Origin (digital distribution platform)

Origin

Screencap of Origin (formerly EA Store)
Developer(s)	Electronic Arts
Initial release	June 3, 2011 (2011-06-03)
Stable release	8.3.7.3619 - 117475
Development status	Active, in Beta
Operating system	Microsoft Windows Mac OS X
Size	50MB Download, Expands to 100MB, (Approx)
Type	Content delivery Digital rights management Social networking
Website	http://store.origin.com/

Origin (formerly EA Store) is a digital distribution, digital rights management system from Electronic Arts that allows users to purchase games on the internet for PC and mobile platforms, and download them with the Origin client (formerly EA Download Manager, EA Downloader and EA Link). It is currently in Beta.

Origin features social features like profile management, networking with friends with chat and direct game joining along with an in-game overlay, sharing of game library and community integration with networking sites like Facebook, Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. Electronic Arts has stated that it wants Origin to match Valve's Steam service, Origin's leading competitor, by the end of March 2012, by adding cloud game saves, auto-patching, achievements and rewards, and cross-platform releases.^[1]

Origin users are identified by their unified Origin account, which supersedes an EA account and may be canceled if left unused after 24 months if there are not any premium games on it.^{[dubious – discuss]} As of September 2011, Origin has been installed by 3.9 million users.^[2]

Components

Origin client

Origin client screenshot

Origin store

The Origin store allows users to browse and purchase games from Electronic Arts' catalogs. Instead of receiving a box, disc, or even CD key, purchased software is immediately attached to the user's Origin account and is to be downloaded with the corresponding Origin client. Origin guarantees download availability for at least one year after purchase^[3], and there is no limit to the number of times a game can be downloaded.

Users may also add certain EA games to their Origin account by using CD keys from retail copies, and digital copies obtained from other digital distribution services. However, the addition of retail keys to Origin is restricted to games from 2009 onwards and older keys will not work even if the game is available on Origin.^[4]

The Origin store redirects users to a regional store and charges a different price depending on the location of the customer and declines payments from foreign account holders when a consumer uses a VPN to access another region's store to pay that regional price. One justification for this is that it allows the game to be sold for a lower price in regions of the world that cannot afford the higher prices in the first world nations. However, as a result of regional differences and economic currency fluctuations, these prices may be dramatically different. For example, Medal of Honor: Airborne costs $21.15 AUD in the United States but costs $99.99 AUD in Australia as of July 2008^[5], Spore costs £22.21 GBP (£26.11 after Sales Tax) in the United States but costs £39.99 GBP VAT included in the United Kingdom as of September 2008, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 costs 599 RUB ($20) in Russia, $49.99 in USA and $63.50 in Denmark as of February 2010 and more recently Battlefield 3 costs $80 AUD in Australia but costs $60 USD in the United States, representing a 30% markup with a current currency exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.05AUD.

Origin client

The Origin client is self-updating software that allows users to download games, expansion packs, content booster packs and patches from Electronic Arts. It shows the status of components available. The Origin client is designed to be similar to its competitor, Steam. Users can allegedly uninstall the client and the game will still run fine. The predecessor of the Origin client had caused issues with games such as Battlefield 2 and Spore Creature Creator, leading to crashes of a related standalone product.^[6]

Origin Mobile

Electronic Arts also plans to launch the Origin platform for mobile devices (such as iOS devices) and achievements can be synced across both platforms. Scrabble Network will be incorporated into Origin mobile. These services will be free of charge.^[7]

History

EA Downloader was launched in late 2005.^[8] It was replaced by EA Link in November 2006, adding trailers, demos and special content to the content delivery service. In September 2007, it was once again replaced by the combination of EA Store and EA Download Manager.^[9] Users purchase from the EA Store website and use the downloadable EADM client to download their games.^[10] Games bought via EA Link was downloadable using the EA Download Manager.^[11] The store and client was reopened under the Origin name on June 3, 2011. The constant changes in the software and branding is criticized for being hard to follow.

The digital distribution software was first used to deliver the Battlefield 2: Special Forces expansion pack,^[12] and subsequently most EA titles. The biggest product launch on the software is Spore Creature Creator.

Trademark

EA acquired the trademark Origin when it purchased Origin in 1992. Origin Systems was a major game studio in the 80s and 90s best known Ultima, Wing Commander, and Crusader game franchises.^[13]

Criticism

Removal of Crysis 2 from Steam and Origin exclusives

Shortly after the launch of Origin, Crysis 2 was pulled from Steam and appeared on EA's website with an "only on Origin" disclaimer, though it remains available on other distribution services. This led to speculation that EA would be pulling games from Steam and possibly other download services to make them exclusive to Origin.^[14][15] EA has since stated that Valve removed Crysis 2 due to imposed "business terms" and that "this was not an EA decision or the result of any action by EA."^[16] Valve has yet to comment.

EA's Crysis 2 page no longer carries the "only on Origin" disclaimer,^[17] though there has been no sign of it returning to Steam. Alice: Madness Returns, a title initially released with the "only on Origin" disclaimer (but was also on other services besides Steam), has since appeared on Steam.^[18] EA have confirmed that Battlefield 3 would not be available through Steam,^[19] though the game is currently available for purchase on other non-Origin services such as Direct2Drive.^[20]

The download version of Star Wars: The Old Republic is the only game so far to be announced as Origin exclusive.^[21] EA has also announced that limited editions of games would be exclusive to Origin.^[22] An example of this is Alice: Madness Returns The Complete Collection which included DLC items available on the console version, but have yet to be made available again for PC since the promotion ended.^[23][24]

Sharing of personal information

EA's Origin has recently come under criticism for deciding to share any and all available information they collect from users' PCs to third-party vendors, as long as they agree to install collect application.^[25][26] The two specific sections of the EULA drawing criticism were sections 2 and 3.^[25]

Section 2 was interpreted to grant EA the right to log data on application usage, IP addresses, operating system usage, installation and removal of software, and usage of software and peripheral hardware.^[27]

Section 3 states that using the software allows EA to monitor user activity: “EA reserves the right to monitor communications on the Application and disclose any information EA deems necessary to (i) ensure your compliance with this License; (ii) satisfy any applicable law, regulation or legal process; (iii) protect the rights, property and interests of EA, its employees or the public. EA also reserves the right to edit, refuse to transfer and/or to remove any information or materials, in whole or in part, in EA’s sole discretion.”^[27]

On August 24 2011, EA revised its End User License Agreement, removing several of the controversial sections.^[28] They released a statement saying that they had no intention to sell marketing data to third parties, nor install software akin to spyware on its customers PCs.^[28] The specific changes to the EULA removed EA's right to transfer collected personally identifiable data to third party users.^[28] However, Origin's EULA states that if there is a conflict with EA's Privacy Policy, the terms of the Privacy Policy shall prevail. EA's Privacy Policy gives EA rights to share anonymous non personal information with third parties. ^[29]

EA has also received criticism for a clause within the company's privacy policy, stating that "By accepting these terms, you and EA expressly waive the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action." ^[30] This clause has caused significant distress within the gaming community, with many fearing that the above clause is a preemptive attempt by EA to prevent legal action over the distribution of private information via its Origin platform.^{[citation needed]}

Situation in Germany

According to reports in German newspapers, the German version of Origin's EULA violates several German laws, mainly laws protecting consumers and users' privacy.^[31][32] According to Thomas Hoeren, a judge and professor for information, telecommunication and media law at the University of Münster, the German version of the EULA is a direct translation of the original without any modifications and its clauses "null and void".^[31]

Origin bans

Electronic Arts deleted repeatedly some players' accounts on Origin after having banned them from the Origin forums,^[33] contrary to the statements they made that the management of their forums was separated from the Origin platform itself, and in some cases for offenses which were deemed questionable by journalists.^[34][35]

See also

• Digital distribution
• Steam

References

1. ^ "PDF E3 2011 Investor Presentation". Electronic Arts. http://investor.ea.com/common/download/download.cfm?companyid=ERTS&fileid=475188&filekey=6d4ea4b7-0389-4c68-964f-af21a86c5a7d&filename=E3_2011_IR_Breakfast_-_6-8_-_small_file_size.pdf. Retrieved 2011-07-10. 
2. ^ Magrino, Tom (09-09-11). "EA Origin Installs Hit 39 Million". Gamespot. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6333640/ea-origin-installs-hit-39-million. Retrieved 10-03-2011. 
3. ^ "Origin Frequently Asked Questions". Electronic Arts. http://support.ea.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5291/~/origin-frequently-asked-questions. Retrieved 2011-06-22. 
4. ^ "Adding EA games to Origin". http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/6441878.page. Retrieved 2011-08-02. 
5. ^ "Aussies paying five times more for software". News Limited. 2008-07-01. http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,23945533-5014108,00.html. Retrieved 2007-07-09. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ "Why is Spore Creature Creator Crashing?". Electronic Arts UK Forum. http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/5309880-post1.html. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
7. ^ "Origin for mobile FAQs". Electronic Arts. http://www.eamobile.com/origin. Retrieved 2011-07-10. 
8. ^ "EA soft-launches Link". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6160884.html. Retrieved 2008-07-01. 
9. ^ "Electronic Arts Closes EA Link Service, Unveils EA Store". GamaSutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15610. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 
10. ^ "EA Store". Electronic Arts. http://eastore.ea.com/store/ea/ContentTheme/pbPage.welcome/ThemeID.718200. Retrieved 2007-07-18. 
11. ^ All your EA Link games will continue to work and can be downloaded again at anytime using the new EA Download Manager. Footnote on EA Link's website
12. ^ "EA Launches PC Digital Delivery Service". GamaSutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=7163. Retrieved 2005-11-11. 
13. ^ Varney, Allen (2005-10-11). "The Conquest of Origin" (in English). The Escapist. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_14/87-The-Conquest-of-Origin. Retrieved 2011-04-10. 
14. ^ McWhertor, Michael (06-14-11). "Crysis 2 Pulled From Steam, Now Only On EA's Origin". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5811996/crysis-2-pulled-from-steam-now-only-on-eas-origin. Retrieved 10-03-11. 
15. ^ "EA Pulls Crysis 2 PC From Steam, Makes Exclusive To Origin". 06-15-11. http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/60855/EA-Pulls-Crysis-2-PC-From-Steam-Makes-Exclusive-To-Origin-Updated. Retrieved 10-03-11. 
16. ^ McWhertor, Michael (06-15-2011). "EA Says It Was Valve Who Expelled Crysis 2 From Steam". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5812264/ea-says-it-was-valve-who-expelled-crysis-2-from-steam. Retrieved 10-04-11. 
17. ^ http://www.ea.com/crysis-2/pc-download
18. ^ http://store.steampowered.com/app/19680/
19. ^ Klepek, Patrick (06-20-11). "Crysis 2 Was Removed From Steam Over DLC Distribution.Battlefild keeps crashing with Origin and even if you do a repair installation. Will constantly give you "Game not installed errors"Deal". GiantBomb. http://www.giantbomb.com/news/crysis-2-was-removed-from-steam-over-dlc-distribution-deal/3399. Retrieved 10-03-11. 
20. ^ http://www.direct2drive.com/10557/product/Buy-Battlefield-3-Download
21. ^ Biessener, Adam (06-03-11). "The Old Republic To Be Digitally Exclusive To EA's Origin Service". Gameinformer. http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/06/03/the-old-republic-to-be-digitally-exclusive-to-ea-39-s-origin-service.aspx. Retrieved 10-03-11. 
22. ^ Hatfield, Tom (06-03-11). "EA's Origin Digital Download Service Detailed, Beta Launching Later On Today". PCGAMER. http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/06/03/eas-origin-digital-download-service-detailed-beta-launching-later-on-today. Retrieved 10-03-11. 
23. ^ http://www.ea.com/alice/pc-download
24. ^ http://twitter.com/#!/EA/status/80411674145861633
25. ^ ^{a b} Magrino, Tom. "EA Origin EULA sparks privacy concerns". Gamespot. http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6330914.html. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 
26. ^ Chalk, Andy. "Internet Explodes Over Origin's Invasion of Privacy". Escapist Magazine. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/112559-Internet-Explodes-Over-Origins-Invasion-of-Privacy. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 
27. ^ ^{a b} "Origin End User License Agreement". Electronic Arts. http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/eula/US/en/ORIGIN/. Retrieved 25 August 2011. 
28. ^ ^{a b c} Sinclair, Brendan. "EA changes Origin EULA". Gamespot. http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6331203.html. Retrieved 26 August 2011. 
29. ^ "Electronics Arts privacy policy". Electronic Arts. http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/WEBPRIVACY/US/en/PC/. Retrieved 26 September 2011. 
30. ^ http://kotaku.com/5843178/remember-electronic-arts-wont-let-you-sue-them-either
31. ^ ^{a b} Lischka, Konrad (28 October 2011). "Spiele-Gigant will Kunden ausspionieren" (in German). Der Spiegel Online. http://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/netzpolitik/0,1518,794600,00.html. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
32. ^ Schwenke, Thomas (25 October 2011). "Der Teufel im Vertragsdetail" (in German). Gamestar. http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/battlefield-3/artikel/analyse_zur_eula_von_ea_origin,45612,2561554.html. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
33. ^ "EA Forum Bans Are STILL Affecting Games". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. 2011-11-14. http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/11/14/ea-forum-bans-are-still-affecting-games/. Retrieved 2011-11-15. 
34. ^ "EA Forum Bans Affecting Players' Origin/EA Game Accounts". GamePro. 2011-11-14. http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/224888/ea-forum-bans-affecting-players-origin-ea-game-accounts/. Retrieved 2011-11-15. 
35. ^ "EA forum bans reportedly locking users out of games". PC Gamer. 2011-11-14. http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/11/14/ea-forum-bans-reportedly-locking-users-out-of-games/. Retrieved 2011-11-15. 

External links

• Origin website
  • Origin forum
• Origin for mobile website
• Origin release history