EA Makes Nice With Banned Players

[Vigormortis]

snip

snip

as above

And pretty much hit the nail on the head with that last point. It's kinda sad actually.

The poster was wrong to say 'collects user data without asking first', as that is inaccurate. The TOS says data collection is a mandatory part of the service. That is enough to get mad about though.

The Escapist did report the EULA change though. And that change, 'now we may not sell the info we get from you, to third parties'. Big deal. They still collect hardware and software data as a MANDATORY part of the service. The actual thing people are pissed about.

And as per usual with one of these posts, out comes the false equivalences, to say everyone else is doing it so why hate on EA.

You want to tell me where any of the other services you mentioned collect data about your computer systems hardware, software and software usage, with some proof to back it up. The fact is stuff like facebook collects data from the info you give them voluntarily or Google collects data from searches you give them. They collect data from info you give them voluntarily as part of the service. Everything else is stopped by a simple cookie blocker, it does not result in not being able to use their service. EA are doing something others have yet to do and are moving the line.

That is collecting data which has nothing to do with the service you provide, i.e distribution of games. System and other software info from the system you are playing the game on, is immaterial and none of EA's business. They may want to know it so they can make better games, in which case as the community for it as Steam does.

The real point is none of these companies should be doing what they are doing. Them doing it should not be used as an excuse for others to do similar things or push the line even further.

So no you need to do a bit more research first. And as far as hating on EA, I have brought games from them for the past 20 years, happily, and will do so again as soon as they make this collection optional as it is with Steam.

But whatever, please feel free to use a service that bans you for installing better textures for your game.

Spoiler

THANK YOU! My God, it's so good to finally see someone else saying what I've been screaming for months, but have been thoroughly ignored. (or worse, insulted)

You've no idea how sick I am of people; most of them just looking for a reason, ANY REASON, to shit on Valve; accuse anyone who criticizes Origin of being a "whiny Valve fanboy". (and oh, the hypocrisy shown when some of these same people were defending Bioware and EA over Mass Effect 3 and other assorted BS)

Seriously people? Grow up and get over yourselves.

Anyway, you've summed up just about everything I could say about Origin. With one exception:

Valve is an independent developer. They don't force ANYONE to make a game exclusive to Steam. The other developers/publishers choose that, based on the services and profits they have access to via Steam.

EA, on the other hand, is one of the largest publishers in the industry, with a host of developers under their reign. Therefore, in most cases, when a game is exclusive to Origin, it's EA's doing. It's their choice, not the other developer.

My point is, some of you need a little perspective here. A game being exclusive to Steam is NOT the same as a game being exclusive to Origin. One is a 3rd party developers choice; the other is EA's mandate.

But please, keep on screaming at me how "evil" Valve is and how they're trying to form a monopoly within the industry. I could use a good laugh.

 

[Woodsey]

My understanding is that forum bans still mean you can't play multiplayer then.

That's moronic.

 

[Vigormortis]

This and the other front page thread about EA firing 10% of it's work force is one large step to seeing them collapse altogether. At the very least, it shows that they are in deep financial troubles.

Keep hoping, gentlemen. We might actually see the demise of this company

I am. I am hoping. But, I don't want to see it happen until the devs under their reign are either bought up by another publisher or find a way to stand on their own (financially). Then EA can pull an MGM and we can all celebrate. (I'll bring cupcakes)

 

[Syzygy23]

Well, I see this as a good act of...whatever. I mean, those "offenders" have it coming anyway. For the most part, they're not banned because it's cloudy outside. And it seems they even get a first-time warning (72 hours-ban period).

Yeah, losing access to your account and games sucks. But hey, don't go trolling people and being rude and you'll be safe.

And again, I say for the most part. I know there are some cases of being unfairly banned. But again! For the most part. We got that, right?

At any rate, EA still sucks for reasons other than this. If they're trying to get rid of their bad reputation, there are other things they should prioritize *coughonlinepassescough*.

Wow seriously? So because you post something that they don't like on their online forums they have the right to keep you from a product you paid for? How does, me being mean on their forums have anything to do with me playing I dunno 'need for speed grand pursuit three' or what ever?

When the police catch you driving drunk, they don't impound your car but revoke your license.

The software is still installed on the banned users' PCs, they just lost their license to use it.
I remember having to pay for my driving license..

And this is why consumers are losing rights left and right to large corporations, because we think it's okay for them to screw us.

Small problem with your statement. These companies don't do it unprovoked. You act like an idiot, they ban you, you forfeit your right to use their online services. Money doesn't entitle you to be a prick to others. And EA isn't the only company that does this. It kind of goes back to the whole "no shoes no shirt no service" thing.

You seem to think people only get banned for being trolls.

People don't just get banned for being trolls, they get banned for no reason, for silly reasons, or because a mod doesn't like said person.

Random EA ban exhibit A [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.328868-EA-now-issuing-permanent-Origin-bans-through-content-filter?page=1]

Oh I know full well there are a few undeserved bannings. But I don't flaunt those specific instances as if it were the case 99% of the time like you. But of course it's only the loud ones that get heard.

Personally I'd say he deserves the ban if nothing else than for that fucking arrow in the knee joke. But I'm just spiteful like that.

Better to hang an innocent man than let a guilty one go free huh? Well if that's how you see things then I guess nothing is going to change that.

Considering the ratio of guilty over innocent that are banned? Lesser of 2 evils in my book. And the innocent's banning can always be reversed, even if it means going through a few hours of annoying customer service. But like I said, this isn't exclusive to EA.

Except instead of having to choose the lesser of two evils, it would be simple to choose NO EVILS AT ALL and just take the good option, like EVERY OTHER BUSINESS WITH A FORUM. You never, ever hear of Steam pulling shit like this, ever. Not ONCE. IF it ever did happen, it was resolved, or else why aren't there big rant posts about Steam stealing peoples games by permabanning them due to chat filter errors?

Face it, your argument is weak and stupid.

 

[PinkiePyro]

con grats EA now you are only 99.99999% shitty

 

[Radoh]

My understanding is that forum bans still mean you can't play multiplayer then.

That's moronic.

Baby steps Woodsey, baby steps.

Captcha: Lost love. eh?

 

[ThunderCavalier]

Yea, no, fuck EA. This is why digital distribution and required accounts to play games will always suck, because the companies want to control everything you do despite paying for it.

No, being denied any part of a product you pay for over an internet based violation of a TOS or EULA that no judge would allow in court when challenged is unacceptable.

Amen.

I'm sorry, but I can't really stand either Steam or Origin because both rely on you to have an Internet connection and, a point brought up that really does bug me about all of this stuff, if Steam or Origin goes down, so do all of the games that they've allowed you to use under their service and, thus, all of your money.

When I buy a game, I prefer a physical copy. That way, I can play it whenever I want to, regardless of the state of my Internet, or bring it over to a friend's house and allow him to play around with it. Perhaps CDs are some type of archaic, physical contraption and we're trying to weed them out with the use of digital distribution, what with music and iTunes, movies and Netflix, and games and Steam/Origin, but there are still quite a few many people, myself included, who like having a physical copy of all three to use.

Call me old-fashioned, but I don't like trusting my services to something that could go down at a moment's notice and take away all of the stuff that I legitimately bought from it with it.



... And yes, I know that Steam is convenient and I'm missing out on a lot of stuff because of my stance, but I'll accept that as it is, because I just find that there's a lot to lose with digital distribution services like those.

 

[Kargathia]

I already explained myself regarding that anyway. The bottom line is: Be a good boy, avoid those crazy forums and you'll be fine. EA sucks, they're unfair at times but it's easy to avoid the lava pit.

And just like Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.

I'm not sure about you, but in general I try to avoid retailers that take away my lawfully purchased goods whenever I look at them funny.

On the whole I'm somewhat curious though. If this internet rage at EA matures to a full-fledged witch hunt, then we might just be in for some interesting times - and hopefully the corporate realisation that they should at least try to look like they care about customer service.

Not holding my breath for that last one.

 

[Metalrocks]

Given your past record of caving and buying games from a company you despise, I don't think your threat actually carries much weight.

EDITED somewhat....

i got my self ME3 because im a fan of the franchise and wanted to see how it ends. as we know, the ending just sucks. lets hope the extended DLC will clear things up.
and hearing how great BF3 is, i decided to get it as well to play something else besides TF2 and MW3. unfortunately BF3 turned out to be a disaster.

 

[Beautiful End]

I already explained myself regarding that anyway. The bottom line is: Be a good boy, avoid those crazy forums and you'll be fine. EA sucks, they're unfair at times but it's easy to avoid the lava pit.

And just like Forrest Gump, that's all I have to say about that.

I'm not sure about you, but in general I try to avoid retailers that take away my lawfully purchased goods whenever I look at them funny.

On the whole I'm somewhat curious though. If this internet rage at EA matures to a full-fledged witch hunt, then we might just be in for some interesting times - and hopefully the corporate realisation that they should at least try to look like they care about customer service.

Not holding my breath for that last one.

Exactly. I don't completely hate EA because I gotta admit I still play some of their games every now and then. Not my favorites games, but I still play them. But I digress.
I try to keep that company at arm's length because of all that. Bam, problem solved.

This is a bad year for companies overall. First Capcom, then Square Enix, now EA...although I expected EA to screw up anyway. It's kinda what they do.

 

[beniki]

The only good news is bad news.

People are still going to hate anyway, it's not Steam.

To be fair, Steam is pissing me off right now. Region locking on games means that if I want to play anything new I'm forced to pirate it. I'm sure there're very good technical and legal reasons why, but that doesn't stop me being pissed off that a brand new copy of Skyrim is sitting on my shelf that I can't use... and that the shop I bought it from is several thousand miles away.

Anyway, good for you EA. It's a baby step into learning not to shit all over your customers. And perhaps after you're done fixing your customer service department, you can work on getting some more mature guys into your marketing department. But, baby steps... baby steps...

A better EA in 2032.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

ITT: EA does something bad - "WRST COMPANY EVA!!one1"

EA does something good - "They are just doing it for PR, guyz! WRST COMAPNY EVA!"

 

[Aeonknight]

Well, I see this as a good act of...whatever. I mean, those "offenders" have it coming anyway. For the most part, they're not banned because it's cloudy outside. And it seems they even get a first-time warning (72 hours-ban period).

Yeah, losing access to your account and games sucks. But hey, don't go trolling people and being rude and you'll be safe.

And again, I say for the most part. I know there are some cases of being unfairly banned. But again! For the most part. We got that, right?

At any rate, EA still sucks for reasons other than this. If they're trying to get rid of their bad reputation, there are other things they should prioritize *coughonlinepassescough*.

Wow seriously? So because you post something that they don't like on their online forums they have the right to keep you from a product you paid for? How does, me being mean on their forums have anything to do with me playing I dunno 'need for speed grand pursuit three' or what ever?

When the police catch you driving drunk, they don't impound your car but revoke your license.

The software is still installed on the banned users' PCs, they just lost their license to use it.
I remember having to pay for my driving license..

And this is why consumers are losing rights left and right to large corporations, because we think it's okay for them to screw us.

Small problem with your statement. These companies don't do it unprovoked. You act like an idiot, they ban you, you forfeit your right to use their online services. Money doesn't entitle you to be a prick to others. And EA isn't the only company that does this. It kind of goes back to the whole "no shoes no shirt no service" thing.

You seem to think people only get banned for being trolls.

People don't just get banned for being trolls, they get banned for no reason, for silly reasons, or because a mod doesn't like said person.

Random EA ban exhibit A [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.328868-EA-now-issuing-permanent-Origin-bans-through-content-filter?page=1]

Oh I know full well there are a few undeserved bannings. But I don't flaunt those specific instances as if it were the case 99% of the time like you. But of course it's only the loud ones that get heard.

Personally I'd say he deserves the ban if nothing else than for that fucking arrow in the knee joke. But I'm just spiteful like that.

Better to hang an innocent man than let a guilty one go free huh? Well if that's how you see things then I guess nothing is going to change that.

Considering the ratio of guilty over innocent that are banned? Lesser of 2 evils in my book. And the innocent's banning can always be reversed, even if it means going through a few hours of annoying customer service. But like I said, this isn't exclusive to EA.

Except instead of having to choose the lesser of two evils, it would be simple to choose NO EVILS AT ALL and just take the good option, like EVERY OTHER BUSINESS WITH A FORUM. You never, ever hear of Steam pulling shit like this, ever. Not ONCE. IF it ever did happen, it was resolved, or else why aren't there big rant posts about Steam stealing peoples games by permabanning them due to chat filter errors?

Face it, your argument is weak and stupid.

Nice try. What you're forgetting is that a good majority of those bans are for things like hacking/cheating online. Not every ban is a result of someone being a dipshit on a forum. Remember that next time you try to call someone else out on their arguement.

And as for your precious steam, why not spend 5 minutes on google and look up a few horror stories? That's all it took me to find examples that I used.... what, 1 page ago? And unlike Origin (at least ever since this change went into effect), when Steam bans you, you can kiss all that money you dumped goodbye.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

I've been quick to criticise EA for multiple and premeditated cases of "ass-hattery" (to quote an Escapist user). In the name of pleasing shareholders over and above even the smallest semblance of decent business ethics, game design, customer service or satisfaction they've quite quickly and convincingly risen to challenge the might of Activision for the title of "Biggest, Evil Fu****g Ba*****s Who Ruin Our Games and the VG Industry".

I shall give them credit for this as a good step in the correct direction. There's still a long way to go however before they can be considered anything but Corporate Dictators and why this wasn't always the case from Origin's inception is really hard to comprehend.

What EA ultimately need to realise is that when a customer pays for a product, they OWN that product. It is no longer EA's to control. However what Origin is, it is not a Digital Distribution Platform. It is a LICENSE LEASING platform. You pay full price for a game that EA let you use for only as long as they wish to. That is not sales, that is leasing and I don't want to lease my games thanks. I buy it, it's MINE, end of story.

 

[satsugaikaze]

Ownership of a product (especially a digital product) doesn't preclude having that ownership revoked in the case of abuse of that product. Not that EA's approach to it is necessarily right, but it's an easily understandable reaction.

In any case, morals concerning Origin aside, unless said person hasn't done anything that actually warrants banning, I'm not losing any sleep over the loss of a troll's rights to play his games over multiplayer. If he/she wants to be antisocial, then they can go be antisocial to their heart's content.

 

[rapidoud]

Too little too late my friend.

Never too late.

Steam still hasn't gotten around to playing nice with me, whilst EADM has played nice all along.

 

[Strazdas]

Well, I see this as a good act of...whatever. I mean, those "offenders" have it coming anyway. For the most part, they're not banned because it's cloudy outside. And it seems they even get a first-time warning (72 hours-ban period).

Yeah, losing access to your account and games sucks. But hey, don't go trolling people and being rude and you'll be safe.

And again, I say for the most part. I know there are some cases of being unfairly banned. But again! For the most part. We got that, right?

At any rate, EA still sucks for reasons other than this. If they're trying to get rid of their bad reputation, there are other things they should prioritize *coughonlinepassescough*.

Wow seriously? So because you post something that they don't like on their online forums they have the right to keep you from a product you paid for? How does, me being mean on their forums have anything to do with me playing I dunno 'need for speed grand pursuit three' or what ever?

but thats the thing. you havent paid for the product. you have paid for the right to play game x. By being banned you loose said right. you dont go screaming that whne you get banned in WOW for botting you shouldnt because "you paid for it".
I think EA simply used this ban service to attempt to make away with the notion of EA having the worst community ever.

 

[Roboto]

When the police catch you driving drunk, they don't impound your car but revoke your license.

The software is still installed on the banned users' PCs, they just lost their license to use it.
I remember having to pay for my driving license..

Ooookay.
Firstly, you're essentially putting EA in the position of the Video Game Police, no.
Secondly, this is not the same thing even in those confines of the argument. This is someone being belligerent at the Driver's Club for Driving and then losing his license to drive his vehicle.

Something more accurate would be to say that the police saw you out about town and that you are a dick to the cashier in the local Wal-Mart, so they take away your license.

OT: So yeah, now you only have to suffer your videogame's multiplayer if you are on the forums?
Well then, looks like I'm sticking to The Escapist for my forum perusal. Nothing of any real substance lost I suppose? Yeah, I'm going with that.

If we want to go down that route, we can axe the walmart and driving drunk things and make it Costco. Or EAco if you like. They see you beating on other customers of the store and revoke your membership. Which they CAN do, without a refund even, I checked. The usually won't though as that is damaging to PR (which EA could care less about it seems). I'm not defending or begrudging the practices EA uses, simply noting observations about it and drawing parallels to other things that happen in this world.

 

[Radoh]

Ooookay.
Firstly, you're essentially putting EA in the position of the Video Game Police, no.
Secondly, this is not the same thing even in those confines of the argument. This is someone being belligerent at the Driver's Club for Driving and then losing his license to drive his vehicle.

Something more accurate would be to say that the police saw you out about town and that you are a dick to the cashier in the local Wal-Mart, so they take away your license.

OT: So yeah, now you only have to suffer your videogame's multiplayer if you are on the forums?
Well then, looks like I'm sticking to The Escapist for my forum perusal. Nothing of any real substance lost I suppose? Yeah, I'm going with that.

If we want to go down that route, we can axe the walmart and driving drunk things and make it Costco. Or EAco if you like. They see you beating on other customers of the store and revoke your membership. Which they CAN do, without a refund even, I checked. The usually won't though as that is damaging to PR (which EA could care less about it seems). I'm not defending or begrudging the practices EA uses, simply noting observations about it and drawing parallels to other things that happen in this world.

Except that's still inaccurate. The membership card is to allow you access to buy the stuff available, they can't take stuff that you bought away from you once it is yours.
You're still labouring under the principle that playing games that you bought is a privilege and not a right. The moment you paid for it is the moment it is yours, nothing short of doing something illegal will take away that right.

 

[Ympulse]

The only good news is bad news.

People are still going to hate anyway, it's not Steam.

I don't hate Origin. Just EA customer support. Some of the worst customer service this side of the Pacific.

fucking THIS.

I had the displeasure of talkign with with Tech Support when I was changing some Steam games to Origin since some mods didn't work with Steam.

Tech Support: YOU CANT DO THAT!

User Made Forums: You can do it, its a bit difficult, but here is how in five easy steps *proceedes to have awesome documentation over steps*


I dont hate Origin for much, but a majority of my hate is directed to how their PAID TECH SUPPORT knows less of their own program than third and fourth parties.

This might just be me, but expecting some dude with a troubleshooting flowchart working for ten bucks an hour to give a flying fuck about the games he's supporting is a bit much, especially when he's expected to answer your call and get you off the phone in five minutes or less.

It's a well-known fact that dedicated fans are just as, if not more than, knowledgeable as the developers that created the games.