In a move that is likely to infuriate gamers everywhere, EA has revealed that online passes for new copies of their video games have an expiration date even though they do not appear printed on the codes themselves. What this means from a practical standpoint is that a consumer could purchase a new, shrink-wrapped copy of an EA game a year after a game’s release and they will be blocked from playing online game features.
Joystix found a clause in Electronic Arts’ EULA that pass codes can expire. When they contacted EA customer service about the issue, they were told that, “As a rule, no Online Pass should expire, but a few titles will have a time limit on their use, even for new purchases.” One game with such an expiration date, Dragon Age 2, will see its online game pass expire March 31, 2012. This is part of the problem with gamers allowing publishers to take away their property rights.
