Topic: [Frontpage News]Battlefield 2142 Ads and Spyware

[Zeus]

It seems as though Battlefield 2142 has shipped to retails and is now awaiting launch.  Before you rush out and buy this game though, there is something you should know.  For the regular price of $59.99 you are actually paying to be advertised to.  This game carries in-game advertising and records when you view an ad in game and how long you look at it.  It will send this information to the advertising company so it can better target you in game.  Think about the implica. . .

Let's be fair here, if the ads are oriented toward male gamers and display engine degreasers, shocks & struts, or even Dewalt Power Tools, that's not fair to the growing percentage of female gamers.  They would need to offer ads for Florists, feminine products, and hair color. (No offence ladies, these are just the popular commercial products on TV).  The last thing I want to be doing is getting ready to frag BCCHowdy and seeing an advertisement reminding me to stay true to myself and that I'm worth the $10 I spent of hair color.

[Fujitsu]

If they offered two versions, one at 60, and one at 40, but the 40 dollar version had ads, I'd probably save 20 bucks and deal with the ads.

However as it is now, you really have no option other than to view the ads if you want to play the game.

Is it the end of the world? No

Am I going to rush out and give EA 60 bucks? Probably not

I'm not too worried however about it going much further though, its the same as putting an ad up on the hockey boards, we have gotten used to them and don't think much about it, but I'm sure when they first put ads in the hockey areana people had the same reaction. We dish out 60 bucks no problem to go to the rink to watch a game, while during the whole game its one advertisment after another, but in the end being subjected to these ads "technically" should make watching the game cheaper (We can debate whether thats true or not), but I would hope in the future if there are ads in the game, the price of the game is lower, seems only fair to me

[Zeus]

If they offered two versions, one at 60, and one at 40, but the 40 dollar version had ads, I'd probably save 20 bucks and deal with the ads.

However as it is now, you really have no option other than to view the ads if you want to play the game.

Is it the end of the world? No

Am I going to rush out and give EA 60 bucks? Probably not

I agree with you on a few of those points Fujitsu.  However, if no one stands up and blows a whistle and demands lower game prices on games that are ad supported, the game developer won't have any accountability and can do whatever they want - pretty much like what they do right now.  With a company as large as EA, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt their bottom line if they game BF2142 away and relied totally on add support.

If EA offered two versions like you mention, I too would probably save $20 and buy the ad sponsored version, unless they offered the ad free version in DVD format and the ad supported version was 6 CDs.  I hate CDs.

[Seeker]

Ok, one thing here if your reading these ad's then your not playing the game right?? capped easy. If these ads are in to do what ads are suposed to do, (make alot of money for all the ppl involved) Look at hockey, baseball etc.. just a matter of time for games. Its entertainment we all know that we all pay way to much for these extras..10 million a year to play hockey come on. Alot of ppl play games now as these are the cheaper form of playtime for now,so these markets have to be "tapped" Anyway im not amused by this, just wait for the 30 meg. patch   BF 2142 ad begoner.exe

[Zeus]

One point of the article is that it tracks how long you view an ad in-game and will target your player with ads relevant to what you look at.  The reality is that programs that collect data and send it is are labeled as spyware - they are spying on what you look at and reporting it to it's master.  If you install the game, you have to install this spyware.  You don't have a choice.  That is my beef.  I don't mind ad supported games such as Anarchy online or other titles that have static ads, but when the software I install is reporting my watchings and reporting the data without my actual consent (I accepted the EULA because I want to play) - that chaps me.  You  are forced to install spyware in order to play the game.

We cried, whined and bellyached when companies used StarForce and installed rootkits and other crap on our machines, so we need to whine about this enough that EA drop the spyware feature of this ad campaign.  Show me ads, just don't collect the data.  Also give me a fair price for a game that's already making you money.

[Howdy Duty]

I hate to disagree, but using advertisements at events such as baseball games and hockey games is completely different.  Most of the time those advertisements are there because the companies were big sponsors of either building the facility in the first place, or the event itself.  Those sponsors/advertisers help make those events possible.  (Ticket prices don't bother me that much, but buying a hot dog and a pop for $12 does, but that's besides the point)

However, if I did go to a baseball game and somebody followed me around watching me and recorded where I was, when, what I was looking at, and for how long, I'd have some serious problems with that.

EA has plenty of money to spend developing their games.  I doubt they needed help from Pepsi or Snickers to make the game possible.  They're in it for the extra $$.  Like they need it.

After playing the demo I wasn't all that thrilled about the game, but decided I'd probably buy it when I got bored with *all* my other games.  I've really lost interest now.

I leave you with this question...Why?  Why do they need to advertise in their games?  Greed?  Prolly.

-HD

[BoneRak]

Bought the game. Installing the game.
So I have a question. So I stop to look at "feminine products". Does that make all the advertisements directed at me girl products? I won't want to show up at the next lan party because my computer will be copping me out! 
The last place I really need to be sidetracked is in a game. Actually there was howling when Unreal Tournament 2004 allowed advertisements to be added to the start of a game. I hardly notice those anymore. But then again those adds don't report back to big brother.

[Seeker]

Im hoping to get this game soon.. got to be in the "loop" As far as the ads, if you have the time to look at these ads then your not playing the game so kinda defeats in why you  bought the game right?  Things have been pushed on us ppl a long time, so play it and play it hard. Dont go near the ads then maybe ??  IT SUCKS