[Grizzly]

I'm actually more concerned about the reports, that this software seems to spy everything out. Of course, it's hard to tell what is true, and what's just panic-making atm. But according to some reports, it seems to spy into a lot of  folders that doesn't had to do anything with the games. It search folders of handy users and software, adress data and what the hell else. I don't mind if companies try to protect their property, but spying on my privat data is not ok.

It scans your program data folder for installed programs. It tries to see if you have other games that work with origin installed.
Its like steams 'add a non steam game to your steam list' thing. Or that Windows Uninstall Software thing.

Quite sure this was already handled on the BF3 thread as well.

Except Steam is optional and only scans at user request.  It doesn't take over.  This sounds like everything bad I thought Steam was before I started using it.

What is so bad about looking for BF2142.exe - for example? Yeah - it is a bit strange that it does this automatically (but Steam is rather obscure about it too), but it is not as if the entire contents of your ProgramData folder and your registery are send off to EA.

[Mikes]

I'm actually more concerned about the reports, that this software seems to spy everything out. Of course, it's hard to tell what is true, and what's just panic-making atm. But according to some reports, it seems to spy into a lot of  folders that doesn't had to do anything with the games. It search folders of handy users and software, adress data and what the hell else. I don't mind if companies try to protect their property, but spying on my privat data is not ok.

It scans your program data folder for installed programs. It tries to see if you have other games that work with origin installed.
Its like steams 'add a non steam game to your steam list' thing. Or that Windows Uninstall Software thing.

Quite sure this was already handled on the BF3 thread as well.

Except Steam is optional and only scans at user request.  It doesn't take over.  This sounds like everything bad I thought Steam was before I started using it.

What is so bad about looking for BF2142.exe - for example? Yeah - it is a bit strange that it does this automatically (but Steam is rather obscure about it too), but it is not as if the entire contents of your ProgramData folder and your registery are send off to EA.

... you sure about that? I mean...  people already reported it scanned cellphone sync folders and addressbooks and the original EULA (before German law smacked it down - in Germany) pretty much stated that they can scan whatever private information they want (and sell it to third parties)...   why would you assume anything is offlimits?

"Because EA only has our best interests in mind?"


Personally... I use my main computer for work as well. I do have data on it that I am required to keep safe. Origins EULA would have literally been in conflict with my work contract.
That EA propably couldn't/wouldn't use sensitive data on my computer and that EA propably wouldn't do anything with it and propably not even sell it to third parties really doesn't matter all that much compared to the fact that Origin can scan that data and most likely will scan that data and more importantly that with Origin I would knowingly install Spyware with an EULA that would have allowed EA to compromise any data on my PC, which most certainly would put me in violation of my work contract.

If I ever were to install Origin just because I can't imagine living anymore without having played "that one game" I may install it on a secondary PC or laptop dedicated to games alone, play the game and scrub the system clean after I finished the game. The buyer annoyance/deterrence factor of EA's latest DRM approach certainly is right up there with the worst that Starforce and Securom had to offer from my viewpoint. Different, yeah, but just as idiotic. (and ineffective vs. piracy as usual, but we all know by now that's not what DRM is for anyways...)

[mxlm]

Posters also spotted these game options for the singleplayer campaign section of the beta:

"Action Mode: For those who want to emphasize action and combat and minimize story management. Action mode will set automatic replies in conversation and a normal difficulty.

Story Mode: For those who want to emphasize story immersion and minimize combat pressure. Story mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a minimal combat difficulty.

RPG Mode: For those who want to explore both realms of story and combat. RPG mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a normal combat difficulty."

Maybe now the dudebro contingent will buy the game. I'm skeptical, somehow.

[Grizzly]

... you sure about that? I mean...  people already reported it scanned cellphone sync folders and addressbooks and the original EULA (before German law smacked it down - in Germany) pretty much stated that they can scan whatever private information they want (and sell it to third parties)...   why would you assume anything is offlimits?

If cellphone sync books and addressbooks are stored in a folder which can easily be accesed by Origin, they are probably located in a folder which can be accessed by anyone (I don't recall Origin needing Administrative rights). Also, again, Origin checks for the presence of a file, it does not open the file and read its actual contents (if it would actually do that, there would have been much more then just rumours).

Originally Posted by A clever bloke called Mitsuhiko on the reddit forums


Yay. Conspiracies. So let's see what Origin really does, shall we?
If you hook process monitor onto Origin you will not see Origin scanning anything, independently of how long you use it. So what triggered the OP's screenshot?
Origin on installation will try to find games installed on your harddrive and automatically register them within Origin. It does that in a couple of different ways:
It reads the windows games registry
It looks for games in Program Files
It looks for games in ProgramData (where, for unknown reason the OP's SMS and tax software are storing the data instead of the user profile where that data should go!)
it reads the xfire config if it finds one for games
If you look at the screenshot closely you will see that it does not actually read any files. Instead it looks for their existence and recursively walks the directory. It does not read any of your files, at least not judging from this screenshot or anything I have found on my machine.
Lastly if you monitor the network traffic that Origin causes you will see that it does not transmit anything of value to EA. So far I have not seen anything bug login credentials being submitted.
But it's always so much more fun to assume that software is inherently evil. You can hook a syscall monitor on any application and you will see that it operates all over the drive. That's not something unique to Origin. Steam will do the same if you click the "add non steam game" button.
//EDIT: something I forgot: I think people should not run any sysinternals tools without a basic understanding of what they do or at least not jump to conclusions..

there is also this link...

[Dilmah G]

Posters also spotted these game options for the singleplayer campaign section of the beta:

"Action Mode: For those who want to emphasize action and combat and minimize story management. Action mode will set automatic replies in conversation and a normal difficulty.

Story Mode: For those who want to emphasize story immersion and minimize combat pressure. Story mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a minimal combat difficulty.

RPG Mode: For those who want to explore both realms of story and combat. RPG mode will set manually-selectable replies in conversation and a normal combat difficulty."

Maybe now the dudebro contingent will buy the game. I'm skeptical, somehow.

Had a friend who raged like mad about this. I don't see what the big deal is - it's an option, oh no! Bioware's trying to make more money! Who would've thought they'd do such a thing? It's not like they're trying to make a profit or anything. No, of course not.

Sorry, pent up angst out. Not directed at anyone in particular. (srs)

But anyway, yes. If it's an option I don't see what the big deal is. I don't think it necessarily means story elements are going to be 'dumbed down' or gameplay as a whole is going to be made piss, I simply don't think it's a requirement to have these modes in the game. Either way, we've all *****ed enough about how much we're going to love or not love the implications of the R-1000 Reapinator so I don't see how this could possibly be as much of a deal as people make it out to be RE: the story. We can all be a bit of a foolish lot of kids sometimes about these things.

[Klaustrophobia]

you're right that it SHOULDN'T affect the game if you choose rpg mode.  buuuuuuuuuuuut, you never can really tell.  kinda like how console ports in theory should be able to be properly designed and balanced for PC, but aren't.  it's not TOO much of a stretch to think of a developer ****ing something like this up horribly and neutering gameplay because they didn't spend the time to do it properly.

so i'd say there's no reason to rage YET

[The E]

TrashMans' so-called opinion on the leaked script can be found here.

[TrashMan]

"So-called"?

You faschist puppet of the state! Attica! Attica! Long live the king and queen of cheese!

[Luis Dias]

Ah, so the shenanigans reached here, and Trashman was already trying to ruin everyone's experience with full blown spoilers huh?

Repent you sinner and you still might be one of the lucky first being eaten by the almighty Hudsonian Cthuluh.

[The E]

Oh, no, nothing was spoilered. Except Trashman's opinion on the script, which should come as no surprise.

[TrashMan]

Ah, so the shenanigans reached here, and Trashman was already trying to ruin everyone's experience with full blown spoilers huh?

Repent you sinner and you still might be one of the lucky first being eaten by the almighty Hudsonian Cthuluh.

Spoiler tags exist for a reaon..and hte big red glowign letters too.

Nobody is "spoiling" your experience, unless you want to spoil it yourself. Stop blaming others for your lack of self-control.


As to my opinion being spoilered...I don't even know how it is possible to spoil an opinion, so I can't make heads or tails fo your statement E.

[Scotty]

Luis inquires about Trashman talking about spoilers.

Trashman immediately acts like he's being blamed for something.

Yeah, typical day down in Gaming Discussion.

[Ravenholme]

Luis inquires about Trashman talking about spoilers.

Trashman immediately acts like he's being blamed for something.

Yeah, typical day down in Gaming Discussion.

To be fair, Luis did assume that he had unrestrainedly spoilered the place.

[NGTM-1R]

Would you have put it past a known troll?

[Ravenholme]

Would you have put it past a known troll?

Luis or Trashman? Because Luis can be fairly troll-like himself.

[TrashMan]

Would you have put it past a known troll?

Nice of you to finally admit. Half is forgiven.

[Luis Dias]

Luis inquires about Trashman talking about spoilers.

Trashman immediately acts like he's being blamed for something.

Yeah, typical day down in Gaming Discussion.

To be fair, Luis did assume that he had unrestrainedly spoilered the place.

It wasn't a bad assumption, given that it was linked by E in the fashion it did. I guessed (probably wrongly) that it was splitted by E to avoid spoilers in this thread. However, my complaint was 100% in jest form, as it should have been obvious from the tone and the ending.

[qazwsx]

Hate to be the barer of bad news, but:
http://gamingbolt.com/origin-is-required-for-all-pc-editions-of-mass-effect-3
WELP.

[Jeff Vader]

Is constant Origin connection required or is it a single one off authentication when the game is first installed. Is there also a limit to the number of installations available?

Mass Effect 3 will require a one time, single authorization for the single player game. There is no limit to the number of installs. Playing Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer will require a constant connection.

I guess I could live with that.

[QuantumDelta]

Anyone actually give a crap?
It's 2012 for crying out loud we're all gonna be dead permanently plugged in anyway if we care about gaming