EA May Terminate Your Origins Account After Two Years

[Buizel91]

Yes, but you've accessed your account... you've booted Origins up at all (let it run in the background, browsed for new games, etc) at some point in the last two years, right?

This isn't about playing a particular game - it's about playing ANY game, or thinking about playing a game, or shopping for games, or anything.

This is the same thing.

You won't boot up origin if you don't plan of playing a game. So basically it is play a game once every two years or lose it forever. Why would I open Origin if I wasn't going to play a game?

When i turn on my Laptop, Steam opens automatically in the background, Maybe Origins will do the same?

*Reads carefully*

Huh? I have to PLAY a game on a SERVICE for games? I would of thought that would of been the point...

But, having said that, i haven't used Steam in at least half a year, and don't plan on using it any time soon xD

 

[Sebster 105]

They don't say anything about deleting your account or removing your games, just "entitlements", who knows what that is? Customer service "entitlements"?

You cannot tell.

 

[Jory]

Nobody should be okay with this.

It's fine if you plan on adopting Origin entirely like many have with Steam. I however, plan on staying with Steam, which means I will only use Origin in rare cases. I can imagine only having one game that uses Origin. I resurrect loads of games that I haven't played in years, and this is frustrating to say the least.

 

[Gindil]

Nobody should be okay with this.

It's fine if you plan on adopting Origin entirely like many have with Steam. I however, plan on staying with Steam, which means I will only use Origin in rare cases. I can imagine only having one game that uses Origin. I resurrect loads of games that I haven't played in years, and this is frustrating to say the least.

It's a wonder that EA isn't pirated more if they're going to run BS like this...

 

[elvor0]

This is the same thing.

You won't boot up origin if you don't plan of playing a game. So basically it is play a game once every two years or lose it forever. Why would I open Origin if I wasn't going to play a game?

Let me repeat, since you seem to have missed what I said.

If it functions as Steam does, then Origin will boot when the computer does.

If you didn't know, Steam always turns on in the background when you boot up your computer. If you didn't realize, go down to the right hand menu and look - it's there next to my volume, my power remaining, and the reminder to update Adobe Reader. When I turned on my computer, Steam booted and logged me in.

I haven't played any Steam games today, but Steam booted this morning when I turned on my computer - which it does every morning. It doesn't open a window - it just humms along in the background.

I don't have Origin, so I don't know if it is the same, but if it is, then it turns on whenever you boot up your computer, logs you in, and thus if you use the computer AT ALL in those two years, you will be fine - I don't need to actually open Steam for me to be logged in to Steam constantly.

The issue isn't whether or not you can prevent it from happening easily. The issue is that EA, who are providing the service, have set firm guidelines that basically says "we will undo every purchase you ever make with us if..."

If a disproportionate penalty is assigned to a law like littering you wouldn't, or at least shouldn't, simply make extra sure not to do it and get on with life, you would, should, try to get it fixed.

I havent accessed my Marketplace account in the last two years, should I have my games I payed £30/$60 for taken away from me? Fuck no. If you think this is okay, you quite blatantly have more disposable cash than you do sense, but hey can I have all your stuff you havent used in the past two years? I mean I should be allowed to. You don't own it anymore because you haven't touched it in the past two years. Yay, free shit for everybody. And if anyone asks for their stuff back, tell them to fuck off. They should've touched it in the past two years to maintain their ownership over it.

Also, to both of you - I didn't say anything about how moral, fair, or otherwise nice it was. I don't CARE. I don't have Origins, don't plan to get it. I'm merely pointing out that, if one turns on their computer at all then Steam loads. If Origins = Steam, then the same will happen - meaning that this is a non-issue because if you haven't turned your computer ON in two years, then you've got bigger problems than games being deleted.

If I am incorrect about Origins, and it uses a different system, then please tell me, but so far no one has said that. Steam auto-loads when you turn your computer on - if Origins is the same (and everyone says it is) then Origins auto-loads as well. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying it's right - I'm just saying that actually failing to log on within 2 years is practically impossible for a living, breathing human being.

Also, if your special case happens to have you, I don't know, meditating with monks for two years on a mountain top, please, do not reply to tell me so - I don't care.

Edit:

and? valve does this too, they just don't put a date on it.
i have both origin and steam set to start up when i power up my PC, apparently I'm a motherfucking genius.

This. Right here. The default setting on Steam (and apparently Origins) is to automatically load when you start (or restart) your computer. You have to go in and turn it off if you don't want it doing this. So yes, if you did that, and you don't play for two years, then you're screwed and that sucks. You know what the easiest thing to do is? Click that setting back to auto-load. And then you never have to worry about it ever again.

Right and if I'm not currently playing any of the games Origins uses, why would I want it installed or running? It's not about the fact that you can have the piece of software run at boot, its about the fact that you HAVE to have it installed and running if you don't want to lose your games. If I'm not playing a game that uses Origins I DONT WANT THE FUCKING THING INSTALLED why is that so hard to get your head around? I know it's easy to have it running, but I shouldn't constantly have to have a piece of software running that is in all fairness, useless if I'm not playing any of the games that use it. That is not difficult to understand unless you're a complete fucking moron.

I know that I'm only going to be using Origin when I have no choice, same as the rest of my friends, so it's not like I'm going to be using as a chat feature like I do steam, as there's no point in using Origin for that....because I have steam.

This isn't about the fact that you CAN have Origins running so you don't lose your games, it's about the fact that you have to do it at all. My copy of Crash Bandicoot will still work "forever" regardless if I play it with in an X timeframe or not, because it's mine, it doesn't have an expiry date and it's not going to walk off if I don't play it. Games that use Origin on the other hand, which you will be paying £35/$60 for, will stop functioning if you don't do some arbitry jump through the hoop for EA. Why can you not see why that is wrong? It's not about the fact that it's easy to prevent, it's about the fact that you have to do so at all.

I know I'm repeating myself here, but this concept seems to have difficulty penetrating peoples very thick skulls. Maybe if I repeat myself enough people might ACTUALLY start to see reason.

 

[imnot]

And? Just log in once aa year if its that much too you?

 

[Not-here-anymore]

Another nasty surprise is that Origin has stated an intention of "retiring" games. So say you bought a game like Madden 06 and its attached to your Origin account... Hypothetically you could log onto origin one day and see it premoved from your games list with no compensation for what was lost.

It's vastly more likely that what that means it that they'll retire the multiplayer servers. Actually removing the game from you doesn't benefit them in any way.

Likewise, the 2 year account termination thing will be to free up server space on their end. But really, who goes 2 years without playing a single EA game? Who goes 6 months without an EA game? They're kind of big in the games publishing market. Yeah it sucks that you don't own your games, just a license to them, but that's been the case with PC games since forever (not that anyone's ever read the EULA). And happens to be true of pretty much all digital media nowadays. Ebooks, online comics, itunes until a couple of years ago...

Hey, anyone remember this time last year when we were all planning to boycott activision for having the hubris to release another call of duty game? Or the year before that, when it was ubisoft and their always on DRM? What'll it be next year, guys?

 

[viranimus]

Another nasty surprise is that Origin has stated an intention of "retiring" games. So say you bought a game like Madden 06 and its attached to your Origin account... Hypothetically you could log onto origin one day and see it premoved from your games list with no compensation for what was lost.

It's vastly more likely that what that means it that they'll retire the multiplayer servers. Actually removing the game from you doesn't benefit them in any way.

Likewise, the 2 year account termination thing will be to free up server space on their end. But really, who goes 2 years without playing a single EA game? Who goes 6 months without an EA game? They're kind of big in the games publishing market. Yeah it sucks that you don't own your games, just a license to them, but that's been the case with PC games since forever (not that anyone's ever read the EULA). And happens to be true of pretty much all digital media nowadays. Ebooks, online comics, itunes until a couple of years ago...

Hey, anyone remember this time last year when we were all planning to boycott activision for having the hubris to release another call of duty game? Or the year before that, when it was ubisoft and their always on DRM? What'll it be next year, guys?

Really? Cause I could have sworn that it had absolutely nothing to do with their multiplayer servers.

Origin typically doesn?t retire games, and we?ve only retired around 10 of the 150 games we sell.

- When Origin retires a game, it can no longer be downloaded.

Now as for who goes 2 years? I know I have and can easily go 2 years. Perhaps not playing an EA game, but actually using EAs service. If I can go 5 years without ever having to use EA Download manager, I am sure I can easily go 2 years without using Origin. . I know this, because I never once used the service that existed before Origin and quite frankly The only thing I will use via Origin will be ToR until I get bored of it.(if it wasnt for my best friend playing ToR, I doubt highly I would even bother with origin at all) Also If I can do this Im sure I am not the only one.

I stand by what I said. And its not actually digital distribution that is the problem. The problem comes in when Organizations like Apple, Amazon, EA, Microsoft, Valve, etc decided to look at digital media as a service and not a product and the populous who failed to see a difference and supported this notion financially. Thats what needs to happen to change this and rest assured it still can be changed.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Right and if I'm not currently playing any of the games Origins uses, why would I want it installed or running? It's not about the fact that you can have the piece of software run at boot, its about the fact that you HAVE to have it installed and running if you don't want to lose your games. If I'm not playing a game that uses Origins I DONT WANT THE FUCKING THING INSTALLED why is that so hard to get your head around? I know it's easy to have it running, but I shouldn't constantly have to have a piece of software running that is in all fairness, useless if I'm not playing any of the games that use it. That is not difficult to understand unless you're a complete fucking moron.

Wait, so if you aren't currently playing a Steam game, you UNINSTALL Steam from your computer?

Yes, that is difficult to understand - I have NEVER heard of a human being actually doing that. If you do, then that's fine, but don't expect me to be psychic and know your installation habits when I haven't met you. Cause... yeah, actually that is a really strange thing for a person to do.

That's like uninstalling Chrome because you aren't going to be using the internet today. Why would I expect you to do that? I might not use the internet, but I certainly don't uninstall the program that allows me to do so.

For that matter, I haven't used Microsoft Excel since May - but I didn't uninstall it. It's sitting there, waiting for me to need it again.

So, while I understand that this would be rather upsetting news if that is your habit, you must admit it is a very strange habit to have. Maybe you like a clean computer, and hate programs being installed that you aren't using, but 99.9% of users don't uninstall a platform just because they aren't using it that week.

My copy of Crash Bandicoot will still work "forever" regardless if I play it with in an X timeframe or not, because it's mine, it doesn't have an expiry date and it's not going to walk off if I don't play it. Games that use Origin on the other hand, which you will be paying £35/$60 for, will stop functioning if you don't do some arbitry jump through the hoop for EA. Why can you not see why that is wrong? It's not about the fact that it's easy to prevent, it's about the fact that you have to do so at all.

I know I'm repeating myself here, but this concept seems to have difficulty penetrating peoples very thick skulls. Maybe if I repeat myself enough people might ACTUALLY start to see reason.

And here's where I stop caring. First of all, I didn't quote you, so I don't know where this "repeating" thing comes from - this is the first time you've said this to me. Secondly, I STILL don't care - I have never said it was RIGHT for them to do this, simply that for most users, they won't even notice even if they don't play the game for two years, because Origins (and Steam) are both automatic logins IF they are installed at all, and most users keep them installed all the time. Yes, your situation is different, and I'm sorry, this sucks for you, but I have never been talking about Right or Wrong - that's for someone else to talk about, because I don't care (since I'm not an Origins user) - I'm merely pointing out a technical loop-hole for those people who keep the program installed.

I entirely see your point - which is why I only buy old, cheap games on Steam, and only own 3 of them total. I don't trust Steam, and I never will. If Steam decided to take my games away, I'd be annoyed, but I'd only be out 20 bucks - because I don't trust any system where I don't own a physical copy of something. 98% of my game collection is physical disks for that reason.

So please, stop yelling at me. I'm not supporting Origins - I'm pointing out a loophole that most people can exploit. If you can't tell the difference between someone arguing and someone trying to help everyone beat the system (or at least 99% of people) then you've been on the internet too long and you're too angry to participate in a civil conversation. Take a breath and re-read my posts - I have never once supported Origins decision (rather the opposite) but I have tried to help users protect their games. Because, at the end of the day, no one at Origins cares what we say on this website. Our arguments here mean nothing to Origins. But if I can save someone from losing their games, then I've actually made a difference.

 

[Epona]

Because you have PAID for games. you've Bought games from a company. They become yours. Just because you haven't logged in doesn't mean you don't still own them.

Spoiler alert: you don't own games you buy on Steam.

Valve hereby grants, and you accept, a limited, terminable, non-exclusive license and right to use the Software for your personal use in accordance with this Agreement and the Subscription Terms. The Software is licensed, not sold. Your license confers no title or ownership in the Software.

This is the case for a lot of software actually. You don't own it: they just license it to you, and make it a point that this license confers absolutely no ownership over the hardware. So no, even though you did pay for it, you don't technically own it... it isn't technically yours under the law. This isn't from Origins... this is from fucking Steam. You know... the one DD service everyone is eager to white knight. All those games on your Steam list, yeah, they aren't yours. You are basically just paying Valve to let you use them.

You do hopefully realize that this has nothing to do with Valve or Steam? Software is never sold, it's always a license. There is also a very simple reason for this. If the Software were being sold you could legally do whatever you want with it. Like make Copies and sell them legally or spread the code legally on the Internet...you are ALWAYS only buying a License, regardless if it's Steam, Digital Download or Hard copy disc, doesn't even have to be a Game.

Owning something doesn't mean you can do anything you like with it. Likewise, being unable to do anything you like with something you own, doesn't mean you don't own it.

I own a hammer, but I cannot legally beat you over the head with it. I own a car but I cannot legally run you over with it. I own a sword but I cannot legally run you through with it. Get the idea.

The game industry wants it both ways, they want to "sell" you games but then turn around and say "it's not really yours ya know". I wonder how it would affect their business if you had to sign a lease everytime you bought a game at Wal Mart. Bet that would go over like a turd in a punchbowl.

Yes, you do own your games and they can't just take them away for some silly reason. This is legally questionable. It's akin to Square coming to my house to take my copy of Final Fantasy X because I have not played it in more than 2 years. That would be called theft in the real world, the world game publishers don't want to live in.

Putting something in a EULA does not instantly make it legal. A EULA is not legally binding and for that reason can have any amount of smelly BS in it they like. YOU, and people like you, give the EULA it's power, not the law. Everyone knows they are not renting that new game they bought at Wal Mart and Steam is just a different delivery method. The game industry needs to decide if it's on the BUY side or the RENT side because they can't continue to pretend to rent you games for the buy price.

 

[CuervoJoe123]

They're competing with Steam? Trolololol

That's it, really. I mean, I often go back to games after years of not playing them, for example I recently started playing Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines again, haven't played that game in about 3 years. That doesn't mean I'm not entitled to.

It's a proper dick move from EA, if you ask me, since the amount of data taken up on their servers by your account data would be minuscule, and the games are only stored once on each regional server and then re-downloaded (at least I would assume so), so what plus point is there for EA in all this?

 

[JMeganSnow]

This simply means that if your account is not been active for over 24 months EA will assume it is no longer in use and will delete it. Why are people so pissed off about this, to me it just sound like a company that's covering all it's bases.

Because you have PAID for games. you've Bought games from a company. They become yours. Just because you haven't logged in doesn't mean you don't still own them.

Um, no. You've purchased a download (or perhaps several downloads) of that game. This doesn't mean you have the right to demand infinite downloads in perpetuum. Hence what the agreement is for. It is not the same as a physical store that sells you a physical copy. The physical store doesn't have to deal with having shelf space for every single individual customer. Basically, EA does not intend Origins to be a free archive service.

Hell, I wish my MMO deleted accounts and characters that have gone inactive for more than two years, freeing up character names and disk space.

 

[bob1052]

The issue isn't whether or not you can prevent it from happening easily. The issue is that EA, who are providing the service, have set firm guidelines that basically says "we will undo every purchase you ever make with us if..."

If a disproportionate penalty is assigned to a law like littering you wouldn't, or at least shouldn't, simply make extra sure not to do it and get on with life, you would, should, try to get it fixed.

Also, to both of you - I didn't say anything about how moral, fair, or otherwise nice it was. I don't CARE. I don't have Origins, don't plan to get it. I'm merely pointing out that, if one turns on their computer at all then Steam loads. If Origins = Steam, then the same will happen - meaning that this is a non-issue because if you haven't turned your computer ON in two years, then you've got bigger problems than games being deleted.

If I am incorrect about Origins, and it uses a different system, then please tell me, but so far no one has said that. Steam auto-loads when you turn your computer on - if Origins is the same (and everyone says it is) then Origins auto-loads as well. That's all I'm saying. I'm not saying it's right - I'm just saying that actually failing to log on within 2 years is practically impossible for a living, breathing human being.

Also, if your special case happens to have you, I don't know, meditating with monks for two years on a mountain top, please, do not reply to tell me so - I don't care.

I think you put it best:

Let me repeat, since you seem to have missed what I said.

It does not matter in the slightest if Origin launches automatically. It doesn't matter how easily you can prevent it from getting to that stage. The problem is that EA is willing to exercise this kind of action at all.

If I threatened you that if you don't turn on your computer in the next two years I will break into your house and smash every disc you own your first thought would not be "Oh, I'll just make sure I turn my computer on every once and a while", it would be "Fuck off, no".

Edit:

and? valve does this too, they just don't put a date on it.
i have both origin and steam set to start up when i power up my PC, apparently I'm a motherfucking genius.

This. Right here. The default setting on Steam (and apparently Origins) is to automatically load when you start (or restart) your computer. You have to go in and turn it off if you don't want it doing this. So yes, if you did that, and you don't play for two years, then you're screwed and that sucks. You know what the easiest thing to do is? Click that setting back to auto-load. And then you never have to worry about it ever again.

Steam has a similar but very different thing in their User Agreement, it is said in that in the case of hardware failure or other issues they aren't responsible for if you lose your games. They have it as a legal fallback for protection, not something they will use to remove your games for inactivity, but rather to protect themselves if some unfortunate happens that affects their system which has a side effect of destroying all records of your account (and if you keep receipts you would no doubt be able to get reinstated if you contacted them).

EA has a proactive "We will delete your stuff" while Steam has a reactive "If your stuff gets deleted by whatever circumstance".

 

[Simeon Ivanov]

They're competing with Steam? Trolololol

That's it, really. I mean, I often go back to games after years of not playing them, for example I recently started playing Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines again, haven't played that game in about 3 years. That doesn't mean I'm not entitled to.

It's a proper dick move from EA, if you ask me, since the amount of data taken up on their servers by your account data would be minuscule, and the games are only stored once on each regional server and then re-downloaded (at least I would assume so), so what plus point is there for EA in all this?

I think the guys in EA are having a "Who can pull of the biggest dick move in the industry" competition ... it's my only rational explanation

 

[Epona]

Lol, is pretty much all I can say to your ''arguement''.

If only but then you wrote a novel showing the world more of your intelligence. BTW, it's argument, not arguement.

You're comparing Shoes to Cars here on the merit that can both be used as a Method of transportation.

I never mentioned shoes. Strawman.

You're not allowed to do any of those things, not because of the Tools with which you would do them, but because that would be deadly assault.

You're not allowed to do those things because it's illegal. Likewise, copying and selling copyrighted software would be illegal. You still own the game you bought though, just as you own the hammer, the car and the sword. It's a pretty simple concept here. Saying deadly assault is worse than breaking copyright laws is irrelevant because they are both illegal.

That is exactly the Problem when it comes down to Software, there is nothing physical about it, it can be copied without any effort what so ever.

Perhaps you fail to realize that software is always stored on something physical. Be it a cd, dvd, hard drive, sd card, etc.. and in all those cases...you own the physical device. Software cannot exist with something physical to store it on.

And if you owned it, it would be your right to copy and distribute it, whether for free or selling it, doesn't matter, likewise you could edit it or use assets for anything else.p

No, that would be breaking copyright laws. You do own your games but you can't copy them and sell/give away the copies legally.

As I have already explained. you can own something but still be limited in it's use. This is pointless. If you can't grasp that simple concept then discussing this further is a waste of time.

 

[aidutcher]

This is the risk you take when you use a digital download service. I've made some purchases on Steam with the full understanding that if, for some reason, Valve and/or the Steam service are shut down, I'll lose access to the games I paid to play. Heck, it's probably more comforting to consider it long-term rental. I can rent a game for $8 at Hastings or Blockbuster and play it for a week, or I can pay a bit more and rent it for a long time on Steam. I wouldn't pay full retail price for a AAA title on Steam anyway.

 

[mad825]

For something like this, yes they do. Why? Because all of your purchased games are on that account, and if they cancel the account, they have stolen from you.

So tell me, what law or act/bill prevents them from doing this?

They cannot "steal" as the content they provide over the client is the permission to use that software, if they feel like it they can deny you permission as it's their property that you are using. Any attempts to bypass that permission is illegal.

Not if you don't break the EULA. When someone buys a game from EA, that person also buys the lisence to use it. EA cannot take this away from you unless you break their EULA (that would be like selling someone a ticket to a movie and then kicking him or her out for no reason). If the games can only be played on Origin, deleting someone's account prevents that person from playing what he or she bought the lisence for, which I'm going to guess is legally sketchy. Look, I'm not gonna cite law to you, but even if it's not illegal, you seem to be saying that people shouldn't be getting upset about it. I
guess it's be totally okay for repo guys to take away any DVDs you haven't watched in the past two years as well, huh?

You're not answering the question. what law or act/bill prevents them from doing this?, NAME IT. The EULA is not law.

You can apply real life situations all you like however but this is not real life, there is nothing preventing them from doing this. Accounts being deleted with very little reason is very common especially for those who have been using Steam.

you seem to be saying that people shouldn't be getting upset about it

No, I'm just saying that the threat has always been there with DD, That includes the almighty Steam.