DRM at it's finest - EA deactivating Servers

[wanderer27]

Here's just another example of DRM's ultimate intent - (you can only rent it).

http://www.playstationuniversity.com/ea-shuts-down-video-game-servers-prematurely-1846/


Yep, they've even got several 09 releases on there folks.

So, how do all you DRM lovers on here defend this?
How is this such a great deal for the consumer?

EA is not some piddly little company. You all keep putting your faith in these companies when they say they'll deactivate the DRM if they go out of business.

EA isn't going out of business here folks, how can you really believe they'd deactivate DRM on something if they were?

EDIT:

More games/Servers added to the deactivation list:

http://www.actiontrip.com/link.phtml?http://www.ea.com/2/service-updates

 

[Joemonkey]

From a comment on the link:

"
I’m not sure you understand EA’s system for dating their releases. Madden 09 came out in 2008. The version that came out this year and covers the current season was Madden 10.
I 100% agree with this statement!!
They’re shutting down last year’s models of the sports games, after a year of additional support. And I can’t say I blame them. How many people are still playing the old versions online? More support would be ideal, but if they have to make cuts these aren’t that terrible, all things considered."

 

[crownjules]

That's rich. Shutting down the servers for your old, outdated games so that people HAVE to buy the newest version to play online.

For those who can't see the article, the list of games is basically all their sports titles from 07/08. Madden, NHL, NCAA (football and basketball). They're message is:

All of us at EA would like to thank you for your valued participation in our online gaming community and hope that your enthusiasm for these games extends to our current lineup and beyond.

Translation: Buy our newer games or don't play.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Pretty sure Diablo 1 is still up and running on b.net... How long ago was that released? Seems less about DRM and more about EA just being a terrible company in general. EAs business model is get money no matter what. If that means shitting on your customers so be it. I'll stick with companies that try to make money by treating their customers right and having their customers return to them for more.

 

[mmntech]

DRM has always had ulterior motives beyond piracy protection. It's not like the industry has tried to hide or deny that fact. I'm curious whether this affects games bought on Steam.

 

[BladeVenom]

For those who can't see the article, the list of games is basically all their sports titles from 07/08. Madden, NHL, NCAA (football and basketball). They're message is:

Translation: Buy our newer games or don't play.

Plenty of 09 games in there as well.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

I could see shutting down 07/08 servers, because really, how many people are still playing those old games? But 09 stuff? Wow, that just reeks of "we are forcing you to stop playing our older games and buy our newer ones". And their PR statement pretty much says that, in PR speak, of course.

 

[Mursilis]

And I can’t say I blame them. How many people are still playing the old versions online? More support would be ideal, but if they have to make cuts these aren’t that terrible, all things considered."

That argument would make more sense if they weren't still selling those games (and they are) and advertising online play as a feature. IMHO, if you are still trying to make money from a game, you should support it.

 

[pontifex]

Sory but what does this have to do with DRM? They are shutting down the game servers that you play online with, not stopping you from using the game altogether.

Also, there are 8 titles out of 25 that are 09 and some of those are Europe only.

 

[wanderer27]

I could see shutting down 07/08 servers, because really, how many people are still playing those old games? But 09 stuff? Wow, that just reeks of "we are forcing you to stop playing our older games and buy our newer ones". And their PR statement pretty much says that, in PR speak, of course.

I may be off here, but isn't Madden 08 the last PC version EA released?

If I'm correct on that, then there will no longer be an online PC Madden game available.
I haven't really looked into the other PC titles on the list to see if there are similar occurrences.

 

[mindcycle]

pretty sure diablo 1 is still up and running on b.net... How long ago was that released? Seems less about drm and more about ea just being a terrible company in general. Eas business model is get money no matter what. If that means shitting on your customers so be it. I'll stick with companies that try to make money by treating their customers right and having their customers return to them for more.

qft

 

[coloumb]

This is nothing new - they've shut down servers in the same manner as well:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news070806eashutdown

http://www.ea.com/2/service-updates

EA is a business to make money to ensure their stockholders make money. I see nothing wrong here... move along... move along...

 

[DaveSimmons]

A bit silly to rant about since most online sports players move on to newer versions to play with the current teams.

This isn't like disabling all online play for a classic FPS like Unreal Tournament '99 or Quake 2.

Did EA disable offline play? No? Then the DRM part of the rant is misguided, you need to rant against "no private servers" instead.

 

[Golgatha]

Yeah, this is not so much about DRM, and is more about lack of dedicated server support and EA still just being an evil and greedy company.

Also, it's only a matter of time before the bastard child of Activision-Blizzard shuts down free b.net. I can nearly guarantee you that b.net for Diablo 3 will be ad-supported with "Premium" tier features if you're willing to pay, a MMO style monthly fee after a year or two of being free, single player will require a constant Internet connection (aka C&C4 style), and it definitely won't have dedicated servers.

 

[Golgatha]

This is nothing new - they've shut down servers in the same manner as well:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news070806eashutdown

http://www.ea.com/2/service-updates

EA is a business to make money to ensure their stockholders make money. I see nothing wrong here... move along... move along...

Well, there's something wrong, but nothing new to see for sure. EA's been doing this every year for many years now.

 

[Golgatha]

That argument would make more sense if they weren't still selling those games (and they are) and advertising online play as a feature. IMHO, if you are still trying to make money from a game, you should support it.

This. If I can still buy new copies nearly everywhere, I believe the company selling the game should be forced to support the box's advertised features.

http://www.amazon.com/Madden-NFL-09-...2795609&sr=8-1

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Yeah, this is not so much about DRM, and is more about lack of dedicated server support and EA still just being an evil and greedy company.

Also, it's only a matter of time before the bastard child of Activision-Blizzard shuts down free b.net. I can nearly guarantee you that b.net for Diablo 3 will be ad-supported with "Premium" tier features if you're willing to pay, a MMO style monthly fee after a year or two of being free, single player will require a constant Internet connection (aka C&C4 style), and it definitely won't have dedicated servers.

Yea, I get the feeling AB (Activision Blizzard) is going to become a monster, but I have a small hope Blizzard will keep some integrity.

 

[AdamK47]

It's only crappy sports games.

 

[RyanPaulShaffer]

Also, it's only a matter of time before the bastard child of Activision-Blizzard shuts down free b.net. I can nearly guarantee you that b.net for Diablo 3 will be ad-supported with "Premium" tier features if you're willing to pay, a MMO style monthly fee after a year or two of being free, single player will require a constant Internet connection (aka C&C4 style), and it definitely won't have dedicated servers.

Uh...what? There have been ads on Battle.net since the Warcraft 3 days, well before the Activision merger.

I remember them hawking the War3 books and the point-and-click Thrall's adventure game that got canceled...heh...

 

[Golgatha]

Yea, I get the feeling AB (Activision Blizzard) is going to become a monster, but I have a small hope Blizzard will keep some integrity.

See severe nickel and dime mentality of Dragon Age to see what happens when a "good" company gets in bed with a "bad" one. Blizzard is now Activision's marketing and sales group's bitch. It's sad, but that's the only way I can see it playing out.

 

[sao123]

dont see what all the fuss is about.
when you buy the game, its in their terms of service, that EA may shut down multiplayer servers 1 year after its release.
07/08 got bonus time. 09 got their year.

you can still play multiplayer in your living room.

IMO this is expected and nothing newsworthy.

 

[Golgatha]

Uh...what? There have been ads on Battle.net since the Warcraft 3 days, well before the Activision merger.

I remember them hawking the War3 books and the point-and-click Thrall's adventure game that got canceled...heh...

I suppose I should say "more invasive" ads. There have been banner ads for sure for a good while.

 

[Via]

I've been playing Tiger Woods since PS2 2003, and EA has always done this with sports games.

 

[ZzZGuy]

While only crappy spots game, who is to say that if EA's plan of forcing people to dump their old games to buy new ones for online content/play works that they will stop here?

I don't regret buying DA, but I also don't regret avoiding every game with EA's taint on it since bioshock (after finding out about the install limit, gave my copy to a friend for free so he wouldn't buy it).

 

[ZzZGuy]

I've been playing Tiger Woods since PS2 2003, and EA has always done this with sports games.

rly?