With most gamers ticked off about EA's "Online Pass" model, you'd expect retailers to be in a similar state of disapproval, but at least one major chain isn't sweating the new paywall. During a conference call, GameStop COO J. Paul Raines explained that the number of used game buyers playing games online is low. He also mentioned that if used games sales drop, so will prices, nullifying the extra fee for online access.


Raines compared Online Pass to DLC, which gives the company an opportunity to promote content for a popular franchises in-store. It was noted that GameStop leads the market in DLC card sales. Once gamers come to terms with programs like EA's, GameStop might be able to take advantage, establishing itself as a top seller of Online Passes - at least until people figure out that such things can be purchased from home with less hassle.