PC Gaming Thread

[nrk]

Originally Posted by nepg

So...EA F*CKED up everything today...

Apparently, they're too good for Steam, so they're pulling all of their games off of the Steam system and are launching their own system called Origin. I don't trust this **** AT ALL. Also, with Origin, your lose the games after 2 years and all of your **** gets deleted.

Steam has done soooo much for PC gaming, and now EA comes in and ***** it all up... I don't know that I'll be playing TOR now. I don't want that **** on my computer because, like I said, I don't trust it...

They're not pulling off all their games, only Crysis 2. They won't be releasing new games branded as Origin exclusives on Steam though.

Where did you read that you lose the games after 2 years? That sounds completely false.

EA originally tried this years ago, but it failed. It's really not a surprise to see them try again with all the success Steam is having.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by nrk

Where did you read that you lose the games after 2 years? That sounds completely false.

http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/WEBTERMS/US/en/PC/#section5

[nrk]

Originally Posted by njx9

http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/WEBTERMS/US/en/PC/#section5

We do not guarantee that any Content or Entitlement will be available at all times or at any given time or that we will continue to offer particular Content or Entitlements for any particular length of time. We reserve the right to change and update Content and Entitlements without notice to you. If you have not used your Entitlements or Account for twenty four (24) months or more and your Account has associated Entitlements, your Entitlements will expire and your Account may be cancelled for non-use. Once you have redeemed your Entitlements, that content is not returnable, exchangeable, or refundable for other Entitlements or for cash, or other goods or services.

While I agree it's dumb, it most likely won't ever happen. It's there so they have the right. If they just deleted games from their users accounts, they'd never beat Steam and they know that.

Also, you could just buy the dvd. While I hate doing this now with my large collection on Steam, it's probably what I'll do for TOR and BF3.

[njx9]

i don't disagree that it's unlikely; characterizing it as completely false, however, is demonstrably untrue.

[nrk]

Originally Posted by njx9

i don't disagree that it's unlikely; characterizing it as completely false, however, is demonstrably untrue.

I asked for a source. I never read that before so it just sounded like a rumor to me. I'm not denying that it exists now with a proper link.

[Forenci]

So I'm confused. If you don't use the game for 24 months they could (in theory) delete it from your account?

[nrk]

Originally Posted by Forenci

So I'm confused. If you don't use the game for 24 months they could (in theory) delete it from your account?

That's what it says in their terms of service. I have my doubts that they will ever do that, but I wouldn't put it past EA.

[ElectricEye]

Not sure if this is quite the right thread for this, but I've seen hardware questions here before.

I'm in the market for a large(27 inch is ideal) LED monitor for gaming as well as just general entertainment purposes. Television functionality of some kind would be a major plus, but it's not completely necessarily either. At least one HDMI is the major requirement I'm working with, as well a good MS time for gaming. Lowest size I can realistically go down to is 24/23 and I know that opens things up a little bit as well as makes things slightly cheaper, but I would prefer the larger format as I will be watching movies from across a moderately size room from time to time on it. Resolution greater than 1920x1080 isn't really a big deal for me either. Looking to stay in the 300 type range, but I could go up a bit if there was a truly compelling option, although it would require a little bit of waiting. I could end up just purchasing a TV too, if the options are slightly better, but I would prefer a monitor just for the versatility and price benefits.

Here's what I've come up with so far;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824116483

This one has all the prerequisites, with the exception of TV functionality, at a pretty good price(even cheaper if I order open box) . The MS is great. I haven't bought anything from Viewsonic in the past though, besides some HUGE CRT Monitor back in the late 90's I vaguely remember having some issues with. It's also not the most aesthetically pleasing of the ones I'm currently looking at. I also haven't been able to find a whole ton of reviews on it because it appears the product is fairly new.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001476

I've worked with Samsung's before and had generally good experiences with them and this one brings something to the table aesthetically, which is nice. The 2MS response time is in the range of what I'm looking for. No TV built in(acceptable, not ideal) and one HDMI is a bit of a bummer, however.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001392

Current leader in the pack. I'm already a bit upset I didn't snag one today, Amazon had one at $250 for some reason earlier but they sold it. Good value for dollar and meets everything I want in terms of features. Slower response time than the other two, which isn't quite a deal breaker, but certainly isn't ideal. I'm not all that picky or some kind of video enthusiast though, so not really that big of a deal I suppose.

Edit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...3&Tpk=FX2490HD

Also an option. 5MS isn't ideal and 24 inches isn't so good either, but everything else is solid and it's a new model at a good price, also a plus.

So yeah, any recommendations? Anyone know anything better?

[vidae]

Originally Posted by nepg

So...EA F*CKED up everything today...

Apparently, they're too good for Steam, so they're pulling all of their games off of the Steam system and are launching their own system called Origin. I don't trust this **** AT ALL. Also, with Origin, your lose the games after 2 years and all of your **** gets deleted.

Steam has done soooo much for PC gaming, and now EA comes in and ***** it all up... I don't know that I'll be playing TOR now. I don't want that **** on my computer because, like I said, I don't trust it...

I can't believe anyone would get this angry over something so small and trivial. Is it stupid? Sure. Is it the end of the world like you're making it out to be? No. You have to log in once in TWO ******* YEARS to keep everything intact. Is it really THAT big of a deal? Of course it isn't.

Steam has a clause in their TOS stating that they can delete your account at any time for any reason, but you still use Steam. Give me a break.

This is a way for them to get rid of old, unused accounts. It isn't going to happen to you and it most likely won't happen to anyone you know. Take off the tin-foil hat.

edit ps:

UPDATE: EA has contacted Platform Nation and has told us that this clause was included for legal protection and they have no intention of deleting users accounts or games. EA representatives also said “rest assured 100% we will never delete paid content”. So it looks like your games and content are safe on Origin.

http://www.platformnation.com/2011/0...er-inactivity/

The sky isn't falling afterall!

[nepg]

I trust Valve, I don't trust EA. It's a huge deal. The only PC games I get from EA are Dragon Age and Mass Effect. I like Steam, but I HATE the idea of having another similar program running on my machine like that. And I don't trust EA's system to not go through my Steam files and find EA games and **** **** up.

It's a serious inconvenience, and I just don't trust EA.

For monitors, I don't touch anything that isn't Samsung.

[vidae]

So don't use Origin. It's literally that simple. Don't like something? Don't use it.

And it so isn't a huge deal, you're just making it out to be one.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by ElectricEye

Not sure if this is quite the right thread for this, but I've seen hardware questions here before.

i've had nothing but good experiences with viewsonic. in fact, over 4-5 monitors, i've never even had so much as a dead pixel.

that said, if you can, find a retailer selling them, and go check them out in person. i don't tend to find a lot of noticeable difference between same-level lcds (assuming, of course, that you're not buying some bizarre off brand). *shrug*


and as far as origins, there's a near zero chance that i'll let EA decide when and how capriciously to delete all of my content. they're a scumbag company with absolutely no idea how to value customers. i won't be buying/playing tor at least in part because i don't trust EA with subscription level content delivery. i'll still buy ME on physical media, but that's very nearly the only money EA gets from me anymore.

[nrk]

Downloading the Battlefield 3 alpha. It's easy. You have to have or create an EA account and download Origin. Then go to go to bf3alpha.battlefield.com and log in. It will give you a key to redeem on Origin.

[nepg]

Steam is perfect. EA is wasting money with Origin and it seems like they think way too highly of their PC gaming market... Which consists of...ME and DA... Gotta wonder how long Bioware sticks with them...

[Stash]

Originally Posted by nrk

Downloading the Battlefield 3 alpha. It's easy. You have to have or create an EA account and download Origin. Then go to go to bf3alpha.battlefield.com and log in. It will give you a key to redeem on Origin.

Do they give them to everyone who does that?

[ElectricEye]

Originally Posted by njx9

i've had nothing but good experiences with viewsonic. in fact, over 4-5 monitors, i've never even had so much as a dead pixel.

that said, if you can, find a retailer selling them, and go check them out in person. i don't tend to find a lot of noticeable difference between same-level lcds (assuming, of course, that you're not buying some bizarre off brand). *shrug*

Looks more and more like I'm going with that one. No retailers selling it near me though :( So I'm going off specs and word of mouth alone. The 24 inch Samsung is still in play too though, just wish they made the same thing in a 27 for a competitive price with Viewsonic.

[nrk]

Originally Posted by Stash

Do they give them to everyone who does that?

I believe so. I don't know if there are limited keys, but after going to that website and logging in they will give you a key. You enter that key on Origin and then start the download.

Looking at that website again, it skips step 1: invitation by going to that link. I don't know if it is suppose to work openly.

[StripedWalrus]

Originally Posted by nrk

I believe so. I don't know if there are limited keys, but after going to that website and logging in they will give you a key. You enter that key on Origin and then start the download.

Looking at that website again, it skips step 1: invitation by going to that link. I don't know if it is suppose to work openly.

I did this and it came up saying I was not able to do it. So it must be limited.

Gwin writes:
Please note this is exactly what i did and 1-3 days later i received my code, so it’s probably not a coincidence(sic)
1. Login to EA of your account
2. Add the games of battlefield series (i added BF2, BF1942)
3. Add BF3! i did this because it was there
4. Explore around the Origin Site (i did this but don’t know if it’s related)
when i did this, within 3 days i got my invite… i think the age of the account, the games you bought over the years and what your interests/jobs are (if in IT i think they think that you understand tech stuff) is part of the invite process
this is what i did, you can try too so don’t get angry if it doesn’t work.
Please note i only have added Battlefield games on my EA account so i don’t know if this also makes a difference.
P.S i don’t think it’s against the rules to post when i did which MAY get your an invite.
Disclaimer: Please do not use any of this information, I do not condone any use of this information, it’s for educational purposes only.

Secondly

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS OF ALPHA TESTING BATTLEFIELD 3:
Dates: July 19 – August 1
Platform: PC
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER (use any browser other than opera)
1) Site Alpha testing BF3 https://bf3alpha.battlefield.com/index.php?id=1
2) Login using your credentials for a user account EA or sign up to EA
3) Accept the terms of use and confirm their participation
4) Get the code for loading the game Will be at top of screen)
5) Download the game client, follow the instructions to download
6) Leave a comment and answer questions in our questionnaire on security forum

[Forenci]

I managed to get in and am downloading it now.

[StripedWalrus]

Originally Posted by Forenci

I managed to get in and am downloading it now.

How did you go about getting in?

[Mr. Goosemahn]

Anyone here have Amnesia: The Dark Descent? Thinking about getting it.

[nepg]

It's scary.

[ImBrotherCain]

I really wish Bioware wouldn't taunt us like this. Normally by now we would have a release date.

http://kotaku.com/5827577/world-of-w...losing-players

Now is the time to try and steal some of the hard core WoW fans away. They just have to strike while the other side is wounded.

[vidae]

I think Blizzard is going to release Diablo 3 when TOR is released. I have a feeling.

[ImBrotherCain]

They are claiming that it is to be released in 2011... Which would suck. I wouldn't know which one to play.