Battlefield 2142 With a Dash of Spyware

[zero]

Found this through Slashdot (http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/17/1319235)
I guess BF2142 may come with some mandatory "spyware" to monitor your web habits to better provide in-game ads. This game is looking less and less appealing.

Here's the article, it's pretty short so I just cut and pasted. Direct link to article if you're interested: http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/centipedes/battlefield-2142-with-a-dash-of-spyware-207955.php
Tipper Nic directs our attention to this forum post, where we read of a disheartening little slip of paper that suggests some seriously gross spyware will be installed along with Battlefield 2142, all in the name of in-game advertising:

"So. In the latest CGW podcast, they received retail boxed copies of BF 2142.

When you open the box, a big slip of paper falls out first, preceeding any discs or manuals. The slip of paper says, essentially, that 2142 includes monitoring software which runs while your computer is online, and records "anonymous" information like your IP address, surfing habits (probably via cookie scans), and other "computing habits" in order to report this information back to ad companies and ad servers, which generates in-game ads.

Now, I can live with certain in-game ads (though apparently there will be Dodge truck and Neon ads in the bleak, futuristic world of 2142), but including a lengthy description - outside of even the Eula - seems to indicate even EA knows that this is some shady borderline spyware shit. I don't support it and won't be buying 2142 (for a host of other reasons, too)."

Can you imagine how much the ad companies are paying for this information? Makes me feel a little ill.
Eliza Gauger

[sylverarrow]

Reason enough not to buy. Game to me isn't that good anyhow. It's BF2 modded horribly.

[Nebula]

Two words

fuck that.

oh, and fuck you EA.

[Thunder]

Well, that seals it for me. I was on the fence and going to see if a good number of GNG would buy. Screw that. That's the same reason I haven't bought Galactic Empires 2, screw Stardock, forget EA. Guild Wars it is!

[Snk]

Reason enough not to buy. Game to me isn't that good anyhow. It's BF2 modded horribly.

You havnt even played it bish...shut yo mouth :lol: Watching it and playing it is different..just fucking with ya hehe..I like the demo I think its a ton of fun.....but I dont like the spyware deal...........wow :salookr:

Oh ya and im not sure if its true or not....I dont know the source so im gonna see what other sites say this before I make a rash choice.

[Triple_6]

Thunder, Stardock is about the most gamer-friendly developer/publisher out there. Their last game Galactic Civilizations II had no copy-protection at all on it. Starforce was so pissed off they even put a link on their official company forums where you could go and pirate Galactic Civ, which caused a huge uproar.

I think you have Stardock and Starforce mixed up, my friend. Galactic Civilizations is a great game and Stardock one of the best companies.

STARFORCE does suck however and you can read more about it here: http://www.glop.org/starforce/

As for BF2142, anybody that buys that shit is a damn fool. You are paying 50 dollars for a mod WITH in-game advertising AND spyware. It's like EA is trying to test their boundaries and see just how much bullshit the average gamer is willing to put up with. Please don't reward that behavior.

[Hooligan]

Well I was on the fence before, but now I'm definatly not gonna buy it.

[Thunder]

Thanks T6, I didn't realize I had them confused. That makes me want to go out and buy it now. Thanks for the link too, really cleared it up. :biggrin:

[JimbobSS]

looks like I won't be buying it.

[Hooligan]

I copied this from another website:

October 17, 2006

Q&A: IGA's Townsend On BF2142 In-Game Ads

Q&A: IGA's Townsend On BF2142 In-Game Ads Talking to Gamasutra, IGA Worldwide CEO Justin Townsend has explained his company's work with EA on Battlefield 2142's in-game ads, following earlier controversy over a disclaimer shipped with the European version of the game.

The disclaimer had some users concerned over what they termed 'spyware' related to the dynamic in-game advertising supplied by IGA. But Townsend made it clear that IGA "does not capture any personally identifiable information" for those playing BF2142, going on to explain exactly what details the game's users are supplying when they play.

IGA's In-Game Ad Capture Specifics

Specifically, IGA's software uses the IP address for geotargeting of in-game ads (so that European ads are not shown to those in the U.S., for example). It also creates a unique user number that's generated locally, and is able to re-identify the gamer when he next appears online.

In addition, IGA's in-game ad solution does capture the time of day that the user started to play each gaming session - Townsend mentioned, as an example, that "if the brief says 'Males 18 to 34'", the ads may only be served between 6pm and 9pm on a weekday evening or similar, to replicate 'primetime' viewing.

The time that each ad impression takes place is also recorded by IGA, alongside what type of ad content it was (billboard, megaboard, or video stream), the duration (how long was the ad seen for), the size of the ad relative to the player, and the angle of deflection (what angle the ad is viewed at).

Anonymity, The Need For Ads

IGA's Townsend went on to explain exactly why identifying specific consumers is not part of his company's goal, explaining: "In the advertising sector, generally you have two very distinct forms of advertising - above the line and below the line."

The company's advertising is 'above the line', which is to say that it's communicating the brand image, much like TV, and it's not 'below the line' advertising like the Internet & direct mail which seeks to get into a dialogue or a transaction with the consumer. Thus, Townsend explained that there's no need to know who exactly customers are. He clarified: "For us, all we need to do is to make sure we are serving the right ads to the right IP."

Regarding today's online controversy, Townsend noted that "you are always going have that hardcore vocal minority" who don't want in-game ads. But he suggested that if those same people "knew the kind of painful transition that most publishers are going through right now", they might approve of in-game ads as an important financial support function for next-gen titles.

He particularly commented: "If gamers still want to have a high amount of good quality titles year in and year out, there needs to be alternate revenue streams" for next-gen gaming - IGA clearly sees in-game advertising as a notable example of this.

IGA's In-Game Ad Capture Specifics

Finally, when asked about the suitability of the in-game ad creative for Battlefield 2142, which is somewhat of a futuristic title, Townsend explained that the company is "actually getting brands to do specific creative for games" to enable those brands to blend in better in the game.

Addressing BF2142 itself, Townsend, who noted that he is a fan of the series and is currently playing Battlefield 2, explained that "it's near future", in the sense that "...there are no laser beams being shot around." Thus, "because it's predominantly set in urban environemnts", a lot of the creative for the ads in the game "is generic, or will be adapted to suit the near-future element."
POSTED: 12.34PM PST, 10/17/06 - Simon Carless - LINK
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[Snk]

Damn I still want it....might have to see what people say after it is released :doubt:

[Triple_6]

I've read that IGA statement too and I'm still not getting it. For me when I pay 50 dollars for a game then that's it. I'm not gonna be subjected to advertisements in the one venue left where I don't have to, nor want to, deal with them. I also can't see how EA justifies charging full price for a game and further includes in-game advertising for additional revenue. Charge me less and include advertisements or charge me more and leave them out.

Personally I thought the demo was fun and was playing it even up to a few days ago, but despite that, I think people and especially consumers have to stand up for their principles and keep their money in their wallets when it matters. If BF2142 is a success than that means advertising and limited spyware will go into future EA projects, then lesser publishers will tack them on, because they will have learned that not enough people give a shit and are willing to put up with it. EA has by far the worst reputation of any of the major publishers in the industry, but you know what? They keep pulling shit like this because monkeys like you keep buying their products. Sometimes you gotta make sacrifices.

That is of course unless advertisements in video games don't bother you, and I've talked to a lot of people who say it doesn't, but damn if I'm going for it.

[Sammie]

you must be some kind of commie or something

that's good old fashion capitialism son

dont you love your country?





:lol:

[HHBizzle]

UNinstall FTW

[zero]

You can always count on Penny Arcade to be current:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/10/20
http://www.penny-arcade.com/2006/10/20

[137]

I've seen where the ads will be placed and really it's no different than the fake ads painted on some walls in cs source, only these can be updated, and really I pay them no mind but I think it would be neat in a way that they can do that w/o affecting the game. It's the beginning of indirect advertising. For some reason im going to want a pepsi while playing bf2142 lol.

Anyway add me to your buddy list in 2142

my user name is o137o (those are OH's lol)

[Hoplon]

Indirect advertising has been around for decades. Brand names pay to show up in movies on a regular basis. I kind of have mixed feeling seeing them used in games though.

I didn't find bf2142 as enjoyable as bf2 so i won't be buying it.