EA vs. Valve

[PurpleGaga27 40]

Here's an interesting post by someone about this:

http://www.commandandconquer.com/forums/index.php/topic/32655-ea-vs-valve/\

 

Well EA can't own Valve due to the competition between Origin and Steam, which means Valve will need a new publisher/distributor when Half-Life 3 or some other major game (from Valve) comes out.

[Nyerguds 101]

Why would valve need a publisher? Especially through Steam, they're perfectly capable of self-publishing...

[Doctor Destiny 41]

Valve is evil like EA. I don't like either of them really.

[Guest Stevie_K]

What is so evil about them?

[PurpleGaga27 40]

Both Valve and EA supported the usage of DRM which explains why there's a competition to piracy using cloud programs between Steam and Origin.

[Luk3us 63]

All big corporations are evil, Valve and EA aren't special.

[Doctor Destiny 41]

What is so evil about them?

The way they treat their customers. Steam and Origin sound great until you dig into them a little. One false move and you can lose your entire game library... that you paid for. I really, really despise this. There are far more evil corporations out there like Bank of America and Halliburton, but EA and Valve are right near the top when it comes to the gaming industry.

[Guest Stevie_K]

They are doing what they can get away with. I imagine them to believe that if they remain within the borders of the laws and keep making money, everything is fine. A system that allows for corporations to run carelessly for the environment and in manners very unfair to consumers is more in the direction of what I would call "evil" (which is a silly word I really hate to use).

 

The biggest impact you can have on changing corporations you don't like, is to stop paying for the **** they throw at you and do something more about it than calling them evil on message boards.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Stevie_K

[Tore 33]

The way they treat their customers. Steam and Origin sound great until you dig into them a little. One false move and you can lose your entire game library... that you paid for. I really, really despise this. There are far more evil corporations out there like Bank of America and Halliburton, but EA and Valve are right near the top when it comes to the gaming industry.

Which why I buy games on GoG before Steam if they are available.

[Nyerguds 101]

I only seem to buy games from Humble Bundle these days

[Doctor Destiny 41]

They are doing what they can get away with. I imagine them to believe that if they remain within the borders of the laws and keep making money, everything is fine. A system that allows for corporations to run carelessly for the environment and in manners very unfair to consumers is more in the direction of what I would call "evil" (which is a silly word I really hate to use).

 

The biggest impact you can have on changing corporations you don't like, is to stop paying for the **** they throw at you and do something more about it than calling them evil on message boards.

The problem is that I can't avoid Steam and Origin. I play games on PC now and I like having a library. I don't do anything stupid like hack in games or cheat the system but the very idea that they can take away products I paid for is a little... disconcerting. I'd avoid both platforms if I could but I can't if I want to play anything new.

[Guest Stevie_K]

(...) the very idea that they can take away products I paid for is a little... disconcerting.

That is the product you've decided to pay for. Technically they could "take it away", and that is the minimal risk that follows with these virtual products. I completely understand your concerns around the fact that it would be possible for these publishers to remove your access to the content you have bought a license to use or actually "own", but in the end the system needs a last resort against users abusing it extensively.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

When it comes to avoiding Steam, Origin and other similar publishing platforms, there is still the solution of saying no. It is not easy since an equally convenient alternative doesn't exist, but that does not mean that doing so will not have an impact. Bad sales can turn companies around way faster than most people realize.

[Doctor Destiny 41]

I'd rather just play by the damn rules than just try to ignore the good things that digital platforms can bring. I don't mind the digital thing. In fact, I support it but I don't like the idea that someone can simply take away the access to things I bought just because they can. They can't do that with my lawn mower.

[HeadClot 0]

Personally, I like Steam. I do not like origin.

 

I do however think that both can learn from each other.

 

For example -

 

Steam should have more customer service reps... to deal with Customer service stuff. It took me a week to get a problem worked out.

 

EA needs to stop rushing games out the door. I understand that it is a bussiness. However games are like fine wines let them age just right and they will be good to the gamers.

[Nmenth 290]

EA needs to stop rushing games out the door. I understand that it is a bussiness.

Rushing games is not good business.

[Luk3us 63]

You should tell the games industry that, because lately it seems to be all they can do well.