EA Threatens Game Bans for Forum Activity (Updated)

This is ridiculous. You guys rage about DRM, but this is ok?

If I pay $60 for something you cannot ban me from playing it just because I say you suck on a forum. That's ridiculous. No way this can stand.

i'm going to say this again in its own thread because i really feel strongly about this topic, and think that this is very, very wrong.

people can be jerks on forums. for that, they should be banned. but being a jerk on a forum does not at all translate into how you play a game. if you are a jerk online during gameplay, there are actions that can and will be taken against you, that can lead up to your banning.

but how you act on a forum is completely separate from how you act whilst playing a game.

moreover, by tying this account to all EA games, they can lock you out of not only online gameplay, but any portion of a game that needs online access -- for example, sharing creatures for the single player game spore. and this bans you from all EA games.

you may not like trolls on forums, but no company should have the right to do this to a paying customer. official forums should be a place to voice complaints -- those who break the rules should be dealt with -- but those who break the rules should not automatically be locked out of playing the game they have purchased. to do so shows the absolute disconnect between company and community, and that the company has no respect for its user base.

what if steam started doing this?

I cant believe how many people are supporting this

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55656

Do I get a cookie or something for being right?

Honestly, I don't think EA really even breaks a sweat over this "controversy." After all, we're only talking about the PC market here anyway, which as we all know seems to be the "problem child" of platforms. A few points to consider...

- Both Spore and C&C:RA3 are PC only games (at this point).
- DRM complaints in general appears to be an exclusive problem with customers on the PC platform
- When C&C:RA3 releases for X360 in November, I'd be willing to wager the anti-DRM sentiments from those players will be close to the 0% margin, which should prevent them from complaining about it on the forums.

Lastly, the most important point to consider (also from today's news articles)...

- "The Xbox 360 remains the most important platform for EA, as Microsoft's console generated 25% ($224 million) of the company's revenues in the quarter, which ended September 30. After that, the PlayStation 3 accounted for $98 million, the PC $88 million, PlayStation 2 $55 million and the Wii $33 million."

Now, I will admit that I don't own any gaming consoles (aside from my beloved SNES), nor do I own any EA games for said non-existant consoles. I cannot say firsthand if there is some EA account linked to the ability to play EA games on any console. I can only guess, however, that full functionality of any console game is completely independent of ones behavior in EA's forums. The same cannot be said for PC users.

So, to sum it all up... EA is in a comfortable position where they don't really have to care if people despise their bans. PC customers complain the loudest, and conversely have far more issues to complain about. Whereas console owners bring in almost 5 times as much revenue (and that's in a quarter with two significant PC-only releases), and seem to complain significantly less. EA, like any company, is making a business decision not based on what's right, but based on what's profitable. It's their right. So, basically, customers (especially those in the PC market) are screwed, and will continue to be screwed if they chafe against the corporate authority.

* As a side note... FUCK YOU EA!! I play games exclusively on the PC and was "planning" on purchasing Spore before the initial DRM controversy. Just as I was really looking forward to playing RA3 after you're subsequent clarification, up until right before I read today's latest douchebaggery. I'm voting with money, and 50 little George Washintons are telling me not support your company unless serious consideration is taken to see how you're affecting the people that pay your bills. Not that you'll listen to me, since I'm a PC gamer.

What an absolutely horrible company EA is. This is unprecedented and immature.

Totally agree with this move. Act like a dumbass, get treated like one.

Kudos to EA for taking a stand.

Man, EA really doesn't want us to buy their games, do they?

I'm really suprised at the amount of people that feel this is an okay ruling by EA... where do you draw the line of what is a bannable offense? every moderator can think with there own minds and have different opinions on what is not okay to say and do in a forum. I can't support EA anymore for this most likely, its one thing to bully your way as a company and do things in a business sense (Madden) but when it comes to them making the rules as a judge of conduct that crosses a line that once over can never be undone...

This is much bigger than EA, this will effect other companies business practices and decisions based on how this plays out....

Those that believe that this is a great idea must also think people should be given the death penalty no matter how small the crime is.

The punishment should fit the crime. Getting banned in a forum should not constitute a loss of playing rights to a game.

If you get banned from playing the game, just get a refund for your license of the game, since you paid for a license to play the game and they're not allowing you to play it.

Won't support them for this.

Sad, because I wanted to get Red Alert. I won't buy it, but I won't download it either.

Lets just find another, non ea game.

F*** you EA, I thought about buying Red Alert 3, but after this? Surely not!

I am absolutely shocked the number of people that think this is acceptable. Banning from a forum is one thing, banning from use of software is entirely different. No company should be putting the capability to ban an account within reach of a forum moderator. They are simply not in the same ballparks.

This creates all kinds of questionmarks on free speech, let alone the usage of the software license.

If EA wishes to avoid a debacle they really must clarify how this is configured and setup. They really need to start being much more open in disclosing their policies on DRM and user management, as these are becoming hot-button issues that MUST be clearly defined for the sake of their continued success. They risk alot of bad PR and serious problems if they continue this void on all information on these subjects.

I don't understand why this would stop people from buying their games. Just don't go on their forum or post on their forum, problem solved. For all the ppl that do post on their forums they are the ones that have to be careful. To anyone that doesn't go to their forums who cares ?

Boycott EA!!!

Where was the shit filter when this crap slipped through? This is just like politics and law, having to play whack-a-mole to eradicate all the insane suggestions that end up becoming official policy because there's no basic filter.

Once a long while back someone said they were boycotting EA, I think it was a member of a counter strike clan I was in.. I thought he sounded stupid and the idea of boycotting EA was rediculous to me..

Now I can supersize with him, personally I will never spend another dime on EA software, I will however aquire it in any other way I can.

This latest scheme of theirs to ban users from software they purchased is beyond crazy, there has to be some legality issues regarding this practise of ban forum / ban software.. unfortunately the poor little SOB's getting banned probably cant afford a lawyer.

Picking on the little guy is never cool.. people act out, get mad, over react, I do it and I know every one of you does it or has done it, I dont care what you say, its human nature. This story gives me the willies and makes me sick.

Here's a great idea: AVOID THEIR FORUMS.

If you want to be surrounded by bickering children ruled by heavy-handed jerks, visit stoofoo.

(oh god i'm in trouble.)

I personally, am an avid 100% EA Hater! I will proudly state and repeat that anytime and everywhere. However, it is not without reason. That said, I am in 100% agreement with EA's stance on this, and I hope they do NOT back down. But not for the reasons they are trying to shove down everyone's throat.

If someone is actively disrupting another user's experience, the person being a trouble maker should be dealt with. However, the system should be designed in such a manner that it is mostly user controlled. If someone gives bad information, spams, flames, etc there should be a voting system in place that users can use to make those posts hidden for the average user who is going to be upset by the comments. The EA forums are like......I can't even think of a word low enough to describe the effectiveness, usefulness and intuitiveness of how bad they are. They are BAD. Uber bad. Super bad. EA bad.

The rest of my post touches upon, but does not exactly add anything to this discussion. I don't think..eh who knows, have fun reading my book! :)

The problem is EA has been generating a LOT of BAD publicity by pulling stunts that are not widely accepted by a majority of their user base, and seeming to not care what their customers have for opinions.

Now, when a user makes a valid complaint without the use of cuss words, like my posts, they should expect to be treated and responded to the same. The problem, is when EA does **nothing** to subside a users fears about a particular issue they may be experiencing, or EA blames the issue on something not under their realm of responsibility, which they think is rather small.

Forum Anonymity will see a lot of level headed people, who are simply frustrated with a lack of support, say a lot of things they would otherwise never say if they simply felt appreciated as a customer.

EA's whole problem is they have no clue, no understanding and certainly a complete lack of common sense with how to appreciate a customer and treat them fairly with the respect they have PAID for. Their whole "you are buying a license" to play the game stance, is laughable and used to try and justify the actions they take. EA != Microsoft. Though they are certainly trying to corner some parts of the gaming market with a monopoly on sport games.

To everyone hating on EA "just cause" - Grow up would ya? This coming from a person who hates the fact that EA swallowed up Westwood, the best damn company ever and has continued to ruin the wonderful C&C Universe.

Totally fine with this.

People on forums need to learn to shut the fuck up. About everything.

I was actually about to purchase RA3 legally before I heard this. Screw you EA, fair enough you made the product but once I've bought it I want to be able to play whenever and however I damn well please.

This is not going to end well... this is going to get VERY VERY ugly.

People get banned for fairly mundain things on Forums. Being forbidden from accessing a forum and being restricted from playing a game you paid for are two very different things.

While I like the idea of adding an element of consequence to people actions (which is something greatly needed on Internet forums) this is a little extreme. It's one of those cases where I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea on paper... but in practice this has the potential to start and all out rebellion. Some banned EA gaming Martyr is going to start an anti-EA religion when some moderator bans him for swearing in the forum... or worse yet... he gets banned mistakenly in some way.

I see a future with pitchforks and riots... it's gonna be messy.

I dunno considering 75% of all forum posters are asshats and douchebags I certainly dont have a problem with it. I only *wish* blizzard had the same policy with their WoW Forums. Those things are a cesspool....

EA, why so serious?

I'm just going to stay away from all of this crap... doubt I'll ever purchase any game that includes DRM. Yet another reason why I should stick to playing games on my console.

I am glad Shacknews brought attention to this. There was something else that troubled me about the post from that EA moderator. Did anyone notice he was being a bit of a dick? There wasn't a hint of remorse or restraint in the tone of his post. It was almost as if he was relishing the extra power.

Now I am sure that much is obvious to most of you, but it isn't the sort of thing you'd expect from a professional EA employee.... especially one with the ability to permanently suspend your access to all that expensive software you bought.... err... excuse me... I mean licensed.

If getting banned from the forums means you also gets banned from EAs multiplayer servers, then I think this policy is fine, as long as users gets a warning before they get banned.

If EA wants to run their multiplayer servers in the manner that "if you don't behave on the forums, we assume you won't behave on our servers, so you are no longer welcome on either" but you can still play on other servers, LAN and singleplayer, then I don't think this is quite the outrage people make it up to be.

Seems to me you don't purchase games from EA anymore, you purchase licenses. I, for one, refuse to support this and will NEVER buy another EA title again (nor am I a pirate). Even if that means missing out on the next big upcoming console port that sucks despite what all the hype and lies say.

For the last time, Fuck You Electronic Arts, stuff your DRM and the rest of your draconian policies up your ass.

EA needs to just make a forum account separate from their game logins and that will solve everything.
I don't particularly care if they decide to ban people and their games stop working online. It will serve notice not to act like a fuckin' tard, but this type of shit is ripe for abuse...
My brother comes in and does something on my computer and now my game doesn't work...

I also don't like the fact that EA threatens people this way. Despite what their intentions are, I personally take this as a threat and not a warning. Others may feel the opposite.

Would any Shacker ever post in an EA forum? Really?

Big Lawsuit from the first guy who can't play a game he purchased, because he was banned from a forum. I knew i should have gotten Spore. :(

Doesn't make any sense, businesswise.

Sounds like crazy forumites playing their mad games. I've seen what forum moderation can do to a weak-willed person *grins*

Power-madness is too weak a phrase..

This reminds me of when Sony/Verant were banning people from Everquest for writing fan fiction stories or making posts they didn't like on their forums (it happened to me). It's just one more way socially inept "moderators" can go on a power trip. It's one thing if someone is acting way over the top, but where do you draw the line? If a forum ends up discussing things other than rainbows, flowers, and unicorns, should people not be able to use the game they paid $50 for? Some times, u gotta just learn to ignore the people being jerks.

i am a little confused... can you register a new "master account" for every EA game you buy. that is, you don't have to tie all your games into one account?

sort of like making 20 steam ID's and buying one game on each steam account. or is there a more sinister log in system.

Would this extend to console games as well, or just PC? I haven't purchased an EA PC game since Battlefield 2, but plenty of 360 games. I know you have to do things like signing into "EA Nation" to play Skate on the 360. I can find a patch around PC games, but if they bricked a $60 console game, I'd be livid.

Pitchforks and torches fellas, pitchforks and torches.

This is the perfect example why "master accounts" are a bad idea.