Ea Withdraws New Games From Steam

[Mana 3,867]

EA Removes Recently Released Games from Steam

Word has gotten around today that Electronic Arts has stealthily removed some of its recent releases from the Steam digital distribution platform, including Crysis 2 and Alice: Madness Returns.

Interestingly, while these titles are available on EA’s new Origin service, the games remain available at other popular download stores, such as Amazon and Impulse. Although there has been no official statement from either EA or Valve concerning the matter, it would appear as though EA is preparing to drop the proverbial gauntlet in the battle over digital distribution market share.

This comes in the wake of an E3 announcement that BioWare’s upcoming MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic, would be released exclusively on Origin. Coupled with the upcoming high-profile launch of Battlefield 3, which is rumored to be headed for Origin exclusivity, EA seems to be poised to make a big push against Steam, which has enjoyed virtually uncontested rights to the digital distribution crown.

Given how new the Origin system is, not to mention EA’s previous questionable policies with regards to single player access many remain hesitant to adopt the new platform. However, Valve’s Steam service endured a very rocky beginning itself before becoming the industry standard, so only time will tell what becomes of EA’s new venture.

Source:

http://geek.pikimal.com/2011/06/15/ea-removes-recently-released-games-from-steam/

So Battlefield 3 won't be on steam now. But it does make sense, Valve is a competitor and it's not good when your competitor knows how many games you sell.

Ubisoft voiced similar concerns years ago when releasing Dark Messiah on steam, eventually though they put more games on Steam.

Valve might need to consider splitting Steam away. This way Valve could develop games and Steam could be developed by another team/company.

[Mana 3,867]

They would never. Not when it could make them money.

By another, I meant a subsidiary or a Valve company.

Either way, Steam makes more money than Valve's games. They might have to do something if other publishers follow suit.

[Gotcha 6,307]

tl;dr

EA's reaction to Steam:

[Mana 3,867]

Apparently it was Valve who removed Crysis 2 from steam, not EA.

There's still hope Battlefield 3 won't use punkbuster.

[Gotcha 6,307]

But why would Valv€ do that?

[N-camon 8]

But why would Valv€ do that?

There could be a number of reasons. From bad wording in the legal-speak in the contract to someone at EA making someone at Valve mad.

[Krash 1,040]

Sad thing is, if its not on steam, i probably wont get it.

[Barbaro 466]

You'd be surprised but its really taken the piss now, EA's attempting to force themselves into the Distribution Market and attempt to make money by forcing people to download their stupid Origin application and handler.

Its nothing to do with Steam, its called EA's taken a cluster and with a jealous and greedy mood, they are making it so its nearly impossible to NOT use it. I've already heard stories first hand about how bad its already done.

Here's a few start offs from friends...

I have EA games. Therefore, I have a login for EA games because you can't quite play them without logging in... the joy of my life. Origin came out, didn't care. Email was sent to advertise Origin, didn't care. Was sent an email today that said my EA account is now an Origin account and I have to use Origin.

Fine. We will use Origin.

So, I get that client and jump on in. I fiddle with the idea of activating a few EA games on Origin using the CD keys they have... which doesn't work. Oh well, that silly idea set aside, let's get games!

There is a sale for BC 2 Vietnam which is digital only anyways. So, let's get that. Like Steam, I go to select the game, checkout, and type in my details... which is my name, address, phone number, credit card number, CCV, and expiration date. Transaction failed, I haven't given a nickname to my credit card... in fact, wait a minute, my credit card has First MI Last as my name and there is no place to tell Origin what my Middle Initial is... maybe I can shove that in nickname, after all I'm not storing my credit card information. Transaction failed... let me try again, transaction failed...

FINE, you get Paypal... morons... transaction is successful. Awesome.

We have received confirmation of your payment from PayPal. Thank you for your purchase. Payment is handled on behalf of Origin by Digital River, Inc.

YOUR PURCHASES

Order Number: *** Yes this is censored ***

Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2: Vietnam

Redemption Instructions

1) Install the latest Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2 patch to have the Vietnam menu item available on the main menu screen.

2) Click the Vietnam menu item.

3) Enter your activation code into the code redemption box and click "Redeem Code" to begin playing Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2 Vietnam.

... ? Activation code? What? You force me to log into that game as is! Let's click on the info button for the game... nope, it doesn't show a product key there. Wait for an email... there it is... thanks for your purchase blah blah blah no activation key. Lovely. Let's go in game and... yep, I need a key. ... and I need to insert my CD still... what was the point in having this game on Origin!?

You know, Steam would have taken my credit card information just fine and Steam would have automatically activated my purchase. Origin... nope...

Let me check my transaction history... of which Origin claims I have none... but the transaction ID is right there... let me check my receipt... no transaction ID. Sneeky. Fine, let me talk to the wondrous live support about this... I am put on hold... on hold... on hold... on hold... 30 minutes passes...

Ooo, new email... this one has my transaction ID and activation key. Go into game, type it in manually (since Origin doesn't work like Steam it has NO IDEA what my key is and thus it cannot show the key in game much less let me copy and paste it)... but the key works. I got my purchase...

Origin is FAR more annoying than Steam. My goodness. Why do people even like this stupid platform?

Help us to improve Origin by participating in this short survey.

Oh... you want my opinions... you really WANT my opinions... you will have them. Oh yes... you will... time to complete a survey...

An online vender shouldn't screw up taking credit card information! In fact, only one vender has screwed up, Skype... err.... well, they are an evil worth withstanding arguably. Still, for a platform competing with Steam, I'm stunned they haven't figured out the "Take my money!" part!

Also, I know that systems can run show but this one is firing on half cylinders I think. Also, it was apparent that there is a lack of polish in a lot of places (need CD to play game, need to get a code via email only, Origin has no clue what that code is (cannot show in interface), Origin has no clue I had an order tonight at all).

I know Steam support is slow and doesn't have a chat feature. However, I have RARELY needed to use support at Steam. First transaction at Origin... needed support but fortunately a late email made that point moot. However, Origin still cannot figure out the "Take my money!" part so... yeah... how can I tell them they have a broken ass website? They should KNOW they didn't make it correctly!

This isn't the first digital download platform. EA left Steam because they felt they could do better. Of course, I had no experience with what EA figured was better but now I do... and it isn't. It doesn't mean I won't use Origin at times or tinker with the idea of buying something but I am pretty sure they won't be able to figure out my credit card and its' mystical "middle initial" feature which is added to my name.

When I see that lack of care and attention on their site it communicates to me a lack of care and attention in the whole process. It took me a while to get comfortable with Steam and they never caused me to doubt them yet. I know they get REALLY CROSS if you use Paypal but I won't use that. Origin, first time dealing with them, and they give me no confidence in using Origin for anything serious. Wonderful job folks.

Oh... and Amazon, Newegg, Steam, Impulse, Good Old Games... they all have you click on something to buy, you give them payment information, you have "bought it". That concept is old and everybody does it well EXCEPT Origin. That doesn't communicate to me that Origin is in beta... oh no... beta is if your client is rough along the edges. This communicates to me that EA is incompetent. Don't worry though, they force you to go to them for digital purchases over Steam because "EA feels it is better". Yeah... before EA starts feeling "big headed" syndrome I would recommend they at least get the "Take my money!" part down! Geez!

What I'm saying...

This IS EXACTLY what I was talking about when EA decided to take a and FORCE people to download their stupid Origin piece of crap!

You're only having problems with transactions, couple of buds, besides the BF3 Alpha, have been accused, ACCUSED, of using pirated CD-Keys of some Battlefield games, and are being repeatedly asked to purchase the games on Origin, instead of merging/changing their old EA account TO Origin.

I've already had to send about 4 queries about the keys due to them being obtained legibly via EA store. Its outrageous how the system has failed to authenticate them...honestly.

Congratulations EA, you've just unlocked a whole new load of crap that's coming to your 'contact us' center. I've already gotten feedback on one guy and from the phone call, looks like he won't be playing BF3.

Anyone being affected by this?

[N-camon 8]

I bought Alice: Madness Returns in a Gamestop. When I installed it, it had me install Origin as well. Luckily, they do not force me to use Origin to play if I autoplay the disk, but it does not let me have a desktop shortcut for any reason to start the game quickly.

I started out not sure how safe it was to use Steam to buy games. Over time, I liked it. It was easy, and too easy when I found a special of some sort. I can buy a game, download, and start playing faster then I could just trying to log into Origin. So for now, if there is an EA game I want, I will buy buying the disk from a store.

[Barbaro 466]

I bought Alice: Madness Returns in a Gamestop. When I installed it, it had me install Origin as well. Luckily, they do not force me to use Origin to play if I autoplay the disk, but it does not let me have a desktop shortcut for any reason to start the game quickly.

I started out not sure how safe it was to use Steam to buy games. Over time, I liked it. It was easy, and too easy when I found a special of some sort. I can buy a game, download, and start playing faster then I could just trying to log into Origin. So for now, if there is an EA game I want, I will buy buying the disk from a store.

I'm fairly certain this alternative will be capped very soon, you know how EA behaves when gamers try to do their 'thing'.

Honestly, I just can't believe a lot of the BS that's going on, having to repurchase entire games for this BS...