Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

[DTPleeoswald]

I got an email from Origin while I was at work that basically said thanks for pre-ordering BF3. I thought, hmmmm kind of odd? Then I actually opened it just now on my lappy to see what it was actually all about. It's a code for a free digital download of either MoH, Dead Space 2, or Mass Effect 2. I had MoH for my sexbox so I won't be downloading that. However I am open to suggestions for anyone who's played these titles. I just bought BFBC2 + Vietnam since they were 5 bucks each and now this after I pre-ordered for $45? Not really sure why everyone's blowing up about Origin being required and not having BF3 on Steam. So far it's saved me a shload of money.

[jimykx]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

damn you people from the US and Canada xD

[Anarchy1]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

I got ME2 and MoH from that deal, plus my 25% discount I just received (I will probably cancel and purchase again with that). I'm fine to order through Origin with all this stuff.

[stilla-killa]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

DS2 and ME2 are both great games. But they both might be hard to follow story wise if you never played the first ones.

[zuiquan1]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

Is there a way to cancel a preorder through direct2drive? I cant find anything on there website. I'd like to take advantage of this.

[TrooperJac]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

I pre-ordered BF3 today so I could get a heads up on the Beta. Obviously there's no way in hell I'm actually gonna buy it direct from EA if I do decide to buy it. I entered my details including email address and selected PayPal as a payment method. Clicked next and it told me my pre-order was complete. Didn't ask me for any Paypal details or give a confirmation. The online payment thing must have assumed that my standard email address is the same as my Paypal adress.

I got no confirmation email. There is nothing I can see on the site that suggests I have a pre-order in place. At no time did I see wether or not the account will be billed upon release. Couldn't see anyway to cancel an order. I have no idea if a pre-order is in place or not.

It's all bolls. I neither want nor require Origin. Whenever 2142 or any other game wanted to install EA Link or any other such crap I always said NO. The only reason this thing is compulsory is so EA can have a direct tunnel into my PC to send down as much advertising and revenue generation as they can come up with - I won't accept it.

Have to see how things pan out.

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

You would see the pre-order in your games list. Since you do not, you have no pre-order.

When I went through that method I was going to use paypal as well and there was a box to fill in the information. You might go through again and see if you see it.

Crunch

[TrooperJac]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

I downloaded Origin so I could see for myself what it's all about. As I suspected, it's basically one big ad stream for EA. There is no reason for it to be there just so you can play BF3. Imagine buying a car and then discovering that there is a clause in the contract that requires you to be tuned in to a radio sation that pipes adverts into the car wherever you go.

What happens when all publishers have their own 'store' that you have to use to play their games! I wonder if the software can be altered to prevent ads being piped onto your PC or even some way to remove the origin trigger from BF3 so legit key owners can play. This is the thin end of the wedge.

As for pre-ordering, is the moneys deducted from your account on release or on pre-order? How easy is it to cancel a pre-order?

Thanks.

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

What happens when all publishers have their own 'store' that you have to use to play their games!

Then I guess everyone will be like Steam.

As for pre-ordering, is the moneys deducted from your account on release or on pre-order? How easy is it to cancel a pre-order?

Its easy to cancel, check out their FAQ section. As for billing, not sure when that happens, I read it somewhere on the site though.

Crunch

[Anarchy1]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

EA store being a big ad stream for EA is no different than Steam being a big ad stream for Valve. I would say Steam is even more of one actually.

And you are not charged for the preorder until the game is released. It is very easy to cancel it; just contact EA support and they will do it. I've canceled the preorder three times for various reasons.

[sithdemon]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

I'll preface this post in saying that yes right now 90% of my games these days are bought through steam, however I still buy some from Direct 2 drive, since I get discounts for being a fileplanet subscriber. And years ago it was the opposite, since steam wasn't the killer application it was today, I've also Used Impulse. And well bought A few games through the blizzard online store, though most through retail stores since their collectors editions I love for the Art books.

Steam, Impulse, origin are the same to me. Blizzard doesn't have a separate Application for B.net yet at least, but I can see that coming soon.

It's funny how this move by EA, has just shown the hypocrisy for the average gamer. Valve only sells their games through steam, Blizzard only through their website, or you buy at a store, and then get home and have to log in through their DRM system. EA, selling their games on Origin, GameStop, Impulse, Direct2Drive, Amazon, Best Buy, and Gamersgate in north america alone. And some how they aren't playing fair.

Is steam the most popular? in North America I can Imagine it is, I know it is for my self and most people I know. However they are directly stifling competition. Heck Brick and mortar stores have been less then pleased when selling Valve games/games using steam, since your forced to use steam which would hurt the Physical stores business.

Valve and blizzard got away with it because they got serious about digital distribution a long time ago. And if your a small developer like Stardock your allowed to pull the same move not that long ago, which was good for them since they got bought out by gamestop.

But if a large publisher/developer does it these days it's a inconvenience. Which I get it it is, but much like when I was still playing WoW, Starcraft, or the Battlefield 3 Alpha, I run the .Exe through steam and I can still bring up steam. Steam does have issues recognizing when those games are exited, but either way my steam overlay works in those games, and the in game friends list works as well. The only game I couldn't do that with irionicly is Vindictus, a Korean RPG, that run on the Source engine, but sees the steam overlay as a third party application that it thinks might be a cheat program.

If you truly don't like game companies selling their PC games through only their own proprietary service, and not allowing fair competition in the digital distribution world, protest Valve, Blizzard, and Stardock. If you don't do that your a Fanboy/Fangirl, and I get it, steam especially is a application that is worth of loyalty, but it's still blind alligance to only one option as a customer.

[TrooperJac]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

If I buy a hard copy of the game to install why should I be forced to install something whose sole purpose is to pipe ads onto my PC? What do I get from this? If BF3 was a F2P game or heavily discounted then there would be a benefit to me. My PC is not brand new but I have a decent amount of resources - still I like to keep things lean and having unnecessary crap running bothers me.

I don't have real experience with these stores, I've always avoided them so I'm willing to be convinced that this is a good thing!

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

Then you must not be using Steam as that is exactly what it does.

Crunch

[TrooperJac]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

^^ Elucidate please

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Maybe Orign/EA isn't all bad?

LOL, let me Elucidate (Great word btw);

If I buy a hard copy of the game to install why should I be forced to install something whose sole purpose is to pipe ads onto my PC?

So by stating this, it is safe to assume that the sole purpose of Origin is to pipe ads to your PC. Yet when I launch steam, the first thing it does is pop up a window showing me ads to games they are promoting. I close that window and my first page is the Steam Store, which is also full of ads. I then start my game and play it. Recently, after I close my game, ANOTHER window opens up and shows me more ads.

So because of this behavior, Steam is acting the same way Origin does. Actually, its more agressive, but thats not the point.

What do I get from this? If BF3 was a F2P game or heavily discounted then there would be a benefit to me. My PC is not brand new but I have a decent amount of resources - still I like to keep things lean and having unnecessary crap running bothers me.

So you state that you get nothing from these ads, therefore you get nothing from Steam either. You also state you dont want to have unnecessary crap running and since Origin and Steam are both doing the same thing, you must not be using Steam either, otherwise, the arguments you made are one sided and untrue.

I don't have real experience with these stores, I've always avoided them so I'm willing to be convinced that this is a good thing!

So you just stated that you havent actually tired Origin, since you avoid these type of things, and are probaby basing the argument on everyone elses forum arguments on other webistes, possibly. Since you avoid these stores, you must also avoid Steam.

Crunch