25 replies to this topic

[Slidell]

A few astute gamers have taken it upon themselves to do the unfathomable: read the end user license agreement for Electronic Art’s PC gaming service, EA Origin. It turns out that accepting the software's terms allows EA to see everything that happens on your computer and distribute the info to third parties. Many Origin users may not have realized this when signing up for the service.

The concerned gamers did the only thing you can do when video game companies do something upsetting: They took to the internet to raise awareness. With posts appearing on The Escapist’s forums and Reddit, the great gaming public has become aware of EA Origin’s ability to share your private information.

The legal fine print includes now common terms, such as requiring that even single-player games remain connected to the internet, but here’s one of the more upsetting excerpts from the EULA for EA Origin:

“You agree that EA may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer (including the Internet Protocol Address), operating system, Application usage (including but not limited to successful installation and/or removal), software, software usage and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content, product support and other services to you, including online services. EA may also use this information combined with personal information for marketing purposes and to improve our products and services. We may also share that data with our third party service providers in a form that does not personally identify you. IF YOU DO NOT WANT EA TO COLLECT, USE, STORE, TRANSMIT OR DISPLAY THE DATA DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, PLEASE DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE APPLICATION.”

Some PC gamers are going to have to make a tough decision when Battlefield 3 releases, because as of now accepting these terms is the only way you’ll be able to play the game. We’ve reached out to EA for comment on the issue.

If sketchy license agreements get your blood is boiling and you’re looking for more to read on the issue, read Matt Miller’s excellent opinion piece.

[REDSTAR 105]

Nobobdy reads the user license stuff... or the ToS.

[Quinn]

Fuck them, there's no way it's getting installed. Battlefield 3, prepare to be pirated.

[gruntmods]

Fuck them, there's no way it's getting installed. Battlefield 3, prepare to be pirated.

over reaction much? The TOS of pretty much everything says this.

[Quinn]

over reaction much? The TOS of pretty much everything says this.

Actually, the reaction is more to the collective amount of increasingly bad fuck-ups that EA has performed.

[Slidell]

Actually, the reaction is more to the collective amount of increasingly bad ****-ups that EA has performed.

EA seems to be doing it's best to make sure BF doesn't sell well on the PC.

[Quinn]

EA seems to be doing it's best to make sure BF doesn't sell well on the PC.

It sure seems that way.

[gruntmods]

Actually, the reaction is more to the collective amount of increasingly bad fuck-ups that EA has performed.

Still, this is nothing, EA representatives have even publicly said that.

[Quinn]

Still, this is nothing, EA representatives have even publicly said that.

Good for them?

[Slidell]

Still, this is nothing, EA representatives have even publicly said that.

Welp, that settles it then.

[iBotPeaches]

Welp, that settles it then.

[gruntmods]

Good for them?

your right, screw logic! LET'S BE ANGRY! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

[gruntmods]

here we go everyone! http://www.gamespot....ges-origin-eula Now you can buy battlefield 3! jk, EA is evil and thus doesnt deserve money /thread

Edited by gruntmods, 28 August 2011 - 06:11 PM.

[Quinn]

here we go everyone! http://www.gamespot....ges-origin-eula Now you can buy battlefield 3! jk, EA is evil and thus doesnt deserve money /thread

No need to be childish about it, I'm quite happy with the change. I'm still a bit bummed that it's not going to be on Steam, but I think I can deal with that. And honestly, we can probably add BF3 as a non-steam game and launch it like that to take advantage of the in-game overlay (which is essential to tell me to go the fuck to bed at 4am...)
Also, my issue with data being collected is that if a smart enough hacker were to make it his goal to hack into EA's servers, who knows how much personal information they could get their hands on.

[gruntmods]

No need to be childish about it, I'm quite happy with the change. I'm still a bit bummed that it's not going to be on Steam, but I think I can deal with that. And honestly, we can probably add BF3 as a non-steam game and launch it like that to take advantage of the in-game overlay (which is essential to tell me to go the fuck to bed at 4am...)
Also, my issue with data being collected is that if a smart enough hacker were to make it his goal to hack into EA's servers, who knows how much personal information they could get their hands on.

But your information is already in the hands of numerous corporations, its pointless to be upset over this. And I just grow tired of seeing people overreact to this and other things on various sites. If I can handle being banned from live reasonably, I think people can handle this piece of an EULA.

[Quinn]

But your information is already in the hands of numerous corporations, its pointless to be upset over this. And I just grow tired of seeing people overreact to this and other things on various sites. If I can handle being banned from live reasonably, I think people can handle this piece of an EULA.

I`m sure it is, but then again, why give even more of it away? I have zero issue with them collecting data about minor things, like how I play, what guns I use etc. Even using it for marketing, I'm fine with. But scanning my whole computer... I'm not okay with that. It doesn't matter if I don't have any sensitive information on there, the issue is privacy. And the numerous times I've been banned from live, I really haven't cared, cause I'll just go play a PC game

[Slidell]

But your information is already in the hands of numerous corporations, its pointless to be upset over this. And I just grow tired of seeing people overreact to this and other things on various sites. If I can handle being banned from live reasonably, I think people can handle this piece of an EULA.

Not really, that's sort of like saying "Well, you've already been shot twice, What's a third time?"

[Slidell]

I`m sure it is, but then again, why give even more of it away? I have zero issue with them collecting data about minor things, like how I play, what guns I use etc. Even using it for marketing, I'm fine with. But scanning my whole computer... I'm not okay with that. It doesn't matter if I don't have any sensitive information on there, the issue is privacy. And the numerous times I've been banned from live, I really haven't cared, cause I'll just go play a PC game

Have CP on your computer, EA scans and downloads, sue EA for being a child pornography racket. There is literally no way that would not work.

[Quinn]

Have CP on your computer, EA scans and downloads, sue EA for being a child pornography racket. There is literally no way that would not work.

LMAO

[gruntmods]

Not really, that's sort of like saying "Well, you've already been shot twice, What's a third time?"

except not at all, and again, they aren't scanning the whole computer.