3659 réponses à ce sujet

[S.A.K]

Sad to see ME3 loosing so many sales because of this stupid Origin. I have it installed and I don't have a problem with it. But I understand others not wanting to install it.

[Wardka]

wolfsite wrote...

I apologize if anyone takes offence to this but honestly all that is going here is a lot of back and forth which is de-railing the thread from it's true purpose was to give the moderators questions so they can get answers.

That is ONE purpose for the thread. As you may have noticed if you look at other Origin-related threads on this forum, they get locked and redirected here. This is the thread to discuss Origin and its usage in Mass Effect 3. I understand what you're trying to do, but please don't play backseat moderator, it can be very frustrating.

[Travie]

I'm still pretty stressed about this.

Now I have to play it at a friend's house, probably a week after release... So frustrating after going so far as to plan vacation time around the release.

[Gotholhorakh]

I have a serious question.

When will EA mount a proactive (or even reactive) effort to to address the concerns people have, and fix the impression of intrusiveness that has created, so that the game Mass Effect 3, that fans are looking forward to so much, can be enjoyed by them all, not to mention get the sales it no doubt richly deserves?

In short, when will EA fix this privacy and PR nightmare?

Travie wrote...

I'm still pretty stressed about this.

Now I have to play it at a friend's house, probably a week after release... So frustrating after going so far as to plan vacation time around the release.

Take my advice and DON'T do this - if you don't enjoy the game the effect is amplified by wasting vacation time on it.

Modifié par Gotholhorakh, 18 janvier 2012 - 04:49 .

[Killjoy Cutter]

eyesofastorm wrote...

To anyone that REALLY wants to try to make a difference in this issue, I would direct you here:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

https://www.bbb.org/...int/get-started

It wouldn't take but probably a few hundred or a thousand complaints filed in quick succession to get someone's attention. I think there are some legitimate arguments to made that Origin is detrimental to the industry, the competition, and the customers and gives entirely too much power to EA while leveraging Mass Effect 3 to force this on to customers. I'm waiting for a few more bits of information about Origin before I file my own complaints so that I might file them accurately and to the strongest effect. I would urge you to consider doing the same. The worst that could happen is nothing. At best, we get a few people REALLY investigating the legal ramifications of Origin and *maybe* get EA to give Origin a chance to earn it's way onto everyone's pcs rather than trying to force it on us. If you are interested to see what points I'll be bringing up in my complaints, PM me and I'll get back to you when I'm ready to file them.

Complaints filed:

Electronic Arts (EA) and their subsidiary Bioware are now requiring that purchasers of many of their software titles install a secondary application named "Origin" in order to use their purchased software.  This software has, in past tests, been shown to scan the contents of the user's hard drive, and transmit encryted data to EA.  What is and is not being transmitted to EA is hidden from the user.  EA also reserves the "right" to share or sell this data with third parties, and to change the behavior of Origin at any time. 

EA and Bioware's representatives have been evasive and deceitful regarding the Origin requirement on future titles that are currently in the pre-order phase.  They have also been evasive and deceitful on the details of Origin's behavior on customers' systems. 

The proported fuction of Origin is to serve as a "one-stop" digital distribution system and online multiplayer login system.  However, even retail hard copies of games will require the installation of Origin, and Origin will be required even if the user is not accessing the online multiplayer or other online content. 

It is likely, based on known information, that patches, updates, and fixes for software requiring Origin will also only be available through the Origin software, and not as seperate downloadable patch files. 

This behavior by EA and Bioware place an undue burden on the customer, and an unrealistic requirement on the purchase of their products.  It is as if an appliance manufacturer were to require a key to the house of every customer who bought a microwave or washing machine, as a condition of sale. 

Modifié par Killjoy Cutter, 18 janvier 2012 - 04:54 .

[Gterror]

Its all about how to squeesh more money from consumers and id understand that, but Origin just begs to get a virtual punch in da face.

[billy the squid]

Gotholhorakh wrote...

I have a serious question.

When will EA mount a serious effort to to address the issues people have, and fix the impression of intrusiveness that its EULAs have created, so that people's concerns can be allayed, paying customers can get on with using and enjoying Origin, and the game that fans are looking forward to so much can be enjoyed by them all, not to mention get the sales it no doubt richly deserves?

Hopefully, But it really should have been done at the point of release, explaining very clearly what Origin is and does, not PR speak.

But, I'm astounded that EA's legal department let the Origin EULA in its initial form out in the EU. The higher echelons should implement an inquisition of their legal department for those that used such sloppy drafting and ignored international legal jurisdictions to the extent that that the entire contract would have been rendered void.

It shouldn't take those of us with legal or technical knowledge of programming to pick apart the EULA and point out the problems and issues whilst seperating the disinformation that swirls around the net. EA giving clear concise information as to the legal, technical functions and the reasons why data is necessary aswell as how they are safguarding it will go a lot futher than silly PR statements of "we care about your data and would never sell it"

I know they won't sell it as they are in direct breach of the Data Protection Act and get slapped with a large fine as well as opening themselves up to legal action for any damage done. The problem is that unless you have that knowledge the statements seem hollow PR ststements, even if there is an underlying reason or rule that means they won't.

Modifié par billy the squid, 18 janvier 2012 - 05:05 .

[Candidate 88766]

Killjoy Cutter wrote...

eyesofastorm wrote...

To anyone that REALLY wants to try to make a difference in this issue, I would direct you here:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

https://www.bbb.org/...int/get-started

It wouldn't take but probably a few hundred or a thousand complaints filed in quick succession to get someone's attention. I think there are some legitimate arguments to made that Origin is detrimental to the industry, the competition, and the customers and gives entirely too much power to EA while leveraging Mass Effect 3 to force this on to customers. I'm waiting for a few more bits of information about Origin before I file my own complaints so that I might file them accurately and to the strongest effect. I would urge you to consider doing the same. The worst that could happen is nothing. At best, we get a few people REALLY investigating the legal ramifications of Origin and *maybe* get EA to give Origin a chance to earn it's way onto everyone's pcs rather than trying to force it on us. If you are interested to see what points I'll be bringing up in my complaints, PM me and I'll get back to you when I'm ready to file them.

Complaints filed:

Electronic Arts (EA) and their subsidiary Bioware are now requiring that purchasers of many of their software titles install a secondary application named "Origin" in order to use their purchased software.  This software has, in past tests, been shown to scan the contents of the user's hard drive, and transmit encryted data to EA.  What is and is not being transmitted to EA is hidden from the user.  EA also reserves the "right" to share or sell this data with third parties, and to change the behavior of Origin at any time. 

EA and Bioware's representatives have been evasive and deceitful regarding the Origin requirement on future titles that are currently in the pre-order phase.  They have also been evasive and deceitful on the details of Origin's behavior on customers' systems. 

The proported fuction of Origin is to serve as a "one-stop" digital distribution system and online multiplayer login system.  However, even retail hard copies of games will require the installation of Origin, and Origin will be required even if the user is not accessing the online multiplayer or other online content. 

It is likely, based on known information, that patches, updates, and fixes for software requiring Origin will also only be available through the Origin software, and not as seperate downloadable patch files. 

This behavior by EA and Bioware place an undue burden on the customer, and an unrealistic requirement on the purchase of their products.  It is as if an appliance manufacturer were to require a key to the house of every customer who bought a microwave or washing machine, as a condition of sale. 

Most of this is agreeable, but there are a couple of bits I disagree with.

Firstly, Origin's EULA since August do not allow EA to sell any data to third parties of any kind.

Second, does it matter if patches are Origin only? Anyone who legally has the game will have to have Origin installed, and those who aquired the game through other means don't deserve the patches. If EA were to change Origin's necessity then I could understand this point, but otherwise it doesn't seem worth mentioning - if you've got ME3 on PC you'll have Origin and so you'll have access to patches.

[eyesofastorm]

Killjoy Cutter wrote...

*snip*

Excellent.

[eyesofastorm]

Candidate 88766 wrote...

Most of this is agreeable, but there are a couple of bits I disagree with.

Firstly, Origin's EULA since August do not allow EA to sell any data to third parties of any kind.

Second, does it matter if patches are Origin only? Anyone who legally has the game will have to have Origin installed, and those who aquired the game through other means don't deserve the patches. If EA were to change Origin's necessity then I could understand this point, but otherwise it doesn't seem worth mentioning - if you've got ME3 on PC you'll have Origin and so you'll have access to patches.

I think the important part is just getting complaints filed.

[Gotholhorakh]

billy the squid wrote...

Gotholhorakh wrote...

I have a serious question.

When will EA mount a serious effort to to address the issues people have, and fix the impression of intrusiveness that its EULAs have created, so that people's concerns can be allayed, paying customers can get on with using and enjoying Origin, and the game that fans are looking forward to so much can be enjoyed by them all, not to mention get the sales it no doubt richly deserves?

Hopefully, But it really should have been done at the point of release, expalianing very clearly what Origin is and does, not PR speak.

But, I'm astounded that EA's legal department let the Origin EULA in its initial form out in the EU. The higher echelons should implement an inquisition of their legal department for those that used such sloppy drafting and ignored international legal jurisdictions to the extent that that the entire contract would have been rendered void.

It shouldn't take those of us with legal or technical knowledge of programming to pick apart the EULA and point out the problems and issues whilst seperating the disinformation that swirls around the net. EA giving clear concise information as to the legal, technical functions and the reasons why data is necessary aswell as how they are safguarding it will go a lot futher than silly PR statements of "we care about your data and would never sell it"

I know they won't sell it as they are in direct breach of the Data Protection Act and get slapped with a large fine as well as opening themselves up to legal action for any damage done. The problem is that unless you have that knowledge the statements seem hollow PR ststements, even if there is an underlying reason or rule that means they won't.

Well yes, promises are one thing, but they need to be backed up. My vote would be for privacy protections in the EULA that the user is explicity allowed to retain over and above any future revision of the license.

It can be done, there are examples that can be used as a template, and it would be a hell of a PR coup, but we all know this is not likely to happen with an Origin EULA.

Still, if they were paying Eben Moglen to do their licensing, they would have neither the holes, or the bad PR.

Killjoy Cutter wrote...
I wish the US had the
same level of data protection and information privacy law as much
of the EU.  This is one area in which my country is sadly lacking and
backwards.

Well take comfort in the fact that all of your other rights are about 1,000 years ahead of the whole EU.

Modifié par Gotholhorakh, 18 janvier 2012 - 05:08 .

[Daeel]

I see we finally chased of that banshee dragonlords. Either way, love all the support I am seeing. Let's keep it up. Only way EA games will understand is if we show it through dollars. Even if this is a losing battle, everyone should have the self respect. No game is worth my privacy.

[Wintersembrace]

EULA are a tricky one since each countrystate/territorys have there own laws that all have to be taken into account so my advice would be to check your local laws.

for any Aussies that are intrested here the link to the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission: www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/930016
Data Protection Laws/ Privacy Acts: www.efa.org.au/Issues/Privacy/privacy.html

On a final note i really hope Ea consider changing there stance on origin being madatory even thought its not likely to happen.
To the bioware division many good question have been ask with little to no responce and while most of us understand that it does take time you think your top priroty would be to allay the fear of your customers many of which have been fans since the days of shattered steal

[billy the squid]

Gotholhorakh wrote...

billy the squid wrote...

Gotholhorakh wrote...

I have a serious question.

When will EA mount a serious effort to to address the issues people have, and fix the impression of intrusiveness that its EULAs have created, so that people's concerns can be allayed, paying customers can get on with using and enjoying Origin, and the game that fans are looking forward to so much can be enjoyed by them all, not to mention get the sales it no doubt richly deserves?

Hopefully, But it really should have been done at the point of release, expalianing very clearly what Origin is and does, not PR speak.

But, I'm astounded that EA's legal department let the Origin EULA in its initial form out in the EU. The higher echelons should implement an inquisition of their legal department for those that used such sloppy drafting and ignored international legal jurisdictions to the extent that that the entire contract would have been rendered void.

It shouldn't take those of us with legal or technical knowledge of programming to pick apart the EULA and point out the problems and issues whilst seperating the disinformation that swirls around the net. EA giving clear concise information as to the legal, technical functions and the reasons why data is necessary aswell as how they are safguarding it will go a lot futher than silly PR statements of "we care about your data and would never sell it"

I know they won't sell it as they are in direct breach of the Data Protection Act and get slapped with a large fine as well as opening themselves up to legal action for any damage done. The problem is that unless you have that knowledge the statements seem hollow PR ststements, even if there is an underlying reason or rule that means they won't.

Well yes, promises are one thing, but they need to be backed up. My vote would be for privacy protections in the EULA that the user is explicity allowed to retain over and above any future revision of the license.

It can be done, there are examples that can be used as a template, and it would be a hell of a PR coup, but we all know this is not likely to happen with an Origin EULA.

Still, if they were paying Eben Moglen to do their licensing, they would have neither the holes, or the bad PR.

From a practical stand point if you choose not to accept the patches and DLC with any associated EULA then you do not accept the new terms of the EULA and are still bound by the existing terms. The problem with using a contract which contains a retention of rights clause is that the EULA is a unilateral contract and a contract of adhesion as such it is the standard terms of business which can be accepted by millions.

It becomes an issue when there are multiple variations of the same contract for 1 IP and EA has to abide by the terms of each or risk breach of contract. Hence the use of Standard terms of business which have become prevalent in the most sectors of the economy.

As it stands the EU and the UK benefit from the Data Protection Act, EA won't has to abide by this regardless of what its own EULA may say. The current EULA does not go into a lot of detail on the rights of individual's privacy, but I don't expect it to. The purpose is not to reitterate the provisions of the DPA, but give general terms of what it can do, but only in the scope of the legislation.

I won't type out the principles of the Data protection Act, as it is huge. But, EA has to abide by them whther they like it or not, and whether they decide to revert back to their more nebulous terms again.

Although employing Eben Moglen to draft their EULA would be good, I really don't think EA would go for that.

[Complistic]

Mister Mida wrote...

snfonseka wrote...

If EA can give Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning via Steam, why not Mass Effect 3?

Because EA doesn't own the dev.

No, me3 is a bigger release and they know people will break down and buy it anyways and that gets Origin on their system.

Once it's on your system your odds of buying something from them just went up from 0%.

[Candidate 88766]

eyesofastorm wrote...

Candidate 88766 wrote...

Most of this is agreeable, but there are a couple of bits I disagree with.

Firstly, Origin's EULA since August do not allow EA to sell any data to third parties of any kind.

Second, does it matter if patches are Origin only? Anyone who legally has the game will have to have Origin installed, and those who aquired the game through other means don't deserve the patches. If EA were to change Origin's necessity then I could understand this point, but otherwise it doesn't seem worth mentioning - if you've got ME3 on PC you'll have Origin and so you'll have access to patches.

I think the important part is just getting complaints filed.

Assuming that they'll do anything is wishful thinking at best. Millions already use Origin for BF3, so a few thousand lost sales of ME3 are meaningless - there are 70,000 PC pre-orders already, not including digital ones, and I don't imagine more than a few thousand are going to suddenly change their minds.

That said, I'd be happy to submit some kind of complaint to EA along the lines of what Killjoy posted. Mine'd probably be a shorter one - I don't agree with everything he was complaining about. I should add that I'm an Xbox player, so I'm not willing to boycott the game or anything over something that doesn't affect me, but I am willing to help you guys out a bit by submitting complaints or signing petitions etc.

[MarauderESP]

Complistic wrote...

Mister Mida wrote...

snfonseka wrote...

If EA can give Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning via Steam, why not Mass Effect 3?

Because EA doesn't own the dev.

No, me3 is a bigger release and they know people will break down and buy it anyways and that gets Origin on their system.

Once it's on your system your odds of buying something from them just went up from 0%.

well the only thing they have done is, that ill RENT the game for PS3 instead of buying it, that would make me go from 0% of buying something from their plattaform to will never happen

[Killjoy Cutter]

Candidate 88766 wrote...

Most of this is agreeable, but there are a couple of bits I disagree with.

Firstly, Origin's EULA since August do not allow EA to sell any data to third parties of any kind.

Second, does it matter if patches are Origin only? Anyone who legally has the game will have to have Origin installed, and those who aquired the game through other means don't deserve the patches. If EA were to change Origin's necessity then I could understand this point, but otherwise it doesn't seem worth mentioning - if you've got ME3 on PC you'll have Origin and so you'll have access to patches.

1)  They reserve the right to alter the EULA at any time.
2)  If someone has limited or troublesome connectivity, downloading manual installation files for patches and DLC is a superior method.  Also, it speaks to the strongarm tactics used by EA to force Origin on customers.

[Killjoy Cutter]

Complistic wrote...

Mister Mida wrote...

snfonseka wrote...

If EA can give Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning via Steam, why not Mass Effect 3?

Because EA doesn't own the dev.

No, me3 is a bigger release and they know people will break down and buy it anyways and that gets Origin on their system.

Once it's on your system your odds of buying something from them just went up from 0%.

Ironicly, as long as Origin is required, the odds of some of us buying anything at all from EA goes down to 0%.  Below 0%, if possible.

[Dragoonlordz]

Bogsnot1 wrote...

This is a thread for people with questions about Origin and ME3, to ask the devs/mods questions about it, and get answers from them. 

Glad you agree with me, so maybe next time pay more attention to what your saying. When admit you agree then turn on me siding with someone who says literally if someone not on their bandwagon meaning refusal to grab pitchforks and torches then should not be in the thread and to get out of the way and thread then you won't look so hypocritical.

Modifié par Dragoonlordz, 18 janvier 2012 - 06:04 .

[eyesofastorm]

Candidate 88766 wrote...

Assuming that they'll do anything is wishful thinking at best. Millions already use Origin for BF3, so a few thousand lost sales of ME3 are meaningless - there are 70,000 PC pre-orders already, not including digital ones, and I don't imagine more than a few thousand are going to suddenly change their minds.

That said, I'd be happy to submit some kind of complaint to EA along the lines of what Killjoy posted. Mine'd probably be a shorter one - I don't agree with everything he was complaining about. I should add that I'm an Xbox player, so I'm not willing to boycott the game or anything over something that doesn't affect me, but I am willing to help you guys out a bit by submitting complaints or signing petitions etc.

We have to get this issue out of the realm of gaming.  20,000 fans will post 2,000,000  complaints on message boards and all of them will still buy the game and companies like EA know this.  An outside light needs to be shined on what EA is trying to do with Origin.  Legitimate organizations and government bodies like the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission are those lights.  I think people are underestimating the power of a single letter or phone call from one of these bodies to the EA headquarters.  We are not looking for them to turn EA upside down and shake them here... all we want is for EA to back off of its Origin requirement for ME3 or maybe for them to include a full opt out on ALL data collection.  I think that's something we can accomplish, but we have to be willing to go beyond whining on message boards and put in the 10 - 20 minutes of work involved in submitting formal complaints.  Sadly, this seems to be asking too much of most.

[Gotholhorakh]

eyesofastorm wrote...

...
An outside light needs to be shined on what EA is
trying to do with Origin.  Legitimate organizations and government
bodies like the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission
are those lights.
...
 We are not looking for them to turn EA upside down and
shake them here... all we want is for EA to back off of its Origin
requirement for ME3 or maybe for them to include a full opt out on ALL
data collection.  I think that's something we can accomplish, but we
have to be willing to go beyond whining on message boards and put in the
10 - 20 minutes of work involved in submitting formal complaints.
 Sadly, this seems to be asking too much of most.

I'd like to take a moment to stress to fellow community members: The importance of this approach in getting things done absolutely cannot be underestimates.

eyesofastorm is absolutely right - in my experience it is the coherent, handwritten letters, telephone calls and the involvement of bodies that do consumer protection, industry watchdogs etc. that get things done.

If I had to weight complaints online against real life action, I would say that 50,000 forum posts, reddit comments etc. are much easier to ignore than one well-placed letter or 'phone call.

billy the squid wrote...

Gotholhorakh wrote...

billy the squid wrote...

Gotholhorakh wrote...

I have a serious question.

When will EA mount a serious effort to to address the issues people have, and fix the impression of intrusiveness that its EULAs have created, so that people's concerns can be allayed, paying customers can get on with using and enjoying Origin, and the game that fans are looking forward to so much can be enjoyed by them all, not to mention get the sales it no doubt richly deserves?

Hopefully, But it really should have been done at the point of release, expalianing very clearly what Origin is and does, not PR speak.

But, I'm astounded that EA's legal department let the Origin EULA in its initial form out in the EU. The higher echelons should implement an inquisition of their legal department for those that used such sloppy drafting and ignored international legal jurisdictions to the extent that that the entire contract would have been rendered void.

It shouldn't take those of us with legal or technical knowledge of programming to pick apart the EULA and point out the problems and issues whilst seperating the disinformation that swirls around the net. EA giving clear concise information as to the legal, technical functions and the reasons why data is necessary aswell as how they are safguarding it will go a lot futher than silly PR statements of "we care about your data and would never sell it"

I know they won't sell it as they are in direct breach of the Data Protection Act and get slapped with a large fine as well as opening themselves up to legal action for any damage done. The problem is that unless you have that knowledge the statements seem hollow PR ststements, even if there is an underlying reason or rule that means they won't.

Well yes, promises are one thing, but they need to be backed up. My vote would be for privacy protections in the EULA that the user is explicity allowed to retain over and above any future revision of the license.

It can be done, there are examples that can be used as a template, and it would be a hell of a PR coup, but we all know this is not likely to happen with an Origin EULA.

Still, if they were paying Eben Moglen to do their licensing, they would have neither the holes, or the bad PR.

From a practical stand point if you choose not to accept the patches and DLC with any associated EULA then you do not accept the new terms of the EULA and are still bound by the existing terms. The problem with using a contract which contains a retention of rights clause is that the EULA is a unilateral contract and a contract of adhesion as such it is the standard terms of business which can be accepted by millions.

It becomes an issue when there are multiple variations of the same contract for 1 IP and EA has to abide by the terms of each or risk breach of contract. Hence the use of Standard terms of business which have become prevalent in the most sectors of the economy.

Well yes, a business is a selfish creature, but the concept is not unheard of in licensing, and IANAL but doesn't it generally only cover stuff you're absolutely sure you've got no intention of changing for precisely the reasons you set out?

I'd like to see it because of that - the disincentive to change their EULA later and maintain several licenses would, on the whole be no bad thing from a PR or customer point of view.

As it stands the EU and the UK benefit from the Data Protection Act, EA won't has to abide by this regardless of what its own EULA may say. The current EULA does not go into a lot of detail on the rights of individual's privacy, but I don't expect it to. The purpose is not to reitterate the provisions of the DPA, but give general terms of what it can do, but only in the scope of the legislation.

I won't type out the principles of the Data protection Act, as it is huge. But, EA has to abide by them whther they like it or not, and whether they decide to revert back to their more nebulous terms again.

Yeah tell me about it - and because you can't do business in the EU/UK without understanding Data Protection on some level, yet more documentation to read that has little to do with my job.

Modifié par Gotholhorakh, 18 janvier 2012 - 06:04 .

[Ryzaki]

Killjoy Cutter wrote...

Candidate 88766 wrote...

Most of this is agreeable, but there are a couple of bits I disagree with.

Firstly, Origin's EULA since August do not allow EA to sell any data to third parties of any kind.

Second, does it matter if patches are Origin only? Anyone who legally has the game will have to have Origin installed, and those who aquired the game through other means don't deserve the patches. If EA were to change Origin's necessity then I could understand this point, but otherwise it doesn't seem worth mentioning - if you've got ME3 on PC you'll have Origin and so you'll have access to patches.

1)  They reserve the right to alter the EULA at any time.
2)  If someone has limited or troublesome connectivity, downloading manual installation files for patches and DLC is a superior method.  Also, it speaks to the strongarm tactics used by EA to force Origin on customers.

Not to mention some patches break more than they fix. *coughSKYRIMcough*

[Sgt Stryker]

Killjoy Cutter wrote...

eyesofastorm wrote...

To anyone that REALLY wants to try to make a difference in this issue, I would direct you here:

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

https://www.bbb.org/...int/get-started

It wouldn't take but probably a few hundred or a thousand complaints filed in quick succession to get someone's attention. I think there are some legitimate arguments to made that Origin is detrimental to the industry, the competition, and the customers and gives entirely too much power to EA while leveraging Mass Effect 3 to force this on to customers. I'm waiting for a few more bits of information about Origin before I file my own complaints so that I might file them accurately and to the strongest effect. I would urge you to consider doing the same. The worst that could happen is nothing. At best, we get a few people REALLY investigating the legal ramifications of Origin and *maybe* get EA to give Origin a chance to earn it's way onto everyone's pcs rather than trying to force it on us. If you are interested to see what points I'll be bringing up in my complaints, PM me and I'll get back to you when I'm ready to file them.

Complaints filed:

Electronic Arts (EA) and their subsidiary Bioware are now requiring that purchasers of many of their software titles install a secondary application named "Origin" in order to use their purchased software.  This software has, in past tests, been shown to scan the contents of the user's hard drive, and transmit encryted data to EA.  What is and is not being transmitted to EA is hidden from the user.  EA also reserves the "right" to share or sell this data with third parties, and to change the behavior of Origin at any time. 

EA and Bioware's representatives have been evasive and deceitful regarding the Origin requirement on future titles that are currently in the pre-order phase.  They have also been evasive and deceitful on the details of Origin's behavior on customers' systems. 

The proported fuction of Origin is to serve as a "one-stop" digital distribution system and online multiplayer login system.  However, even retail hard copies of games will require the installation of Origin, and Origin will be required even if the user is not accessing the online multiplayer or other online content. 

It is likely, based on known information, that patches, updates, and fixes for software requiring Origin will also only be available through the Origin software, and not as seperate downloadable patch files. 

This behavior by EA and Bioware place an undue burden on the customer, and an unrealistic requirement on the purchase of their products.  It is as if an appliance manufacturer were to require a key to the house of every customer who bought a microwave or washing machine, as a condition of sale. 

This is excellent. Do you mind if I file this text as a complaint under my own name as well?