online capped incomplete games. i already pay Live and psn+
I DONT BUY/SUPPORT ONLINE PASS GAMES
You cant really compare used video games to used cars. With used cars you have to worry about the mileage, the wear on the car etc…before online passes there was almost no reason to buy a game new when the used one its the same thing – the used game is not going to break down before the last level like a car would at 200000 miles (well unless the game is scratched/damaged, but then you just return it). But with these online passes it gives incentives to those that buy the game new, just like buying a new car (usually) means less repairs etc.
We’ve had this conversation ZOLRAK but hell it’s fun so let’s do it again. MW3 will have a paid “Elite” service, and the DLC will be overpriced and very minimal just like they always are…yeah dude, we know you prefer to pay for pricey DLC, you’ve said it a million times; also while insulting Ed Boon for doing the same thing with MK DLC characters. So you love your games at around $90 after everything’s said and done but won’t accept a free pass with the purchase of a new game.
The VIP pass with BC2 gave continual map packs and they didn’t even require you to go to the store to manually download and install. They actually managed to make an FPS MP that lasted in fun for years because of it. You’re going to p!ss on EA and praise Activision in the same paragraph? Get real.
Brilliant Doomhammr. I don’t see much of a problem in spending 30 seconds inputting a code that came free with the game. I don’t really see a problem here. If I buy the game used, I would expect nothing less than to have to meet the people who paid full half way. It seems kinda fair in my opinion. Plus, If you think of how much enjoyment you are getting out of most of these games, is an extra few dollars really something to b*tch about?
I guess you are not going to get Batman Arkham City now since they just announced that it has an online pass. It unlocks Catwoman for campaign and challenges.
In b4 Zolrak rant. I support online passes for one reason, If I like the game I will play it for a long time and the online pass thing has no effect on me. However If I don’t like the game than I won’t use it and sell it. I want to support devs and so i buy new.
Agreed. For those who don’t want to pay $60 for a game, it’s understandable. Just wait for the game to go on sale (these days, almost all game go on sale from the large retailers just weeks after it’s release).
this is not supporting game developing, THIS IS GREED.
if your game is not worthy enough to buy itr new, WHAT DO YOU WANT??
the problem is not the pass itself, the problem is the license transfer, i can play it in one console, but in other? I cannot give it as a gift. ITS INCOMPLETE, i cannot sell it PEOPLE WILL WANT TO BUY IT AT A SHITTY PRICE, so where`s my money? WEASTED, honestly this is not reasonable. IF YOU WANT TO GET FUCKED BY EA it`s your choice..
I DONT BUY/SUPPORT ONLINE PASS GAMES
I have to agree with you for once. Online passes are useful in order to limit used games sales, but in the meantime, they fuck everyone in the ass because you’re stuck using one account for the game. This is just one more proof that console games are turning into PC games that have absolutely no resale value.
Devs say the passes strengthen the online experience because of the extra funding, but what about dedicated servers then? If there were dedicated servers, there would be no need to pay fee to the developers. Why not have both then, matchmaking and dedicated servers and only matchmaking requires online pass? Nope, in order to screw the people that buy used games, they also have to screw the people that buy new. Will this lead to lower prices? – Not a chance.
Since I’m buying this on the PC it doesn’t affect me, but it sure does bother me.
Cool ZOLRAK, we’ll get “f**ed” by EA on Oct 25th and you’ll get “f**ked” by Activision in November. Sounds even to me.
I never buy used games, so i don´t care.
But I guess the pass will cost ~10$…
I’m not buying Battlefield 3, but I’m buying Uncharted 3 new on day one.
When it’s online multiplayer, then to me, online pass doesn’t matter. When it’s something like what Rage did or Alice 2 where single player content is locked out, that’s when there’s a problem.
Problem is not buying it new or used. Problem is I deserve more for my hard earned money. IF I pay 60+ dollars for a game, the game must be complete. They want to earn more and more, and fuck the retail user. A game sales success its determined on thier first 12 weeks, after this time if the game doesnt have enough replay value to be in you library…you or sell it to buy another game or just simple give it away. But these developers want more and more money each day. I WONT PAY FOR LESS, NEW OR USED ITS THE SAME CRAP: to cap the legal retail user. Looks like they ignore that the second hand market benefits the second.
IF YOU WANT YOU GAME TO SELL WELL: DO SOMETHING GOOD
IF YOU THINK SECOND HAND MARKET IS MENACE: THEN THINK ABOUT THOSE GAMERS THAT BEGINS TO LOVE A FRANCHISE AFTER A RENTAL OR A CAREFUL SECOND HAND RISK…AND THE GAME LIKED THEM SO MUCH THAT WILL BUY THE SEQUEL BRAND NEW.
SECOND HAND IS NOT LOSS: ITS ADVERTISEMENT.
Zolrak if u payed anything close to $60 for a used game then ur dumb. So for $60 u must have bought the game new so then the pass comes with so u dont have to worry about getting ur “moneys worth”
Although i usually buy brand new games,i find online pass thing annoying,eventhough you are the owner you cant carry on your game’s online capabilities to another account unless its on the same machine.
people will buy used games no matter what system they throw in,they just found a way to squeze a litte more from original copy sold.
Offtopic: PSN was hacked again,you can check this:
http://www.vidaextra.com/psp/un-nuevo-ataque-de-seguridad-en-psn-y-soe-compromete-93000-cuentas
This new should be in english in some place for sure.
LOL I KNEW some idiot would try to report that. No surprise it was you.
The PSN was NOT hacked. This same exact attempt may happen on Xbox Live. In fact it already did (in a smallr scale) when LulzSec released a massive torrent of compromised sign in IDs and passwords.
Ofcourse the facts are going to go way over the fanboys’ head though. Some jackasses don’t even bother to read passed the headline.
Online pass? Seriously? They are really trying to kill battlefield and other games for good. Also, no map editor on any platform. Dissapointing. They could increase this games hype if they had a map editor so you could make your own maps and everyone could play them online.Every platform. That would make this game stand out from other games and increase sales. What a shame.
Well this is one reason too have close friends that have a PS3, They can buy the game used and share your online pass from your account. I did that with medel of honor, My friend bought the game new and had an online pass. I bought it used, All i had to do was sign into his account, Download the pass and sign back into my account and bam! instant free pass.
That’s the trick
That is slick, you’re a player man!
I do the same thing with DLC, One of my friends buys the DLC and we just download it from his account. You can share up to 5 consoles. This is a feature that most people don’t know about. Can’t do it on the 360 though, I tried.
Oh noes! Shame on you DICE! Shame on you for not being able to make a profit on used game sales for a game that you spent millions creating. Shame on you for needing some money to keep the servers running for people who bought your game used! For Shame!
Seriously morons like Zolrak, grow the hell up. Online passes are $10 if you didn’t buy your game new. Just don’t buy the damn game if you don’t want it new, or just wait until it’s cheap used, and buy the online pass then. You talk about devs being greedy, well any retailer that sells used games is greedy as hell.
Instead of buying another BF3,can I buy an extra online pass to play multiplayer?
I don’t mind spending money on new games but having 1 online account kind of sucks since I’m not the only person in my family who want’s to play this and don’t really like the idea of buying another BF3.
Preordering this looks really good not only because it’s cheap but it’s got the physical warfare pack and Back to Karkand. If only someone can confirm the online part.
TBH i don’t really care about the online pass. I love how people complain about how they work hard for their money to buy a game so they want it “complete”. When you buy it new it’s included so whats your point? Only when you buy it used (why somebody would buy a game used for $54.99 is beyond me) do you need an online pass. Also, you’re being a hypocrite because the developers also worked hard to make the game that you worked hard to buy. If you buy it used, they’re kinda screwed because devs got money for only one copy of the game, but that one copy may have gone to multiple people.
The only problem I have with the online pass is when you have more than one person in the same household that wants to play online. Does the online pass link to the account or the system? I haven’t bought a game that implemented the online pass yet so I was wondering. And does this online pass mean that for games that have split-screen co-op online you’d need to pay for another online pass even though you bought it knew? For a 4-player co-op game that’d be up to like $40 just to play a game that you paid $60 for.
I think they should make the online pass a system-wide pass that the user can’t access (and therefore abuse and send to friends etc). That let’s the system’s users play that game. And in case you play at a friend’s house first because of whatever reason and the original system wasn’t yours, maybe they can implement a probation period type thing where you can’t change systems after like 5-10 days, or they can give you like 5 days no pass required or something. So you can play online on another system but then take it to your own house and have it permanently there.
I like the people here at LOT so here’s a huge tip on how i buy games check the Best Buy website and look under video games and then under you system and then under On Sale every sunday it changes there you will see new games that have been out like 2 months on sale for 40 dollars that’s when you should buy the game the only game i will pay 60 dollars ( part in best buy credits ) is because of the extras i like those a lot and maybe uncharted 3 but ill probably wait for the sale on U3 because it’s not going to change in 2 months so ill wait plus no bonuses that are worth it for pre order. Also i like the online pass because it controls the sales a bit more for example if 500,000 people buy a game in the first month but then in 3 months 250,000 sell the game to gamestop then another 250,000 buy those used copies at gamestop where is the proper profiits for companies like Naughty Dog and Dice. The 2nd hand game companies are the reason developers don’t invest too much money most of the time in a game because the return profit will not be enough for example if you make brownies for 1 dollar and it cost you 50 cents to make that’s good but if someone opens a stand next to you and sells them for 50 cents because they buy in bigger bulk the ingedients ( how gamestop buys the games from us dirt cheap ) then you will have to lower the price to 50 cents but you payed 50 cents to make so your only getting back what you invested causing you to start buying cheaper ingredients ( hence the poorly made games ) IM SORRY if my explanation is a little off but im hella tired and just felt like writing a little i hope whoever read this is not offended or angry i did it with good intentions and P.S. the online pass can be downloaded only from one account but if you download it multiple times but through background downloads it will not install automatically there will be a bubble so then on the same PS3 change accounts and then install the bubble on that account there you will have the multiple account but same system solution to the passes and if the pass is on a other system just activate a account with the pass on your system and download it there then just delete the friends account and voila both of you will have the online pass =] good luck to all with the future of passes in gaming i hope it will not cause you too much trouble i will not be worried =]
Please learn to use the enter button
Sounds good thanks but it was a pain in the butt to read
Man i was crazy tired i forgot that there was a button jajaja =]