EA Strikes Again

Okay, so I just got NFS: Hot Pursuit, and I haven't even played it yet. Wanna know why?

After loading up the game, and being psyched, I was confronted with a screen about EA's online pass. About how I couldn't play their game online unless I had a code. Now, this doesn't mean you can't access certain modes -- it means you LITERALLY cannot play any of the game's robust online features unless you have "the code". Which I did, but I had to go behind my instruction booklet to find it. An extremely annoying inconvenience. But that was NOTHING compared to what came next...

After entering my code, proving I had bought the game new, the screen changed. I was expecting the title screen of NFS: Hot Pursuit, the game I had just proved to EA I had bought new for $70. Instead, the screen fades and a screen comes up that tells me that "The game previews you're about to see are rated E+ for everyone". Then the screen fades again, and I am REQUIRED to watch advertisements for EA's upcoming games. This lasts for about 2 minutes, and IS COMPLETELY UNSKIPPABLE. Seriously, man, what the**** is this ****? Are you ****ing kidding me? I don't give a **** about your upcoming games, EA, I want to access the game I just paid my hard-earned cash for. But instead, I angrily watched their "game previews". Afterward, I was so disgusted I couldn't even play the game. In fact, I thought about returning the game then and there, telling the clerk I was paying for a videogame, not a ****ing $70 advertising platform.

Shame on you, EA.

Shame on you.

Unskippable ads blow. It's a shame that paid gaming is coming to this.Senor_Kami

How is the preview of another game any different than the many games, who every time you turn on the game, make you go through 30 seconds of 'developed by', 'published by', 'in association', etc. that take up the same amount of your precious time, only they do it every time the game loads. I understand your frustration, just not your rage. And yes, I know NFS does this as well, only it does at the title screen while masking the loading of the menu, so there is no way to argue that is a time sink.Jachael

I stand corrected, sympathy shown. However, I maintain my above quote from this previous post.

Unskippable ads blow. It's a shame that paid gaming is coming to this.Senor_Kami

While the ad itself is irriatating, what's more alarming is the slippery slope this kind of developer behavior could lead to. The online pass idea first, then this. What's next? Buying the game, then paying online everytime I want to access a new track in the game? Oh wait, some games are already like that. ;/

[QUOTE="Senor_Kami"]Unskippable ads blow. It's a shame that paid gaming is coming to this.Jachael

How is the preview of another game any different than the many games, who every time you turn on the game, make you go through 30 seconds of 'developed by', 'published by', 'in association', etc. that take up the same amount of your precious time, only they do it every time the game loads. I understand your frustration, just not your rage. And yes, I know NFS does this as well, only it does at the title screen while masking the loading of the menu, so there is no way to argue that is a time sink.Jachael

I stand corrected, sympathy shown. However, I maintain that my above quote fromthis previous post.

There's a gargantuan difference. While those developer credits are indeed to sometimes mask loading times, they are giving credit to the hardworking people whos blood, sweat, and tears went into making the game you're playing. It's appropriate. Forcing a gamer to watch advertising after he spends $67 on your product is not.

yeah it sucks. but its a 1 time thing and not really that big of a deal

yeah i experenced that last night. what my friend and i was thinking is that it used all that time to disguse a manditory install or something.

Sounds a bit annoying, but 2 minutes is hardly a big deal.IronBass

The ad itself was annoying, but like I said, it's the principle of it that is more offensive. So you're telling me everytime you went out and bought a game, you'd be "okay" with being forced to watch advertisements before you got the play? I'm sorry you feel that way, that in itself is pretty disappointing to hear.

There's a gargantuan difference. While those developer credits are indeed to sometimes mask loading times, they are giving credit to the hardworking people whos blood, sweat, and tears went into making the game you're playing. It's appropriate. Forcing a gamer to watch advertising after he spends $67 on your product is not.

Jbul

I beg to differ. Turning a game on and seeing the companies involved is not showing me whose blood sweat and tears made that game. It shows me the company, not the people. The Credits show who gave their time. So, that gargantuan difference; yeah, not so gargantuan.

[QUOTE="Jbul"]There's a gargantuan difference. While those developer credits are indeed to sometimes mask loading times, they are giving credit to the hardworking people whos blood, sweat, and tears went into making the game you're playing. It's appropriate. Forcing a gamer to watch advertising after he spends $67 on your product is not.

Jachael

I beg to differ. Turning a game on and seeing the companies involved is not showing me whose blood sweat and tears made that game. It shows me the company, not the people. The Credits show who gave their time. So, that gargantuan difference; yeah, not so gargantuan.

Of course it is. The development team are the people. And I don't mind being reminded of who made the product I'm about to use, since these are typically only a few seconds long, and sometimes can be skipped. Once again, I feel like you're lowering your standards and excusing this type of thing in a futile attempt to defend the game. Listen, I'm sure I will play the game and love it, that's not what bothers me. You defending this is akin to saying "sure, I'll be your doormat, EA, bring on the mandatory advertisements". Seriously man, think about it.

Of course it is. The development team are the people. And I don't mind being reminded of who made the product I'm about to use, since these are typically only a few seconds long, and sometimes can be skipped. Once again, I feel like you're lowering your standards and excusing this type of thing in a futile attempt to defend the game. Listen, I'm sure I will play the game and love it, that's not what bothers me. You defending this is akin to saying "sure, I'll be your doormat, EA, bring on the mandatory advertisements". Seriously man, think about it.Jbul

I'm not saying I'll be a doormat, I'm saying that it didn't bother me that much because it was a one time thing. If it was every time I'd be pretty ticked off. And yes, the games that show the companies involved do only show for a few seconds, but they add up and end up being on par with this. That is my point. It isn't really much different.

Like I've been saying. I understand and even kind of agree with your frustration. I just don't get the rage involved. You're giving off the vibe that you about threw your controller through your television you were so mad, and that is what I don't get. Maybe I won't ever understand. But as you aptly put before, it is your opinion, just as this is mine.

EA games... **** up everything!

how true...

All it showed was an ad for Shift 2. I didn't even try to skip it, lol. The only issue I had with the game was that I lost my connection to Autolog and couldn't reconnect.

yup i hate it too.

the online code thing pissed me off when i rented MOH as well. i just wanted to try and see if I;d like the multiplayer but they have it locked so **** them.

I wonder if it's the same for EA's latest release, NBA Jam?

The prophecy i have foretold in my previous posts about advertising ruining gaming is coming true...

PC gaming has a chance because games can be modded, but console gamers are doomed.

[QUOTE="IronBass"]Sounds a bit annoying, but 2 minutes is hardly a big deal.Jbul

The ad itself was annoying, but like I said, it's the principle of it that is more offensive. So you're telling me everytime you went out and bought a game, you'd be "okay" with being forced to watch advertisements before you got the play? I'm sorry you feel that way, that in itself is pretty disappointing to hear.

Okay, so I just got NFS: Hot Pursuit, and I haven't even played it yet. Wanna know why?

After loading up the game, and being psyched, I was confronted with a screen about EA's online pass. About how I couldn't play their game online unless I had a code. Now, this doesn't mean you can't access certain modes -- it means you LITERALLY cannot play any of the game's robust online features unless you have "the code". Which I did, but I had to go behind my instruction booklet to find it. An extremely annoying inconvenience. But that was NOTHING compared to what came next...

After entering my code, proving I had bought the game new, the screen changed. I was expecting the title screen of NFS: Hot Pursuit, the game I had just proved to EA I had bought new for $70. Instead, the screen fades and a screen comes up that tells me that "The game previews you're about to see are rated E+ for everyone". Then the screen fades again, and I am REQUIRED to watch advertisements for EA's upcoming games. This lasts for about 2 minutes, and IS COMPLETELY UNSKIPPABLE. Seriously, man, what the**** is this ****? Are you ****ing kidding me? I don't give a **** about your upcoming games, EA, I want to access the game I just paid my hard-earned cash for. But instead, I angrily watched their "game previews". Afterward, I was so disgusted I couldn't even play the game. In fact, I thought about returning the game then and there, telling the clerk I was paying for a videogame, not a ****ing $70 advertising platform.

Shame on you, EA.

Shame on you.

Jbul

Adds really arnt that bad, stop blowing it out of proportion. Its like going to a movie theater you're going to see adds anywhere they help pay for stuff. If 2 minutes of your life was that jeopardized by adds than get up and get a drink or make a sandwich. IxX3xil3d0n3XxI

If it's not a big deal to you, I suggest you raise your standards. You have exactly the kind of attitude the snakes at EA love -- someone who makes excuses for them, and just loves to be stepped on.

[QUOTE="IxX3xil3d0n3XxI"]Adds really arnt that bad, stop blowing it out of proportion. Its like going to a movie theater you're going to see adds anywhere they help pay for stuff. If 2 minutes of your life was that jeopardized by adds than get up and get a drink or make a sandwich. Jbul

If it's not a big deal to you, I suggest you raise your standards. You have exactly the kind of attitude the snakes at EA love -- someone who makes excuses for them, and just loves to be stepped on.

Soon they will not add the online pass and it need to be purchase by itself.

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

[QUOTE="IxX3xil3d0n3XxI"]Adds really arnt that bad, stop blowing it out of proportion. Its like going to a movie theater you're going to see adds anywhere they help pay for stuff. If 2 minutes of your life was that jeopardized by adds than get up and get a drink or make a sandwich. rragnaar

If it's not a big deal to you, I suggest you raise your standards. You have exactly the kind of attitude the snakes at EA love -- someone who makes excuses for them, and just loves to be stepped on.

And him telling me I'm "blowing it out of proportion" and instead of getting upset to "go get a drink and make a sandwhich" is anymore constructive and less condescending? I don't think so.

[QUOTE="rragnaar"][QUOTE="Jbul"]

If it's not a big deal to you, I suggest you raise your standards. You have exactly the kind of attitude the snakes at EA love -- someone who makes excuses for them, and just loves to be stepped on.

Jbul

And him telling me I'm "blowing it out of proportion" and instead of getting upset to "go get a drink and make a sandwhich" is anymore constructive and less condescending? I don't think so.

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

[QUOTE="rragnaar"] There is no reason to be condescending with people that you don't agree with. Just because someone doesn't agree with you, doesn't mean that they need to raise their standards. Live and let live. Their opinions are as welcome as yours.rragnaar

And him telling me I'm "blowing it out of proportion" and instead of getting upset to "go get a drink and make a sandwhich" is anymore constructive and less condescending? I don't think so.

Right, well, I read his post as condescending and dismissve (ie - "don't blow it out of proportion, it's not a big deal, therefor invalidating my opinion) whereas my post was just basically saying he should expect more out game companies instead of shrugging it off, which is exactly what they hope people do. Tone is difficult to interpret in text. Must make a moderators job pretty tough! I feel for you guys! :P

Anyway,I gaurantee this was discussed extensively at EA before they decided to do it. I'm literally so disgusted by it that I almost don't want to play NFS: Hot Pursuit, a game I've been looking forward to for months. I'm sure I'll get over it and eventually play the game, but right now I have no desire.

Not a big deal for me. It's like going to the movies and seeing the "coming soon" previews. I kind of like watching those myself as sometimes I catch something that interests me. If not then I'll just do something else for the minute or two of time it might take up.Archangel3371

I see a big difference. I go to movies late because I hate the previews. And a movie is $9. A videogame is $70. Some movies have previews when you buy them on DVD/Bluray, but they're skippable. And they're also not 1/4 as expensive.

Does it force you to watch the vids each time you boot up? If so, that BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWS!!hillelslovak

I don't know.. I can't bring myself to play it, I am so disgusted.

I'm enjoying it for the night because I know it'll eventually get repetitive. I'm gonna take mine back and trade it in before stores realize that an online code is tied to it to play online (thus anyone who buys it preowned will have to buy the code (which is an option when going online))

I do like the game, but having an online code tied to it and also having to sit through a preview is pretty **** When I get a game, I want to be able to jump online, I have my PSN account, let me jump straight into online without anything else kthx.

The ad itself was annoying, but like I said, it's the principle of it that is more offensive. So you're telling me everytime you went out and bought a game, you'd be "okay" with being forced to watch advertisements before you got the play? I'm sorry you feel that way, that in itself is pretty disappointing to hear.

Jbul

I'm sorry you're dissapointed :)

First, I didn't say I would be ok. I said it's not a big deal.

Secondly, being practical, 2 minutes is an extremely small amount of time.

So regardless of how "offensive" the principle may be, in the praxis is not a big deal, at all.

Unskippable ads on full-price games? Not getting all the features if you buy used? That's it,I'm boycotting EA.

Having to use an EA account to play things online sickened me enough, having a code to lock online content out? Equally annoying but then having mandatory ads? Seriously EA? I have actually bought a few of your titles this gen, don't start making me back out on you again now...

Mandatory ads? I might have to cancel my preorder of Dead Space 2. Damn it EA, you had been doing so well...CarnageHeart

Yeah.. I really think it's humorous that more people aren't bothered by this.

[QUOTE="CarnageHeart"]Mandatory ads? I might have to cancel my preorder of Dead Space 2. Damn it EA, you had been doing so well...Jbul

Yeah.. I really think it's humorous that more people aren't bothered by this.

[QUOTE="Archangel3371"]Not a big deal for me. It's like going to the movies and seeing the "coming soon" previews. I kind of like watching those myself as sometimes I catch something that interests me. If not then I'll just do something else for the minute or two of time it might take up.Jbul

I see a big difference. I go to movies late because I hate the previews. And a movie is $9. A videogame is $70. Some movies have previews when you buy them on DVD/Bluray, but they're skippable. And they're also not 1/4 as expensive.

[QUOTE="Jbul"]

[QUOTE="Archangel3371"]Not a big deal for me. It's like going to the movies and seeing the "coming soon" previews. I kind of like watching those myself as sometimes I catch something that interests me. If not then I'll just do something else for the minute or two of time it might take up.Archangel3371

I see a big difference. I go to movies late because I hate the previews. And a movie is $9. A videogame is $70. Some movies have previews when you buy them on DVD/Bluray, but they're skippable. And they're also not 1/4 as expensive.