EA has once again proven that being the bigger man is not in their vocabulary when it comes to dealing with their Origin’s competition, Steam.

On a post in the Bioware forums for the upcoming Mass Effect 3, Bioware states that the RPG will only be available on Origin “initially” and not Steam.  Why do you ask?  According to Bioware’s Chris Priestly it’s because of Steam’s “restrictive terms of service”.

“During initial release Mass Effect 3 will be available on Origin and a number of other 3rd party digital retailers, but not on Steam at this time. Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to deliver patches and other downloadable content.  We are intent on providing Mass Effect to players with the best possible experience no matter where they purchase or play their game, and are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with our consumers.”

Apparently limiting your consumer base is a great way to ensure sales of your game!  Go EA!

via Bioware

 

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So, it wouldn't be on steam because steams terms are that if your game is on steam, you must also be able to get the paid DLC through steam too. Fair enough that EA doesn't want to do that, since they have there digial service.

But....in order to buy DLC for Mass Effect 2, you have to sign up for biowares site, and then buy bioware points, THEN you can buy the DLC, and figure out how to install it.

I'm gonna say, going to steam, buying a DLC, then having it it automatically just work seems like "the best possible experiance" to me....

That is funny. EA bitching about someone else's tos. It's completely transparent though because they said initially. Which means they want to maximize profits by distributing it themselves. Then when the sales drop they'll send it to steams wider market.

Basically limiting the options and punishing the fans who are loyal enough to purchase on release.

Yeah EA is the worst with their services, dunno why they're complaining about Steam, which only ever made managing your PC games easier, whereas EA is constantly taking steps in the wrong direction.

I don't use steam or origin I am aware of the battle going on between the two, glad to be partly removed.. consoles ftw!

I don't use steam or origin I am aware of the battle going on between the two, glad to be partly removed.. consoles ftw!

[PC elitist snob]At least with our warring companies we still get to buy games from either one without having to spend several hundred dollars on a new console.[/PC elitist snob]

loljk

EA is too funny.

and are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with our consumers.

I believe your crappy piece of software called origin restricts your ability to connect directly with consumers more than Steam does...