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Thread: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

  1. #1
    master of the pwniverse Member Fragony's Avatar
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    Default EA outdoes itselve on this one,

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

    Basicly you are paying for spyware and ingame adds, no BF2142 for me. For you as well I hope, this goes too far.

  2. #2
    Lesbian Rebel Member Mikeus Caesar's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    No way am i getting it. I mean, come on, this 'other' mysterious scanning stuff might record everything, right down to the software on my computer.

    Issues of privacy abound.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ranika
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    Shark in training Member Keba's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Well, that solves that. I was actually thinking of buying the full version, but with this ... no way, no way in hell.

  4. #4

    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Tsk, tsk, y'all have anything to hide ? It's for your own good, really, think of all the targeted advertising you'll get, ads tailored to your personal tastes and interests, what's wrong with that ?
    Oh, and rest assured that all your information is strictly confidential, between EA and its designated business partners, and we'll never misuse it or anything. No, sirree.
    Therapy helps, but screaming obscenities is cheaper.

  5. #5

    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Why do you hate freedom?

  6. #6
    The very model of a modern Moderator Xiahou's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    I'd like to see the spyware claim substantiated somewhere else before I buy into that one.

    However, the game will definitely have streaming ads that will be constantly downloading whether you want them to or not. For me, that's reason enough to stay away. In principle, I don't mind the concept of static ads in games where they make sense- ie: unobstrusive billboards in a racing game or around the inside of an arena in a sports game.... But what really irritates me is the fact that, obviously, the publisher is raking in money by putting ads into a game that I'm paying to play.

    Do these ads make the games cheaper/free for me to buy? Hell no. Do these ads make a $50 game play like a $60 one? Nope. And I'm just talking about "static" in-game ads... I think that "streaming" in-game ads just goes beyond the pale.
    "Don't believe everything you read online."
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  7. #7
    Swarthylicious Member Spino's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    In-game ads sound incredibly annoying and cheesy but they would not affect my purchase of the game. However the built in spyware reeeaaallly pisses me off. EA can go violate itself with a fat rusty pipe....



    What a pity, I enjoyed the demo and was really looking forward to picking this one up. With this move EA has certainly confirmed the notion that it is the Great Satan of video game companies.

    "Why spoil the beauty of the thing with legality?" - Theodore Roosevelt

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  8. #8

    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Thanks for posting this thread, Fragony.

    EA should be sued up the wazoo for this.

    So should Starforce and all other upcoming integrated spyware/malware being shovelled onto game discs.

    No wonder PC gaming is mostly-dead.

  9. #9
    Swarthylicious Member Spino's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Great, another game publisher signed a deal with IGA Worldwide, the company that makes the spyware in BF 2142....

    Codemasters joins the Axis of Evil!!!

    http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=10245

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    July 27, 2006

    IGA Worldwide, Codemasters Sign In-Game Ad Deal

    IGA Worldwide, Codemasters Sign In-Game Ad Deal In-game ad firm IGA Worldwide has announced that it has signed an exclusive multi-title, multi-platform agreement with developer and publisher Codemasters in order to deliver audio, video and billboard advertising content into and around several of the company's upcoming titles, including Brian Lara International Cricket 2007 and the next-generation version of Colin McRae Rally.

    Advertisements will be delivered via IGA Worldwide's proprietary Radial in-game ad serving technology. The firm will exclusively manage dynamic ad sales into the range of titles, while its wholly-owned creative communications consultancy, IGA Hive, will be responsible for static ads, interactive product placement integrations and co-promotion activities.

    "Advertising in games generates additional revenue that publishers can offset against product development costs," said Rod Cousens, CEO at Codemasters. "However, it's critical for the ad placements to complement the highly immersive gaming experience of our games across current and future platforms. Following significant due diligence on the market we believe that IGA is ideally placed to deliver on all of these key points."

    "The fact that another of the world's leading videogame publishers has made the transition to IGA as a one-stop solution for their in-game advertising further demonstrates the strength and business value of our offering and our position as the leading independent company in the industry," said Justin Townsend, CEO of IGA Worldwide. "Codemasters' proven ability to deliver globally successful franchises will open up a whole new range of possibilities for the world's leading brands and agencies, enabling advertisers to reach their target demographics across an exciting range of game genres and platforms."

    Big money at work here folks, $17 million worth...

    http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...php?story=9961

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    July 5, 2006

    IGA Worldwide Gets $17 Million In-Game Ad Funding

    IGA Worldwide Gets $17 Million In-Game Ad Funding In-game ad firm IGA Worldwide announced a combined $5 million investment from Intel Capital and IGA's existing investor group to complete a Series A funding round that totals $17 million. A group of investors co-led by New York-based Easton Capital, Morgenthaler Ventures and including existing investor DN Capital had earlier subscribed to the Series A funding round initially announced at $12 million.

    IGA Worldwide's proprietary ad serving network, Radial, enables advertisers to target game players across a wide range of platforms and genres while they play. It also provides strategic consulting services including integrated product placement and co-promotion through its wholly-owned communications consultancy, IGA Hive. IGA's major competitors in the in-game ad serving space include the now Microsoft-owned Massive Inc., Double Fusion, and Adscape Media.

    IGA Worldwide confirmed that the company will use the funding to expand its relationships with publishers and continue to extend its global operations in support of a growing base of customers in North America, Europe and Asia.

    "Intel Capital's investment in IGA Worldwide will be used to further accelerate our strategic relationship building program with the leading game publishers around the world," said IGA Worldwide CEO Justin Townsend. "As we see the in-game advertising market mature, the revenue from all forms of brand placements in games will be an important source of income for game publishers."

    "The explosive growth of digital gaming is attracting millions of new users and is a key element of Intel's vision for the Digital Home," said Damien Callaghan, Strategic Investment Manager, Intel Capital. "IGA's products enhance this opportunity by enabling game developers and publishers to earn additional revenue ensuring the continuation of a vibrant industry - an issue of importance to Intel and its customers."

    Q&A with the CEO of IGA...

    http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=11300

    Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
    October 17, 2006

    Q&A: IGA's Townsend On BF2142 In-Game Ads

    Q&A: IGA's Townsend On BF2142 In-Game Ads Talking to Gamasutra, IGA Worldwide CEO Justin Townsend has explained his company's work with EA on Battlefield 2142's in-game ads, following earlier controversy over a disclaimer shipped with the European version of the game.

    The disclaimer had some users concerned over what they termed 'spyware' related to the dynamic in-game advertising supplied by IGA. But Townsend made it clear that IGA "does not capture any personally identifiable information" for those playing BF2142, going on to explain exactly what details the game's users are supplying when they play.

    IGA's In-Game Ad Capture Specifics

    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).

    Anonymity, The Need For Ads

    IGA's Townsend went on to explain exactly why identifying specific consumers is not part of his company's goal, explaining: "In the advertising sector, generally you have two very distinct forms of advertising - above the line and below the line."

    The company's advertising is 'above the line', which is to say that it's communicating the brand image, much like TV, and it's not 'below the line' advertising like the Internet & direct mail which seeks to get into a dialogue or a transaction with the consumer. Thus, Townsend explained that there's no need to know who exactly customers are. He clarified: "For us, all we need to do is to make sure we are serving the right ads to the right IP."

    Regarding today's online controversy, Townsend noted that "you are always going have that hardcore vocal minority" who don't want in-game ads. But he suggested that if those same people "knew the kind of painful transition that most publishers are going through right now", they might approve of in-game ads as an important financial support function for next-gen titles.

    He particularly commented: "If gamers still want to have a high amount of good quality titles year in and year out, there needs to be alternate revenue streams" for next-gen gaming - IGA clearly sees in-game advertising as a notable example of this.

    IGA's In-Game Ad Capture Specifics

    Finally, when asked about the suitability of the in-game ad creative for Battlefield 2142, which is somewhat of a futuristic title, Townsend explained that the company is "actually getting brands to do specific creative for games" to enable those brands to blend in better in the game.

    Addressing BF2142 itself, Townsend, who noted that he is a fan of the series and is currently playing Battlefield 2, explained that "it's near future", in the sense that "...there are no laser beams being shot around." Thus, "because it's predominantly set in urban environemnts", a lot of the creative for the ads in the game "is generic, or will be adapted to suit the near-future element."


    The good news is that the gaming community's reaction to this has been positively explosive and overwhelmingly negative. EA had to lock up its UK BF2142 forums because of the outcry.
    "Why spoil the beauty of the thing with legality?" - Theodore Roosevelt

    Idealism is masturbation, but unlike real masturbation idealism actually makes one blind. - Fragony

    Though Adrian did a brilliant job of defending the great man that is Hugo Chavez, I decided to post this anyway.. - JAG (who else?)

  10. #10
    Oni Member Samurai Waki's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Well I think Starforce has seen the last of it's days anyway, after that little Gal Civ 2 mess, their main costumer Ubi decidedly dropped the product.

  11. #11
    The very model of a modern Moderator Xiahou's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Thanks for the info Spino. That last article you posted was the info I was looking for. So they collect personal info like your age, IP address and when you play so that they can better target you with ads. I guess they'd better lump me in with that so-called "vocal minority" who thinks that's absolutely outrageous.

    He particularly commented: "If gamers still want to have a high amount of good quality titles year in and year out, there needs to be alternate revenue streams" for next-gen gaming - IGA clearly sees in-game advertising as a notable example of this.
    Here I thought my $50 a game was paying for "development costs". Honestly, if they were giving away the games for free it'd be at least understandable to cram them with spyware and ads to generate revenue- but we're already shelling out our hard earned cash to buy these.

    I refuse to pay full price for a game that's going to make money off of me by collecting personal information and barraging me with advertising.
    Last edited by Xiahou; 10-18-2006 at 06:19.
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  12. #12
    American since 2012 Senior Member AntiochusIII's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    See, this is kind of a reason why internet piracy of everything under the sun is such a popular thing.

    ...and increasingly morally justifiable day by day, which is kind of sad in and of itself. A paying customer got a worse product than that of a torrent downloader's.

    I wish there are more indie game developers like Mount&Blade's Taleworlds coming up; it's always the indies that save the day when mainstream companies have gone mad. I was gleefully happy to pay 15$ or so to play the full game; I felt cheated when I paid some other games out of the bargain bin.

  13. #13
    zombologist Senior Member doc_bean's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    I hope the EU is going to sue the pants off of them....

    They're supposed to care about privacy damnit !
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    Medical Welshman in London. Senior Member Big King Sanctaphrax's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    "Advertising in games generates additional revenue that publishers can offset against product development costs,"
    But are the people who actually have to put up with the adds going to see any savings because of this? I doubt it.
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  15. #15

    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Lol, can we say overeaction...

    You guys need to chill out a bit. Its not like theres not 1000 other programs that take your info already. Trust me, theres a whole lot better reasons not to get this game than this. :P

  16. #16
    Shark in training Member Keba's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Quote Originally Posted by Monarch
    Lol, can we say overeaction...

    You guys need to chill out a bit. Its not like theres not 1000 other programs that take your info already. Trust me, theres a whole lot better reasons not to get this game than this. :P
    But for how many of those programs do you dish out 50$?

    It's fine with me, if they charge less ... but to charge the same, and still put their customers through such an annoying process is too much.

    With this move, I have a feeling that the game will not sell very well.

  17. #17
    Lesbian Rebel Member Mikeus Caesar's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Quote Originally Posted by Monarch
    Lol, can we say overeaction...

    You guys need to chill out a bit. Its not like theres not 1000 other programs that take your info already. Trust me, theres a whole lot better reasons not to get this game than this. :P
    Yes, but i'm not going to willingly pay £35 for the privilege of having half a tonne of spyware and advertisement on my PC. They can sod off.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ranika
    I'm being assailed by a mental midget of ironically epic proportions. Quick as frozen molasses, this one. Sharp as a melted marble. It's disturbing. I've had conversations with a braying mule with more coherence.


  18. #18
    Member Member Alexander the Pretty Good's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    You guys are upset...

    I pre-ordered.

  19. #19
    Ja mata, TosaInu Forum Administrator edyzmedieval's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Quote Originally Posted by Alexander the Pretty Good
    You guys are upset...

    I pre-ordered.


    I hope NFS Carbon doesn't have spyware...
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    Arena Senior Member Crazed Rabbit's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Quote Originally Posted by Alexander the Pretty Good
    You guys are upset...

    I pre-ordered.
    Cancel! Can you?

    Crazed Rabbit
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  21. #21
    The very model of a modern Moderator Xiahou's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Quote Originally Posted by Alexander the Pretty Good
    You guys are upset...

    I pre-ordered.
    Did you pay in full? If it was just the $5 EB deposit, you can tell them to stick it in their ear if they won't refund it.
    "Don't believe everything you read online."
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  22. #22
    Senior Member Senior Member Reenk Roink's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=37926

    Battlefield 2142 is starting to show up in stores left and right, and some early birds who managed to get their hands on a retail copy. Inside the box a slip of paper warns people that BF2142 will install monitoring software which reports "anonymous" information, such as IP and surfing habits, back to advertising companies in order to generate in-game ads in line with your possible purchasing interests. The flyer does say if you do not wish this to happen, to not install the game on an internet connected computer, which seems quite silly for a online multiplayer title.
    Yep... It's true...

    Now, at first I was really looking forward to getting this game, seeing how enjoyable BF2 was for a long time (though it started to get repetitive like all games, it took much longer). But over the past month, my optimism about BF: 2142 lessened.

    The screenshots looked bland to be honest, and when I played the demo (aside from it crashing incredibly often) I was unimpressed by the graphics. it looked like a reskinned BF2 to be honest. Not much improvement, plus it was bland (stop making backgrounds in north africa/middle east for God's sake, I want to see grass!).

    The gameplay was almost identical too, it brought really nothing new.

    But still I thought, the other levels could look better, and maybe the full version would show expanded gameplay.

    Now this...

    Now, I'm one of those people who thinks all those whiners about in game ads should suck it up. Ads are a part of life ok? Are you not going to drive because of billboards?

    But this is frankly the most malicious thing ever by a game. Forget CD keys and registration/activation, they actually put spyware in your computer...

    I just hope the demo didn't do the same...

  23. #23

    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Quote Originally Posted by Spino
    Codemasters joins the Axis of Evil!!

    Actually, Codemasters joined the Axis of Evil a very long time ago when they started putting Starforce into their games like Soldiers.

  24. #24
    Member Member Alexander the Pretty Good's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    It was a $10 deposit, so if I don't pick it up/get a refund it isn't a total loss.

    I'll wait and watch first, though...

    Enough of a back lash and who knows...

  25. #25
    Member Member TB666's Avatar
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    Default Sv: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    If the spyware isn't bad enough, the fact that you seen any info on this until you buy the game is just bad.
    That's can't be legal.

  26. #26
    Research Shinobi Senior Member Tamur's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    My first time in the Arena because the thread title was so intriguing: EA, outdoing itself? No way. However, I must admit that this tops even the worst of stories I've heard about EA.

    I had a friend who relocated his family, worked for two weeks for them, and quit even before he received his first paycheck because the morale and environment were so bad. With them pulling things like this, I now understand why... who are the programmers who say, "Uh, sure, we'll put a load of spyware into a video game, sounds like fun." I don't get it.
    "Die Wahrheit ruht in Gott / Uns bleibt das Forschen." Johann von Müller

  27. #27
    Nur-ad-Din Forum Administrator TosaInu's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Gasp.
    Ja mata

    TosaInu

  28. #28
    Ricardus Insanusaum Member Bob the Insane's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Well, over reaction or not I was on the fence about getting this new version of Battlefield simply because I did not personally find it to be all that much better than BF2 (of course you need to place that statement in the context that I think BF2 is absolutely fantastic)...

    There are some many good games coming out over the next month that I am not gasping for something new right now, I was on the fence about getting it and now boom, this... If I was dead set on the game it would not bother me that much, but when I feel this way I don't know, I think it just tips the balance against getting it.

    It could be good for BF2142 in one way, only the most dedicated fans will be likely to pick it up which may in turn improve the quality of the gameplay on the servers...

  29. #29
    Banned ELITEofWARMANGINGERYBREADMEN88's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    I might just keep playing BF2, and start play Black Hawk Down again, and mabye RO, and forget about this. Like Hell I want Spyware on my comp. got over 1400,don't need anymore.. BF2, I'm here to stay, BHD and RO, here I come, BF2142, forget ya :-)

  30. #30
    master of the pwniverse Member Fragony's Avatar
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    Default Re: EA outdoes itselve on this one,

    Well it isn't that bad after all


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