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First, a quick recap: A couple weeks ago, EA announced its brand new PC gaming download service, Origin. The publisher then took Origin to E3 and promoted it until our dreams began telling us to “download the rest of your innermost desires on Origin!” Days later, Crysis 2 went into invisibility mode and crept away from Steam's hallowed halls – permanently. Hell of way for EA to declare war, huh? Well, it would have been – you know, if EA had actually done anything.
“It’s unfortunate that Steam has removed Crysis 2 from their service. This was not an EA decision or the result of any action by EA,” the publisher said in a statement to GameFront.
“Steam has imposed a set of business terms for developers hoping to sell content on that service – many of which are not imposed by other online game services. Unfortunately, Crytek has an agreement with another download service which violates the new rules from Steam and resulted in its expulsion of Crysis 2 from Steam.”
Hey, Origin counts as “another download service,” right? What a weird coincidence. But you don't think... no. There's no way.
At any rate, Crysis 2 is still available on services like Direct2Drive – in spite of being declared “Origin only” after its removal from Steam.
Regardless, EA plays for keeps, and Valve has a habit of ruthlessly crushing its competitors like – we don't know – a giant robot that believes it's a dog or something. At this point, a clash is inevitable, and we imagine the resulting fireworks show will be mind-blowingly expensive for both sides. Fingers crossed that Crysis 2 ends up being the only casualty, but – given that Star Wars: The Old Republic has embraced the dark side and gone Origin-exclusive – we wouldn't count on it.
Comments are closed on this article
kixofmyg0t
June 17, 2011 at 10:35am
I'm gonna have to say this one deserves a "consoles FTW".
I'm still happy with my PS3 version of Crysis 2....that i can still play no matter what company is pissed at another....or however many websites and services Anonymous takes down....jus sayin.
(in reality my most powerful computer barely plays Starcraft 2.....so it's consoles or nothing for me)
joeyjr
June 16, 2011 at 4:57pm
For the love of PC gaming, I have had it with how compaies play there games. I feel, most of us gamers don't care about whats going on behind the seens. All we want to do is play the game. I hope this will work it self out. I have many EA games from Steam and had Crysis 2 on my wish list because I have all the older versions of the game. Steam makes PC gaming better. Shame on you, Evil Prince who did this, leave this universe for ever and never come back or else I will have to call the Lexx.
kixofmyg0t
June 17, 2011 at 10:37am
imagine what's gonna happen when lulzsec takes down Steam........
schneider1492
June 24, 2011 at 2:14pm
valve is focused enough on security that i don't see that happening. even if it did valve encrypts its shit. if you tried to log in from a different computer it locks part of your account until you respond to an email. remember when the guy from valve gave out his id and password and challenged people to get access to his account. sure they are susceptible to a DDoS attack but so is everybody, but that's not hacking, its just overloading a servers bandwidth with a massive amount of requests so others cant log in. considering steam downloads are augmented by a p2p protocol you could not do it with downloads.
Dude420
June 16, 2011 at 1:00pm
my 1st steam game was Valve's Halflife2. From the initial installation and on, with every playing session, the annoyance of logging in to the steam client and "updating" for was incresingly unbearable, especially since i had a very slow connection... I was shocked of not being able to just play.
Eventually, (especially with all the DRM crap) i stopped using my legitimate copy and installed a cracked version instead. Everything became more peachy, even the frame rates were smoother!
Ever since every legal copy of a game i buy, stays shrinkwrapped in its original box, while I have a RIP release for actual use. I'm all for supporting the developers, they more than deserve it. but I'm DONE with steam and all others!
I don't know about anybody out there in remote ButtF@*k locations or 3rd world countries that don't provide best-seller products, I like purchasing physical hard-copies from local retailers, or in the worst case Amazon and the likes..
luusyphre
June 17, 2011 at 11:08am
Steam has come a long way since they first started. I remember hating Steam because it my games ran faster without it too. But they seemed to have shaped up (or maybe my rig is just too beefy nowadays). Now I even add my non-Steam games to my Steam games list so it can run with the Steam overlay and friends list. The Steam overlay also has a browser that lets you go online and look up tips, check email, use web-based chat (meebo.com), without having to alt-tab of the game (great for games that aren't alt-tab friendly).
I've since hated getting physical copies of games. I have pretty limited space in my home, so the last thing I need is another worthless disc and box, which I'll only ever need once, lying around taking up space. I know that if Steam ever dies or something that all my games are lost, but by the time that happens, the chances of me going back and playing old games is pretty slim (even though I keep saying I will).
As for DRM, I find that Steam does a pretty decent job with those hassles: I no longer need to insert a disc (or download a crack), my CD key can be retrieved from the client and can be copy and pasted, and besides the UBISoft crap, I have yet to run into any problems that kept me from playing. The only main annoyance is that some games also require Windows Live (like Batman Arkam Asylum) and need to be registered multiple times before it can run (not a fault of Steam). Windows Live also encrypts your save games (which sucks!), meaning it's impossible to give anyone else your save.
I implore you to give Steam another try. They've really gotten a lot better since HL2 came out. It's still a little slow to start if not loaded, but I just leave it on all the time now (I think there's also an option to turn off automatic updates, but that doesn't really bother me).
noobstix
June 16, 2011 at 12:34pm
The only time I use Steam is for Left 4 Dead 2, Mass Effect 2, Portal, and some of the free games (like the MMOs they've began offering a couple days ago). Other than that, the other games I've acquired outside of Steam I'm still proud to have since I don't have to wait the extra time to log onto Steam. Plus, I don't have to worry about updates tanking my game (I'm still a little ticked off at what Steam did to my copy of ME2 when the 1.02 update was being rolled out).
Holly Golightly
June 16, 2011 at 9:56am
I just purchased "Alice: Madness Returns" and it did require EA's origins to activate. However, you do not need Origins to play the game. This sort of makes it better than Valve's Steam since you do not have to launch the client to play the game, while Steam is the other way around.
What's great is that this means another competitor. More sales for everybody due to better competition. Steam is definitely out there to crush the competition with Steam exclusives, but remember, Steam is the only one that forces you to launch the client in order to play. So I am happy using Origins.
Holly Golightly
June 16, 2011 at 9:56am
I just purchased "Alice: Madness Returns" and it did require EA's origins to activate. However, you do not need Origins to play the game. This sort of makes it better than Valve's Steam since you do not have to launch the client to play the game, while Steam is the other way around.
What's great is that this means another competitor. More sales for everybody due to better competition. Steam is definitely out there to crush the competition with Steam exclusives, but remember, Steam is the only one that forces you to launch the client in order to play. So I am happy using Origins.
Neufeldt2002
June 16, 2011 at 10:55am
Games for Windows Live forces you to start their client to play their games as do others I am sure. You should get your facts straight before you spout off. Saying that Steam is the only one is a load of crap, we get it, you just hate Steam, which I respect by the way, just make sure you are stating facts next time.
jagstangsrule
June 16, 2011 at 12:46pm
There's a problem with what u said smart guy. Yes, you have to get on to the windows live server, if that's what u mean, to play online... but a searver isnt a client program. You never have to launch another program to play the game it self like you do with Steam and I can't think of many games that require this except for Steam Exclusives. And we get it, you just love steam. Doesnt give you reason to spout off BS information you pulled out of nowhere or some damn wikipedia 5 minute look up. Get YOUR facts straight son.
Neufeldt2002
June 16, 2011 at 1:08pm
My facts are my observations on the CLIENT that starts every time I start a GWL game. Yes, the login for the server is a Client piece of software, also there is an GWL icon in my taskbar notification area with every launch of a game. If you and Holly know how to start a GWL game and not have the client start, I'm all ears.
jagstangsrule
June 16, 2011 at 1:49pm
Hmmm, well I think ur getting confused between integrated software that patches you to host ip server and a launch program the logs you into a searver that stores game information when u say client. First to answer your question, you could start it with a cracked file or use commview to manually patch into a host seaver, or use a brute force hack if it doesnt allow it. Crack's the easiest way. All of those might get u banned though.... but u asked. And it's GFWL, not GWL. lol. Lastly, I think what she ment is as I do, one seaver to rule them all, isnt necessarily a good thing. For example, Battlefield BC2 is on EA's hub while Star Craft 2 is on Battle net. If battle net was dwn for scheduled maintenance, I can still play BC2. And if I uninstal Battle net along with SC2, I can still play BC2. And If I want to play on another computer, I can without having to go through the tedious task of re DLing a client, reinstaling, re DLing my game library, reinstaling, seting up settings and user info, etc. I just need email and password after entering the disc into the PC and reinstaling, no downloading required or loss of user information. Steam is convenient and the games are cheap. It's a great store. I myself have purchased many titles. But in a broder spetrum, it can also be a pain in the rear...
Ghok
June 16, 2011 at 7:08pm
Isn't this almost arguing semantics? Very few people care if you have to start Steam, then play a game, or if you start the game, and then it loads GFW. Do you know why no one cares? Because there's an extra program either way. Yes, I can see the difference, but it's not a big deal. Why not? Well for me it's because Steam works well and makes the experience enjoyable. GFW is an annoying program that will sometimes be a deciding factor if I'm buying a new game. I use it so rarely that I'm normally guaranteed an extra 20 minutes of updating the client and restarting my computer (for some reason) before I can play. It also likes to use IE, which just adds insult to injury, as I don't really keep track of how updated it is. It's also recently done this thing where it will only run games in windowed mode... meaning my taskbar will always cut off the bottom of the screen. Annoying.
If you don't like Steam, I could see why. There are some potential problems there. I've just never had any. Ever. I was very against it when it first came out, but it's won me over because it's a very good service. But the fact that you have to run Steam to play a game is a bad argument, it's not like GFW logs off.
tetlecie
June 16, 2011 at 12:30pm
yes you can play windows live games without being online, all you have to do is create an offline account, do not be quick to tell people do your research
Neufeldt2002
June 16, 2011 at 12:57pm
You can also play Steam offline, you still have to start the CLIENT for GWL.
Holly Golightly
June 17, 2011 at 8:44pm
But not with Origins, Gamers Gate, Game Comrade, Direct2Drive, Amazon Games Downloader, GOG, Impulse, Origins, or even EA's original download manager... Making any of these better than GFWL and Steam put together.
"Checkmate"
mesiah
June 16, 2011 at 9:45am
We aren't getting the full story here. There are plenty of games on steam that you can get from other download services like direct 2 drive. What makes Crysis 2 different?
bling581
June 16, 2011 at 9:39am
I sometimes have trouble with EA's online DRM while trying to play games like Origins so they're going to have a really hard time convincing me to download anything from their program.
DoctorX
June 16, 2011 at 9:35am
oh come on... someone fix the damn spam... you flag innocents and there are 2 spams in here now.
igoka
June 16, 2011 at 8:25am
Now we have to wonder what will happen to Battlefield 3. You can preorder it on Origin now , not on Steam. I hope it will be on Steam. I refuse to buy it from somewhere else.
majorsuave
June 16, 2011 at 5:56am
Isn't EA the usual "retail distributor" for Valve's games?
What will happen now? Not that it matters much to me, The last time I bought a Valve game off Steam, Steam did not exist yet (it was called Half-Life by the way).
But I am aware that many people get to buy the retail Xbox or PS versions (and eventually, the Wii U I guess) and these boxed versions are usually carried over by EA. Will EA go the eye for an eye route and withdraw Valve games from shelves?
Marthian
June 16, 2011 at 9:50am
doubt it, considering the popularity of Valve's games, I think it would be a bad idea to not publish their console/physical media game.
Ghok
June 16, 2011 at 5:17am
You know, maybe I should be angry at Valve, but when they constantly put out great games and run an excellent download service compared to, say... virtually anything that EA games has ever done, it's a little difficult.
johnny3144
June 16, 2011 at 5:25am
exactly how i feel. if EA pull what valve just did, i would be raging. however, it's so difficult to get angry at valve
Ghok
June 16, 2011 at 7:09am
It's not even just because I like Steam and Valve...
If you're a school principal and a star student is sent to the office for getting into a fight with a known trouble maker, you're probably going to initally suspect that the trouble maker is at fault.
sean.h.freeman
June 16, 2011 at 10:47am
Quite possibly one of my most favorite analogies that I've ever had the pleasure to come across... nice.
newegg911
June 16, 2011 at 12:55am
Oh great...just what I want: every game I buy has a specific program where I have to connect every time I buy a new game.
Go to hell EA. Steam is more than enough. Between your retailer specific DLC, PDF manuals, horrible customer support, and your new game selling crapware you can keep your software because I probably won't be buying it.
EA is now up there with Ubisoft on my boycott list.
Maktaka
June 16, 2011 at 8:12am
Er, WHY? What exactly has EA done here? I'm guessing they're putting some Origin ties into Crysis 2, which would require you to download the Origin client for multiplayer or DLC. What does that remind you of? Oh yeah, STEAM. Valve expects all other stores to distribute Steamworks games with Valve's store bundled into the purchase, but they're unwilling to do that exchange the other way around. Sounds like they're trying to leverage their market position to shut down competitors.
It just so happens the company getting screwed here is one people are inclined to hate, so no-one actually cares to find out what really happened, they're just using this as an opportunity to flash their "I hate EA" card. And yes, by "they" I mean the two of you.
tetlecie
June 16, 2011 at 12:35pm
i agree with for sure, why can't they share and add new things to their service to pull in customers
Marthian
June 16, 2011 at 12:06am
anyone think EA is just trying to frame Valve to make a few more sales and/or make them lose customers? I have a hard time believing they would do this.
someuid
June 16, 2011 at 8:03am
I would absolutely agree. It is very easy for someone to twist their words to make it look like they were the innocent victim when they really staged it all along.
I'm curious what Steam will say.
As far as I'm concerned, EA's track record is so bad, they are immediately suspect. Maybe they made the terms of their Origin system specifically to force Steam to drop their product, then call foul on Steam.
EA can go jump in the lake. Steam brings me great games from a lot of publishers other than Valve. They actually promote their competition, knowing that the orgy of video game buying will help the industry (and them) rather than be concerned about this quarter's sales of their own games.
I don't see EA doing the same, or Blizzard for that matter. They can all go in jump in a lake.
Steam and NetFlix: two companies that Get It.
Neufeldt2002
June 16, 2011 at 9:22am
"As far as I'm concerned, EA's track record is so bad, they are immediately suspect. Maybe they made the terms of their Origin system specifically to force Steam to drop their product, then call foul on Steam."
This is exactly what I was thinking. Unfortunately, we will have to wait and see what Valve says about this.
