EAs Online Passes - Really Gone - Frugal Gamers Rejoice! (Plus freebies)

Let me give you my background on the EA Online Passes. A few years ago, I did a survey. Chosen because I am a gamer. Gaming studio was not revealed in the survey, but it was all about, would I pay additional for online features such as multiplayer and how much. I of course indicated that I would not. And, have not. I buy a game used or rent a game, I am aware I may not be able to play it online.

So, I was thrilled when I discovered that EA stated a few weeks back:

Why did we decide to do this?
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.

Careful frugal gamers, pay attention to this:

Do I still need an Online Pass to play multiplayer games online?
For new EA titles, Online Pass will no longer be needed or included.  Additionally, we are 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.

So, not every single game has been alieviated from the need of online passes. But, most have. Finally! Announcement of dissolution of the Online Passes was ages ago.

Sweet! So, pull out those dusty EA discs, and check for online passes.

Here is a very incomplete list of games that you can grab DLC/Online Passes for free. And sorry PSN people,  it's only free on Xbox Live so far. But, very soon will be free on PSN.

Alice: Madness Returns
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 VIP
Bulletstorm Online Pass
Dragon Age: Origins - The Stone Prisoner DLC
Dragon Age 2: The Black Emporium DLC
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Online Pass
Madden 13 Online Pass
Mass Effect 2 Cerberus Network
Medal of Honor Online Pass
Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed Online Pass
Skate 3 Skate Share Pack

Check out EA's policy in full about Online Passes. And, before you go crazy buying used or renting EA games, check to see if the server is still up!

And, for those of you into Dragon Age, here are some Bioware freebies. Be aware, you need to sign in and chose which console/PC and line it up! Go here to grab the fun freebies.

Only $14.99 on Amazon.

Now, if we could just get 505 Games, Activision, D3Publisher, Sony Computer Entertainment, THQ, Ubisoft and Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment to do the same thing....

Have you found any EA games that need to be added to the list? Let us know in the comments!

Author: Janna Hall Janna enjoys the thrill of a deal and sharing frugal tips, cooking and her passion, video gaming. When not blogging, Janna can be found on her Xbox 360, cooking, earning some cash or gardening. Share tips, recipes, deals here and follow on Twitter.