EA's Origin DD service (not that Origin)

demonbox wrote:
demonbox wrote:

I searched for an email address to email a support question. I could not find an email address to assist me, which is inexcusable for a company that size. I found an email address related to store orders- hopefully they can send my query to the proper department (assuming there is one).

Got a response that this email was essentially was undeliverable (timed out by trying to send for too long). So they offer no email support, only forum support. If you have a login or ID issue that means you're not to be assisted. Pretty sad for such a large company.

I'm just going to create a new account and tie it to an email address I never use. I'll probably then forget about it, but who cares I guess.

I've heard pretty good stuff about their chat support for user account stuff. The time I used it they were efficient fixing my issue even though they couldn't tell my why one of their support website features hadn't worked in 6 months on my account.

There is an official list of games you can activate on their site but they dont always follow it. I have had some luck with their customer serivce but some times you get folks who operate on different rules.

mcdonis wrote:

There is an official list of games you can activate on their site but they dont always follow it. I have had some luck with their customer serivce but some times you get folks who operate on different rules.

I think the ones that don't register are ones that use an older retail key scheme. Newer copies of the same game will work. For instance, my copy of ME1 won't register.

demonbox wrote:

I'm just going to create a new account and tie it to an email address I never use. I'll probably then forget about it, but who cares I guess.

You should. Since you're buying a game associated with that account. If you can't remember the login, you can't play the game(s).

Heh...

CharlieUtter wrote:

(1) I like the uninstaller. (2) Please add a feature to purchase and play EA games through Steam.

My comment:

1) I do not have a favorite Origin feature, because I refuse to install it on my PC.
2) I will not use Origin or buy any game requiring Origin until the EULA is modified so that it does not give EA broad rights to monitor my OS, software, hardware and network for any purpose and share that information with third parties. If EA is going to gather information, they should tell the user when they are gathering it, exactly what information is being gathered, and provide the option to opt out.

BadKen wrote:

2) I will not use Origin or buy any game requiring Origin until the EULA is modified so that it does not give EA broad rights to monitor my OS, software, hardware and network for any purpose and share that information with third parties. If EA is going to gather information, they should tell the user when they are gathering it, exactly what information is being gathered, and provide the option to opt out.

That's the thing with EA, the problem isn't so much what they do, but how they do it. In your response (I hope you told them that as well as posting it here) you don't just give a blanket statement 'no data collection', but you want them to be open about what they're doing and maybe you'll let them do it.

As it is right now, I have to second guess in the back of my mind how EA could/are going to mess something up and will do something behind my back for their own gain. It just seems like EA try to be too clever for their own good, all they need to do is make stuff for people to buy, a company that makes products (which I think Activision have mastered), but they always wrap that stuff in layers that get in the way and degrade what's supposed to be their core competency.

Scratched wrote:

(I hope you told them that as well as posting it here)

Yes, by "my comment" I meant "my comment which I left on that EA web page".

I also upvoted quite a few comments, including one from a lawyer who was complaining about the legality of the EULA.

At the bottom of this page is the following statement

"Experiencing a more technical issue with Origin? You can always contact Origin Help for friendly, 24/7 assistance."

While this makes it sound like a person, it actually just takes you to a catalog of help topics. If you find what you need- great. If not, you're hardly actually able to contact anyone- especially if you can't log in to even visit the forums.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/or...

Fairly cool... Interesting that I said some time ago that Origin could try and compete with Valve by creating a "friendlier" distribution environment for Indies..

Figured I would put something positive here among the sea of negativity.

Absolutely great move on their part. Really a good decision that benefits everyone.

Again you do seem to ignore that the sea is generally negative because there isn't much positive. It's like blaming those who describe the sea as wet- sometimes experiences simply are. But, moving past your barb against people who have had negative experiences (because they are to blame), I 100% agree this is nice to see something positive about Origin. I hope it's an indication that they're really thinking deeply about how to position themselves.

demonbox wrote:

Absolutely great move on their part. Really a good decision that benefits everyone.

Again you do seem to ignore that the sea is generally negative because there isn't much positive. It's like blaming those who describe the sea as wet- sometimes experiences simply are. But, moving past your barb against people who have had negative experiences (because they are to blame), I 100% agree this is nice to see something positive about Origin. I hope it's an indication that they're really thinking deeply about how to position themselves.

nahh..thats just a bunch of BS.. people won't go out of their way to post up positive experiences.. its just human nature. For whatever reason (good or bad..justified or not) people don't like EA.. and will go out of their way (and quickly based on the timing of some of the posts) to post up anything remotely negative. I find that both lame and sad. But if it makes you feel better about yourself and you can point a virtual "I told you so" finger then keep on trucking..

It's always comforting when someone else can prescribe how I think and act, so thanks.

I'm actually a fan of EA. Outside of closing servers (which has never personally impacted me) I don't have any issues with their business practices, not really. I don't like Origin, though. It's not where it should be. And, just as I wouldn't dismiss a positive first-hand experience, I read several of the negative accounts of using Origin (as well as my own frustrating experience, though as mentioned it had little do with Origin directly) and think it's fair to criticize what is being into consumer hands to support their games.

Some of the posts in this thread did seem to be about discrediting EA, but no where as many as a few people would indicate. It's odd to be so defensive either way (for or against) EA, and it's a shame because it gets in the way of some really interesting opinions on the subject.

Odd defensiveness aside (despite me agreeing with you), I still think it's a great direction for Origin. I hope they continue in the direction of supporting indie projects (and have made similar statements about how I hope Onlive positions themselves). It's a shrewd move that I hope is an indication of how they want to redefine themselves in the marketplace. This can't be a replacement for improving the service they offer but this is absolutely a smart foot forward.

For the record my diatribe wasn't directed at you personally.

This can't be a replacement for improving the service they offer but this is absolutely a smart foot forward.

Dude, this is EA. They f*ck up anything they touch.

Another functionality fail for Origin. I bought the karkard DLC for Battlefield 3 and it wasn't showing up when I tried to join a game. Evidently I had to log out of battlelog and back in for it to take. That's absolutely ridiculous, especially since it doesn't tell you in big bold letters. Google showed that this a very common problem, too.

Ugh. So of course Origin doesn't support groups like Steam. Tonight, had another Goodjer add me as a friend for ME3, and I got the alert that my friends list was full and I couldn't add anymore. Only 100 people, not even close to Steam's 300.

Stele wrote:

Ugh. So of course Origin doesn't support groups like Steam. Tonight, had another Goodjer add me as a friend for ME3, and I got the alert that my friends list was full and I couldn't add anymore. Only 100 people, not even close to Steam's 300. :?

EA exec: What limit are we going to put on the social aspects of the new service?
Tech: We were predicting around 1,000 links for the very active players...
EA exec: What? A geeky nerdy game-playing scum-sucking basement-dwelling pathetic excuse for a human being could be that popular?!
Tech: Well, according to the metrics...
EA exec: And according to *MY* metrics I say no way! We really need to maximise the number of people harnessing the unique synergies inherent in DLC for each game and if we have gamers playing multiple games then there's no way we can do that! Let's give them 50 friend slots - I mean, no online game has more than 50 simultaneous players, right? Just look at Call of Duty!
Tech: But the old system already had a 100 limit. If we reduce it now it'll be like taking out a feature!
EA exec: Damn! Well, I suppose that would look bad in the headlines.... wait, what about that, er, "assemble" feature?
Tech: Oh, you mean the "Cluster" feature where each player can find friends within a specific list for a game based on a community, clan or group theme without having them specifically as friends?
EA exec: Yeah, that one.
Tech: What about it?
EA exec: Can it.
Tech: Can-? We just spent 16 months getting that up to release quality and putting all the back-end infrastructure in place!
EA exec: Yeah, well we won't be needing it any more. I have this other idea.

*Gets up and spreads out his arms as his eyes scan the middle distance outside his floor 32 office*

EA exec: Imagine if we put DLC IN our DLC! We could monetise the monetisation!!
Tech: *headdesk*

Duoae wrote:

EA exec: Imagine if we put DLC IN our DLC! We could monetise the monetisation!!
Tech: *headdesk*

Yo dawg I heard yo like DLC so we put DLC in yo DLC so you can monetize while yo monetize.

LobsterMobster wrote:
Duoae wrote:

EA exec: Imagine if we put DLC IN our DLC! We could monetise the monetisation!!
Tech: *headdesk*

Yo dawg I heard yo like DLC so we put DLC in yo DLC so you can monetize while yo monetize.

You both say that like it's some crazy thing you don't expect to happen.

LobsterMobster wrote:
Duoae wrote:

EA exec: Imagine if we put DLC IN our DLC! We could monetise the monetisation!!
Tech: *headdesk*

Yo dawg I heard yo like DLC so we put DLC in yo DLC so you can monetize while yo monetize.

Announcing the next DLC in the Mass Effect 3 epic story!

Mass Effect 3: Ultra Edition

In the Ultra edition of ME3 you will recieve the new plasmaid rifle X that has .002 more firepower than the IX version you can get in game. You also will be enrolled in our new Gold level customer club ( A $99.99 value!). With Gold club access you are able to purchase exclusive DLC that only other Gold members can buy. For instance you will have access to the Ultra Edition Mark II that comes with Plasmid rifle 10.1 and a sheppard bowtie. ( only $9.99!) Remember you can only get Gold excusive DLC if you pre-order the Ultra Edition of the game for 99.99 or you purchase the Gold club level up for 99.99. So Act now!!!

Somehow I think there are execs at EA who are thinking this... They are probably the same scumbags who 30 years ago worked at Hasbro and thought... "Wouldnt be a great idea if we take all these transformers that little kids are in love with in the Cartoon and kill all of them. That way they will have to run out and purchase all new toys ever year!" (yes I am still bitter)

mcdonis wrote:
LobsterMobster wrote:
Duoae wrote:

EA exec: Imagine if we put DLC IN our DLC! We could monetise the monetisation!!
Tech: *headdesk*

Yo dawg I heard yo like DLC so we put DLC in yo DLC so you can monetize while yo monetize.

Announcing the next DLC in the Mass Effect 3 epic story!

Mass Effect 3: Ultra Edition

In the Ultra edition of ME3 you will recieve the new plasmaid rifle X that has .002 more firepower than the IX version you can get in game. You also will be enrolled in our new Gold level customer club ( A $99.99 value!). With Gold club access you are able to purchase exclusive DLC that only other Gold members can buy. For instance you will have access to the Ultra Edition Mark II that comes with Plasmid rifle 10.1 and a sheppard bowtie. ( only $9.99!) Remember you can only get Gold excusive DLC if you pre-order the Ultra Edition of the game for 99.99 or you purchase the Gold club level up for 99.99. So Act now!!!

Somehow I think there are execs at EA who are thinking this... They are probably the same scumbags who 30 years ago worked at Hasbro and thought... "Wouldnt be a great idea if we take all these transformers that little kids are in love with in the Cartoon and kill all of them. That way they will have to run out and purchase all new toys ever year!" (yes I am still bitter)

Given the stupidly successful Battlefield 3 Premium (1.3 million so far) I'd say they think they can do it. So far, 1.3 million people have handed EA $100 (typically, many got the base game for less) to play that game. And even more for those that bought the shortcut stuff.

And don't go bringing the death of Optimus Prime into this argument!

mrtomaytohead wrote:

Given the stupidly successful Battlefield 3 Premium (1.3 million so far) I'd say they think they can do it. So far, 1.3 million people have handed EA $100 (typically, many got the base game for less) to play that game. And even more for those that bought the shortcut stuff.

That's the thing. I personally don't like how EA handled BF3, but given the data or what significant amounts of people gave them money for, I can see why they did it, and will continue doing in the future.

Scratched wrote:
mrtomaytohead wrote:

Given the stupidly successful Battlefield 3 Premium (1.3 million so far) I'd say they think they can do it. So far, 1.3 million people have handed EA $100 (typically, many got the base game for less) to play that game. And even more for those that bought the shortcut stuff.

That's the thing. I personally don't like how EA handled BF3, but given the data or what significant amounts of people gave them money for, I can see why they did it, and will continue doing in the future.

Yeah, I'm not a fan. I got the game after launch, bought karkand and a few weeks later premium and close quarters launched. I stopped playing because it became really hard to find decent servers. I think I should just uninstall it at this point. I'd probably also uninstall Origin with it, as my other games through the service don't require Origin to run while playing.

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/2jPmb.jpg)

mrtomaytohead wrote:
Scratched wrote:
mrtomaytohead wrote:

Given the stupidly successful Battlefield 3 Premium (1.3 million so far) I'd say they think they can do it. So far, 1.3 million people have handed EA $100 (typically, many got the base game for less) to play that game. And even more for those that bought the shortcut stuff.

That's the thing. I personally don't like how EA handled BF3, but given the data or what significant amounts of people gave them money for, I can see why they did it, and will continue doing in the future.

Yeah, I'm not a fan. I got the game after launch, bought karkand and a few weeks later premium and close quarters launched. I stopped playing because it became really hard to find decent servers. I think I should just uninstall it at this point. I'd probably also uninstall Origin with it, as my other games through the service don't require Origin to run while playing.

Was there this much of a backlash against BF2's release/lifespan?

I ask because, from what I recall, people seemed pretty pleased with the BF1942 and BF2 expansion packs and their prices, but it seems this time around, now that "expansion pack" has been shortened to "DLC" and comes in the form of a digital download through an online delivery system (at the same cost as the old expansions were back in the day, no less), suddenly the internets view the action as purely evil.

Not to say that the above is what you guys are saying, but I've heard a number of arguments against the BF3 expansions and Premium implementation, yet it doesn't appear any differently to me than previous Battlefield games. Aside, of course, from the poor server filter system and Origin (on which I do agree with you).

Frankly, I just haven't heard a compelling argument against the sale of expansions for BF3, aside from A) poor server list filtering as stated above, and B) Premium server line-cutting (that's just stupid).

Yeah I totally got the BF1942 expansions, although I think I got them in a Compilation set. And I bought the X-Wing and TIE Fighter disk expansions back in the 90s, and then bought the Collector's CD with both of them again. (And the Win95 collections later too)

I'm much more annoyed with all the pre-order bonuses than the general DLC. When almost every game is $40 instead of $60 2-4 weeks after release, those pre-order bonuses are pretty damn expensive.

Don't know about previous BF's myself. Bad Company 2 was my first Battlefield game. And I felt cheated when I bought Vietnam and it really wasn't any fun. But it was good in that it felt like it was completely separate and I could find base game servers all the time. I also think expansion packs (in general across all games) tended to have to offer more value and usually hit a better value for the money spot while DLC seems to be 2-3x too expensive on almost all accounts. And I usually end up not liking DLC's I get.

Maybe it's that I like to play so many different games and that I don't commit to just one game so added content isn't for me, as I'm not so invested in a game that it offers its full value to me.

Fired up to play ME3 weekend event, and there was a 50mb or so patch.

They've now separated the friends tab, copying Steam.

I think maybe it defaults to My Games now when starting up instead of the Store. Still didn't see a preference, but it was certainly annoying the last few times I tried to play ME3 and I would get a popup ad and the store before I could switch tabs and click play.

Looks like the new client will allow some level of data collection opt out.

Link