Microsoft set off shock waves in the videogame industry by saying that software publishers will be able to restrict the sharing and resale of games for its forthcoming Xbox One console Electronic Arts, in response, says it is in the process of creating a policy for used games.
Speaking at an investor meeting during the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, Frank Gibeau, president of the Redwood City, Calif. company‘s games efforts, said his teams are “formulating our policy“ following Microsoft‘s comments.
“EA has a position of looking at used games from a user standpoint and a gamer standpoint,“ he said. “We will definitely be looking at gamer-first and creating an opportunity to have a relationship with used games such that it‘s a positive experience.“
The company plans to release its games policy within the next couple of weeks, Gibeau said in a separate interview, and it will take into account things like its own now-abandoned attempt to restrict disc game resales called Online Pass, which did not do well with consumers. “The policy we do come out with will have that in mind,“ he said, and it will likely be the same policy across all its console games. “A nuanced and sophisticated approach is important instead of a blunt instrument.“
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(Published June 12, 2013, on The Wall Street Journal’s website.)