Should EA Mythic offer an all-in-one pass for its games?
by Michael Zenke 
Jun 13th 2008 at 5:30PM
Filed under: Fantasy, Dark Age of Camelot, Business models, Warhammer Online, Ultima Online
The Green Skin has up a post wondering about the future of EA Mythic as an MMO service provider. At this point, the EA subsidiary is now responsible for three separate virtual worlds: Ultima Online, Dark Age of Camelot, and the in-development Warhammer Online. Snafzg ponders the great cross-promotion that Sony Online Entertainment gets from its Station Access program, considering whether the same sort of offering would be worthwhile for Mythic's games.Certainly, other multi-MMO publishers have considered similar services. NCsoft has made no secret of their intention to eventually offer a pass of some sort for their games. Turbine, likewise, has previously indicated they aren't opposed to the idea. With EA also sponsoring the development of BioWare's as-yet-unnamed title, the possibility exists that Mythic's games could exist on the same subscription as the RPG legends' offering.
If EA offered a 'golden ticket' for all of its MMOs, would you subscribe?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nekoali said on 6:11PM 6-13-2008
Absolutely, and in a heartbeat. Every time NCsoft asks for ways to make their games better, offering a global pass is my #1 suggestion. I already play a bunch of their games, and I'd love to try more. The same with Turbine. Right now I'm only interested in one EA game, but I'd drop extra money to get a global pass to try the other games out as well.
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Token said on 9:11PM 6-13-2008
They could even add Earth & Beyond ..... oh dear looks like they've shot themselves in the foot.
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KHCloud said on 6:37PM 6-13-2008
I would definitely take advantage of such an offer, also I heard from a lot of DAoC vets, that they would return if they were offered such a deal.
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Alarie said on 7:07PM 6-13-2008
I also think it is a good idea, and still kinda surprised after all these years of Sony having their SOE pass still no other company like Turbine/NCSoft have a similar program.
I can think of so many reasons why these companies should have one, but I can't think of a reason not to.
In the end I guess it is a matter of economics and internally I guess they figured it would not be a good idea.
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Tombaugh said on 4:12PM 6-15-2008
Sorry this wasn't well explained. What is the all-in-one pass?
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Alarie said on 9:14PM 6-13-2008
You can play all of the games from them for a one low price each month than if you subbed to each of them.
For SOE you still have to buy each of the games you plan to play under the pass, but if you enjoy many games it is a good deal. I did SOE Pass for awhile because I enjoyed playing EQ, EQ2, Vanguard, and on days I felt very bored SWG.
As for Turbine I sub to LOTRO, DDO, and would love to get back into AC on days it seems it is slow in LOTRO or DDO. If they had a pass I would probably go for it.
Hope that made sense.
Scopique said on 9:07PM 6-13-2008
For companies which offer more then one MMO, they give you a discount on your monthly fee, and you get to play all of the games in their stable. Station Pass is something like $30ish USD, and you get to play Vanguard, EQ, EQ2, SWG, Planetside, PotBS and a bunch of lesser known games.
That makes it a fantastic bargain, but only because VG, EQ2 and PotBS are more recent, up-to-date titles. I don't think I'd pay for an EA pass to play DaoC, UO and (a game I Have NO interest in, personally) WAR. I DO like the idea of a "season ticket" though.
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RJO said on 10:24PM 6-13-2008
I would L O V E an all access pass. If they do this I for one would be back in UO for the first time in many moons and likely would have a little fun playing it when I need a break from WAR (whenever that would be ;))
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Michael Zenke said on 1:12AM 6-14-2008
Thanks for explaining folks; sorry I didn't include a link. Fixed that. :)
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ScytheNoire said on 8:17AM 6-14-2008
They could if they had a better stable of games to offer. UO and DAoC are just, for the most part, dead. I think though offering a life-time subscription, awesome.
For companies like NC Soft, Sony, and Turbine, who have more MMO games that are current, I definitely think the multi-pass is a great idea, as is the life-time subscription. If more games had life-time subscriptions, I think they'd have more players. I think it was a huge boon to LotRO staying alive through the rough start.
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