Origin is required for all PC editions of Mass Effect 3

GB : It looks like EA won’t be putting Mass Effect 3 on Steam, just like they did with Battlefield 3, as it is Origin only. Origin is EA’s new Digital Distribution service for the PC platform.

[a_bro]

lets be honest here. they're going to do this on all EA PC games.

[zeal0us]

We all knew this was coming. Better get use to seeing Origin if you plan on buying any future titles publish by EA in the future.

@cgoodno
Its feels/seems better than G4WL but not as good as Steam, to me.

[hiredhelp]

Yeh i agree origin is solid program but it is EA only (at the moment) as they were saying about others joining in this year.
Weather that be the case i dont know its no steam thats for sure but steam got years under its belt.
One thing EA needs to do is put on most of its libary of games on origin.

[just_looken]

sorry but i rather trust valve program's on my $800+ pc rig sense they treat customers right have cheap sometimes free games and dont set off malware program's. ea would sell there family hell kill there loved one if it ment more $ or gave a business gain dont you guys remember what they did to soprts games/famous dev's like pandemic hell they screwed the new starwars mmo forceing origin(bad sales) OH and they were the first to have console online passes.

also they shutdown servers every year reuse ingame sprits copy paste same games (ead dev made games) i could go on and on.

EA IS THE DEVIL SUPPORT ORIGN YOU SUPPORT EXCLUSIVE GAME DRM APPS AND KILL WHATS LEFT OF PC GAMING.

[RankFTW]

The only problem I have with Origin right now is the lack of achievement support, but that is meant to be coming in the future.

[gamingdroid]

G4WL is pretty atrocious. Origin isn't much better. Steam by far is the best not only in use, but also from consumer friendliness.

You can rest assured Steam wont' try to do what Origin does, which is:

* delete your account if you happen to be inactive
* spy on you
* BAN you from ALL YORU GAMES if you happen to voice your opinion that the company doesn't like

[AKS]

Damn, this is a tough spot. I dislike Origin and am weary of what is to come if it becomes more prominent, but on the other hand I'd have a hard time passing up Bioware's games. Ditto for DICE's games.

[da_2pacalypse]

No thanks. I'd rather pirate than buy off of a garbage game client like Origin. Gabe Newell has my loyalty. YOU CAN SUCK ON THAT EA!

[multipayer]

All these 3rd parties with their own agenda is ruining PC gaming, at least making it a complete mess of passwords and usernames. I guess it is not so bad if origin brought all of EAs games to PC, but the horrors if they became more successful than steam are too great. I'd much rather have a dictatorship lead by Valve or Microsoft, at least they have some seniority and aren't known for constantly screwing up gaming.

[stevenhiggster]

@hiredhelp

THQ games are now available on Origin too and more will follow if it gets big.

I don't really mind Origin it does a few things better than Steam imho. Like install location can be changed for a start! It downloads and installs all in one swoop, no need for a million VCredist packages either like Steam plus a few other things. But on the whole Steam, for now, is still a better service.

So I do think it has promise but at the moment the prices are too high and there isn't enough choice.

[MAJ0R]

good thing nearly everything Bioware makes now has been complete crap (DA2 specifically), so no need for me to run out and buy Origin games

[SilentNegotiator]

I'd really rather not "get used to" having my PC data taken by EA, have more junkware on my computer, and risk losing my games for talking on their forums.

[Christopher]

So, how is Origin for those that have used it?

[rawrockkillz]

I just use it for Battlefield 3 and it's ok.

[KeiserSosay4788]

It's just "OK"...that's it. I was pretty mad though when I realized that you don't need origin (technically) to run BF3 AT ALL. You can just go to battlelog and launch BF3 that way, but Origin starts up for literally NO reason. In fact, your friends list, chat, and everything are separated between Origin and BattleLog. It's so obvious what they are doing. But, I'll eat it for a good game or two. Still sucks, imo...

[RumbleFish]

As a distribution service it is pretty poor compared to steam.

The Battlelog and the integrated chat and friendlist and partysystem are great imo, but that has nothing to do with origin.

So at this point (origin is claimed to be beta) origin is useless. But it's OK. That's right. ;)

[pandehz]

Nah Origin launches when u play BF3 through Battlelog coz it has to synch saved games and settings. Even if u had chosen to sync to cloud it still needs to check that with origin.

Makes sense that origin does that but battlelog doesnt. Difference is steam games with multiplayer generally had server lists in the game itself , now theres Battlelog.

I like battlelog a lot and I dont mind Origin at all. I wish they would make Origin as good as battlelog. Will change in time. I remember using steam yrs ago, I thought it was a pile of unoptimized and buggy crap. This is going through the same phases it seems.

@ninjahunter below: yea the cd key thing is great. I got all my ea games into it. Some like Crysis 1, Warhead and DAO 1 wasnt going through but customer service said key was valid so they added all of them to my origin games.

[limewax]

Either way I still play Bf3 a lot less than I would if I didn't need to have origin. And to be honest it doesn't have long before it gets deleted. I don't have a great deal of room on my C drive as it is and that program really isnt helping

[ninjahunter]

Eh, pretty much just like steam, Much more clean cut, one click and your done type of experience. Not many games though.

The Only thing i would say that its got over steam is that you can enter the CD key of any of your EA games and it will give you the digital copy. Like if you have Crysis 2 on steam then you can enter your CD key on origin and it will give you the copy on origin as well.

[arnyftw]

For some reason I've never been able to log in to it. The only way I've been able to log in is through Battlelog.

[Julie]

Well i bought 3200 Bioware points from that store 2 days ago and i have yet to see them or a mail or anything :(

[ginsunuva]

Why would you buy 3200 Bioware point? And what the hell is a Bioware point?

[Julie]

@ginsunuva: those points are for DLC each 1600 points are 20$ and i had to buy 2 packs of points because ... well there is no other option , there is only a pack for 800 points and 1600 points a lot of money wasted :(

And i have no idea if they will give me the points because i have no notification or anything, i just have my bank receipt but noting "nada" from bioware or Origins or meh i want to kill myself :(

If you se their forums here:
http://social.bioware.com/f...

You can witness the madness, i really don't recommend that service to anyone, Steam on the other hand is awesome.

[Pandamobile]

It's not bad. But had doesn't really have any redeeming features. It just does.

[Julie]

Man Panda i really want my points from that store , have you bought points from there? i have no mail or notification i feel so scammed :(

[Pandamobile]

Points from what?

[Julie]

Lol from the Origins store!!! bioware points! D:

Lol i believe i am the only idiot who bought those :p

[Godmars290]

*I hear a noise as if a million PC-gamers cried out all at once "F***-YOU!!!!*

[Julie]

I agree man i agree , Origins is worse than a nightmare, god why won't they use Steam. Origins is err , you just put yer credit card numbers on a shaddy website and then you hit purchase and then........ THAT nothing happens you pay your money and you get no notification no nothing!!!!! just yer bank telling you you purchased a stuff!!! 3 days here and i have yet to recieve my stuff or a MAIL not even a mail!!!

[Animals_as_Leaders]

Well I bought the CE last time and torrented all the DLC. I guess ME3 is on Bioware then.

After all, I paid for a CE and got only half the game last time...the other half came in paid increments.

F.U EA

[Megaton]

Pfft. "Half the game". 30+ hours of content in the main game. 6 - 8 hours in all the paid DLC put together, tops.

[-MD-]

Megaton's a Mass Effect nerd so anything he says is probably true.

Also he likes boys.

[ninjahunter]

I have nothing bad to say about origin, but its retarded having to own 2 programs to manage my game library. I mean it like you buy a nice car, Its red, hot, fast and all the girls want to take a ride, But theres a catch, It only runs on watermelon juice. Sure you can get the water melon juice, but its still a pain in the ass compared to Your other nice car that runs on water.

[Hozi]

lol...horrible analogy there bro...but made me LOL...so bubbles 4 u.

[ninjahunter]

Thats how i know its a good analogy. haha
Its a nice little literary trick, I could say the same thing about sewage treatment and it would still be fun :)

[Megaton]

That's probably my main objection to Origin. I'm not interested in having multiple DD apps running on my PC. I also just don't really like EA, but I do own several of their games on Steam anyway.

I own 208 games and numerous articles of DLC on Steam. I have 60 friends on Steam. I'm not going to start building up my profile on another service just because EA is insisting on running their stupid proprietary DLC schemes. I'm as tired of them as Valve is, and wholeheartedly support their decision to restrict that crap. I wanna buy Mass Effect DLC with my Steam wallet, not with "BioWare points" through BioWare's website.

[ASDK1230]

This was my initial gripe with Steam. "why the F*** do I have to install this if I want to run my game?" But I am used to it now, the sales alone convinced me it is worth it. But how long is it until I have to have an app for each individual publisher / developer?
For now I don't think EA has the pricing and large catalogue of games worth it to warrant a download.

They definitely lost my sale that's all I know.

[BlackBusterCritic]

Weigh anchor and hoist the sails.

That is all.

[Raider69]

If we compare Origin to SteaM,origin will never get to the same status has STEAM EVER!Origin overprice games,lets not forget that we are talking of digital versions,right know if you go to Steam you can get EA GAMES cheaper than what they are on Origins,the support on origin is crap,they have shitty sales on hollidays ....frankly EA just wants to screw people with this kind of of treatment,They lost sales on BF3 and they will lost sales on ME3 and other games just for the single fact the game is not for sale on Steam.Not to mention that many people that woud have brought the game if it were on Steam will pirate it!

[Persistantthug]

.

[akaFullMetal]

wow this sucks, and i have the other two games on steam, im not going to get origin just to play one game. Sorry ea, you lose a sale sadly. I know it sounds whiny but i just don't want two dd services, and steam is just the best out there, origin doesn't hold a candle to it when i tried it for the bf3 beta.

[Saladfax]

I just don't want to support EA. Their business practices are two parts incompetence, one part reprehensible money-mongering.

[rattletop]

doesn't matter much, i always buy retail.

[brish]

The retail version includes Origins.

[dennett316]

I don't think it's terribly smart for EA to do this as I really think they're costing themselves customers in doing it. There are people who are dead against Origin due to it's perceived spyware nature - fairly or not - and they will pirate the game purely out of spite.
If they made it an Origin exclusive for a month, and offered some free add-ons if you purchase through that system and then released it on Steam they'd get more sales. If future DLC was available through Origin after release at a discount and as a timed exclusive too, the incentives to buy from Origin would still be there, and those who don't want Origin for whatever reason won't feel as railroaded and can get it via their delivery method of choice and EA will still see some money from them. Everyone is happy.

[Dark_Overlord]

"perceived spyware nature"

Spyware definition

"Spyware is a type of malware (malicious software) installed on computers that collects information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user and can be difficult to detect. Typically, spyware is secretly installed on the user's personal computer."

Going by that definition, origin has already been proven to scans users files (A user even posted origin accessing his tax documents), so it definitely collects information without a users knowledge.

Although, it isn't hidden from the user nor secretly installed, then again not all spyware is (programs like alexa and mywebsearch fall in to this catergory).

Personally Origin is going nowhere near my PC

[bakasora]

I guess im getting it on PS3 then

[ZippyZapper]

I'm sure it wont matter to the people who play the game on PC. looks like the 360 version is the only hassle free version.

[RockmanII7]

Rule #1 of making PC games; Don't give people a reason to pirate your game.

[limewax]

So true, I just purchased the other two off steam at christmas, I sure as hell wont be switching over for the end of the trilogy. I will buy it for 360, but when I want the PC version It's pretty much certain I will pirate it now so I can at least run it without origin.

Stupid really since I bought both the last games on PC and console. Less money for bioware in the end

[Saladfax]

I imagine the best way to avoid EA's spyware platform is to get a legit purchase and use cracks to strip out the unnecessary Origin-related crap.

[Mutley416]

Origin needs a PR repair...maybe some free games? cause i dont want to go there...i had my own problems with origin and reading some of this...i guess i was lucky ? terrible...

[AfricanWoolf]

I have bought Mass Effect 1, I bought Mass Effect 2 at launch. Both games had reasonable DRM that didn't require me to install any third party crap.

Now Mass Effect 3 wants to change this just so EA can shove Origin down my throat?

This is when I find it hardest to condemn piracy. Piracy makes sure that unless a company treats their customers well, they have an alternative. This is a healthy system.

Competition breeds excellence.

[FutureTechnologies]

Origin is fine, but not like Steam. It's really basic and has nothing really fancy. I can live with it.

PS: Please don't do like BF and use a similar thing like Battlelog to access the singleplayer campaign or the multiplayer. I hate to have to use the web to enter my game.

[NYC_Gamer]

means less EA software for me because i am not downloading origin

[Papanours]

So it will be the Xbox360 or PS3 version.

[GraveLord]

Is anyone really surprised?

Competition is good for the industry. I would hate to see online stores for all publishers though. That would be a mess.

[Sarcasmology]

The hate for Origin is pretty out of hand. Boo-hoo!! You have to load up another program to play a title. Ohh your life is so unfair. How will your beast of a PC be able to manage the additional load? It's soooooo system taxing...

People say they'll just boycott the title or pirate it. You go ahead and stick to your twisted sense of justice, and I'll be busy playing the game legitimately and supporting the industry and individuals that worked hard on their titles. At least with Origin, I know more of what I paid is going directly to the people who helped get the game to me in the first place, you know, as opposed to some unnecessary middleman (a retail outlet).

[Bladesfist]

The program scans ur pc and reports its findings back to EA. Im not sure about you but i dont like the sound of installing spyware.

[PirateThom]

So does Steam, what's your point?

[kasser]

And what do they really benefit from scanning you (if we assumed that is true?)

Lets face it, EA is a games publishing company, not a governmental spying sector. They have zero interest in your privacy.

[Bladesfist]

Steam say in there EULA that they scan steam related directories. EA say they scan you computer. Kasser, they gain valuable marketing information. They can target you with ads based on how you use your PC ect

[Perjoss]

If you try to force someone to do something, they will usually find a way around it.

[JohnApocalypse]

I've heard there are hacks that allow people to play Battlefield 3 online with Origin. Those people will defiantly do the same with Mass Effect 3

[Bakkies]

Oh snap!

[SeraphimBlade]

Doesn't matter, have Xbox... and I already have an origin account anyway.

Oh, Bioware, you're like a sexy girlfriend who's annoying dad insists on coming on all our dates.

[Rageanitus]

Bah origin sucks... Im learning the cons early about this program

1)you cannot backup your games and transfer them to another... you are essentially forced to re-download the game

2) you have limited downloads.

what good is this to ppl who upgrade often?

[kasser]

Are you sure it is limited downloads? Last time I checked, you can download without limits (at least with Battlefield 3)

[Rageanitus]

confirmed with their helpdesk limited downloads.

[kasser]

I checked again to confirm it. Yes it is unlimited :)
http://help.ea.com/article/...

Here are three answered questions about downloading

Q: Can I re-download my games in general?
A: If you need to, yes. Please note that your games already installed via the previous EA Download Manager are safe, sound, and work in exactly the same way via Origin.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of computers on which I can install my game?
A: Origin enables you to access your games from any PC, anytime, anywhere. Should you have an issue, contact Origin Support and we'll get you fixed right up!

Q: Will my game download ever expire?
A: Your game downloads don’t expire. Ever.

[Rageanitus]

I installed a couple of games / registered my disc games recently and most of them state in the disclousure before you commit to the download you have limit of 5 licences.

Lets say your computer crashes you lose a licence and you have to go ith the procedure below... which is on he discretion on the tech support agent you speak to.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of computers on which I can install my game?
A: Origin enables you to access your games from any PC, anytime, anywhere. Should you have an issue, contact Origin Support and we'll get you fixed right up!

[Darkfiber]

Day one pirate for me then. Thanks for making my decision easier, EA. First two Mass Effect games on Steam, but not the third? Do you have any clue how many people you will be pissing off?

[Pikajew]

If a game is not available on Steam for me I pirate it

[Cablephish]

I wish people would be willing to boycott Origin.

I can't say how other people feel about EA coming out with Origin or Microsoft's Games for Windows Live, but I prefer everything unified on one platform like Steam.

This may seem whiny but I hate Games for Windows Live. It's not fun for me to have to log on, and connect to G4WL just to play my single player file in GTAIV, they don't even offer Cloud saved files, and frankly, I find it pointless.

[SnowBlu]

for gods sake EA

this is rockstar social club all over again

[havethumbs]

I played every Battlefield game except 3 because if I am going to play I want to have it on steam with my steam friends list and all that it comes with. I own both Mass Effects on Steam but I will not be buying 3 for Origin. If I do buy it I will be purchasing it for PS3 and it will be used. It looks like third time is not the charm for EA and I.

[TheOwnmaster]

So BFD Origin Isn't all that bad , Besides i just toss a steam overlay on it.