DICE confirmed in a rather casual manner yesterday thatBattlefield 3would rock an online pass, having previously onlyhinted at it. ConsideringMass Effect 3has found a way totoss one in, it’s hardly surprising EA’s biggest online title of the year is jumping on the train.

When asked by a fan if you had to buyBattlefield 3brand new to play online, DICE’s Alan Kertz confirmed, “you may also purchase an online pass for a used copy.” He justified this with the false argument, “Because servers cost money, and used games don’t make developers any money.”

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Has anyone told DICE that when a gamer trades in a game, that gamer can no longer play? Alex seems to think a used copy adds two people to a server, which goes against the laws of physics, last time I checked.

In any case, that’s another game rocking an online pass. With each confirmation, it becomes a little more of a “Captain Obvious” moment, which is the insidious part. It’s getting banal and normal, which is pretty much what the likes of Electronic Arts wants.

The opening area of the Whisper mission, in a small grove.

The Divide in the Cosmodrome, where the Guardian was resurrected.

A holofoil Ribbontail, as seen in collections.

The Phoneutria Fera hand cannon, inspired by the Season of the Haunted armor set. It has a unique, galactic glow.

Three Fuses appear in a match of Apex Legends' Wild Card mode.

Mad Maggie opens a supply bin and an item with a symbol indicating infinite ammo appears.

Legends slide through a zipline in King’s Canyon in Apex Legends.

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The Yeartide Apex tex Mechanica SMG with a Holofoil glow.