EA's Origin and Wasteland 2 thread

[CaptainPatch]

Hey guys,

Just to confirm what most are saying, this is not an exclusive deal. One of our core tenants has been to make our fans happy. That is why we spend so much time learning about what you want and don't want in Wasteland 2. This also spreads to distribution of the game. Some people like Steam, others Desura, Origin or GOG. If we only listened to the people who didn't like a specific distribution platform, we would have nowhere to deliver the game. For that reason, we want to include ALL distribution methods we can so that YOU can choose which one you support and download it from there. We just want people to have easy access to play the game we're going to put the next 18 months of our life into.

Chris

I just hope that you guys have some kind of control over what price EA will be selling WL2 at _after_ 90 days. I distrust EA enough that I can easily see it doing a Marketing stunt where it sells the game "at cost" or even as a loss leader, just to undercut ALL of your other distributors. EA is big enough to easily afford to do so indefinitely, and thereby garner nearly the entire Market share to itself. Origin gets nearly all of the traffic after 90 days and inXile gets literally nothing per unit sold thereafter.

Yes, I do see EA as being that nefarious. It gives itself the opportunity to screw over both Steam and an indy company that wasn't "wise" enough to seek EA's patronage (under EA's terms, of course).

[CaptainPatch]

[Taken from the other thread.]

Hey guys,

Just to confirm what most are saying, this is not an exclusive deal. One of our core tenants has been to make our fans happy. That is why we spend so much time learning about what you want and don't want in Wasteland 2. This also spreads to distribution of the game. Some people like Steam, others Desura, Origin or GOG. If we only listened to the people who didn't like a specific distribution platform, we would have nowhere to deliver the game. For that reason, we want to include ALL distribution methods we can so that YOU can choose which one you support and download it from there. We just want people to have easy access to play the game we're going to put the next 18 months of our life into.

Chris

I just hope that you guys have some kind of control over what price EA will be selling WL2 at _after_ 90 days. I distrust EA enough that I can easily see it doing a Marketing stunt where it sells the game "at cost" or even as a loss leader, just to undercut ALL of your other distributors. EA is big enough to easily afford to do so indefinitely, and thereby garner nearly the entire Market share to itself. Origin gets nearly all of the traffic after 90 days and inXile gets literally nothing per unit sold thereafter.

Yes, I do see EA as being that nefarious. It gives itself the opportunity to screw over both Steam and an indy company that wasn't "wise" enough to seek EA's patronage (under EA's terms, of course).

[Son of Max]

Couple of positives that could come from EA distribution (aside from market access.):

1. An agreement between inXile and EA that would lead to an updated re-release of the original Wasteland is part of the deal in some way. (I really hope this has at least been discussed.)

2. Smashing success all by itself could convince EA to let inXile do an updated re-release of the original and, more importantly, show EA (and other publishers) that their current business model isn't reaching as many potential customers as it could, causing the big publishers to reassess their philosophy regarding dev driven production and hands off publishing.

Admittedly, both are quite optimistic in the extreme, but I try to look at these things from all angles, including the possibility for something positive coming out of it.

[Darji]

If I remember correctly, Steam dictates that if game is going to have DLC, it must be also released trough Steam so you are not allowed to use outside platform for DLC. This is what caused the break between EA and Steam, EA basically planned to release games trough Steam and DLC trough Origin, but thanks to that clause they got in to fight and now all new EA games are Origin exclusive.

Yeah that was EAs excuse for the steam issue. But it was just a stupid attempt to not lose face becasue of this. Again EA practices are very evil especially when you are talking about Origins. They even had to chance the TOS in Germany becasue it was against the law here.

I kind of understand why they want to do this but still it makes me sad. Every other digital distribution is totally fine in my opinion but not Origins or any other services from a big publisher. Dont get me wrong I would never want this game or this business model not to succeed but from now on since EA is trying to get even a small profit out of this I wont back these projects. And first casulty for that would have been ssadly the Jane Jensen's Moebius and Pinkerton Road Studio kickstarter.

[Gatt9]

It's a good offer, 3 months of free distribution before EA starts taking it's cut. I don't see the problem.

Read about Origin.

The program's original design was intended to scan your entire hard drive and report back to EA everything you had on it, and everything you did with your computer. There's some evidence it did just that on release, despite EA's claim to the contrary, and that it would start scanning before you ever even agreed to the EULA.

It's very possible the code is still present, and dormant, and EA could rewrite the EULA and turn it on at any time if that were the case.

Further, it's very likely EA will require DRM via Origin for a release on their platform.

This is different from Steam, where they specify what data they will collect and allow you to opt out.

Honestly, If the kickstarter had said anything about working with EA and Origin, I wouldn't have pledged. I sincerely hope they refuse the offer.

[CaptainPatch]

Honestly, If the kickstarter had said anything about working with EA and Origin, I wouldn't have pledged. I sincerely hope they refuse the offer.

I tend to agree. It would have been painful to NOT support the project, but I really, really dislike "sleeping with the Devil".

[ffordesoon]

Brosolid?

Sure, sure.

[Chuzpah]

As long as I don't have to use Origin to play Wasteland 2 I'm cool with it.

[Zombra]

In the short term, I don't especially care if Origin distributes stuff. In the long view, the sooner EA dies and goes to hell, the better. EA has degenerated into pure, soulless evil. Anything that makes a cent for them is dirty in my eyes. I would rather W2 lose a major percentage of distribution. Of course, I don't share in their profits, so ...

Sounds like this is already a done deal, but man, what a wonderful statement it would make for inXile to not deal with EA.

[Cutter]

No, I'm certainly not OK with it. One thing I like about KS is that it's entirely indie - or should be. I also don't like - and won't donate to - projects that are only demos to shop around to publishers.

If inXile wants to put it on Origin, Steam, et al. AFTER I get my standalone DRM-free copy that's their business. If I am somehow forced to used a service like Origin to obtain and/or play my copy then I am vehemently not cool with that and will ask for my money back, and a lot of other people will too. I'd be *very*, *very* careful wih this, Brian. You could easily end up doing yourself much more harm than good. There's no shortage of bad will out there toward the major pubs like Activision, EA, etc. as well as certain platforms like Origin, GFWL, etc. Proceed at your own peril.

[Douglas H]

I'm adding my voice to the anti-EA raving.The recently announced 90 day distribution fee waiver may seem like a good deal for small devs, but please keep in mind EA has been in damage control mode since they were named worse company in the US. They are looking at a lost portion of customers and trying to get it back. They are not trying to to help out the little guys, they are looking for a larger market share. I mean, they offered an EA Indie bundle! How can the biggest game publisher in the US (world?) offer an indie bundle?

It could be argued that Origin is just like Steam or GOG (although GOG really is just an a distribution service, with no launcher or connection requirement once your buy the game like Steam or Origin) BUT it cannot be said that EA is just like Valve or GOG/CDProjekt.

It would be nice to see someone say, thanks for the offer EA, but you were just voted worst company in the US, and we have our reputation to think about.

[Son of Max]

In the short term, I don't especially care if Origin distributes stuff. In the long view, the sooner EA dies and goes to hell, the better. EA has degenerated into pure, soulless evil. Anything that makes a cent for them is dirty in my eyes. I would rather W2 lose a major percentage of distribution. Of course, I don't share in their profits, so ...

Sounds like this is already a done deal, but man, what a wonderful statement it would make for inXile to not deal with EA.

I tend to agree BUT, if working with EA gets them access to the original Wasteland to upgrade and re-release (at a later date) or just gets the original re-released (on more current platforms) I'm willing to hold my nose and accept it.

So long as it's inXile's Wasteland 2 being distributed by EA and that (hoepfully) gets us Wasteland: Reloaded by inXile in association with EA, I can live with it.

[Ronin73]

Couple of positives that could come from EA distribution (aside from market access.):

1. An agreement between inXile and EA that would lead to an updated re-release of the original Wasteland is part of the deal in some way. (I really hope this has at least been discussed.)

2. Smashing success all by itself could convince EA to let inXile do an updated re-release of the original and, more importantly, show EA (and other publishers) that their current business model isn't reaching as many potential customers as it could, causing the big publishers to reassess their philosophy regarding dev driven production and hands off publishing.

Admittedly, both are quite optimistic in the extreme, but I try to look at these things from all angles, including the possibility for something positive coming out of it.

Great points and I also hope that this agreement can potentially create some common ground on this issue (despite the fact that I will not use Origin either). Even though Wasteland is still currently available on abandonware (I wonder if this will change soon re-release or not?) the amount posts I've seen on Kickstarter and on these boards suggests there is a genuine interest in a re-release.

[Funkinator]

I tend to agree BUT, if working with EA gets them access to the original Wasteland to upgrade and re-release (at a later date) or just gets the original re-released (on more current platforms) I'm willing to hold my nose and accept it.

So long as it's inXile's Wasteland 2 being distributed by EA and that (hoepfully) gets us Wasteland: Reloaded by inXile in association with EA, I can live with it.

Fargo already owns the rights to Wasteland.

Look, I want this to be good for Inxile. But I don't want them to make deals with the devil.

I donated a decent sum of money because:

1.) I love Wasteland.
2.) I want to support Inxile.
3.) I dislike where the industry has gone.

Wasteland won't be only on Origin. But it should never be on Origin. It is disingenuous of the theme of the project for it to be on Origin. EA is no longer "For the Player. By the player." They are for themselves. It gives EA false credit. They are not doing this to help PC games or indie developers in the long run. They are trying to get PR. And will turn on Inxile and others soon.

It is the story of the frog and scorpion. It is in their nature.

I donated to Brian to fight the establishment. But now. I wish I could rescind it. As a fan, I am saddened by these actions.

[Ronin73]

But Fargo does not own the distribution rights to the original Wasteland. It currently remains dormant with EA.

This is a storm in a tea cup. Origin is a distributor and has no say in the production of the game whatsoever. Everyone will get Wasteland 2 through the distribution method of their choice and at the end of the day it's something that doesn't really matter to the consumer unless you like bitching for the sake of bitching.

[Azriel]

I am totally anti-EA and will never buy anything off origin. I only use steam and gog, origin is fine as long as the same games can be found on steam and no exclusives. Choices are good, its when EA makes developers sign an exclusive deal and ea not releasing their games on the more popular digital distributor that a lot of us have problems with. Again, as long as their is no exclusiveness and it shows up on steam, I think most of us will be fine. I will say EA is toxic waste to the gaming community and I advise any developer to avoid exclusiveness with them or using (shudder) GFWL if they want to stay on gamers good side. I know they offer a buttload of money, but its not worth all the negative fan reaction in the long run.

[Azriel]

I would prefer brian and gang to avoid EA like the plague. I have a feeling that once he lets EA in a crack, it will come back to bite everyone in a later date. This is EA, the personification of corporate evil in the gaming world. I would not waste time trying to get the original wasteland released, EA will ONLY put it on origin, which many gamers will not use. Me included. I have missed out on many games thanks to EA's BS practice of not putting their games on anything besides origin. Thats fine, saves me a lot of money and honestly, EA games have really taken a nose dive in quality.

[Color Blotch]

I donated to Brian to fight the establishment.

Strange. I'm pretty sure the project page on kickstarter said "video game", not "fight the establishment" project.

[Funkinator]

I donated to Brian to fight the establishment.

Strange. I'm pretty sure the project page on kickstarter said "video game", not "fight the establishment" project.

So the videos showing the establishment not supporting Wasteland were pro-establishment? Really. Nice selective memory.

[Funkinator]

But Fargo does not own the distribution rights to the original Wasteland. It currently remains dormant with EA.

This is a storm in a tea cup. Origin is a distributor and has no say in the production of the game whatsoever. Everyone will get Wasteland 2 through the distribution method of their choice and at the end of the day it's something that doesn't really matter to the consumer unless you like bitching for the sake of bitching.

Hey, thanks for attacking me and not my argument. Sorry for offending you with my opinion or as you state my "bitching".

My stance is that EA is trying repair their image my disingenuously supporting Kickstarters. They don't support the cause.

The cause is good PC games.

EA just want to help themselves. By working with EA, Brian gives them space to be EA. Or evil.