Originally Posted by Woodlands It's a rather clumsy distribution client that is only for EA games. There is nothing wrong with it per se, but a lot of games that were or would otherwise be available on Steam are now Origin-only. Lots of people like to keep their collections streamlined into one client so multiple clients, especially publisher-exclusive clients, are an annoyance. AFAIK there is no *invasive* DRM, it's just that the politics of the situation cuts down on people's options.

Agreed, I don't think anyone is saying it's invasive. It's a hell of a lot better than some DRM schemes like Securom that EA has used in the past. It's just easier to have most of a game collection on one place for some people.

Also I don't know if Origin is quite up to speed on a lot of features Steam has like automatic updates and such. I still can't quite make out if Origin does them. I know with Sims 3 if you get all the games at once it's a lot more of a pain in the butt on Origin because you have to install them all one by one vs one download on Steam and you're done.

Oh and Amazon really should start putting "Origin" in the DRM field for the games that require Origin like the Command and Conquer pack and (the new) Sim City.

Originally Posted by oman19 yup...that's exactly it. I like having everything in one place. Always bums me out in bundles when a game has a Desura key. I'm anal and like to find banners for all my non steam games but some of them I can't find.

I like Desura. I resisted it for a long time but when I finally caved because there were just so many bundle games that had keys for it and weren't on Steam I found that it's actually quite flexible and works really well.

The reality is there are just some games that won't ever make it onto Steam or it will be a long time before they do. For indie games, Desura is the next best option and far preferably for me than having a bunch of games without a client or making shortcuts on Steam and then having to constantly go back and manually see if there are updates, because a lot of these indie games are newer and still works in progress.

My only gripe with Desura is that they are so hands off with the indie developers that most forget to ever put their games on sale there. I get 99% of my Desura keys from bundles, but if some other store like Amazon started selling games with Desura keys for a reasonable price, I'd buy them.

Originally Posted by Motoki Agreed, I don't think anyone is saying it's invasive. It's a hell of a lot better than some DRM schemes like Securom that EA has used in the past.

I've seen people go ape over Origin automagically locating other EA titles on your system (such as Alice) and adding them to your library. I see that as a handy service but some call it a breach of privacy.

Originally Posted by Woodlands It's a rather clumsy distribution client that is only for EA games. There is nothing wrong with it per se, but a lot of games that were or would otherwise be available on Steam are now Origin-only. Lots of people like to keep their collections streamlined into one client so multiple clients, especially publisher-exclusive clients, are an annoyance.

Note that the reason for some stuff being Origin only came about from Steam's policy on DLC (In that they prefer if users buy DLC through the Steam client) and EA's desire to sell it through their own portal, which has lead to the current situation.

I find nothing wrong with Origin either, tho I hardly use it. I have maybe a handful of games on Origin, some of which from back before I was buying stuff on Steam with their previous download service.

I've seen people go ape over Origin automagically locating other EA titles on your system (such as Alice) and adding them to your library. I see that as a handy service but some call it a breach of privacy.

I don't mind it at all. Desura does the same thing, actually.

Originally Posted by Syntax Error I've seen people go ape over Origin automagically locating other EA titles on your system (such as Alice) and adding them to your library. I see that as a handy service but some call it a breach of privacy.

It is. It isn't any of there business what else you have installed on your PC. I've seen this "feature" even cause big headaches too.

My friend was telling me when her brother installed Origin on her PC to play BF3 that he bought (hers is the only one that could run it well) and all of her Steam EA games are now tied to her brothers Origin account. I have no idea if she contacted Origin about it or whatever, but she was pissed and rightfully so. Origin doesn't ask if you want to register the games on the account, it just does it.

Question:
http://www.amazon.com/Game-Downloads/ is still showing that

50% Off XCOM, Borderlands 2, NBA 2K13

I know the dates have passed, but the headline is still there, and Borderlands 2 is still $29.99.

Originally Posted by oman19 yup...that's exactly it. I like having everything in one place. Always bums me out in bundles when a game has a Desura key. I'm anal and like to find banners for all my non steam games but some of them I can't find.

Steam Banners has a pretty good collection of em, if you haven't already looked at that.

Originally Posted by Syntax Error I've seen people go ape over Origin automagically locating other EA titles on your system (such as Alice) and adding them to your library. I see that as a handy service but some call it a breach of privacy.

Those same people "going ape" over that shouldn't be on the internet if they're concerned about it. Maybe they haven't heard of cookies? Origin seeing what other EA games they have on their system is the least of their worries.

Originally Posted by aus_nacht You guys are kidding yourself. It will require Origin. Just like Mass Effect 3 and Syndicate both of which I bought retail last year. Installs from disk but requires Origin

Good to know. I haven't bought an EA game at retail in a while so I didn't know how they handle it.

Originally Posted by mnuttster That's what scares me...I've tried to get an answer from Amazon CS on whether or not the download option for DS3 is Steam or Origin since DS 1 & 2 are on Steam. But my guess is since it's not stated, it's most likely Origin. My hope is that with the physical version, I can opt out of having to redeem it on Origin or just self install it. I'd hate to get the physical one and have to Origin redeem it, which eliminates any possibility of resale or any real reason to buy physical media anymore...

Looks like it will be Origin.

Personally I don't have a problem with it at all. I currently have like 6 clients installed. Origin seems to run pretty well for me, low resource, just a game DLer/launcher basically.

That one story of it tying one person's games to another account automatically does suck though. Hopefully they fixed that. I don't think I have any EA games outside of Origin so it has never auto added anything for me.

Tony,

Any chance you could match Gamestop for $16.99 Command & Conquer™ The Ultimate Collection? Normal price is $49.99.

http://www.impulsedriven.com/products/ESD-IMP-W3564

http://www.amazon.com/Command-Conque...nd+and+conquer

Originally Posted by CheapLikeAFox Good to know. I haven't bought an EA game at retail in a while so I didn't know how they handle it.

It's just like steamworks games that you buy retail. You put the cd in, it launchs the client, you activate it, then it installs the game from the cd. I prefer that if the prices are the same since it keeps my wife from screaming at me for chewing up all the bandwidth.

Spec Ops VS Borderlands 1 GOTY is a very weird (and misinformed argument). I've beaten both. Spec Ops is a story heavy 8-10 hour TPS shooter. Borderlands 1 GOTY is a single player (or 4-person coop w/friends) cell shaded FPS with awesome procedurally generated guns, and four playable classes. I have 128 steam hours on BL1 (on just my Siren). In a nutshell it is Diablo with guns. I loved both games, but bang for the buck clearly goes to Borderlands 1 GOTY -- I'd been thinking of playing it again with the Hunter.

Interesting price on C&C Ultimate, that's right next to the limited time price on the-site-that-shall-not-be-mentioned. Also interesting to see GR:FS near $10.

Originally Posted by CheapLikeAFox I'm not sure how they are going to handle Dead Space 3 at retail. Box says it requires an internet connection for activation. Don't know if that means they will try to force Origin upon retail buyers? Or it might just be your standard key activation.

The retail C&C Ultimate box only contains a code for Origin -- no round plastic thingies.

Originally Posted by mnuttster I figured the original from 2000 would play just like playing N64 games today...not good unless it's Mario Kart. TMR will probably end up cheap next Steam sale so I might wait.

You failed to mention the best reason to own an N64: 007 Goldeneye... Slim Jim time!

If you are going to slam an old game for dated graphics please check for graphical overhaul mods. I, for one, was already aware of, American McGee's Alice HD (texture overhaul).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hET1iPFXCTo

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Originally Posted by asheskitty The retail C&C Ultimate box only contains a code for Origin -- no round plastic thingies.

Really? They just stuck a key on a piece of paper, boxed it up all pretty and called it good? Wow.

Considering how Slooooow the C&C games were for me to download from Origin recently and the fact that beyond the initial 'hey let's make sure this runs on Windows 7' they did for this pack it's probably not going to get much in the way of updates I think the C&C pack at retail would be better served with putting the data on a disc to install it.

Originally Posted by Motoki Really? They just stuck a key on a piece of paper, boxed it up all pretty and called it good? Wow. Considering how Slooooow the C&C games were for me to download from Origin recently and the fact that beyond the initial 'hey let's make sure this runs on Windows 7' they did for this pack it's probably not going to get much in the way of updates I think the C&C pack at retail would be better served with putting the data on a disc to install it.

There is a cd in it, but it comes with the paper that has the origin code. source - youtube.

After reading about the remote possibility of EA buying darksiders franchise... I got the doubt: darksiders complete or alice complete? I didn't finished Darksiders 1, but only because I got stuck and jumped to another game because my backlog. I saw videos from DS 2 and doesn't seems superior to DS 1

Or maybe I should wait and get the Crysis collection? Already have Crysis 1 on steam, but I'd rather deal with limited activations through amazon, and I think I already wasted about 4 activations with my steam copy

My gaming budget is very small after the holiday sales! I think I can afford Crysis collection + alice/DS2...

Any recommendations?

Originally Posted by Motoki Really? They just stuck a key on a piece of paper, boxed it up all pretty and called it good? Wow. Considering how Slooooow the C&C games were for me to download from Origin recently and the fact that beyond the initial 'hey let's make sure this runs on Windows 7' they did for this pack it's probably not going to get much in the way of updates I think the C&C pack at retail would be better served with putting the data on a disc to install it.

I can't verify personally, but when I was reading reviews on Amazon there were several noting that. I can see three motivations: save a few pennies on the plastic, push Origin accounts, make sure the buyer gets the latest version. I can't decide which of the first two was a greater factor.

Originally Posted by shezbot There is a cd in it, but it comes with the paper that has the origin code. source - youtube.

Speaking of poorly edited youtube vids.

TL;DW

I just submitted a price match for the C&C bundle *fingers crossed*

Originally Posted by asheskitty Speaking of poorly edited youtube vids. TL;DW

LOL Yeah. takes him forever to open the packaging. Hilarious.

What is the site where you can redeem Mass Effect 1 on Origin? The code didn't work when I put it directly into O.

Originally Posted by pantsattack What is the site where you can redeem Mass Effect 1 on Origin? The code didn't work when I put it directly into O.

You have to talk to Origin Live Help. They will add it manually for you.

In Origin hit Help, Origin Help, then Live Chat.

Originally Posted by pantsattack What is the site where you can redeem Mass Effect 1 on Origin? The code didn't work when I put it directly into O.

I think it's https://activate.ea.com/activategame.do