http://www.tomshardware.com/news/SimCity-Closed-Beta-EULA-EA,20596.html

From the EULA in the Sim City beta:

“It is understood and agreed that, as part of your participation in the Beta Program, it is your responsibility to report all known bugs, abuse of ‘bugs’, ‘undocumented features’ or other defects and problems related to the Game and Beta Software to EA as soon as they are found (“Bugs”). If you know about a Bug or have heard about a Bug and fail to report the Bug to EA, we reserve the right to treat you no differently from someone who abuses the Bug. You acknowledge that EA reserve the right to lock anyone caught abusing a Bug out of all EA products.”

In other words, if you notice some graphical artifacts in the Sim City beta but don't report them, they could perma-ban you from SWTOR.  I realize that terms of service agreements typically have catch-alls that basically say "we can ban you for any reason we like or no reason at all".  But this is ridiculous.  Apparently EA now agrees and says that they're going to back off from that stance somewhat.

Originally posted by Quizzical

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/SimCity-Closed-Beta-EULA-EA,20596.html

From the EULA in the Sim City beta:

“It is understood and agreed that, as part of your participation in the Beta Program, it is your responsibility to report all known bugs, abuse of ‘bugs’, ‘undocumented features’ or other defects and problems related to the Game and Beta Software to EA as soon as they are found (“Bugs”). If you know about a Bug or have heard about a Bug and fail to report the Bug to EA, we reserve the right to treat you no differently from someone who abuses the Bug. You acknowledge that EA reserve the right to lock anyone caught abusing a Bug out of all EA products.”

In other words, if you notice some graphical artifacts in the Sim City beta but don't report them, they could perma-ban you from SWTOR.  I realize that terms of service agreements typically have catch-alls that basically say "we can ban you for any reason we like or no reason at all".  But this is ridiculous.  Apparently EA now agrees and says that they're going to back off from that stance somewhat.

And your problem with that is? It is a BETA test - that is what they are used for bug detection.

Get over it - this is making a mountain out of an anthill.

Originally posted by Aeonblades
This just in, EA will be charging you 49 cents per bullet in the next FPS, Battlefield: Cash Grab!

At least EA updates thier games with better graphics different maps, newer guns, unlike CoD, which hasn't changed anything except a few maps since the original modern warfare.  Black Ops 2 guns have the same stats as the gun equivalent in MW4 lol, just different scopes and turrets, and 4 new guns were introduced.

There are way worse companies to do business with than EA but they have fallen a long ways from the days they where one of my favorite publishers back in the late 80's early 90's.

I don't follow what the OP is trying to complain about.  Beta testing isn't a demo and it isn't a oppertunity to get one up on your fellow players by finding all the gliches and bugs and hoping to keep them secret so you can abuse them before they can get fixed.  It's a chance to help the developer make a stable game.

The part about banned from all EA products seems a little harsh although I doubt they would use that except in the most extreme cases.  I guess if you think you might be abusing the system make a new account for beta testing.

Originally posted by Scalpless
Getting banned isn't the problem. The problem is that you can get banned from all EA products, like TOR or Mass Effect 3. They've had this ridiculous practice where getting banned on the forum will get you banned from all game for a while, but I don't think it was this bad.

I"m pretty sure if I did something to get my steam account banned I would be banned from all my games in Steam.  Though that would take something like trying to hack the Steam services I imagine.  Same for my SOE account between games.

Originally posted by udon

Originally posted by Scalpless
Getting banned isn't the problem. The problem is that you can get banned from all EA products, like TOR or Mass Effect 3. They've had this ridiculous practice where getting banned on the forum will get you banned from all game for a while, but I don't think it was this bad.

I"m pretty sure if I did something to get my steam account banned I would be banned from all my games in Steam.  Though that would take something like trying to hack the Steam services I imagine.  Same for my SOE account between games.

Steam keeps forum accounts and game accounts separate. You can get banned from the forum without getting banned from all games. On the other hand, if I remember correctly, getting banned from EA's forums locks your Origin account and you can't access your games anymore.

At least it was like that some time ago. Maybe they stopped being ridiculous and made some changes.

Originally posted by Gravarg

Originally posted by Aeonblades
This just in, EA will be charging you 49 cents per bullet in the next FPS, Battlefield: Cash Grab!

At least EA updates thier games with better graphics different maps, newer guns, unlike CoD, which hasn't changed anything except a few maps since the original modern warfare.  Black Ops 2 guns have the same stats as the gun equivalent in MW4 lol, just different scopes and turrets, and 4 new guns were introduced.

Oh I love Battlefield, but if they keep up with expensive DLC and Premium Memberships, my interest wanes very quickly. Paying 20 dollars for 8 new guns and 2 new maps is NOT a good deal. I don't really care if other people view it that way, but to me it's just another way to ream you right through your pants. I played BF:BC2 until I was sick of it and most others had moved on. Tried Battlefield 3 and it's just getting worse and worse. More money, less content. Something needs to change, and expensive DLC isn't going to do it. This applies to all EA games imo, not just FPS or MMOs.

Originally posted by Scalpless

Originally posted by udon

Originally posted by Scalpless
Getting banned isn't the problem. The problem is that you can get banned from all EA products, like TOR or Mass Effect 3. They've had this ridiculous practice where getting banned on the forum will get you banned from all game for a while, but I don't think it was this bad.

I"m pretty sure if I did something to get my steam account banned I would be banned from all my games in Steam.  Though that would take something like trying to hack the Steam services I imagine.  Same for my SOE account between games.

Steam keeps forum accounts and game accounts separate. You can get banned from the forum without getting banned from all games. On the other hand, if I remember correctly, getting banned from EA's forums locks your Origin account and you can't access your games anymore.

At least it was like that some time ago. Maybe they stopped being ridiculous and made some changes.

They changed that a while back so you have to get banned from the EA service to loose your access to the games.  This is a offshoot of game companies moving their games from products you buy to services you access.  Even Single Player games are all services now that require you to login.  If you get banned from the service you loose access to all the games.  Not saying I completly agree with it as I'm not a fan of making SPG's online dependant but given how much I buy from steam these days who practicly invented the model it is what it is.

Originally posted by botrytis

Originally posted by Quizzical

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/SimCity-Closed-Beta-EULA-EA,20596.html

From the EULA in the Sim City beta:

“It is understood and agreed that, as part of your participation in the Beta Program, it is your responsibility to report all known bugs, abuse of ‘bugs’, ‘undocumented features’ or other defects and problems related to the Game and Beta Software to EA as soon as they are found (“Bugs”). If you know about a Bug or have heard about a Bug and fail to report the Bug to EA, we reserve the right to treat you no differently from someone who abuses the Bug. You acknowledge that EA reserve the right to lock anyone caught abusing a Bug out of all EA products.”

In other words, if you notice some graphical artifacts in the Sim City beta but don't report them, they could perma-ban you from SWTOR.  I realize that terms of service agreements typically have catch-alls that basically say "we can ban you for any reason we like or no reason at all".  But this is ridiculous.  Apparently EA now agrees and says that they're going to back off from that stance somewhat.

And your problem with that is? It is a BETA test - that is what they are used for bug detection.

 

Get over it - this is making a mountain out of an anthill.

you dont get it, do you? It doesnt matter if you get banned from Sim city by not reporting a bug. The problem is that you will get banned from every single EA game. That is a huge deal and it has to change.

From the Sim city Facebook page .

"Heads up, Mayors – it’s been brought to our attention that there’s been some confusion regarding the bug-reporting policy in the EA beta test agreement for SimCity.

Don’t worry – EA has never taken away access to a player’s games for failing to report a bug. In fact, we’re in the process of updating our agreement to make this point clear before the beta starts this Friday. If you have any more questions, read our FAQ: http://bit.ly/UCpuAA

Hope to see you in the beta Friday!"

Originally posted by Quizzical

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/SimCity-Closed-Beta-EULA-EA,20596.html

From the EULA in the Sim City beta:

“It is understood and agreed that, as part of your participation in the Beta Program, it is your responsibility to report all known bugs, abuse of ‘bugs’, ‘undocumented features’ or other defects and problems related to the Game and Beta Software to EA as soon as they are found (“Bugs”). If you know about a Bug or have heard about a Bug and fail to report the Bug to EA, we reserve the right to treat you no differently from someone who abuses the Bug. You acknowledge that EA reserve the right to lock anyone caught abusing a Bug out of all EA products.”

In other words, if you notice some graphical artifacts in the Sim City beta but don't report them, they could perma-ban you from SWTOR.  I realize that terms of service agreements typically have catch-alls that basically say "we can ban you for any reason we like or no reason at all".  But this is ridiculous.  Apparently EA now agrees and says that they're going to back off from that stance somewhat.

To be fair, "reserving the right" doesn't necessarily mean they will enact upon it, so considering all the negativity towards EA it only makes sense that this article is just another one trying to make it seem like EA is an abomination.

But on the other hand, I do agree that EA's all about business and not about the gamers. Just look at the stupid restrictions they've imposed on F2P members for SWTOR. I've experienced what it's like to be on both ends of the spectrum: a F2P member and a subscriber (by way of game time card). It's totally skewed and completely unnecessary. I can't believe Bioware decided to work with EA on SWTOR to be honest. Bioware should've opted for a better, people-minded publisher, but considering they're a subdivision of EA then I guess they didn't have much of a choice.

The whole point of beta is to detect and report bugs, so they are correct in saying that part in their EULA.  It's not a free demo to just play around with, then not worry about the hasstle of reporting what you saw.  That said, deleting accounts is a bit harsh, and could easily be abused by unsavory persons at EA.  It would be really hard to contest as well, since EA's customer service is pretty crappy.

I think the worst part of how EA is performing their business (with Sim City) is trying to pass off another single player game that requires a constant internet connection (DRM is always on).  Crap like that is annoying.  It's another Diablo 3 all over again.  It's lazy copy protection at the expense of the customer .. but EA probably wants it all the same so they can keep players in continuous communication with their cash shops and DLC.  meh.

Originally posted by Aeonblades
This just in, EA will be charging you 49 cents per bullet in the next FPS, Battlefield: Cash Grab!

 I found this really funny because it is not far from the truth.

Originally posted by Karteli

The whole point of beta is to detect and report bugs, so they are correct in saying that part in their EULA.  It's not a free demo to just play around with, then not worry about the hasstle of reporting what you saw.  That said, deleting accounts is a bit harsh, and could easily be abused by unsavory persons at EA.  It would be really hard to contest as well, since EA's customer service is pretty crappy.

 

I think the worst part of how EA is performing their business is trying to pass off another single player game that requires a constant internet connection (DRM is always on).  Crap like that is annoying.  It's another Diablo 3 all over again.  It's lazy copy protection at the expense of the customer .. but EA probably wants it all the same so they can keep players in continuous communication with their cash shops and DLC.  meh.

If it weren't for certain games that were published by EA, I would've boycotted them a long time ago.

Originally posted by Quizzical

in other words, if you notice some graphical artifacts in the Sim City beta but don't report them, they could perma-ban you from SWTOR.  I realize that terms of service agreements typically have catch-alls that basically say "we can ban you for any reason we like or no reason at all".  But this is ridiculous.  Apparently EA now agrees and says that they're going to back off from that stance somewhat.

 You should not be in any beta for any game ever.

YOUR JOB IS TO REPORT ALL BUGS WHILE BETA TESTING.

Games today are consistantly being released in poor shape because of the massive amounts of people going into beta tests just wanting to PLAY.

Man, I really miss the old days where the only way you could get into a beta is if you knew someone or were a part of the companies previous games tests. Its due to these "open" beta's that beta testers can no longer influence game development, nothing gets resolved, they rarely ever listen to the community and games are released with the simplist things not being fixed.

Originally posted by Roxtarr
If you see someone abusing/exploiting a bug and don't report it, you're banned too.  This makes sense actually.

How do they make the determination whether I saw another player exploiting the game?  I could have been AFK.  I could be new to the game and not understand what the other player was doing (not all exploits are obvious).  I could be simply not be paying attention because I'm focused on what I'm doing.

Just make the eula simple and blunt, "we reserve the right to ban anyone at any time for any reason".

Originally posted by jtcgs

Originally posted by Quizzical

in other words, if you notice some graphical artifacts in the Sim City beta but don't report them, they could perma-ban you from SWTOR.  I realize that terms of service agreements typically have catch-alls that basically say "we can ban you for any reason we like or no reason at all".  But this is ridiculous.  Apparently EA now agrees and says that they're going to back off from that stance somewhat.

 You should not be in any beta for any game ever.

YOUR JOB IS TO REPORT ALL BUGS WHILE BETA TESTING.

Games today are consistantly being released in poor shape because of the massive amounts of people going into beta tests just wanting to PLAY.

Man, I really miss the old days where the only way you could get into a beta is if you knew someone or were a part of the companies previous games tests. Its due to these "open" beta's that beta testers can no longer influence game development, nothing gets resolved, they rarely ever listen to the community and games are released with the simplist things not being fixed.

Beta testers today are unpaid volunteers of unknown proficiency and background.  What kind of quality feedback do they really expect?  They get what they paid for in this case.  As you said, most of the so called "beta testers" use it a free trial only.