I'm ashamed of myself... but I finally succumbed to Origin

[JediMB]

I used Origin before it was uncool.

When it was still called the EA Download Manager.

And I still use it now. And the damn ME3 demo's totally won me over on the multiplayer side of things.

 

[JediMB]

That means: a) Origin can get next to anything, while Facebook and Google are considerably restricted. b) It is not specified what Origin-gathered data is used for. As such, we have no basis for objections, if it is used for something the other companies can't (legally speaking).

All this leads to one conclusion: Origin may not be as bad as it is portrayed, and it can change to the better. But right now it is a pile of shit I certainly don't want anywhere even remotely close to my PC.

Last time I checked, Origin doesn't actually access any files outside its own folder tree, and the EULA states that any information gathered is to be used to improve the Origin service and application.

 

[Aircross]

Oh wait, breaking news just in, Origin isn't the spawn of the anti-christ that people have been making it out to be. Weather at 11.

Origin is the spawn of the anti-christ of video games, EA. Watch Jimquisition's Welcoming A Digital Future [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/jimquisition/5362-Welcoming-A-Digital-Future] and see what he has to say about EA's track record with ruining talented developers.

"EA then buys the developer, ruins it, and we get no more dungeon keeper."

A good post from the topic about the video:

Dungeon Keeper's developer is not the only developer EA has ruined or is ruining at this moment.

I'm trying to figure out how many developers they're currently in the process of all but destroying.

Origin - Known for both the Wing Commander and Ultima series
EA Black Box(Formerly Black Box games) - Some Skate and Need for Speed games. This is very recent
Bullfrog - This is where Dungeon Keeper came from. They also unleashed Peter Molyneaux because of this.
Kesmai - Pretty much nothing anyone will remember, because they were owned and basically buried by AOL, then sold to EA, then closed off.
Pandemic - Destroy All Humans, Mercenaries, and a few other titles.


I'm sure with enough digging, we could probably find about 100 or so basically dead IPs for EA, and as many, if not more for Activision.

 

[omega 616]

Funny thing is I hate the sound of origin but I like the sound of ME3, to the consoles!

I will now proceed to eat my cake that I have! Nom nom nom!

On topic. Some times you just have to take one for the team and let EA snoop through yo shit in order to play a game.

 

[BodomBeachChild]

I downloaded Origin for sims expansions. I simply deleted it after the download. Steam has issues with recognizing my Sims game.

 

[Sylveria]

People need to stop all this paranoia that just stems from taking the user agreements to literally and irrationally.

You should be a lawyer. They love when you don't take contracts literally cause it makes it super easy for them to screw you later.

 

[Wintermoot]

YOU FREAK!
just joking what you install on something you bought is your own choice.
Personally I would never install Origin due to my hate towards EA.

 

[Substitute Troll]

I don't have a problem with Origin because it's not Steam, I have a problem with Origin because it wants to sell my information to whoever it wants.

I'm fully aware that there's other services that scan your computer, Facebook, Steam etc. So the only thing holding me back from getting Origin is that I don't know the extent of it's searchings. I know they changed their terms and so forth, but it's not clear to me if the information it gathers is similar to FB or Steam, or if it's just as draconian as it was at launch...

I'm cool with other programs stealing and disseminating my information but not this one because... because...

I'm calling bullshit. I sincerely doubt you've read and understand both Steam and Facebook's TOS in their entirety.

I'm curious. How many of you who won't use Origin because it's "spyware" use Steam, Facebook, Itunes, Gmail (or any other google related product)? How many of you understand that if you use one of those programs but whine about how Origin is "spyware" you're a hypocrite.

It doesn't seem like you've read Origin's TOS...

 

[Orks da best]

I tried guys. I really did. Oh man how I tried. I even considered missing out on Mass Effect 3, just to avoid it. But then...the trailers started. The trailers and the demo and the rave reviews thereof, I just couldn't stop myself.

I pre-ordered the deluxe edition via Origin. I feel dirty now. So dirty. But sometimes... we just have to do things we don't like, morally, to get by in life.

...I feel like i've let everyone down. I'm sorry.

dude you just brougth a game from origin I can praise for at least supporting dversity in the DD market! unlike all the steam fanboys. sheeesh.

 

[Vigormortis]

Well, the world didn't implode, so all the scaremongering and fearmongering about Origin was probably just people hating EA for trying to compete with steam.
Fancy that.

I'm just gonna wait till its available on steam 1-2 years after its release, including all DLC. I'm sure its only a matter of time.

Yeaah, just like all the valve games are released outside of steam.

*cough* Uh-hmm *cough* - http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/31/wait-what-valves-games-now-on-impulse/

Granted, you still need Steam to play 'em, but you can buy them outside of the client. There's no reason EA can't allow the same thing with ME3 or BF3.

(not trying to start an argument, by the by. just saying. the times, they are a-changin'.)

 

[Tony2077]

steam fanboys, people that are just paranoid or people who are fear mongers. personally i haven't seen anything that proves there doing what some people think there doing

 

[lordmardok]

Shame on you.

 

[Tayh]

*cough* Uh-hmm *cough* - http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/31/wait-what-valves-games-now-on-impulse/

Granted, you still need Steam to play 'em, but you can buy them outside of the client. There's no reason EA can't allow the same thing with ME3 or BF3.

(not trying to start an argument, by the by. just saying. the times, they are a-changin'.)

He said he'd wait for a non-origin steam version of the game, not just a different retailer.
I'd be surprised if that ever happens, since steam/valve has never allowed any freedom in that matter.

 

[hazabaza1]

I really don't get what the big deal is. I just got it to play the Mass Effect 3 demo and it seems pretty much the same as steam except it runs faster.

 

[illas]

Anyone used the "Son I am dissapoint" meme yet?

No? well, here goes:

Spoiler

OT: The above was a joke; if the game is good enough to justify you compromising your principles, then "fair play" to both you and EA - so don't feel guilty!

There really isn't anything awful about origin. Are it prices the best? No. Are its games the best? No. Is it steam? No. But it isn't the horrible hell spawn that people make it out to be. "But they're selling all my data". Yeah, so is pretty much every other program and website you use. People just like to scream at EA.

While I agree that people like to hate EA (I'm not quite one of them), here is the relevant passage from the Steam EULA; please note that Valve specifically state that no user-identifiable information will be passed on or sold. Given that Origin is in direct competetion with Steam such differences are, in my opinion, worth being aware of.

Granted, in this case, given the probable excellence of the title and the exclusivity of it's PC distribution, I probably agree with you on this one Still...

1) By using Valve's online sites and products, users agree that Valve may collect aggregate information, individual information, and personally identifiable information, as defined below. 2) Valve may share aggregate information and individual information with other parties. 3) Valve shall not share personally identifiable information with other parties, except as described in the policy below.

"Aggregate information" is information that describes the habits, usage patterns, and demographics of users as a group but does not describe or reveal the identity of any particular user.

"Individual information" is information about a user that is presented in a form distinguishable from information relating to other users but not in a form that personally identifies any user or enables the recipient to communicate directly with any user unless agreed to by the user in advance of such communication. This information may be used to improve Valve's products and online sites, for internal marketing studies, or simply to collect demographic information about Valve's users.

The critical difference between the Steam and Origin EULAs is that Valve are intentionally missing out on a lot of money by refusing to pass on identifiable user data - choosing instead to protect their users expectation of privacy.

(For those interested: the majority of revenue from such user data is generated by user-specific targeted advertising)

 

[Beryl77]

Hey guys, I've got my torch and pitchfork ready. Sorry I forgot but when do we storm EA's evil fortress and kill the monster Origin?

 

[psicat]

Don't listen to the EA haters and steam fanboys. Just enjoy the game.

 

[Saulkar]

Just buy a legitimate copy and crack it after retail purchase. You will not even need Origin and you deprive E.A. of an excuse for harsher DRM because they still got cash but not through Origin. Personally Origin unless run in a Sandbox (which also destabalised it all to hell) kept screwing with my registry for some damn reason, an almost completely unique problem limited to me alone thus no way to fix it, not that I would want to. O_O

 

[Saulkar]

The critical difference between the Steam and Origin EULAs is that Valve are intentionally missing out on a lot of money by refusing to pass on identifiable user data - choosing instead to protect their users expectation of privacy.

(For those interested: the majority of revenue from such user data is generated by user-specific targeted advertising)

Even better, Steam asks me first and even allows me to preview the data being transmitted and in turn allows me to deny transmission.