EA lifts Online Pass restriction for multiple games on Xbox Marketplace

EA has taken the next step in doing away with its Online Pass program. Several games on the Xbox LIVE marketplace are now free to play online — regardless if the version you own is pre-owned or not.

The Online Pass was originally created as a unique, one-time-use code that would allow EA players to access a game's online features. If the game was purchased use, there was a likely chance that the online pass code would have been used and the player would need to purchase a new one. This was a way for EA to encourage players to buy a game new, or at least get a little money back from a used game purchase. Needless to say, it wasn't very popular among consumers.

Seeing this, EA has decided to do away with the system. And while all future titles will no longer have an Online Pass, EA is "in the process of eliminating Online Pass requirements from existing EA games."

"This process will take several weeks.  For some games, the prompt to enter an Online Pass code will no longer appear; for others, you will still need to download and install an Online Pass, but they will be available free of charge from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace or PlayStation Store."

The following games have had their Online Passes revoked:

• Alice: Madness Returns – America McGee's Alice
• Bad Company 2 VIP
• Bulletstorm
• Dragon Age: Origins – The Stone Prisoner
• Dragon Age 2: The Black Emporium
• Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
• Mass Effect 2: Cerberus Network
• Medal of Honor
• Shift 2 Unleashed
• Skate 3: Skate Share Pack

"The latest releases of EA Sports games are the first," the Online Pass FAQ reads. "Over the next several weeks, Online Pass will either be removed completely, or will be available for free in the PlayStation Store and Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

"We listened to the feedback from players, and decided to do away with Online Pass. We hope that eliminating Online Pass will allow more people to play and enjoy EA games for a long time to come."