BF2142 to include spyware AND adware [Archive]

Anjow

10-17-06, 05:50 AM

See this (potential rumour) Shacknews posting:

http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?id=13049860

o. In the latest CGW podcast, they received retail boxed copies of BF 2142.

When you open the box, a big slip of paper falls out first, preceeding any discs or manuals. The slip of paper says, essentially, that 2142 includes monitoring software which runs while your computer is online, and records "anonymous" information like your IP address, surfing habits (probably via cookie scans), and other "computing habits" in order to report this information back to ad companies and ad servers, which generates in-game ads.

Now, I can live with certain in-game ads (though apparently there will be Dodge truck and Neon ads in the bleak, futuristic world of 2142), but including a lengthy description - outside of even the Eula - seems to indicate even EA knows that this is some shady borderline spyware ****. I don't support it and won't be buying 2142 (for a host of other reasons, too).

Note that you find out AFTER you've bought the game, AFTER you've opened the box and AFTER you have pretty much any chance of returning it.

As one clever chap on the SomethingAwful forums thread I stole this from said,

"It sounds more like Battlefield 1984"

Trombe

10-17-06, 06:04 AM

Doesn't WoW do the same thing?

Anjow

10-17-06, 06:10 AM

WoW has no adverts in it.

WoW has a program called 'the warden' within it which monitors window titles for the purposes of detecting cheats. It is indeed instrusive, but they aren't trying to make money out of you with it.

If you feel one way or the other about this, do make your feelings known on the official forums for the game:

http://forums.easports.com/mboards/forum.jspa?forumID=3455

It seems they're deleting threads on the spyware subject every 5 minutes.

Just dug this up, it's the text about the spyware/adware:

The Software may incorporate technology developed by IGA Worldwide Inc. ("IGA") (the "Advertising Technology"). The purpose of the Advertising Technology is to deliver in-game advertisements to you when you use the Software while connected to the Internet. When you use the Software while connected ot the Internet, the Advertising Technlogy may record your IP address and other anonymouse information ("Advertising Data"). The Advertising Data is temporarily used by IGA to enable the presentation and measurement of in-game advertisements and other in-game objects which are uploaded temporarily to your personal computer or game console and changed during online game play. The Advertising Technology does not collect any personally identifiable information about you, and EA will ont provide IGA with any of your personally identifiable information. The servers used by the Advertising Technology may, from time to time, be located outside your country of residence. If you are located within the European Union, the servers may be located outside the EU. By installing and using the Software, you agree to: (i) the transfer of the Advertising Data to servers located outside your country of residence and, if applicable, outside the European Union; (ii)the collection and use of the Advertising Data as described in this Section; and (iii) the delivery of advertising and marketing content by the Advertising Technology. IF YOU DO NOT WANT IGA TO COLLECT, USE, STORE, OR TRANSMIT THE DATA DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, DO NOT INSTALL OR PLAY THE SOFTWARE ON ANY PLATFORM THAT IS USED TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET.

Neural Net

10-17-06, 06:24 AM

It monitors your surfing habits? Surely that's a major invasion of privacy, no matter what the manual says. See this is the kind of thing that Jack Thompson should be fighting. :beer:

InThrees

10-17-06, 07:39 AM

If Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory had something like this, I would have grumbled but I would have played ball because Wolf:ET was free to end-users, the PB support was free to end-users.

BF2142 is *not* free to end-users.

There is no way in hell I will pay for a software title that uses intrusive advertising of the sort that an entire industry (AV/AS/AMW) is dedicated to obliterating.

There is also no way in hell I will patronize the company that did it.

Welcome to my own little blacklist, EA.

Given what I've learned about EA's employment practices and treatment of programmers, this isn't a hard decision at all.

Neuromancer

10-17-06, 07:47 AM

fight556

10-17-06, 07:54 AM

Have to say it doesn't really surprise me, gonna be buggy and spyware ridden...no thanks.

telexen

10-17-06, 08:37 AM

Lost me as a potential customer. Won't even try it.

Owenator

10-17-06, 09:08 AM

I would imagine that you could also use your firewall to block the software if it runs outside of BF2142. I'd be really surprised though if it ran when you weren't playing BF2142. That would be totally unappropriate. I bet it will be disable-able after people realize what it's doing and complain. I also wonder if it would violate any US laws?

Gongo

10-17-06, 10:15 AM

crofty83

10-17-06, 10:50 AM

I guessing these advertisements are going to be stored on a server somewhere and downloaded when BF 2142 is played. The thing im wondering is will the BF 2142 exe connect to the internet to download these adverts or will it be a 3rd party app installed along with the game. If the latter is the case then happy days. Surely you can just block the 3rd party app from accessing the net through your firewall, therefore no adverts :) because it thnks your not connected to the net

Mr.Guvernment

10-17-06, 11:20 AM

People will still buy the game unfortunately.

If you want to get around the "cookie" surfing however, there is a trick. :)

I use opera as my main browser, except I have IE on by default, and by default IE is blocked by my firewall.

So unless BF2142 is going to show me advertisements for windows update, they are screwed :)

You dont think EA programmers are smart enough to know that IE isnt the only browser out there, i am sure they look for opera / firefox and all those other browsers and add-ons.

Mr.Guvernment

10-17-06, 11:22 AM

actually the advertisements show up IN GAME..if you want to play... you'll see it... i saw a SS that had a Mcdonald's logo and an AXE "billboard" type add on the walls. screw this. either give me the game for free and then show me adds, or charge me for the game and cut the adds

http://www.txdb.net/brad/2142.jpg
WHat does it matter if there was going to be ad's in it anyways? Now they are just "real" ads...

but i do agree that if they are going to be showing ad's that could result in profit and EA is making money from these companies wanting their ad's to be in the game, then the game shouldnt be costing $50 anymore, more like $25 or free, since EA is getting i am sure MILLIONS of $$$ from these companies to have their ad's run.

Owenator

10-17-06, 11:42 AM

Well I hope that screen shot was photochopped because that would be pretty bogus having adds sprayed all over the game. I find that AXE add offensive and idiotic. I wonder if they could get sued over crap like that in a Teen rated game. Yeah that's the ticket!

I also wonder if this means my server provider will have to share bandwidth with some ad stream? I would hate to have lag in a game because it was busyt downloading some crappy add for smell good juice!

Although in-game I guess I could just shoot up the ads to show my displeasure? :shrug: I wonder what their data collection tool would say about that? :mad:

Anjow

10-17-06, 11:43 AM

Adverts CAN add realism in things like racing sims, but in a game set over 100 years in the future it is absolutely stupid.

InThrees

10-17-06, 02:15 PM

(no I didn't take this pic, as I said, no way in hell is EA getting my trade.)

http://www.filedorm.com/out.php/i2143_igavy2.jpg

Neural Net

10-17-06, 02:19 PM

To me that picture looks photoshopped. I was assuming that the adverts would appear in actual billboards scattered across the levels, but if it is like the screenshot suggests, then this is pushing it too far imo, it's merely copy and pasting the ads over textures and not purposeful places.

You already gets ads in some CS:S servers, but there's only one or two in a level and they're easily ignored, if anything, they get shot at in protest and I'm sure it makes players more resistant to buying the advertised product.

Lets hope this isn't the format that EA adopts for every one of their titles, but this game sadly is probably a testbed for such an idea.

SuperFarStucker

10-17-06, 02:19 PM

While I'm sure there are ways to protect your data, such as simply not giving battlefield permissions to read those directories, why bother. The game sucks anyway, I'd rather just not pay for some ****ty battlefield 2 mod that has spyware built into the game engine.

redrumy3

10-17-06, 02:20 PM

WOW...WOW looks like im not getting this game now. Got to tell my friends who are going to buy this about this crap!

damarble

10-17-06, 02:24 PM

Clever on their part but something we shouldn't have to put up with. I wasn't even interested in it anyway, it looks like a skinned BF2, which I don't care for. Now BF:V OTH.....:)

Anjow

10-17-06, 02:28 PM

To me that picture looks photoshopped. I was assuming that the adverts would appear in actual billboards scattered across the levels, but if it is like the screenshot suggests, then this is pushing it too far imo, it's merely copy and pasting the ads over textures and not purposeful places.

On the official forums there were mentions of the axe adverts, so I doubt it was photoshopped. I doubt they'd be striving for realism & immersive ads anyway.

As for the piece of paper with the advert information on it - it confirms that it WILL be wasting your bandwidth downloading adverts. It also says words to the effect of "don't play it on the internet" - from what I heard on the SomethingAwful thread there is no singleplayer, meaning it pretty much has to be played on the internet. If anyone has it/was in the beta, could they say whether it has singleplayer?

Fireside85281

10-17-06, 02:39 PM

I'm going to wait until I see believable proof on this. What about the startup ads that are already in BF2? The ones that say you need to buy the newest expansion or look into the newest EA release.

That is unless the ads are like Need for Speed. It's apparent the company was pushing advertisements, but it seems believable: actual Burger King stores, realistic billboards, etc. Nothing that seemed as out of place as the pictures in the screenshot posted above.

It also says words to the effect of "don't play it on the internet" - from what I heard on the SomethingAwful thread there is no singleplayer, meaning it pretty much has to be played on the internet. If anyone has it/was in the beta, could they say whether it has singleplayer?

Just look in the demo. It shows the option to play singleplayer, it's just not enabled for the demo. But none of the BF games are really made for singleplayer. Have any of the people, that are so sharp to criticize, even played any of the Battlefield games? Nothing like a bunch of people who just make theories off second hand rumors.

Blankfile

10-17-06, 02:43 PM

Wasn't going to buy, but this should convince some friend of mine never to buy this... and hopefully all those EA hermmm "technology".

Anjow

10-17-06, 02:57 PM

Have any of the people, that are so sharp to criticize, even played any of the Battlefield games?

I've played 1942 & Road to Rome, Vietnam, 2 & Special Forces. This is the first one I won't be playing.

Nothing like a bunch of people who just make theories off second hand rumors.

The image of the card that comes with the game doesn't look much like a theory or a second hand rumour to me.

IrishAssassin

10-17-06, 04:32 PM

This is not a rumor, I bought the game at EBGames in Montreal, opened it in front of him, saw the paper slip out, read it, said **** EA and their bull****. The guy agreed and took the game back.

All FUTURE EA playable-online games will have this, even through X-Box Live, ie Need for Speed Carbon, all the sports franchise, it won't be spyware, but it's live ads.

Like they need more money. What a stupid company, EA is never taking my money again.

rainless

10-17-06, 05:42 PM

It monitors your surfing habits? Surely that's a major invasion of privacy, no matter what the manual says. See this is the kind of thing that Jack Thompson should be fighting. :beer:

Unfortunately Jack's an idiot.

Speciale

10-17-06, 05:55 PM

wow...that's really all i can say.

It's EA now, but soon this will be common place i'm afraid. I guess i'm glad that i'm slowly begining to play less and less games.

UnrealAlex

10-17-06, 05:57 PM

It doesnt monitor your surfing habits.
People need to get their news right.
This is directly from a IGA employee.
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11300
"Specifically, IGA's software uses the IP address for geotargeting of in-game ads (so that European ads are not shown to those in the U.S., for example). It also creates a unique user number that's generated locally, and is able to re-identify the gamer when he next appears online.

In addition, IGA's in-game ad solution does capture the time of day that the user started to play each gaming session - Townsend mentioned, as an example, that "if the brief says 'Males 18 to 34'", the ads may only be served between 6pm and 9pm on a weekday evening or similar, to replicate 'primetime' viewing.

The time that each ad impression takes place is also recorded by IGA, alongside what type of ad content it was (billboard, megaboard, or video stream), the duration (how long was the ad seen for), the size of the ad relative to the player, and the angle of deflection (what angle the ad is viewed at)."

Nonetheless, its still a ****ing retarded move by EA. Stupid pricks just want more money. If bf2142 lags even one bit from the ads, It's going on ebay.

Speciale

10-17-06, 06:01 PM

Nonetheless, its still a ****ing retarded move by EA. Stupid pricks just want more money. If bf2142 lags even one bit from the ads, It's going on ebay.

This sums it up, regardless of how specificly it works...i am not a fan of this. EA made MCO back in the day, a great game...they felt they couldn't make enough money off of it, they gave it no advertising....it died.

Now we have simple, thoughtless games...advertise the hell out of it so people will buy it, then put revolving ad's into it that target me personally. Screw you.

As was mentioned above, if the game was free or even simply "cheap" my feelings might differ. They are makign money off of me twice. I don't think so bub...

Think of how many copies they could sell if they were $5 each and had this clever ad stuff in it...they make the companies that advertise happy, they make themselves happy...but they are forgetting the consumer.

Anjow

10-17-06, 06:10 PM

what type of ad content it was (billboard, megaboard, or video stream)

Lagtastic.

"you are always going have that hardcore vocal minority"

Yeah, and the silent majority who don't want them but don't bother posting about it.

Speciale

10-17-06, 06:12 PM

You know another name for vocal minority?

Hippies...and no one likes hippies

mage_x

10-17-06, 06:23 PM

I knew BF2142 sucked, but this brings it to a new, never before seen level of suckiness. No way in hell I'm buying this. Ever.

ShadowPho

10-17-06, 06:51 PM

You know another name for vocal minority?

Hippies...and no one likes hippies

I like hippies! :D

EA did stupid moves before. I decided not to buy BF2 before because of that. There are games out there who don't have adware and adware in them. (Yes, I do think that what EA doing IS bundling ad/spy ware with the games.)

Precision

10-17-06, 07:28 PM

I was going to get this game because I thought the demo was pretty sick! I know some people think it sucks but, I am very disappointed as rarely do I buy a game as soon as it comes out and this was going to be one of them :( Now , I will never install it on this computer :bang head

Susquehannock

10-17-06, 07:58 PM

WTH?!? As if Steam wasn't bad enough. Don't think I will be buying BF2142 any time soon. :mad:

Hippies? They're all in their 60's now. 20 and 30-something hemp wearing tree huggers need not apply. :p

rainless

10-17-06, 08:03 PM

I can see more and more disreputable software companies taking this approach as a means to making an extra buck.

...fortunately you don't have to buy their games.

FastRedPonyCar

10-17-06, 08:25 PM

...fortunately you don't have to buy their games.

Exactly. If you don't like it, don't buy it. It's as simple as that. If the EA forums and battlefield forums get flooded with pis$ed off consumers, big deal. EA got your money and that's all they care about. EA wouldn't pis$ on their EMPLOYEES' teeth if their gums were on fire so why should they give a F about the people who buy their games. They're not going to suffer if a few hundred or thousand copies of this game don't sell. They're still making millions upon millions selling the rest of their games. A few hundred people bitching about ads in their games are a drop in the bucket to them.

Edited out a reference to a pirating group. Knock it off, buddy. -- Oni :mad:

rainless

10-17-06, 08:29 PM

Exactly. If you don't like it, don't buy it. It's as simple as that. If the EA forums and battlefield forums get flooded with pis$ed off consumers, big deal. EA got your money and that's all they care about. EA wouldn't pis$ on their EMPLOYEES' teeth if their gums were on fire so why should they give a F about the people who buy their games. They're not going to suffer if a few hundred or thousand copies of this game don't sell. They're still making millions upon millions selling the rest of their games. A few hundred people bitching about ads in their games are a drop in the bucket to them.

I don't like BF2412 anyway. The demo isn't as smooth as UT2004 to me, and it's basically the same idea. I'd rather play the original than an updated copy of a better game. I really liked how UT2004 was something anybody could jump right into. (I haven't been an expert FPS guy since the EARLY days. I think I stopped playing around the time of the original UT... Game of the year edition.)

FastRedPonyCar

10-17-06, 08:44 PM

Apparently this is a temporary band-aid to block the acess to that spyware server..

You can block access to the sypware monitoring servers.
IP addresses: 72.32.5.0 - 72.32.5.15, Port 9961 so far...

Time to configure zone alarm...

Jacobman

10-17-06, 08:48 PM

This is just stupid, maybe ill get it next year when it runs properly, lol. Gonna go back and beat quake 4..

SeasonalEclipse

10-17-06, 08:56 PM

I don't like BF2412 anyway. The demo isn't as smooth as UT2004 to me, and it's basically the same idea. I'd rather play the original than an updated copy of a better game. I really liked how UT2004 was something anybody could jump right into. (I haven't been an expert FPS guy since the EARLY days. I think I stopped playing around the time of the original UT... Game of the year edition.)

Right on! I love UT04 and me and some people still get together and LAN party it.. along with other classics like CS, and Star Craft!

redrumy3

10-17-06, 09:02 PM

Susquehannock

10-17-06, 11:34 PM

nothing wrong with steam lol

but im not buying 2142
You are right. Don't mind at all that Steam must update 1st every time I play HL2. :beer:

No we don't have to buy EA's BF2142. They will do just fine this quarter selling the likes of Tiger Woods & Sims2.

By the way ... last time I checked EA stock (ERTS) was worth over 17billion - and reported a hair under $3billion in revenue.

UnrealAlex

10-17-06, 11:50 PM

You are right. Don't mind at all that Steam must update 1st every time I play HL2. :beer:

No we don't have to buy EA's BF2142. They will do just fine this quarter selling the likes of Tiger Woods & Sims2.

By the way ... last time I checked EA stock (ERTS) was worth over 17billion - and reported a hair under $3billion in revenue.
I read somewhere that EA was having people pay in order to unlock the full game material in Tiger Woods :rolleyes:
EA is like the grinch.

Im gona play Bf2142 anyway, the game is fun imho. Titan mode rocks, and the unlock system is awesome D:

Albaholic

10-18-06, 12:11 AM

Wow that is a new low. im definitely not buying this crap

Fx-53

10-18-06, 12:26 AM

Glad im still putting my knocks in on bf2 to rank up.......

Think ill stay away from this one until this is resolved/confirmed etc.

Niku-Sama

10-18-06, 01:29 AM

We don't talk about hacking games here -- David

aww i got edited, but for some reason they edited the whole thing out when i asked about the demo, not nice

as i said before what about the demo?

AC3421

10-18-06, 02:13 AM

I havnt read every response here, but It just sounds more and more like a Police state tacking over the world. Everything is becoming monitored, hell even National ID cards are coming now in America, **** that, ill never get one, and supposedly, a secret bill was passed that sais by 2025 every US resident has to have an Implant identification probe under there skin.

>HyperlogiK<

10-18-06, 02:31 AM

UnrealAlex

10-18-06, 02:45 AM

Why would anybody photochop what they could do with some nice glossy paper and a good printer?
He was talking about the screenshot, which IS photoshoped, not the terms of agreement paper.

Susquehannock

10-18-06, 04:15 AM

Just read something in the BF2142 readme file which I find disturbing.

"Players who have the Windows security update KB917422 installed may suffer from an application error when running the Battlefield 2142 demo. This error can be solved by uninstalling the KB917422 update."

This is what Microsoft.com says about update #KB917422 :
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=71E96AFC-BC4D-4666-998B-49857007E539&displaylang=en

" A security issue has been identified in the Windows Kernel that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it."

So, we have established that the kernel security update "may" need to be uninstalled to play the demo. Question is, does the same apply to the full game? If so it doesn't bode well for the game if customers must uninstall a Microsoft security update to play it.

DarkVirusVx

10-18-06, 05:48 AM

If the game was an MMO I cound understand, keep monthy cost down or free. Anarcy online had ads for free players. Paying players can choose to turn them off.

If i was planning on getting the game this would have changed my mind.

AngelfireUk83

10-18-06, 06:20 AM

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35169 here's also another link

As EA's FIFA series slogan goes - EA IT'S IN THE GAME!!!

>HyperlogiK<

10-18-06, 06:25 AM

He was talking about the screenshot, which IS photoshoped, not the terms of agreement paper.

oh sorry, read that the moment when I got up and I wasn't quite awake. :)

FastRedPonyCar

10-18-06, 07:58 AM

Owenator

10-18-06, 08:20 AM

If you go to BF2142's wikipedia page, you'll see that this is EA's 3rd game to do this. Splinter Cell Chaos Theory and Ghost Recon Advanced War Fighter both had in game dynamic advertising so apparently this isn't new at all and must not be as intrusive as we're all making it out to be.

I'm not fond of the idea but I'm still going to install the game to see what it's all about and I think that everyone needs to take a deep breath and chill for a while and wait to see what people who ACTUALLY PLAY the game think.

If they continue to complain about the ad's ruining their gaming experience, then we can go back and pickup our torches and pitchforks but until then, I'm going to give it an honest shot.
This I agree with 110%! I can uderstand all the privacy concerns and I agree. But to go off on EA before you know this will actually will cause problems is not fair. Anyway if you are on this forum then odds are you will be able to apply any "fixes" needed to correct any problems this new technology causes. <Hint> lmhosts entries </Hint> I know they have everyright to include this but I must admit on it's face it still seems pretty annoying. I do reserve judgement though until I get ot play it this afternoon.

As far as them making money on this, if they use the ad profits to maintain this game and make new better games then why not?

Anjow

10-18-06, 08:25 AM

If they continue to complain about the ad's ruining their gaming experience, then we can go back and pickup our torches

You mean after EA has their money - which, to EA, means their advertising in games is a success. They WON'T be removing it after people have bought it, even if every single user complained. They will already have the money, it will not be in their interest to remove it.

Complaining after you've already done the biggest thing to SUPPORT their decision to put ads in games is not going to do anything.

As far as them making money on this, if they use the ad profits to maintain this game and make new better games then why not?

But they aren't. People have been saying BF2142 is just like a $50 mod for BF2. EA are hardly pushing the envelope when it comes to games - just more and more of the same. Besides which, other companies are managing to develop new and better games WITHOUT milking their cash cows with ingame adverts. Also you said maintaining - the impression that I get is that they aren't fixing bugs in BF2. If the money isn't going on pushing the envelope with original games or fixing current ones - what is it going on? Oh yeah, securing exclusive rights to sporting things and eliminating their competition.

See these links about how EA treats its staff:

http://ea-spouse.livejournal.com/
http://firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=7349

Both links courtesy of InThrees.

>HyperlogiK<

10-18-06, 08:43 AM

here here

Owenator

10-18-06, 09:15 AM

But they aren't. People have been saying BF2142 is just like a $50 mod for BF2. EA are hardly pushing the envelope when it comes to games
I've heard this before but no one has really played the full version yet so it's all just FUD as far as I'm concerned. I've played plenty of mods to games (BF2 included) and the way BF2142 has played so far (Beta and demo) it dosen't feel like a mod. More like a new game built on the same engine. Not unlike playing a game based on the Doom or Unreal engines. But I do agree that the Valve devlopers are pushing the single player envelope. But BF2 BF2142 are not the same type of game. You are going to have to give up some of the bling to get the stat accumulation and other persistent multiplayer features.
just more and more of the same. Besides which, other companies are managing to develop new and better games WITHOUT milking their cash cows with ingame adverts.
Sure just like Valve/Steam and HL2.;)
Also you said maintaining - the impression that I get is that they aren't fixing bugs in BF2. If the money isn't going on pushing the envelope with original games or fixing current ones - what is it going on?
You missed my point about BF2 patches and fixes. My point was that if EA is going to charge $50 of the game AND have in game ads then they better have a much faster patch/fix cycle and actually fix the problems. I can see why from a game maker point of view patches are tough to support when you are trying to also develop new games. I am hoping that this new revenue stream will give keeping the game going a higher priority.
Oh yeah, securing exclusive rights to sporting things and eliminating their competition.
Well we all use Microsoft products which are much worse on all of these competitive issues.

And as far as employees go the corporate world has been screwing us for years and that won't change until we unionize the new tech worker. Historically we are being treated much like the industrial revolution factory worker and this can only be fixed IMHO by getting organized. Another topic entirely that we probably agree on though! :)

(Hope I didn't mince you post to badly if I did PM me and I'll correct any inadvaertant changes.)

Owenator

10-18-06, 09:16 AM

here here
:eh?: I think you meant pehaps "hear hear"? :D

Anjow

10-18-06, 09:29 AM

Not unlike playing a game based on the Doom or Unreal engines.

I moaned that Quake 4 was a Doom 3 mod earlier on this forum.

I'm not quite sure what you were getting at about Valve/Steam. Was it their charging for mods? If it was, I disapprove of that and won't support them either. Believe me, my hatred isn't localised to EA - it's any company that acts like that; the thing is one doesn't have an option sometimes (like with MS).

I can see why from a game maker point of view patches are tough to support when you are trying to also develop new games.

I suppose the solution there would be to release games that are finished then.

I am hoping that this new revenue stream will give keeping the game going a higher priority.

Do you realistically expect that though?

Well we all use Microsoft products which are much worse on all of these competitive issues.

That's just another example of a company that took it too far and now most people don't have a choice. You've just cited another example of something that's wrong, which doesn't make what EA's doing okay.

Owenator

10-18-06, 09:43 AM

I'm not quite sure what you were getting at about Valve/Steam. Was it their charging for mods? If it was, I disapprove of that and won't support them either. Believe me, my hatred isn't localised to EA - it's any company that acts like that; the thing is one doesn't have an option sometimes (like with MS).
You got it, that was my point. I personally don't mind the iterative games like HL2 episodes of SIN episodes. It spreads the cost out more. I like that better that the $60 price of console games.
I suppose the solution there would be to release games that are finished then.
I agree that games should be "finished" but the time pressure game devlopers seem to be under makes then tend to rush things. This is true of most software delopment in todays world IMHO. Back in the day the government would let a programer take years to make a "finished" mainframe code. And it was bug free. In todays instant gratification market for consumer goods we don't have that kind of patience. So "git-R-done" is always there while progammers work.
Do you realistically expect that though?
Well if you've read my other posts you can see that I'm sometimes a hopless optimist, so yes.
That's just another example of a company that took it too far and now most people don't have a choice. You've just cited another example of something that's wrong, which doesn't make what EA's doing okay.
I agree. The example was to show how apathetic we are with so much imperfection in the world. I'd get really up set by why bother. ;)

Maybe I'm just a pragmatic-optimist? I see it as it is, but I am hopeful that it won't be too bad.

Anjow

10-18-06, 09:58 AM

Susquehannock

10-18-06, 12:10 PM

To heck with the advert. issue. Yes it is a concern. But am I the only one that finds the security issue distrubing?

We "may" have to reopen a known Windows kernel secuity issue in order to play the game? Nobody else here sees the significance of this.

Susquehannock

10-18-06, 12:14 PM

I would argue that people who just accept that these things are going to happen are the main reason that they do.

I'm sure no one actually WANTS adverts in games, but the people who just accept it as inevitible are the ones who don't make a fuss, don't vote with their wallets and for the people who are putting the ads in them that is as good as saying "we support you".
True enough. This whole thing reminds me of the frog in the pot of water metaphore.

Drop a frog into a pot of boiling water and it will jump out immediately. But if you heat the pot very slowly the frog will stay and be cooked.

This is exactly what is happening here. Feeding us crap a tiny piece at a time so we don't see the whole turd until it's too late.

redrumy3

10-18-06, 12:53 PM

soo anyone buy it on here?

Owenator

10-18-06, 01:39 PM

soo anyone buy it on here?
I bought it. I'll be playing it tonight after work. I'll post an update on the "Ad Issue" then.

As for boiling a frog, I like my bath water hot! :eek:

I used to be an idealist but the self rightious indignation got exhausting. :rolleyes: Now I just try to keep a positive attitude and do as little harm as practical to the world. (Note: I said practical not possible) :D

nerd4life

10-18-06, 02:11 PM

Anyone else enjoy BF Vietnam the most?

I've been playing the demo for a bit of 2142 and I'm not too impressed. Let us know how the actual game is. Might be a little better.

IrishAssassin

10-18-06, 03:39 PM

hypertek

10-18-06, 04:15 PM

think of it this way.. if that allows us to play free on the internet, it should be ok.. as long as they dont monitor our privacy. It can report our IP so it shows correct ads for our areas.. It could be a way for them to pay for the servers etc.. unlike WoW where people pay subscriptions..

but i aggree it will look stupid in the games..

the EA downloader is garbage too.. I never really appreciated Steam til now that I got my new system up and how easy it is to setup, even allows you to dl the game instantly without the cd as long as u log in. They need a system like that automatically keeps you updated with all the right files etc.

Im I the only one who misses bf vietnam? that was the first bf game i started at (never really played 1942) simplcity was the best

mage_x

10-18-06, 04:40 PM

think of it this way.. if that allows us to play free on the internet, it should be ok..
We can already play for free without the ads.

Anjow

10-18-06, 05:03 PM

think of it this way.. if that allows us to play free on the internet, it should be ok..

It doesn't ALLOW us to play free on the internet. We could do that already. We can do that with almost every other game out there, a very very tiny percentage have advertising and that proves that it ISN'T necessary. It does not 'allow' free internet play at all.

Dan Derrig

10-18-06, 05:32 PM

oh heck, they are not getting my money.
thats bs.

kwongnewman

10-18-06, 06:18 PM

Help stop EA by signing this petition against spyware in BF2142!

http://www.petitiononline.com/eabf2142/

Anjow

10-18-06, 06:25 PM

A petition will do nothing. The only way to stop EA is to not buy the game. If you buy the game then sign some online petition THEY WIN.

People need to realise that regardless of how much you complain, however many online news articles get posted about this, if you buy the game you are saying "it's okay to put ads in games, I will still pay for them". That is the ONLY message they will get.

smokie mcpott

10-18-06, 06:57 PM

It could be a way for them to pay for the servers etc..

im an admin for my clan www.theperfectgeneral.com . it took us a year to become a ranked PROVIDER for BF2. guess what? WE pay for the servers..EA surely didnt give us a server for free, and the ranked servers werent cheap either. when bf2 was released, it seemed that EA wanted full control of the servers and they finally loosened up their reigns abit. ads arent going to help the consumer in any way, except maybe some stoners out there wondering what theyre gonna eat @ 3AM while theyre playin BF2142.

Oni

10-18-06, 07:11 PM

FastRedPonyCar, if you mention piracy one more time you'll get yourself a vacation.

Spoudazo

10-18-06, 07:49 PM

Don't worry, we're not missing much of anything. Same old graphics engine with a few "enchancments" and still buggy. BF2 is fine for me, and still has replay value.

Susquehannock

10-18-06, 09:58 PM

im an admin for my clan www.theperfectgeneral.com . it took us a year to become a ranked PROVIDER for BF2. guess what? WE pay for the servers..EA surely didnt give us a server for free, and the ranked servers werent cheap either. when bf2 was released, it seemed that EA wanted full control of the servers and they finally loosened up their reigns abit. ads arent going to help the consumer in any way, except maybe some stoners out there wondering what theyre gonna eat @ 3AM while theyre playin BF2142.
Thank you for sharing that Mr. McPott. Was wondering how ranked game servers felt on the issues at hand. It is my assertion that many avid online gamers take the servers for granted. Many forget, or just plain don't understand, what you people go through to keep a server up & running 24/7.

Owenator

10-19-06, 07:26 AM

Well I played it last night for a couple of hours and never noticed a single ad. Maybe they are subliminal? lol I did capture my registry before and after but at this point I am going to hold of on sniffing my traffic to see what's up.

I really enjoyed playing this game! I like the futureistic setting but what I really like is the ability to see enemies health and the little maker for them. That way when you spot somebody you have a few seconds to find them even if they are hiding behind something. The unlocks are going to take some time to decide on but for now I have claymores, grenades, and longer run.

Neural Net

10-19-06, 07:40 AM

Does anyone know if it monitors any internet browser or just explorer for example?

Owenator

10-19-06, 07:46 AM

I'm not sure that it does either? I'll check my running processes more carefully and see tonight but I didn't see any new ones running when I did a quick check last night. I am wondering if the patch was a way of removing it? Like I said earlier I didn't see any obvious ads but I will look more carefully for those too. I do have Spywareblaster plus others so I will see if they have anything turning it off.

Neural Net

10-19-06, 08:09 AM

Hmm interesting, so there seems to be no additional software installed to watch what you're browsing? I guess then the game itself reads your cookie folder or something?

Susquehannock

10-19-06, 08:17 AM

Everyone who plays the BF2142 demo must agree to the terms and conditions. But how many have read through it?

Pay particular attention to the 4th paragraph.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9269/bf2142termszp8.th.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bf2142termszp8.jpg)

" Information collected will vary depending on the activity and may include your name, e-mail address, phone number, mobile number, home address, birth date, and credit card information. In addition, we may collect demographic information such as gender, zip code, information about your computer, hardware, software, platform, media, Internet IP address and connection, information about online activity such as feature usage, game play statistics, and scores, user rankings and click paths and other data that you may provide in suryeys or online profiles. for instance. We may combine demographic information with personal information. Prize winners may also be required to provide Social Security or Social Identification Number for tax purposes. "

Note : The above is from the demo not full version of the game.

striker85

10-19-06, 08:48 AM

And as far as employees go the corporate world has been screwing us for years and that won't change until we unionize the new tech worker. Historically we are being treated much like the industrial revolution factory worker and this can only be fixed IMHO by getting organized. Another topic entirely that we probably agree on though! :)

Another topic entirely, but you hit the nail on the head...

As far is BF2 is concerned, I'm not going to buy it either. I don't believe that EA (let alone many other companies) should be charging exorbitant amounts of money for a game. But EA has the gall to charge in excess of fifty dollars AND THEN turn me in to an advertising statistic and stream personalized ads to me and make money from that. Like said before, it the game was cheaper, or better yet, FREE, then I wouldn't care so much. It is the fact of the double whammy that EA is giving me for money. Granted, EA doesn't take money out of my pocket as a resuly from the advertising, but they sure do make money as a reult in some fashion. They should definately beef up their support because I was disgusted by the way they handled patches for BF2. I don't like being monitored...BF1984, I like the truthfulness in that.

ShadowPho

10-19-06, 08:57 AM

and credit card information.

So if EA gets a thousand cc numbers, and then somebody steals them, who is at fault?

Precision

10-19-06, 09:28 AM

We "may" have to reopen a known Windows kernel secuity issue in order to play the game? Nobody else here sees the significance of this.

100% why I won't buy it. As much as I liked the demo (which I had no issues with) I was going to buy the game but, there is no WAY I will get it now until all of this is straight. If it ever is

andy334

10-19-06, 05:24 PM

I will not buy it either due to above concerns,:bang head :bang head
I will not allow them to collect my private info-because it is (like they say)PRIVATE:mad:

YellowDart

10-19-06, 08:08 PM

Meh, just made my decision of not buying a crap EA product that much easier. Pretty low of them. :-/

fabulouscoops

10-20-06, 07:58 AM

I am not buying BF2142, but what to do when EA:Crysis comes out? This is the most anticipated game of the decade and I would not want to pass on it. I am sure there will be a workaround or mod that will eliminate the intrusive spyware problem. Maybe like was said, use firefox or opera and set up a fake personna to go with IE.

But this is not much different than punkbuster which also scans your HD and retrieves personal data is it?

Slaps

10-20-06, 08:19 AM

Don't worry, we're not missing much of anything. Same old graphics engine with a few "enchancments" and still buggy. BF2 is fine for me, and still has replay value.

That does it for me. I will stick with BF2 till they fix the bugs with 2142.

SteveLord

10-20-06, 08:37 AM

i think gamespot's video review did a good job...besides the fact they didnt touch upon any of the ad issues.

besides the Titan mode, nothing new or groundbreaking and load times as long if not longer.

Anjow

10-20-06, 10:05 AM

But this is not much different than punkbuster which also scans your HD and retrieves personal data is it?

I don't know all about punkbuster, but surely it does that for the purposes of preventing cheating and not to make money. That would make it very different - just like WoW's warden program.

cornbread

10-20-06, 11:00 AM

Everyone who plays the BF2142 demo must agree to the terms and conditions. But how many have read through it?

Pay particular attention to the 4th paragraph.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9269/bf2142termszp8.th.jpg (http://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bf2142termszp8.jpg)

Note : The above is from the demo not full version of the game.

Great post, hope more people take the time to look at it.

Personally I will NEVER support game companies like this. Not only does EA give crappy support, now this. Seems Microsoft is just as liable according to this to. They (Microsoft) will give your info to EA if you use Xbox Live.

Simple fact is, we can all come here and whine and cry foul, but as long as YOU THE CUSTOMER buy games like this, it will continue to get worse.

Frogbones

10-20-06, 12:30 PM

OMG you bucha drama queens:rolleyes:

All this software "spyware" does is browes your cookies to see what sights you have been looking at and your area of the computer your using.
The same thing that most sights do when you enter thiers.

You know when you live in houston(or your city) and you visit a sight that has a houston (or your city) ad on it...HOW did they know I lived in Houston? well the same software that is used in this game.

All it does is scan you browser info when you login into the game and send it to the main hub and the main hub gathers that and then starts to send it the type of stuff you've been looking at mybe local ads. THE SAME DAMN thing that is already done to you by websites now just implemented in a game. NOT THAT complex and not Intrusive...cause you already have it happening to you when surfing the web.

Done to you right now while browsing this forum.

you want to boycott this?? stuff? boycott the interent then.

HELLO the local job adds at the top of this and other websites?

Not rocket science people. Get off the Hate band wagon and do your homework and think about it before going off on some crusade.

The same thing done to you with phone companies, cable networks...same damn thing!!! nothing new just in a new element that has huge potential to make a extra buck and get your product noticed. and you still pay for cable/internet and your phone bill don't ya?? DUH same principal.

-bones out.

Anjow

10-20-06, 12:56 PM

I'll leave someone else to counter that misinformation; I know most of it isn't true but I can't be sure how to explain it without risking showing flaws in my knowledge.

Edit: actually, sod it. Someone can correct me where I'm wrong.

All this software "spyware" does is browes your cookies to see what sights you have been looking at and your area of the computer your using.
The same thing that most sights do when you enter thiers.

That is not true. Other sites monitor cookies that THEY have set.

HELLO the local job adds at the top of this and other websites?

Blocked.

THE SAME DAMN thing that is already done to you by websites now just implemented in a game.

The websites that we aren't paying to view?

All it does is scan you browser info when you login into the game and send it to the main hub and the main hub gathers that and then starts to send it the type of stuff you've been looking at mybe local ads.

Read the rest of this topic. That isn't all it does.

Get off the Hate band wagon and do your homework and think about it before going off on some crusade.

No, you do YOUR homework before posting such misinformation.

Here's the most important reason your comments about this forum are flawed:

We are not paying to use this forum.

The same thing done to you with phone companies, cable networks...same damn thing!!! nothing new just in a new element that has huge potential to make a extra buck and get your product noticed. and you still pay for cable/internet and your phone bill don't ya?? DUH same principal.

DUH I don't get adverts from my phone company and I don't pay for cable TV.

Frogbones

10-20-06, 01:11 PM

I'll leave someone else to counter that misinformation; I know most of it isn't true but I can't be sure how to explain it without risking showing flaws in my knowledge.

Anyway, we're not paying to browse this forum.

OMG you totaly missed my point....

If you're going to spout this crap (the stuff all in this thread) and not back any of it with facts then go away...

Not that I'm defending or try to justify EA's actions for this (which I also think is a crap move) just giving you correct info.

All these articles that you guys are posting or linking too, consider the source. Biased?

I'm about FACT not opinions, assumtions, or feelings. To makeing points

Anjow

10-20-06, 01:19 PM

If you're going to spout this crap (the stuff all in this thread) and not back any of it with facts then go away...

...

All these articles that you guys are posting or linking too, consider the source. Biased?

I'm about FACT not opinions, assumtions, or feelings. To makeing points

You haven't read the rest of this thread have you?

FACT. (http://www.filedorm.com/out.php/i2143_igavy2.jpg)

FACT. (http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9269/bf2142termszp8.jpg)

FACT. (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11300)

Frogbones

10-20-06, 01:21 PM

There will be hacks and ways around it. Later on...and it will be abled to be blocked.

But as for now....it can't be any more intrusive than what I have stated. or EA would get class action law suits and we would milk them of alll thet they have slave driven for.

Your not going to start getting spamm emails in you email from this it's not installing trojens, nor hijacks.

this just reminds me of the spinich ecoli scare...the hype, the flow with the breeze type of civilisation that we live in now. GUILTY before proven innocent type of mentality.

at reply..OK so? like they are getting your bank account and address and sute number... like they are going to get into you system files and check out what other games you play and corrupt them cause you're not supporting EA.

By posting those facts you have just reinforced my point. I really wonder about some of your internet exp and or your comprehensive skills.

Not try to be rude but damn people *shakes head* *sighs*

ok like this you by a car you pay hundreds of dollars for taxes which go to the city/sate....then you have to pay for the tolls on the roads...but I just paid for that in the taxes you just gotf rom me. and now I have to pay to drive and pay to park? same difference

you pay for the game.....bundled with the game is software that will help produce ads which will help produce revenue which in turn will help for up keep in the ranks system, maintence, and support for the game. the profits for selling will go to investers that have put thier trust into a company to fund a individual retirement, new restraunt, shipp comany that somone opend up...it called ecomenmy, capitalism...EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE even your EFin sole.

Boycott this and boycott everything that help keep buisnness going. Look at the wider scop peoples.

Anjow

10-20-06, 01:25 PM

No one ever claimed it would be installing trojans, hijacks or sending spam.

Who cares if there will be hacks for it later on; there shouldn't have to be in a game you PAID for.

There is no 'guilty before proven innocent' when it is shown on a slip of paper that falls out of the game box stating what it does, the same for the screen before installing the demo. I take it you have accepted that they are facts now?

You too showed your ignorance by saying that all sites read all your cookies, you know.

Owenator

10-20-06, 01:33 PM

I'm confused? The stuff that EA has in their EULA dosen't mean that they have access to that informaiton from your PC. They are listing a whole grocery list of thing that they MAY collect but I don't know how they would get most of that from "surfing" my PC. I know for certain that they have a lot of it especially my cc number from EA downloader. I've seen no proof that they are running a "system scan" to find more info which is what many people have alluded to. That's not proven yet. The EULA is just covering all the info they may or may not get input by you via EA downloader or registering the game. In fact, you give them most of this info willingly if you register the game.

If I may be so bold, I think Frogbones is trying to point out that you are not private when you are online, period. All of you packets can be sniffed, your IP traced, and your PC MAC address is in there too. Unless you run a IP relay/proxy a lot of info is right there, not to mention public records of the address that teh line runs to. A clever (or not even clever) private investigator with internet access can get loads of info on each of us if they know how and where to look.

If you want total privacy live in a shack in the woods and only barter with people for goods and services. Otherwise welcome to the 21st century.

<Descends soap box>

Anjow

10-20-06, 01:37 PM

If I may be so bold, I think Froglegs is trying to point out that you are not private when you are online, period. All of you packets can be sniffed, your IP traced, and your PC MAC address is in there too.

The subject of how much information is avilable to people isn't relevant, it has always been the case and I've never had an issue with it - simply because companies aren't sniffing my packets, analysing who I talk to and using it to serve adverts that slow down my connection in a service that I have already paid for.

Frogbones

10-20-06, 01:45 PM

Owenator

10-20-06, 01:49 PM

The subject of how much information is avilable to people isn't relevant, it has always been the case and I've never had an issue with it - simply because companies aren't sniffing my packets, analysing who I talk to and using it to serve adverts that slow down my connection in a service that I have already paid for.
Don't be too sure about who is or isn't sniffing your network. Remember teh FBI's Carnivore? It can do that along with other bored persons.

But that is aside from the point I was trying to make. My point is that we are over reacting to what EA has done. I don't believe that they are collecting all this data from inside the game and I seriously doubt that they are outside of it. They are just trying to charge for virtual "ad time".

That said, I do lament the loss of a game that was pure and free of such a stigma. I think that they shouldn't have the ads/supposed spy-ware but that dosen't stop me from enjoying the game.

I guess we will agree to disagree? No matter, it's a free country/forum. I can respect that and the other opinions expressed here.

Frogbones

10-20-06, 01:52 PM

The subject of how much information is avilable to people isn't relevant.

It's very relevent buddy.

You by the game,thats it. No more, but now that you have bought the game you are fair game to the rest of the advertising world.

When you buy a car, apply for a credit card, apply for a college it's the same thing.

How many analogies do I have to present that this has and will be going on. IT's just now moved into the gameing scene.

There has been a heads up about this for years, now that they have implemented it, you freak out and cry WOLF.

Like not voting for your laws makers (thinking oh I'm not going to worry about it now) then griping about the crappy laws being made. SAME THING peeps are doing about this.

This to me, this is like the Salem Witch Trials.

Anjow

10-20-06, 01:57 PM

I can respect that and the other opinions expressed here.

I agree, it seems others can't though.

As for it not being new - WOW - I never realised that. Does that mean we should just sit idly by as it moves into every form of media? No.

When you buy a car, apply for a credit card, apply for a college it the same thing.

No. No it isn't. When I submit my data to an organisation such as those you mentioned there's a little checkbox which asks if I'll allow them to pass my details on to third parties.

It isn't like voting for someone then complaining about what they do - I haven't paid for this game, nor have I paid for any with advertising in - and I never will. I have done nothing to support advertising besides existing and accidentally seeing them on my travels. I don't pay for TV, I block all adverts on the internet, I don't give my details to anyone who won't confirm that they won't be passed to anyone else, I don't pay for games that have advertising in them.

Besides, this was a post created to let people know what was contained in the box before they bought it and potentially forfeited their money for a game they couldn't agree to the terms for.

Frogbones

10-20-06, 02:05 PM

I agree, it seems others can't though.

As for it not being new - WOW - I never realised that. Does that mean we should just sit idly by as it moves into every form of media? No.

No. No it isn't. When I submit my data to an organisation such as those you mentioned there's a little checkbox which asks if I'll allow them to pass my details on to third parties.

Besides, this was a post created to let people know what was contained in the box before they bought it and potentially forfeited their money for a game they couldn't agree to the terms for.

No hard feelings dude just debating and excercising my perspective.

Yes it was an informative post, but went totaly the wrong direction with ill knowledge of EA's intentions and resoning behind the madness.

Thats what I'm tryin to clear up. And no, you never ever have to buy it. Thats the great thing.

But I did..hehe and enjoy it. Just remember (if your a gamer and or into to free mediea software) to keep a large bottle of vasoline at you PC desk cause you will need it....and it makes it less painfull.

Anjow

10-20-06, 02:09 PM

"No hard feelings" - could have fooled me; what with all the 'duhs' and the accusations of spouting crap.

Frogbones

10-20-06, 02:29 PM

"No hard feelings" - could have fooled me; what with all the 'duhs' and the accusations of spouting crap.

I dunno, sensitive? well thats how I see it.:beer:

Owenator

10-20-06, 02:29 PM

I agree, it seems others can't though.
Thanks!
As for it not being new - WOW - I never realised that. Does that mean we should just sit idly by as it moves into every form of media? No.

I think we agree here. I am just not bothered by this example (EA BF2142). If you don't like something like what EA is doing the best way to show them is by not buying.

No. No it isn't. When I submit my data to an organisation such as those you mentioned there's a little checkbox which asks if I'll allow them to pass my details on to third parties.
Actually this is a relatively recent thing. Companies have been sharing info for a long time but consumer advocacy has effected lawmakers enough to add disclosure rules here in the US. Not sure about other countries.

One fundamental thing that still hasn't been resolved in US law/courts is do you have a "right to privacy". Until privacy rights are legally defined we'll get a hodgepodge of advertising techniques that are based on fairly shady practices as well as ones that are more forthright like EA.

There are many "legitimate companies" out there that actually make spyware. they have their justifications for their methods that I don't agree with but so far it has been tough to stop them because of laws that are behind the times for our new digital age.

fireandice

10-20-06, 02:37 PM

this is total bs. i hope ea goes broke and loses all there money.

Elif Tymes

10-20-06, 02:38 PM

Wait, I get advertisements on my phone while talking with people? I didn't realize that!

When you buy a game, you expect that you are paying for the content, the connection, the whole shebang. You do not expect or desire(generally) to continue to "pay" for it through in game advertising.

This is similiar to the issue of "Pay To Play" MMOs. If any of you can think back 2 to 3 to 5 years, you'll remember the big stink of "OH NOES! MMO X wants monthly fees!I don't want to keep paying for this game!"

This is going to be the same issue. Admittedly, advertisements don't hit our wallets(necessarily) but they follow the same principle.

Frogbones

10-20-06, 03:20 PM

Seems to me most of ya either flunked economy or haven't reached the age to learn about it in school/college yet.

I'm done with this topic. redundant:bang head

Anjow

10-20-06, 03:27 PM

What are you trying to say? That they are doing it because they want money, and because of that it is inevitable? If so, yes, everyone knows they do it for the money.

Frogbones

10-20-06, 03:29 PM

this is total bs. i hope ea goes broke and loses all there money.

I kinda agree, not 100%. But meh:beer:

freakdiablo

10-20-06, 03:33 PM

this is total bs. i hope ea goes broke and loses all there money.
With this, not going to happen anytime soon, since companies are paying to put there logos on the game. plus, adware or not, people are still going to buy it.

SenDog

10-20-06, 08:52 PM

Oni

10-21-06, 01:51 AM

Keep the tempers under control, please.

I think the boys over at the Penny Arcade have hit on something here: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/10/20

It made me giggle at any rate :)

Anjow

10-21-06, 05:23 AM

Don't forget, SWAT 4 had the same thing IIRC and was pretty popular nonetheless, and alot of people (including myself) didn't realise until months later, when somebody realised and posted screenshots.

They probably 'didn't realise' because it was added in a patch. Before that they were posters for imaginary things.

Neural Net

10-21-06, 07:35 AM

Keep the tempers under control, please.

I think the boys over at the Penny Arcade have hit on something here: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/10/20

It made me giggle at any rate :)

LMAO! Made me giggle too! :santa:

Precision

10-21-06, 06:15 PM

If they really want to make the extra money why don't they just pull something like WoW. (pay to play online each month) Instead of doing whatever exactly it is that they are.

Mr.Guvernment

10-24-06, 04:19 PM

Remove

10-25-06, 12:32 AM

well i play ed bf2142 and it SUCKS

i had the graphics as hih as i could with my x1900XT @ XTX and frankly the graphics are crap, the weapons are fat a bulky, accuracy is CRAP!

the game is just,,... well crap.

I too thought the graphics were terrible. There are a "few" items that looked ok such as the sunlight and some details but overall not anything to look at. I quit looking for things rather quickly when I noticed everything was just sad to look at.

The gameplay felt exactly like playing BF1942 and all the others I've played once I got a few games into it and the human interaction and teamplay started which was good becasue I like the former games but the graphics made it feel if I was playing on an old machine at a poor friends house.

Having to register to get a player name is FN ridiculous as well as the spyware that will be attached to it at release. I don't see this on my buy list in it's current or propsed state any time soon.

UnrealAlex

10-25-06, 01:04 AM

zexmarquies01

10-25-06, 01:18 AM

heh, my dad bought the game, And i saw it on his desk. I was thinking about installing it, and giving it a try.

good thing i didn't. Now i'm having second thoughts about it.

I wonder if i should tell him this. Concidering he has zone-alarm, is Security crazy, and just spend over 2 grand on his new PC.

UnrealAlex

10-25-06, 01:26 AM

I wish I had a dad that played video games :|
If he's enjoying it, why ruin it for him. It's not goin to steal his cc.

Owenator

10-25-06, 07:28 AM

Well I've been playing this since 10/18 and I have yet to see a single ad. Maybe the billboards with "ER" on them are for something but nothing I recognize. I did notice that it starts the EA downloader each time you log in. I just kill it and keep on going. I also removed the auto login from it. So far I haven't seen it running any other processes outside the game. I am still running my spyware software and firewall while I play.

As to it being crap well there are many games that I think are crap too but this is not one of them. It's not graphically leading edge but I have a great time playing with my clan online. I think that it is kept a little on the simpler graphics side to support more machines. I've played FarCry, CS:S, CoD 1, CoD 2, BF2, FEAR Combat, and now this online and I would say that FarCry still had the best graphics for multiplayer, but I digress.

Neural Net

10-25-06, 09:57 AM

I've seen the trailers and graphics wise it seems as though EA has gone for a certain style and not for outright realism, I like it, the subtle glimmers on the gun and the overall angular architecture and design of the weapons looks sweet imo. One thing that does look dodgy are the really large sparks that I noticed, is that really in game?

Anjow

10-25-06, 06:46 PM

I'm told that it is impossible to play offline without having an EA online account. Can anyone who has the game confirm if this is true?

If so, it surely makes the 'do not install this game on any computer which connects to the internet' disclaimer pretty pointless. It should just be 'do not install this game'.

UnrealAlex

10-25-06, 07:10 PM