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Have they removed the spyware and the dodgy EULA clause?
herennow
Member UncommonPosts: 70
Originally they were planning on shipping this with the same spyware they used in the last Battlefield game but somebody told me there was a clarifying post on the official site. I've looked around the European one and can't find anything (I haven't tried the US site because I live in Europe and selfishly am only interested in something that would make a binding commitment to the EU shipped game). Have they removed the spyware and amended the EULA from:
3. Consent to Use of Data. You agree that EA, its affiliates, and each Related Party may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer, including without limitation your Internet Protocol address, operating system, application software and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content [adverts], product support and other services to you, including online play. EA and/or the Related Parties may also use this information in the aggregate and, in a form which does not personally identify you, to improve our products and services and we may share that aggregate data with our third party service providers.
To something that does not give them permission to search your machine for reasons other than stopping third party software/botware? I was very disappointed to find out about this in the pre-order as I had been looking forward to trying the game.
Comments
There is not, and never was any "spyware". That was just some misinformation spread by clueless morons. There ARE ingame ads for things like Nvidia, Dark Horse Comics, Alienware, etc... all cool stuff. They are in the form of small posters on the walls of the subway stations, so they fit in perfectly with the environment, and are unobtrusive. Makes it more realistic, IMO.
And as for the EULA, that's just a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo that HAS to be stated. Nothing is "searching your PC". The nievity of people who read that stuff and take it word for word makes me laugh.
**Internet Protocol address, operating system, application software and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates,***
Protip: If you've been playing any MMO or game with MMO like multiplayer in the past forever, they've been able to get this information. I highly doubt they're scanning every single application on your system. Thats kind of hard to miss. Most likely that is a clause that says "hey, we're allowed to check what version of the game software you're running so we can automatically update it".
**dynamically served content [adverts], product support and other services to you, including online play. EA and/or the Related Parties may also use this information in the aggregate and, in a form which does not personally identify you, to improve our products and services and we may share that aggregate data with our third party service providers.**
Yes, very spooky. Essentially what this is saying is they have permission to update the ads, and share the average data being collected by the ads (how long the average player has looked at one, how many people have viewed that particular ad, etc) with the people who placed them so that they actually know its worth paying to keep the ads there.
While I am completely opposed to EA and their in-game ad rush for extra quick bucks, it's all tinfoil hattery. It's no more spyware than the metric system that the developers use that track every mob thats been killed, how often people go to each area, how many people play which class etc is. Regardless, don't expect it to go away.
Bans a perma, but so are sigs in necro posts.
EAT ME MMORPG.com!
my issue hasnt been the so called "spyware" as it is nothing morethan to collect unindentifable information about your system how long u looked at the ad, updating specific ads in specific locations within the game. my problem is the greed involved. having to pay $10 only for them to include adverts and make more money and not pass that savings onto me as a consumer.EA has always been greedy like that. typical corporate BS.
but as far as the spyware part yeah, its not spyware, I agree its no different than the data they track in the game for information about the version of your game software, your OS, drivers etc and other various secondary programs possibly running identifiable bot programs based on specific parameters.
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Actually thats from two different people. The developers put in place the $10 a month fee so they could provide continued content updates. If the devs go through the production schedule that they have told us, it will be well worth it.
The advertisements are because of their publisher. EA essentially won't even look at your game anymore unless you agree to let them cram it full of advertisements. I would imagine some of the money goes to the devs, so that it doesn't seem like a totally raw deal to them, but the decision was EAs, and I'm sure they get most of it. But yeah, if you're upset over greed, point all eyes to EA, not Flagship.
Bans a perma, but so are sigs in necro posts.
EAT ME MMORPG.com!
The ads are unobtrusive. They are weathered looking and aged to fit the setting.
i'm glad the years I have spent developing my welfare rights legal training make you laugh. Must make you all warm and cosy inside. I was not talking about the adverts in-game. That's a whole different issue and one that doesn't bother me if done tastefully. Searching your machine and then sharing that information with third parties so they can target advertising does.
This is a common game mechanic in free games such as Anarchy Online. It's how they pursuade advertisers to pay cash for keeping the game going. they are pretty up-front about it and if people do not like it they should not download it. If you did not understand this I suggest you be more careful who you call clueless and naive in future. However this IS new to subsription MMO's if it has gone ahead in HG:L. it's EULA is different to those of WoW/EVE/CoH etc. Not in a mumbo jumbo manner but in a specific legal sense in terms of what it explicitly states EA/Flagship can do with information about you.
My question remains. Is there still software searching your machine for any reason other than performance enhancement or hack prevention and has the EULA been modified so they cannot share garnered information with third party advertisers?
My reason for asking also remains. I want to buy this game and am simply seeking reassurance that its ok from somebody who understands the question and can give an informed response.
Yeah, I was kind of bummed there were ads in the game. Though They were definitly unobtrusive. I didnt really find them to be out of place or distracting. I dont mind ads in a game if they add a certain realism to the game.
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Played (In order of favorite first to least): DAOC, EQ2, EVE, WOW, Vanguard, AC2, City of __, Guild Wars, LOTRO, EQ, Sword of New World, FFXI, Lineage 2, Second Life, DDO, Anarchy Online, RF Online, Archlord, Uru, Ragnarok Online, Shadowbane, Planetside, Auto Assault, Ryzom, Matrix Online, Horizons, Entropia, Sims, Runescape, Lineage 1, AC1, Dungeon Runners
A: This is a EULA, not a welfare case so yeah, that makes me chuckle a bit.
B: This isn't new to subscription MMOs. You proved that yourself in your example. Anarchy Online does this, however, you forget that they also have a subscription based model that includes access to the expansion packs.
C: I repeat, NOTHING is scanning you're computer for every little thing you do. Everyone knows exactly what is being gathered in regards to the advertisements because EA went into it and it was investigated in depth when this FIRST happened with battlefield 2142. Nothing extends beyond metrics collected within the game involving the ads, and no, they are never going to remove the clause about sharing the information with third parties because I doubt their advertisers would take their word that everyone is looking at the ads and they they're worth keeping without the metrics.
So yeah, your pedestal, get off it, and quit being paranoid.
EDIT: I will no longer be participating in this discussion. Upon further review of your previous posts, you clearly don't expect anyone to actually be able to answer the question in a satisfactory manner, as you've already rejected a response by the developers, (http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/1677963#1677963)
and on the whole seem completely and wholeheartedly convinced that EA is intent on stalking you for some reason. So I'm not even going to waste my time, and I suggest others do the same.
Bans a perma, but so are sigs in necro posts.
EAT ME MMORPG.com!
just as a bit of input, I personally only noticed the first ad I've ever seen because of the discussion about this on the boards. I think it was in a station, and I was picking up a quest, and to the left of the quest guy was a poster for intel. It's essentially made to look like it's part of the game world, so it really doesn't disrupt your game play. Still, for the few that might throw a fit about those types of things, the game might just not be for you :P
Personally, I care less about the EULA, and more about EA being behind it, since they use SecuRom in some of their programs, which can leave many of your games...well, useless, and can even destroy your computer. And the funny thing is the fact that companies are no longer allowed to use it, but they still do, and often. But, what can you do?
I just wanted to point out one thing. You do realize that no matter what field of law you go into you start out with basically four years of pre-law undergrad and then about two years(depending) of basic law cases/theory/literature in law school before you start to specialize(not counting internships, summer programs, extra cases/classes etc.). Anyways....that made me chuckle...a bit.
Well played, Koolhan. Well played.