Origin has become less evil!?

[let's rock]

What if EA had developed a camera in your toilet and shower, but said they wouldn't use it? Would you like it?

 

[-Dragmire-]

What if EA had developed a camera in your toilet and shower, but said they wouldn't use it? Would you like it?

Well... the toilet cam would let me give EA a visual representation of what I think of them...

 

[Nouw]

no change. will never buy another EA game again.
I hope others are with me.

And while you surf the internet, facebook is doing worse shit than EA. I don't understand why you'll never buy another EA game again. They realized that they screwed up and they changed it for the better.

 

[Stall]

-Snip of Valve's Privacy Policy-

What does that have to do with anything? Nothing there proves anything that I said wrong, nor relates to anything that I argued at all. It's just a bunch of tangential nothingness that barely relates to the topic at hand. It all amounts to nothing beyond a gigantic red herring.

Yes, quite a bit is grey and open to interpretation, but here's the thing, it boils down to how much a user trusts a company, and how much goodwill said company has.

Many trust Valve, and Valve has much goodwill. Valve has shown many times that they actually care about their customers, and try to provide benefits for using Steam. They try to give you value.

Few trust EA, and EA's goodwill is basically non-existent. They are offering nothing of value with Origin, and instead seem to be going the "follow our rules, or screw off. We don't owe you shit" route. They aren't giving any good reasons to use Origin. If they had a good rep, maybe they could get away with having their games only using Origin, like what Valve did with Half Life. But they don't have good rep, they have shown in the past they don't care, so for them this kind of thing just won't work.

Valve gives me reasons to use Steam, and provide me value in using it. They have shown that they are decent people, and I don't have a problem trusting them. EA doesn't do any of that with Origin, and they have shown that they are not decent people. Therefore, I, and many others, do not trust them.

You know, people like you really make me feel bad for EA. The court of public opinion told them they stepped over the line with their first EULA. They fixed it because they gave a shit... they realized they went too far, and adjusted accordingly. Odds say there was nothing illegal about that first EULA that stirred the controversy, so the only possible reasons they fixed it is because of the aforementioned controversy (if you even read the revised section, the first paragraph is nothing short of an apology).

They fixed things because people got angry, and how are those same people treating them? With the exact same resent and disdain previously. It all amounts to nothing beyond petty fanboyisms and people jumping on the bandwagon. EA can do NOTHING to make people like them happy. People just love to hate them because they are an easy target for bandwagon hatred. It's "cool" and "in" to hate EA: when they change something for the better, people still hate them. It's made even worse by them deciding to launch Origin, since people are interpreting it as EA trying to step on Valve's toes, when in reality its nothing beyond a glorified version of their download manager. I can't help but to think one of the reasons EA's Origin EULA has fallen under such intense scrutiny is because people don't like them invading Valve's space: if it was another company, then I doubt anyone would care. The gaming community is most certainly unreleasable at times.

I'm not saying EA is a saint by any means, but a healthy majority of the venom and hatred spewed at them is absolutely meaningless and unjustified, especially after they changed a point on controversy in a very, very favorable way when they probably didn't have to.

The worst part, for me, is requiring me to link a physical copy to their service. As Yahtzee once said "There is no middle finger big enough" for that idea.

Why are people so eager to forget that you need Steam to use physical copies of Valve games? Is it because Valve is cool, and EA is one of the publishers that people just love to hate? Is that really why its okay for Valve to do the exact same thing?

 

[Blow_Pop]

If it was more like Steam where they ASK before collecting data off my computer and didn't go through ALL my files(because really why would photos and music help them at all for anything other than stalking me)and programs then I might like it more. As it is, I don't trust them at all and will refuse to use Origin. Plus I don't play many EA games anyways as it is so it is useless for me to have it for like 2 games.

 

[Hafnium]

EA has repeatedly tried and sometimes succeeded in doing questionable or outright illegal stuff. They'll do as much of this as possible, they've long since proven their lack of respect for the customer.
The main reason I'm pissed at them now is their malware-style approach. I have now installed the sims 3 on my laptop for my gf to play. Last time I had it installed it just needed their download manager, now it tries to install origin every time I start my pc. I haven't yet found the place to disable that invasive behavior, or even disable the download manager's auto-start. It only checks for that update, it is otherwise fully updated. When apple did the same shit I swore them off, and I haven't bought from them since. I certainly won't get bf3 or the old republic now, and ME3 is looking less appealing now.

 

[oplinger]

Doesn't seem to have changed all that much. Mostly just the addition of a bit saying "oh, but we totally won't use this power for evil, trust us". They can still collect whatever information they want from your computer.

I am in the fortunate position of not giving enough of a damn about EA titles to use Origin (except Dragon Age 2, but I'll find that somewhere else, or get a physical copy if I have to).

If, however, I was intending to use Origin, and had decided against it because of this controversy, I doubt the changes they have made would convince me to rethink my position.

Well now it's illegal for them to use it in that way, so that's a significant difference.

AKA you can sue them for a shitload of money.

You have to know about it before you can sue them. Really the EULA was changed to ease your mind. At least that bit. The omissions are the more important part.

However they can still collect all the data they want from your computer and such. They just restricted personal information.

 

[Garret866]

Will get EA stuff for xbox360/ps3 now.
microsoft is just testing to see if people actually read the EULA, they are evil.
i let valve do something of this sort because they are an awesome company, and wont do this kind of bullshit, microsoft on the other hand...

 

[Sonicron]

I wonder - do these changes apply anywhere in the world now? I just booted up Origin, called up the EULA (automatically in German), and nothing had changed. Do the official changes in the English/American EULA supersede all unchanged translations?

 

[Antari]

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6331203/ea-changes-origin-eula?tag=updates%3Beditor%3Ball%3Btitle%3B4

How do people feel about the tyrannical program that is Origin being toned down a little?

Does this change anything at all? Should EA keep toning down the program? Should they even tone it down at all?

Share your opinions on the matter my fellow escapists!

Unless toning down means shutting down completely no. EA can take its little scam and shove it where the sun don't shine. I don't care if they coat it with gold. I'm not dealing with them, and I'm sure as hell not installing the malware they've come up with.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Dude, it's EA.

EA stating they won't treat it's customers like shit anymore is like China saying it's gonna start handing out human rights.

 

[Jaffinnegan]

You Morons do know that any other thing like Origin (Steam), can do what Origin can do, they just dont tell you they can cause they dont? The only thing EA have done differentally to Valve is that they Stupidly Didnt Lie to You, and instead told you the truth of what stuff like that CAN do, but most likely will not, same for Steam.

 

[Cenequus]

Valve only collects data from Steam-related stuff. They do collect system info every now and then, but they do that in survey from which you can choose not to participate in, where with Origin, to opt-out you have to not install anything EA.

They still can root around in your PC whenever they want and look at whatever they want, they just won't sell them to marketers now.

Yes it's an improvement, but all it's really an improvement over is being kicked in the balls, where now it's a punch to the stomach.

Not true. No where in Valve's policy do they state that they will only collect data relating to Steam. Valve can collect info on whatever they want. Nothing really restricts them from collecting data on JUST things regarding Steam.

To be quite blunt, the breadth of information you agree to let Valve has is significantly greater than that of what you allow EA to have.

Even further, the current revision of the Origin EULA also says that EA will no longer sell your "personal" information. It's not like they really collect anything that "personal" now though.

So sorry... the EA hate is no longer justified . It now reads just like a vanilla privacy policy... nothing alarming or interesting.

Yes, but Valve will only give the data to third parties if you agree to them.

Valve may use customer contact information provided by users to send information about Valve, including news about product updates, contests, events, and other promotional materials, but only if the users agree to receive such communications.

User's choice.

Except in the cases described below, Valve will not share personally identifiable information with any third party unless the user agrees to such disclosure in advance.

They ask you first, and will only do it if you agree.

"Personally identifiable information" consists of a user's name, email address, physical address, or other data about the user that enables the recipient to personally identify the user. While Valve collects personally identifiable information on a voluntary basis, for certain products and online sites, Valve's collection of personally identifiable information may be a requirement for access to the product or site.

Essentially, they need your personal info so you can access Steam/play the game on Steam, and anything else is voluntary.

Personally identifiable information will be processed and stored by Valve in databases situated in the United States. Valve may allow third parties performing services under contract with Valve to access stored information but such access shall only be to the extent necessary to provide those services. In those instances, the third party will be bound by the terms of this privacy policy.

So, if a third party does want the info, they can only get what they actually need and nothing more. And they are then bound by the privacy terms of this agreement, which means the user must allow it if it contains personal info(name, address, ect.)

In some situations, personally identifiable information you input in connection with Steam may be made available to other users of Steam. For example, during registration of Steam, Valve collects a user's email address and nickname, and at the user's option, first and last name. Some of this information is searchable and available to other users within Steam. Valve has no obligation to keep the privacy of personally identifiable information that a user makes available to other users via Steam or other Valve software, such as in multiplayer or other public functions.

Basically, they collect contact info, and give you the choice of displaying them.

Personally identifiable information protected under this privacy policy and collected from users may be done in conjunction with associates under agreement with Valve. If an associate of Valve is collecting such personally identifiable information within one of our products or online sites, Valve will make users aware of this at the time the information is gathered.

They make users aware of the situation. Contrasted to EA, who says they can do it whenever they want, without having to inform the user.

For example, product registration data for Half-Life is collected by Sierra Entertainment. If a user does not want to provide this information, the user may choose to opt out of providing this information.

Again, the user can choose to not do it.

Additionally, if providing the information is a requirement of usage, the user may decline to use that particular service or product. When possible, Valve will make a reasonable effort to direct users to the privacy polices of these associates. Valve's privacy policy does not extend to associates of Valve.

If a game requires you to give info to play, it will be because the Publisher of the game wants it, not because Valve does.

Furthermore, external websites and companies with links to and from Valve's online sites and products may collect personal information about users. Valve's privacy policy does not extend to these external websites and companies. Please refer directly to these companies and websites regarding their privacy policies.

Basically, anyone outside Valve is a different beast.

Valve may release personally identifiable information to comply with court orders or laws that require us to disclose such information

Pretty self-explanatory. Every EULA has this in some degree.

I did ignore the first few paragraphs, but those essentially said that it's all user choice except for the following points, which is what I dissected here. There's also some more stuff, but those are in relation to Valve products sending bug reports, and some info may be contained, but they will never save personal info in these automatic bug reports.

Yes, quite a bit is grey and open to interpretation, but here's the thing, it boils down to how much a user trusts a company, and how much goodwill said company has.

Many trust Valve, and Valve has much goodwill. Valve has shown many times that they actually care about their customers, and try to provide benefits for using Steam. They try to give you value.

Few trust EA, and EA's goodwill is basically non-existent. They are offering nothing of value with Origin, and instead seem to be going the "follow our rules, or screw off. We don't owe you shit" route. They aren't giving any good reasons to use Origin. If they had a good rep, maybe they could get away with having their games only using Origin, like what Valve did with Half Life. But they don't have good rep, they have shown in the past they don't care, so for them this kind of thing just won't work.

Valve gives me reasons to use Steam, and provide me value in using it. They have shown that they are decent people, and I don't have a problem trusting them. EA doesn't do any of that with Origin, and they have shown that they are not decent people. Therefore, I, and many others, do not trust them.

I remember I think Conan making a joke about how people threat corporations as if they are a person with traits. EA isn't evil just as Valve isn't good,they are companies and that's all. Trying to see more beyond that is plain stupid since I laugh off the tin hat conspirators.

but on topic,while Origin might try to take some things from Steam like this:"Direct download of PC games requires the Origin client, and once you have it, you'll be able to access your game library from virtually anywhere. You can even play your favorite games on other PCs when you're on the go."

But on the other side Origin will only be used for download and it won't be required to install and play the game. So far this feature is sure only for TOR(haven't checked for other games)but it's a big deal unless you have become so used to the heavy DRM Steam is.

 

[Loop Stricken]

It's much better now actually. It's about on the same level as Valve's now-- anyone calling it spyware has never sat down and read another eula or privacy policy in their life. Interestingly enough, EA might just have a BETTER policy than Valve now, since EA collects non-personally identifiable information, while Valve does have the right to collect personally identifiable information. Albeit Vavle will not SHARE this personally identifiable information, but they nonetheless reserve the right to collect it, where EA will not even collect this kind of information.

It's a much better wording now. As I said, anyone who still wants to call Origin spyware really needs to get out and read more.

Of course, Valve have built up quite a bit of goodwill over the years, whereas EA has built, not so much a mud hut of goodwill so much as a careening pit of hatred and bile.