BF2142 includes spyware

[imported_thefonz]

Quote from Kotaku

"So. In the latest CGW podcast, they received retail boxed copies of BF 2142.

When you open the box, a big slip of paper falls out first, preceeding any discs or manuals. The slip of paper says, essentially, that 2142 includes monitoring software which runs while your computer is online, and records "anonymous" information like your IP address, surfing habits (probably via cookie scans), and other "computing habits" in order to report this information back to ad companies and ad servers, which generates in-game ads.

Now, I can live with certain in-game ads (though apparently there will be Dodge truck and Neon ads in the bleak, futuristic world of 2142), but including a lengthy description - outside of even the Eula - seems to indicate even EA knows that this is some shady borderline spyware ******. I don't support it and won't be buying 2142 (for a host of other reasons, too)."


This little bit of news just solidified my not buying this game.
Any thoughts if it will affect FPS or general lag in the game?


EDIT: forgot the link,

Slashdot: http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/17/1319235&from=rss
and kotaku: http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/centipedes...2142-with-a-dash-of-spyware-207955.php

EDIT #2: ****** sorry, just looked at the software forum and there are already 2 topics on this

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Sorry, man but this is a repost

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=33&threadid=1944736&enterthread=y

 

[josh6079]

There's already a BF2142 Boycott thread going on as well. Head over to the Software section to really see what a lot of other people have been saying about it.

 

[Polish3d]

Wow, what a bunch of fu*king pricks over at EA. I won't be buying any of their games from this point on if I can help it. This is taking the idea of commercialistic squeezing of money out of consumers to a level that is intolerable.

 

[imported_RedStar]

i won't be buying now.

I was a bit slow ...i did not mind the idea that there would be some future in game adverts (games in general).
But, it never occurred to me that they would target(cater) the adverts to the individual...and to do that they would have to snoop your browsing habits. This should have occured to me

I might trust EA a bit more than gator. But, this kinda move seriously has impacted that trust.

no thanks

 

[myocardia]

That's okay, EA's last game has spyware, and won't install without it. I have a software firewall, and when I refused to let the spyware have access to the internet, the game refused to even start installing. This is nothing new from EA, really. They were the first to include spyware with their software, and have been the leaders in spyware on CD for years now.

 

[apoppin]

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4568

After ripping open the box, but before putting the disc into their systems, gamers may notice a slip of paper with a disclaimer written on it. CGW Podcast read the disclaimer on air, which we have transcribed below:

"The software may incorporate technology developed by IGA Worldwide, the advertising technology. The purpose of the advertising technology is to deliver in-game ads when you use the software while connected to the Internet. When you use the software while connected to the Internet, the advertising technology may record your IP address and other anonymous information. That advertising data is temporarily used by IGA to enable the presentation and measurement of in-game ads and other in-game object which are uploaded temporarily to the your PC or game console, and change during online gameplay. The advertising technology does not collect personal or identifiable information about you."

Essentially, the in-game advertisement system in Battlefield 2142 utilizes methods that most spyware use. By analyzing your computing and browsing habits, EA/IGA uses that data to provide targeted ads. . . .

This is a radical shift from previous instances of in-game advertisements, where advertisers would purchase billboard space or product placement that would remain a part of the game forever. For example, Nivea is teaming up with UbiSoft to place its skin products and Philips Norelco shaving products in game-space bathrooms.

i guess no one likes to pay to have spyware installed on their PC

 

[redbox]

I usually have to download p0rn to get spyware, but now it looks like I can get it through BF2 sweet!!

 

[Kromis]

I call for a lock on this thread. Enough with the EA bashing already.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Kromis
I call for a lock on this thread. Enough with the EA bashing already.

Never.

There can never be enough EA bashing, as they deserve far more than they get.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Kromis
I call for a lock on this thread. Enough with the EA bashing already.

threads are never locked in video

EA replies

The advertising program in Battlefield 2142 does not access any files which are not directly related to the game. It does not capture personal data such as cookies, account login detail, or surfing history.

BF 2142 delivers ads by region. The advertising system uses a player?s IP address to determine the region of the player, assisting to serve the appropriate ads by region and language. For instance, a player in Paris might be presented with ads in French. The information collected will not be repurposed for other uses.

Battlefield 2142 also tracks ?impression data? related to in-game advertisements: location of a billboard in the game, brand advertised, duration of advertisement impression, etc. This information is used to help advertisers qualify the reach of a given advertisement.

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Kromis
I call for a lock on this thread. Enough with the EA bashing already.

threads are never locked in video

EA replies

The advertising program in Battlefield 2142 does not access any files which are not directly related to the game. It does not capture personal data such as cookies, account login detail, or surfing history.

BF 2142 delivers ads by region. The advertising system uses a player?s IP address to determine the region of the player, assisting to serve the appropriate ads by region and language. For instance, a player in Paris might be presented with ads in French. The information collected will not be repurposed for other uses.

Battlefield 2142 also tracks ?impression data? related to in-game advertisements: location of a billboard in the game, brand advertised, duration of advertisement impression, etc. This information is used to help advertisers qualify the reach of a given advertisement.

For reals?

 

[ronnn]

Thanks for the repost. I actually was unaware of this. :beer:

As pointed out earlier tonight, I seem to miss the point alot. :laugh:

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: ronnn
Thanks for the repost. I actually was unaware of this. :beer:

As pointed out earlier tonight, I seem to miss the point alot. :laugh:

what ass would dare say that?
:Q
. . .

. . .

oh, 'that' one
:shocked:

i'm sure he didn't mean it




some 'reposts' are quite useful posted in a couple of different forums as some of us never leave video.

unfortunately they have to deal with me in SW/Games . . . also
[they actually have a moderator!]

 

[zizo]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: Kromis
I call for a lock on this thread. Enough with the EA bashing already.

Never.

There can never be enough EA bashing, as they deserve far more than they get.

Indeed! I don't even want to start with their freaking glitchy update patches.

 

[josh6079]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Kromis
I call for a lock on this thread. Enough with the EA bashing already.

threads are never locked in video

EA replies

The advertising program in Battlefield 2142 does not access any files which are not directly related to the game. It does not capture personal data such as cookies, account login detail, or surfing history.

BF 2142 delivers ads by region. The advertising system uses a player?s IP address to determine the region of the player, assisting to serve the appropriate ads by region and language. For instance, a player in Paris might be presented with ads in French. The information collected will not be repurposed for other uses.

Battlefield 2142 also tracks ?impression data? related to in-game advertisements: location of a billboard in the game, brand advertised, duration of advertisement impression, etc. This information is used to help advertisers qualify the reach of a given advertisement.

Uh, if the player is in France then I'm sure the package he bought would be a French one, not one in the USA WalMart's and Co. Why can't EA keep track of what serial numbers or product keys go where instead of acquiring a whole company (IGA) devoted to finding out where players are playing? That or, just have the member tell you which region they live in and have it be done when the purchaser registers the game. There are many other methods of finding out what "region" the player is in rather than incorporating a software that constantly examines your IP address and "anonymous" browsings.

That's just a poor excuse for their spyware.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Article about it on Dailytech - http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4568

 

[Kromis]

Originally posted by: apoppin
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4568

After ripping open the box, but before putting the disc into their systems, gamers may notice a slip of paper with a disclaimer written on it. CGW Podcast read the disclaimer on air, which we have transcribed below:

"The software may incorporate technology developed by IGA Worldwide, the advertising technology. The purpose of the advertising technology is to deliver in-game ads when you use the software while connected to the Internet. When you use the software while connected to the Internet, the advertising technology may record your IP address and other anonymous information. That advertising data is temporarily used by IGA to enable the presentation and measurement of in-game ads and other in-game object which are uploaded temporarily to the your PC or game console, and change during online gameplay. The advertising technology does not collect personal or identifiable information about you."

Essentially, the in-game advertisement system in Battlefield 2142 utilizes methods that most spyware use. By analyzing your computing and browsing habits, EA/IGA uses that data to provide targeted ads. . . .

This is a radical shift from previous instances of in-game advertisements, where advertisers would purchase billboard space or product placement that would remain a part of the game forever. For example, Nivea is teaming up with UbiSoft to place its skin products and Philips Norelco shaving products in game-space bathrooms.

i guess no one likes to pay to have spyware installed on their PC

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Article about it on Dailytech - http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4568

Sorry Caveman but apoppin already posted it. Nice try though.

 

[Pantalaimon]

Uh, if the player is in France then I'm sure the package he bought would be a French one, not one in the USA WalMart's and Co. Why can't EA keep track of what serial numbers or product keys go where instead of acquiring a whole company (IGA) devoted to finding out where players are playing?

Some people buy online from a foreign company you know. For example I could buy the game from Amazon.co.uk, even though I don't live in the U.K.

 

[josh6079]

Originally posted by: Pantalaimon

Uh, if the player is in France then I'm sure the package he bought would be a French one, not one in the USA WalMart's and Co. Why can't EA keep track of what serial numbers or product keys go where instead of acquiring a whole company (IGA) devoted to finding out where players are playing?

Some people buy online from a foreign company you know. For example I could buy the game from Amazon.co.uk, even though I don't live in the U.K.

If that is the case then why not have the manufacturing company recieve your residence through a mandatory registration? I would much rather register the game once after I installed it and have them base my region off of that information that is given to them rather than them constantly examining my browsing habits and IP address.

 

[Pantalaimon]

Originally posted by: josh6079

If that is the case then why not have the manufacturing company recieve your residence through a mandatory registration? I would much rather register the game once after I installed it and have them base my region off of that information that is given to them rather than them constantly examining my browsing habits and IP address.

Then they'd have to account for what happens when you sell the game to someone else. Or people giving them the wrong information. In any case all that would mean that they'd have to develop a more sophisticated registration management systems that integrates into this ad delivering systems. I would guess that would be more difficult and possibly more costly than just having a a simple program that examines you IP address.

 

[josh6079]

Then they'd have to account for what happens when you sell the game to someone else. Or people giving them the wrong information. In any case all that would mean that they'd have to develop a more sophisticated registration management systems that integrates into this ad delivering systems. I would guess that would be more difficult and possibly more costly than just having a a simple program that examines you IP address.

Please, whoever else may get the game as a used product and if they had that kind of a system would have to register it regardless and could tell them that it was used. I've registered several games that have asked if it was used, new, a gift, etc. along with what my zip code is. If the buyer lies about his/her place of residence, that shouldn't be of EA's concern since they'll be upholding their end of the marketing deal. All that would do is give advertisments to the gamer that may not be legible or mean anything to them (i.e. in a different language or something) and thus only the gamer would deal with that outcome, not EA.

Like I said, there are much less invasive ways that don't require constant monitoring to go about finding out the place of residence in order to effectively provide advertisments. The sheer fact that they've taken these sort of measures to ensure that we get spam in our games is even more appauling. What's next, pop-ups that occur during load screens?

 

[Pantalaimon]

Originally posted by: josh6079

Then they'd have to account for what happens when you sell the game to someone else. Or people giving them the wrong information. In any case all that would mean that they'd have to develop a more sophisticated registration management systems that integrates into this ad delivering systems. I would guess that would be more difficult and possibly more costly than just having a a simple program that examines you IP address.

Please, whoever else may get the game as a used product and if they had that kind of a system would have to register it regardless and could tell them that it was used. I've registered several games that have asked if it was used, new, a gift, etc. along with what my zip code is. If the buyer lies about his/her place of residence, that shouldn't be of EA's concern since they'll be upholding their end of the marketing deal. All that would do is give advertisments to the gamer that may not be legible or mean anything to them (i.e. in a different language or something) and thus only the gamer would deal with that outcome, not EA.

Like I said, there are much less invasive ways that don't require constant monitoring to go about finding out the place of residence in order to effectively provide advertisments. The sheer fact that they've taken these sort of measures to ensure that we get spam in our games is even more appauling. What's next, pop-ups that occur during load screens?

I'm not defending this practice. Point to me where I have said this in-game advertising is good. I'm just giving you a possible reason for why they might have decided to do it the way it is now. Registering a game has never been a big thing to do for consumers, at least where I live. The only games I've ever registered are MMOGs. So making it mandatory might put off some people, and like I said, it probably would have costed EA more to develop a registration systems that integrates to the ad-delivering system. EA being what it is looked at the costs and decided this current way is cheaper and better and invasive be damned.

 

[josh6079]

I'm not defending this practice. Point to me where I have said this in-game advertising is good.

Point to me where I said you were defending this practice? I don't think I've met anyone on any of the threads discussing this who have defended this and I wasn't saying you were.

I'm just giving you a possible reason for why they might have decided to do it the way it is now. Registering a game has never been a big thing to do for consumers, at least where I live.

Having the gamer control what information he/she gives is far better than not knowing exactly what information EA/IGA takes.

The only games I've ever registered are MMOGs. So making it mandatory might put off some people, and like I said, it probably would have costed EA more to develop a registration systems that integrates to the ad-delivering system. EA being what it is looked at the costs and decided this current way is cheaper and better and invasive be damned.

I don't think it would cost more at all, I just think that EA would recieve a lot more companies' advertisments and therefore more income if they showed that they had IGA handling their ads. It's just an icing on the cake to entice companies to put ads through them if they know EA will endorse a company to handle the advertising effectiveness. I don't believe it is just a simple matter over which method is cheaper but rather a matter of which method will bring in more money.