Mass Effect 3 Gives Steam a Miss at Launch

[Baresark]

In all honestly, as long as it doesn't require Origin to play SP, which it does not. From what I read, you will need to verify one single time through Origin and then you don't need to use it anymore. And they are giving you unlimited installs. I don't trust EA or Origin. So, I buy a digital EA game I'm interested in through Amazon Digital, that way I always have access to it. I don't trust EA after the banning fiasco [http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/12/05/ea-origin-bans-update-edition/]. I would never purchase anything through Origin ever. I either have it on Steam or Amazon Digital. But, after ME3, my interest has evaporated. I am looking at Kingdoms of Amalur, but I think I'm gonna give that one a pass. But, back OT: If I find out you need to run Origin to play this game, it's over. No ME3 for me, and I may be OK with that. I'm not really feeling Bioware that much anymore, anyway. I can only have some kind of loyalty to them in so far as they are creating things I want, and that isn't going to be forever.

I think some guy mentioned that DLCs for Steam games HAVE to be distributed through Steam, but I believe I have to use BioWare points for my Mass Effect 2, and Steam is fine with that. They just want their service to be popular don't they? I kinda don't understand, isn't hosting your own server cost you money?

The issue isn't that it must be distributed through the Steam client. Steam simply requires that people who own a Steam copy of the game have access to DLC and expansions through the Steam store. They don't want you selling a game through them and then not making any additional game content available through the Steam store, even if this means going to an outside website to get it. With ME2, the digital deluxe edition of the game came with some DLC. I had to download all of that from EA directly and I had to have an EA account. That was a bit annoying, but it was doable. The only downside was that the EA/Bioware website for that was fucking retarded in it's design and they buried the DLC through several menus. Some people call this a money grab, but it's really just common sense. Would it make sense for a store to only sell pants made by a specific company, but then the company didn't let them sell the shirts as well? It wouldn't.

 

[RedDeadFred]

And this is why I'm buying it for my 360.

 

[Metalrocks]

In all honestly, as long as it doesn't require Origin to play SP, which it does not. From what I read, you will need to verify one single time through Origin and then you don't need to use it anymore. And they are giving you unlimited installs. I don't trust EA or Origin. So, I buy a digital EA game I'm interested in through Amazon Digital, that way I always have access to it. I don't trust EA after the banning fiasco [http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/12/05/ea-origin-bans-update-edition/]. I would never purchase anything through Origin ever. I either have it on Steam or Amazon Digital. But, after ME3, my interest has evaporated. I am looking at Kingdoms of Amalur, but I think I'm gonna give that one a pass.

actually, it does require origin to play the SP only. so origin will run in the background wile you play ME3. basically like steam that it has to tun if you want to play a game.

 

[Baresark]

In all honestly, as long as it doesn't require Origin to play SP, which it does not. From what I read, you will need to verify one single time through Origin and then you don't need to use it anymore. And they are giving you unlimited installs. I don't trust EA or Origin. So, I buy a digital EA game I'm interested in through Amazon Digital, that way I always have access to it. I don't trust EA after the banning fiasco [http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/12/05/ea-origin-bans-update-edition/]. I would never purchase anything through Origin ever. I either have it on Steam or Amazon Digital. But, after ME3, my interest has evaporated. I am looking at Kingdoms of Amalur, but I think I'm gonna give that one a pass.

actually, it does require origin to play the SP only. so origin will run in the background wile you play ME3. basically like steam that it has to tun if you want to play a game.

I'm not convinced, look at this statement: "Mass Effect 3 will require a one time, single authorization for the single player game. There is no limit to the number of installs. Playing Mass Effect 3 multiplayer will require a constant connection ... Origin is required for the PC versions of Mass Effect 3, both physical and digital."

It sounds to me like it's going to install it, no matter what. But, it says you only need a constant connection when playing online. But, I'm not making any decisions until I know for sure, because the way this is worded, it is very vague and could go either way.

 

[scw55]

I will be playing SWTOR in till it turns in monotony. Perhaps by the time I fancy playing ME3 what ever dong waving contest going on between Valve and EA will have been resolved and I will be able to play ME3 on steam.

I wonder if EA knew that it may have been a bad idea to release Mass Effect 3 in the same year as their MMO of Star Wars. The majority of Bioware fanites will be playing SWTOR religiously and see no need to sink teeth into ME3 yet.

 

[Smooth Operator]

While it's clear this guy has aced all PR bullshiting courses and the actual message reads: "puttng EA games on the biggest competitor service? LOL No"

It's good that Valve is getting their cage rattled, they are too big for their own good and unless someone pokes them into some changes they have no reason to make them.

 

[Clive Howlitzer]

"Mass Effect 3 will require a one time, single authorization for the single player game.

Now does that mean I can run the game without starting Origin after the first time? If so, who cares if I have Origin? I'd never need to run it again.

Nah, you will have to keep Origin open anytime you want to run ME3 just like BF3.

 

[Mycroft Holmes]

I will get Origin anyways never heard of it but I want to freaking play Mass Effect 3.

It spies on you and sends back information to EA on everything you do with your computer, just so you know.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/4103/originwhy.png

 

[Behazard]

I'm currently really thinking about buying the entire trilogy for the Xbox, just to get out of having to download Origin.
I certainly don't trust the program. EA's refusal for not selling it through Steam, sounds like they want to force you to install Origin (after all I've heard, it seems to me this is their main reason).

 

[scw55]

You can play SWTOR without Origin. I don't understand why you need Origin for ME3.

 

[White-Death]

You know what? I was going to buy a Disc, & crack use a no Origin crack as I did with Battlefield 3.
EA are shooting themselves in the face with Origin.I don't want Dragon Age 2 to be my last ever Bioware game.
Origin is Spyware,EA are just going ''WAAAAAH! VALVE WON'T LET US SPY ON OUR CUSTOMERS!''

 

[Seanchaidh]

I have ME1 and ME2 on Steam. I don't want Origin. So I won't be getting ME3 unless something changes. Fine, whatever, I can live with that. $60 or however much they're going to ask + installing Origin is a higher price than I'm willing to pay. Maybe if ME3 was free with Origin... which is how I would do exclusive deals (or just not have exclusive deals.) If you're going to attempt to punish me for not having Origin, don't make my decision not to have Origin easier by making the punishment consist of me having more money than otherwise. At that point I don't even have to think about it that hard.

You can play SWTOR without Origin. I don't understand why you need Origin for ME3.

Because they want to have something that distinguishes Origin from Steam-- in an actually good way. The problem of course is that it's so transparently done that it will rightfully arouse the ire of consumers.

 

[Metalrocks]

I'm not convinced, look at this statement: "Mass Effect 3 will require a one time, single authorization for the single player game. There is no limit to the number of installs. Playing Mass Effect 3 multiplayer will require a constant connection ... Origin is required for the PC versions of Mass Effect 3, both physical and digital."

It sounds to me like it's going to install it, no matter what. But, it says you only need a constant connection when playing online. But, I'm not making any decisions until I know for sure, because the way this is worded, it is very vague and could go either way.

ok, i thought i read it in the ME3 forum but i am wrong. someone also is asking this question and i have checked nearly 20 pages in hope to find the answer. dint find anything. but even when it doesn not require origin to run in the background, ?A still will not get my money. i dont want them to scan my stuff just to activate the game. and it does scan your system before you even agree to the terms.

and besides, its ?A we are talking about. so you can be pretty sure that origin will be required to run in the background just for playing the SP.

 

[Owlslayer]

Well, this is unfortunate, i rather like using Steam.
I suppose i may have to get Origin, tho I`m not really fond of the idea...
Oh well, we shall see how this goes.

 

[Daverson]

I think some guy mentioned that DLCs for Steam games HAVE to be distributed through Steam, but I believe I have to use BioWare points for my Mass Effect 2, and Steam is fine with that. They just want their service to be popular don't they? I kinda don't understand, isn't hosting your own server cost you money?

Fallout 3's DLC was sold and distributed exclusively through GFWL for some time (you can get it on Steam now, though). I think Sims 3 has some kind of integrated marketplace. So I doubt it's that.

Unless they want to sell DLC codes on their own marketplace, then use the Steam servers to distribute it without recompense. Which would be kinda a dick move, tbh. =/

 

[Piorn]

That is rather unfortunate, I'd have liked to play it. I won't install Origin for it, so I'll either wait for a crack, or not bother at all. Propably the latter.

I would consider buying it for the PS3, if they would let me import my ME2 PC save, but we all know it's not going to happen.

 

[lancar]

I really dislike EA for their business practices, but I still buy games from them every now and again.
However, I absolutely REFUSE to use Origin.
I will NOT buy this game if this Origin requirement persists. End of story.

 

[NathLines]

i heard that the restrictions they talk about is buying DLC from within the game to avoid paying to Valve a little percentage, but im not sure thats the case, so can someone please confirm this? i remember reading it somewhere, but cant really remember where

I think it's more because Steam will put the DLC on sale whenever the game goes on sale. As far as I know, Bioware doesn't have sales on their DLC. I may be wrong though.

 

[octafish]

It isn't. The ToS for Origin clearly states that EA cannot sell any information gathered. It is for internal EA use only.

So? Who says they can't trade the info away or give it away for free on the promise of a returned service or favour later down the line?

The same contract that they will hold you to. Have you even read the Origin ToS/EULA or the EA Privacy Policy? I have.

It isn't. The ToS for Origin clearly states that EA cannot sell any information gathered. It is for internal EA use only.

Internal use: take system specs/other personal information and plug them into oddly specific metrics.

Those oddly specific metrics are now a product of EA that you do not have a stake in. EA then sells the information from those oddly specific metrics just like Facebook does.

Come on now, you cant be THAT dense...

Once again, read their ToS/EULA and Privacy Policy, it is written in plain English. Of course I recommend reading the ToS/EULA before applying any updates to make sure the terms you originally agreed to still apply. If they change the EULA/ToS you have the right to revert the agreement to the one you first agreed to if you contact them about it.

I do like reading the Facebook comments about people refusing to use Origin because it is an invasion of privacy. Hilarious!

 

[Versuvius]

Heres my two penneth: Okay people saying Steam did the same service wise on release. Here is why you are wrong. An offence comitted in the Steam forums will not get you banned from your games list. EA has a habit of deleting your games from origin for minor and nonexistant infarctions. Even cheating on steam will get you a ban from multiplayer games secured with VAC. That is it. Second ME3 is shaping up to be mass market DA2 style wank anyway, but thats imaterial to this. Thirdly: I use steam. I have one digital distribution service on my computer. Don't want another.

Heres the real kicker, ME3 will be available on other distribution services that aren't origin, just not Steam. This is very much a choice because steam is the most popular and EA does not want to hand them more, if a relatively small, slice of the profits.

So no, Origin is nothing like Steam as a service because the ethic behind it is nigh on unforgivable when an automated swear checker can delete your account because your name came up in a quote. Anybody arguing otherwise must be licking EA love juice from their lips as we speak.