News

BioWare confirms Mass Effect 3 PC will be Origin-only
Posted: 15.01.2012 05:16 by JonahFalcon Comments: 35
As many expected would happen, BioWare community coordinator Chris Priestly confirmed that the PC version of Mass Effect 3 will require Origin for authorisation, and will not be released on Steam.

The chief reason the game will not appear on Steam is due to Valve's policies regarding downloadable content. Valve requires that all DLC be purchased through Steam, and may not be purchased in-game.

"During initial release Mass Effect 3 will be available on Origin and a number of other 3rd party digital retailers, but not on Steam at this time. Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to deliver patches and other downloadable content. We are intent on providing Mass Effect to players with the best possible experience no matter where they purchase or play their game, and are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with our consumers," Priestly wrote in a Q&A on the official forums.

Priestly also stated that Origin would be required to authorize the game for both digital and physical retail copies, "Origin is required for the PC versions of Mass Effect 3, both physical and digital. 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."

Of course, he also reassured gamers that Origin is not spyware, and that the file checking is by Windows, not the game.

"Origin is not spyware, and does not use or install spyware on user's machines. In order to allow Origin to install games and their patches for everyone to use, Origin implements a permission change that results in Windows, not Origin, reviewing the filenames in the ProgramData/Origin folder. This is an ordinary Windows function, not an information-gathering process." said Priestly.

Mass Effect 3 will be released on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the first week of March 2012.
Source: Kotaku
Related games: Mass Effect 3 (PC)

Comments

By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jan 15, 2012
SirRoderick
*mumbles incoherently*

>:(
By unsilviu (SI Core) on Jan 15, 2012
unsilviu
:| When I tried to download my BF:BCII through Origin, I had to follow an online guide which involved manually creating folders and running install files,because it bugged out. And not to mention that when running the game with the Origin backdrop activated, it was laggy as hell. The only reason I'll suffer through that again is...well... ME3.
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jan 15, 2012
nocutius
Another one bites the dust :(
By unsilviu (SI Core) on Jan 15, 2012
unsilviu
Er, SI crew: that Settlers ad clips in front of the Notifications bar for me in Chrome, it's impossible to see anything ;)
By djole381 (SI Elite) on Jan 15, 2012
djole381
This was to be expected, so no surprise here.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 16, 2012
herodotus
Hardly surprising at all. I definitely won't be purchasing through Origin - prices are just too high and take forever, if ever to come down.
By JonahFalcon (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
JonahFalcon
I only own the 360 versions, so it's not a big deal to me. :p
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
Kres
@unsilviu: Bummer! Does it do that to you in FireFox? Use this in the meanwhile please http://www.strategyinformer.com/member/notifications

@news post: Oh well, some competition for Steam should be good for everyone.
By ViGotH (SI Core) on Jan 16, 2012
ViGotH
Great... damned EA and their Origin. I don't intend on going over to Origin, so either I am screwed, and will be forced to use Origin as well, or maybe something magical might happen, and it will be set on Steam.
By The_Tingler (SI Member) on Jan 16, 2012
The_Tingler
But that's complete bollocks though, isn't it? I own Bioshock 2 on Steam and I bought the Minerva's Den DLC through Games For Windows Live - not by choice of course, that wasn't even available to buy on Steam. You can also buy Batman Arkham City's DLC on GFWL AS WELL AS Steam. So EA are talking out of their arse.

Furthermore, the main overriding reason I haven't bought ANY of Bioware's DLC is because the ONLY way to buy it is through Bioware's own Beta community website and is really fiddly to install! You can't even buy it on Origin! "We are intent on providing Mass Effect to players with the best possible experience no matter where they purchase or play their game
" is the biggest load of s**t I've ever heard. I WANT to buy this DLC, but because it's not the best experience I won't be doing so! (That's Steam, btw. Simplicity itself. Buy, DLC installs every time you download. A system made by people who actually like the consumer to buy things)
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
SirRoderick
Even if Origin wasn't even more annoying than Steam (and I DO think having to go through third party software for anything game)related is a pain in tha ass), I would still be forced to use TWO of those blasted programs now.
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
Kres
You're all going to get the game from Origin and you know it! Mass Effect 3 come on...
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
SirRoderick
I KNOW, YOU DAMNABLE BASTARD!

...no need to rub it in >:(
By Chosen_One (SI Core) on Jan 16, 2012
Chosen_One
U can buy a legal copy and crack it ) thats all. ) No origin, no constant Internet connection )
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
Kres
Did somebody say crack? ... x) you really polished that sentence Chosen :p

Well you're allowed to complain about it Roderick. But I just thought I drop by and tell you that you're going to love Origin soon. :p
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 16, 2012
herodotus
Which plenty of folk do (though "cracks" are quite often picked up on as "hacks" by EA these days, and accounts can be banned).
Fact is, however "BF3" is the only game game so far that requires Origin to be running in the background no matter if you bought the game from the Origin store or not. I have "BC2" and "FIFA Manager 12" as digital downloads through Origin and neither require Origin to run.
I'll bet "ME3" will though, which for me isn't a problem. Then again, I am never far from an internet connection.
By PyrettaBlaze (SI Veteran Member) on Jan 16, 2012
PyrettaBlaze
What is Steam exactly. I keep hearing about it but never did the research, too lazy lol
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
nocutius
It's basically an online store for digital distribution of games. It also makes connecting to other friends on steam easy but you need to have their client running, it's super easy to join other people's games or invite others to join you. Their regular prices are not so great but when they have holiday sales you can get a ton of great games discounted even 75%.
By PyrettaBlaze (SI Veteran Member) on Jan 16, 2012
PyrettaBlaze
Hmm, are they all PC games?
By Kres (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
Kres
PyrettaBlaze, you're back! Welcome :)

Yes PC games only on Steam. But Origin is better in many ways. I'm kidding... Go with Steam yeah. Unless you plan on getting ME3 obviously x)
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
SirRoderick
The one good thing about Steam is that you can download any games you own on any machine as long as it has Steam installed.

I almost said the social system is pretty good, but on looking through my friends list there are precisely 3 people in there that I actually still remember (they can change their names and I can't keep track anymore) and those three persons I frequently see on teamspeak.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 16, 2012
herodotus
Mac as well, don't forget.
Steam is essential for many integrated games now.

Ps. Just saw the first price for "TW: Shogun 2"'s latest DLC "Fall of the Samurai" - $29. That will certainly be one for the Sales bin.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jan 16, 2012
SirRoderick
That is indeed pricey.
By Chosen_One (SI Core) on Jan 16, 2012
Chosen_One
29$ ?? hell, thats like a whole game.
By ViGotH (SI Core) on Jan 17, 2012
ViGotH
I recently got into Steam, and I must admit that it is great. I still prefer buying hard copies, but in the end, it is better to have digital copies, as it won't be stolen or scratched XD

Also, games are quite cheap on Steam (if on special of course, which happens a lot). This Christmas a bought tons of games from Steam... some I couldn't even find on hard copy.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 17, 2012
herodotus
It's a stand-alone, along the lines of "Napoleon". Will it carry enough weight? By the looks of it I might just find it more appealing than the base game. Europeans and a Modern Japanese Army against the Samurai.
The "Tme Cruise" Unit comes as a pre-order bonus. I do not tell a lie:)

Sorry Vet, I wasn't ignoring your comment. My shelves, drawers and boxes are loaded with game boxes and I really do not want any more (except for games that i really want for their packaging). It's not like they're going to appreciate in value.
By FoolWolf (SI Elite) on Jan 17, 2012
FoolWolf
Problem with this is that you get more and more programs running in the background and now you will get EA's dlc bonanza stuffed down your throat as well. No surprising but, most likely the game will be pricey for a long time, and seeing how BioWare has treated their games lately under EA influence, I'm not going to waste premium price on this...
By PyrettaBlaze (SI Veteran Member) on Jan 17, 2012
PyrettaBlaze
Thank you for the Welcome Kres lol. But ah I see. Hmm, well I don't do much PC gaming, but if I get a Gaming Computer I might just try it out.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jan 17, 2012
SirRoderick
Gaming is better on a PC....just so much better. I'd be bored to death without this fine little machine.
By ViGotH (SI Core) on Jan 18, 2012
ViGotH
I agree with you SirRoderick. Though there are some games that are fun and suited for console, overall I prefer sticking to PC gaming. FPS and RTS was made for PC, and that is exactly what I play.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 18, 2012
herodotus
Only game I enjoy on a console are split-screen affairs when I can take on my son and nephews...occasionally the older of the nieces as well. "Mortal Kombat" is perfect for this, as is "Area 51" believe it or not.
Aside from that occasional diversion, it' PC all the way for this dinosaur:)
By nocutius (SI Elite) on Jan 18, 2012
nocutius
I guess it all comes down to what you grew up with and what type of games you prefer. I can see myself becoming a console player but i can't imagine the PC losing the position of my main gaming system. Unless the PC stops being a gaming platform, which will never happen.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 18, 2012
herodotus
It will, believe me. The future is already being written and the future is a centralised console in the home (not like anything we have now or coming in the next 24 months) that incorporates business, entertainment, email...basically the lot. All beamed accessed via broadband and/or satellite to your home (as movies are slowly being developed for the cinema). It's a way off, but is already much further in development than many realise.
The PC will be there, just not as we would recognise it. Then again, I probably will be too old, stupid or both to enjoy it.
By SirRoderick (SI Elite) on Jan 18, 2012
SirRoderick
If you turn a console into everyhting a PC is, then that will be a PC. Why does no one ever mention that bit? A console with full networking, word processing, entertainment system, keyboard,... That is a PC. And I honestly think there will be demand for dedicated PCs for a long time.
By herodotus (SI Herodotus) on Jan 19, 2012
herodotus
It will be the very next generation of PC, where the two architectures "marry". I've been around computers since 1977, playing "Lunar Lander" on a school terminal in '79 that was networked to the CPU at the local University. The CPU, mind you took up an entire floor of the newly establsished IT building. We were the first school in the state to try this, and only four of us took part. Four school students at a terminal trying to land a "lander" on a moon surface at one end, and a dozen techs at the other running the system.
The prototype of what I speak of is fashioned like a coffe table, with touchscreen applications akin to a Tablet or iPad. There you access all functions including videogaming. Where the veerable PC will be in all this is anyone's guess, but Microsoft is already exhibitng it's willingness to move on with Windows 8 and it's strong affiliation with the Tablet architecure. I do believe Tablets will replace laptops/netbooks, in what form I don't know yet. Australia has just spent billions ona a natioal broadband service and I doubt they would like to see that replaced by a satellite-feed based system.
Bottom line: who knows?