DRM used for ill in the case of EA

[Shane for Wax]

www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/12/05/ea-origin-bans-update-edition/

It appears that if you do something naughty on the EA or Origin forums, you are locked out of using the games on Origin. This is not supposed to happen according to a lot of sources, but it has been happening to a lot of people.

Most exceptional perhaps is Aaron, who after receiving a 72 hour ban was told by EA support they couldn’t help because “the game developers control this”. Pardon? His crime? Someone else swearing on the forum, with his username in their post. Trying the live chat support instead, he was then informed that his account was permanently banned, and that “all property, items, and characters associated currently are or will soon be deleted.” Followed by, “Is there anything else I can do for you?” Aaron tried again, pointing out that forum bans shouldn’t affect games. And then came this incredible reply:

“Please be informed that your account not only suspended, But it is also Banned, So you will no longer to play the game in single player.”

I know most people probably won't care because it's just some video games (and others will probably point out it should be put into the entertainment section) but still. This seems like it's out of hand. DRM is supposed to be used to combat piracy, not a couple of naughty words on a forum.

[foolishwisdom]

That's bull. But if EA wants to turn their customers into potential pirates, that's their problem.

[Meshakhad]

Mental note: never go on the EA or Origin forums, except for technical support. This guy didn't even do anything wrong! He shouldn't have gotten so much as a warning, let alone a permanent ban!

[RavynousHunter]

EA is pond scum. In other news, water is wet.

[Vene]

Dec 5, 2011 15:59:05 GMT -5 RavynousHunter said:

EA is pond scum. In other news, water is wet.

Hey! I like pond scum, pond scum is useful.

[RavynousHunter]

Oh...yeah, sorry about that, pond scum. EA is nothing more than detritus, an ever-worsening flotsam in the ocean of gaming.

[Art Vandelay]

Isn't it ironic that EA is signed up with Good Old Games? A site that's based around selling DRM-free retro games?

[N. De Plume]

I knew there was a reason I was disappointed that EA absorbed Pop Cap.

[Dragon Zachski]

Insert someone saying that we deserve this because "piracy pushed them to this point".

And they're pushing people to the point of piracy with this move. I really have to wonder how EA managed to be so successful when they seem to be actively trying to get rid of their customers.

[Rat Of Steel]

Dec 5, 2011 17:56:57 GMT -5 N. De Plume said:

I knew there was a reason I was disappointed that EA absorbed Pop Cap.

Indeed.
(Rat sighs wistfully as he looks at the shortcuts for Plants vs. Zombies and Bejeweled 2 on his computer desktop; since these are DRM-free, though, he doesn't delete the programs.)

[Shano]

I am really worried since my most favorite game ME3 is released by EA and I pre-ordered the collector's edition which if I understand correctly must use Origin...
I am not sure I will play the co-op in it at all, but many people on the facebook page of ME are complaining about origin...

[Rat Of Steel]

Dec 5, 2011 20:03:51 GMT -5 Shano said:

I am really worried since my most favorite game ME3 is released by EA and I pre-ordered the collector's edition which if I understand correctly must use Origin...
I am not sure I will play the co-op in it at all, but many people on the facebook page of ME are complaining about origin...

Shit. *sighs sadly, as he is also a fan of the Mass Effect games, and would hate for any experience he'd have in playing Mass Effect 3 to be tarnished by this sort of thing* I didn't realize that.

[VirtualStranger]

Dec 5, 2011 20:03:51 GMT -5 Shano said:

I am really worried since my most favorite game ME3 is released by EA and I pre-ordered the collector's edition which if I understand correctly must use Origin...
I am not sure I will play the co-op in it at all, but many people on the facebook page of ME are complaining about origin...

The PC version of Mass Effect 1, every version of Mass Effect 2 and all of the Dragon Age games are also published by EA. Bioware has been a subdivision of EA since at least 2008.

As for the DRM, It's almost like they want people to pirate their games.

[sylvana]

if they abuse their customers, people will just pirate their games more. Banning someone who bought a game will force that person to crack the game, and will encourage them to pirate the next game they want. DRM has its place, but using it as a beat-stick against customers is just looking to kill business.

Personally I hate DRM, Games for windows Live prevents me from playing a number of games despite them all being legally owned by me simply because it does not like my internet connection (curse you African internet.) However, I also really like steam, it uses DRM but actually works 90% of the time and allowed you to play games you paid for anywhere.

Of course, the worst thing is, if you actually read the license agreement, EA is actually legally allowed to pull stupid stunts like this.

[Mantorok]

And if you didn't know already, Origin scans all the files on your computer:
s7.directupload.net/images/111028/enxmldba.jpg
s1.directupload.net/images/111028/fglehhsj.jpg