EA says "fuck Steam" with Origin. SWTOR is a DD exclusive on EA's service.

[ManaByte]

http://darthhater.com/2011/06/03/wsj-reports-swtor-exclusive-to-new-ea-download-service/

In an interview with Electronic Arts CEO John Riccitiello, the Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required to view) Star Wars: The Old Republic will exclusively be a part of their new digital delivery service named Origin. EA will announce more details about Origin tomorrow (Friday).

The article reaffirms players will be able to purchase SWTOR in retail stores as well as from Origin, but the EA service will be the only internet-based one to digitally distribute the game. As we reported in our coverage of the UBS Media and Communications conference, EA CFO Eric Brown stated the game's PC client will be available in both a retail packaged format and digital download format. The Origin service is described as similar to iTunes and will let players purchase, download and keep track of multiple EA game purchases as well as act as a social networking platform. This functionality is available to players even if they don't purchase the game through Origin.

[pilonv1]

This is like WOW not being released at Gamestop. Utter insanity.

[ManaByte]

EA actually expects the typical MMO/WoW player to get off their ass and go to a STORE? SWTOR sent to die.

[pilonv1]

This means very little. I mean, oh no don't have useless steam achievements. Big fucking deal.

It's a bigger deal than you think.

[ManaByte]

Fuck Steam achievements. It's just easier to get it on Steam and always have a source for the client download.

EA's current download service only lets you redownload your purchases for a year.

[ManaByte]

This means very little. I mean, oh no don't have useless steam achievements. Big fucking deal.

I'll be getting the retail version anyway. I don't buy digital versions of games unless they're under $20 or I can't find them anywhere else.

EA actually expects the typical MMO/WoW player to get off their ass and go to a STORE? SWTOR sent to die.

Isn't the only way to get a blizzard game digitally to download it directly from them? I don't know why that would be any different for EA, it's not like it's going to be some goddamn secret that you can only get it via EA directly if you want to download it.

Furthermore, I bet a ton of WoW players buy boxed copies from Best Buy, Gamestop and online retailers like Amazon.

Blizzard's way is fine. Once you have a game linked to your account, you can ALWAYS re-download it and install it on a PC/MAC. If you buy something digitally from EA you have to backup the installer as they only retain it on your account for a year. That may change with Origin, but they're comparing it to iTunes...which is WORSE.

[Great Rumbler]

It's gotten to the point where I really don't like to use other DD services aside from Steam, simply for the sake of convenience. I'd rather have all my games in one place than have to download and use a dozen different services to play my games. About the only time I don't use Steam is if the game isn't on Steam or there's some totally awesome sale on one of the other services [which, come on, we're talking about STEAM here. Hello?].

So, yeah, I'll pick this up during a Steam sale after EA dumps it there following its massive bomb.

[Joe Molotov]

[Great Rumbler]

 

[pilonv1]

EA:


Gabe:

[Joe Molotov]

The Origin service is described as similar to iTunes and will let players purchase, download and keep track of multiple EA game purchases as well as act as a social networking platform.

I can also think of something else that it's similar to.

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

I'm vaguely offended by EA naming their service Origin considering how throughly they fucked that developer over.

[tiesto]

I'm vaguely offended by EA naming their service Origin considering how throughly they fucked that developer over.

Yeah, same here. Though if I can get the whole Ultima series available for download with all compatibility issues smoothed out, they are more than free to use that name.

[Great Rumbler]

I'm vaguely offended by EA naming their service Origin considering how throughly they fucked that developer over.

Yeah, same here. Though if I can get the whole Ultima series available for download with all compatibility issues smoothed out, they are more than free to use that name.

That's more likely to appear on GOG than EA's Origin service, though.

[Stoney Mason]

Sign up to Origin, EA's Steam rival, and you'll get "exclusive game content" for games such as Mass Effect 3 and Battlefield 3.

EA is yet to reveal exactly what that exclusive game content is, however.

Exclusive limited edition copies of Battlefield 3, FIFA 12 will be available from Origin. Future additions will include access to the latest online betas as well as demos and try before you buy opportunities, EA said.

Exclusive game content and trailers for Mass Effect 3, FIFA 12, SSX, Madden NFL 12, Need for Speed The Run, Star Wars: The Old Republic, The Sims 3 and Battlefield 3 will be available.

Exclusive content from EA Partners games Alice: Madness Returns and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will also feature.

We already knew that the digital download of Star Wars: The Old Republic will be available exclusively on Origin later this year. At least that confirms the MMO will launch in 2011.

Origin launches today at 5pm UK time.

The Origin beta application, which you'll be able to download from the official Origin website, sits on your desktop and allows direct connection to EA content, and allows you to create and manage a personal community of gamers. You can find and connect with friends, see what they're playing, and download and play PC games from EA.

There's a mobile version of Origin, too, which allows users to play EA's smartphone games. Yep, there's a mobile version of Battlefield 3 in the works. "This is our first step in the evolution of Origin, and in the weeks and months ahead we will look to enhance the features and services as well as an expanded range of content," said EA executive David DeMartini.

"From exclusive demos to full-game downloads, Origin is the place consumers will go for the best game experiences."

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-03-origin-exclusive-me3-bf3-game-content

[Great Rumbler]

If it means all their nickle-and-dime DLC comes free, this service might actually be worth it.

[chronovore]

I'm vaguely offended by EA naming their service Origin considering how throughly they fucked that developer over.

They should have called it Edge, now that the Langdell madness has been cleared up.

[pilonv1]

If it means all their nickle-and-dime DLC comes free, this service might actually be worth it.

It means play our iOS shit and unlock stuff in the game