Wednesday, October 18th 2006

EA takes in-game advertising too far with Battlefield 2142

A while ago, EA told everyone how they could keep prices down by putting in-game advertising in their games. When the advertisements are subtle, with things such as billboards, then there is really no issue. However, BattleField 2142 takes in-game advertising to the next level. EA notifies anyone who bought the full retail version of their latest game on the package that "When you use the software while connected to the Internet, the advertising technology may record your IP address and other anonymous information." This means that the advertising delivers in game advertising according to your tastes, not unlike spyware.
Source: TheINQ
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49 Comments on EA takes in-game advertising too far with Battlefield 2142

#1
Alec§taar
zekrahminatorA while ago, EA told everyone how they could keep prices down by putting in-game advertising in their games. When the advertisements are subtle, with things such as billboards, then there is really no issue. However, BattleField 2142 takes in-game advertising to the next level. EA notifies anyone who bought the full retail version of their latest game on the package that "When you use the software while connected to the Internet, the advertising technology may record your IP address and other anonymous information." This means that the advertising delivers in game advertising according to your tastes, not unlike spyware.

Source: TheINQ
Well, you can always find the IP's your system's connecting to, & circumnavigate those banner ads in game, using:

netstat -ano

This is provided the OEM of the game did NOT 'hardcode' IP addy's into their game (odds are they won't).

They're like anyone else - looking for the BEST amount of bandwidth for the buck, & hardcoding an IP into a game?

Doing that WOULD "lock them into" that particular ISP/BSP most likely & demand a game patch imo!

Nope... stuff like this, you SHOULD be able to 'beat it' w/ a custom HOSTS file... once you get the IP of the bannerad server, add it to your HOSTS file w/ its URL equated to 127.0.0.1, or 0.0.0.0... it works for browsers, & should for games too!

APK

P.S.=> There ARE cases of that trick/tip/technique NOT working though, & MS themselves has certain IP's that are hardcoded into the OS in fact... & HOSTS files URL-to-IP address equations are not used & overridden for them! apk
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#2
Dippyskoodlez
Alec§taarWell, you can always find the IP's your system's connecting to, & circumnavigate those banner ads in game, using:

netstat -ano

This is provided the OEM of the game did NOT 'hardcode' IP addy's into their game (odds are they won't).

They're like anyone else - looking for the BEST amount of bandwidth for the buck, & hardcoding an IP into a game?

Doing that WOULD "lock them into" that particular ISP/BSP most likely & demand a game patch imo!

Nope... stuff like this, you SHOULD be able to 'beat it' w/ a custom HOSTS file... once you get the IP of the bannerad server, add it to your HOSTS file w/ its URL equated to 127.0.0.1, or 0.0.0.0... it works for browsers, & should for games too!

APK

P.S.=> There ARE cases of that trick/tip/technique NOT working though, & MS themselves has certain IP's that are hardcoded into the OS in fact... & HOSTS files URL-to-IP address equations are not used & overridden for them! apk
:laugh: I have a better solution.

Don't buy EA's crappy games. $50 cheaper. :toast:
Posted on Reply
#3
bruins004
I am still interested in how the costs are kept down...
$50 a game is the same as they were charging before...
Them and their games are full of BS.

Never owned a EA game and never will
Posted on Reply
#5
ktr
according to ea, chances are the booster packs and such are going to be free.
Posted on Reply
#6
overcast
My biggest beef is lack of 1280x1024 support. I mean wtf is 1280x960? Who uses that?

I wasn't going to purchase the game at $50. But buy.com has it for $48 - $10 for google checkout + free shipping. Couldn't resist.
Posted on Reply
#7
bruins004
I disagree it still seems easy to resist, esp. when they want to put other shit on ur computer.

This is just a classic example of how EA wanted to make more money from ads. Damn greedy bastards.
Posted on Reply
#8
shoman24v
overcastMy biggest beef is lack of 1280x1024 support. I mean wtf is 1280x960? Who uses that?

I wasn't going to purchase the game at $50. But buy.com has it for $48 - $10 for google checkout + free shipping. Couldn't resist.
You still got owned.
Posted on Reply
#9
Jimmy 2004
Well IMHO I don't think EA are really a company that are going to do any harm... so what, they know my IP address and one or two other things, no big deal. They know if they do anything more than in game adds with that information they will be in one deep pile of sh*t. And lets be honest, how long will it be before the hacks to block it come out or EA have to take the IP logging system out.

But I agree, the principle of it is wrong and I hope they do get rid of it because it is similar to spyware. Who knows, maybe Ad-Aware will take care of it?
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#10
Corrosion
BF2142 sux anyway. If you want a fun BF2 engined game get Point Of Existence 2.
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#11
Dippyskoodlez
Jimmy 2004Well IMHO I don't think EA are really a company that are going to do any harm... so what, they know my IP address and one or two other things, no big deal. They know if they do anything more than in game adds with that information they will be in one deep pile of sh*t. And lets be honest, how long will it be before the hacks to block it come out or EA have to take the IP logging system out.

But I agree, the principle of it is wrong and I hope they do get rid of it because it is similar to spyware. Who knows, maybe Ad-Aware will take care of it?
Its not EA doing it. Its a third party marketing company. (I'm also willing to bet if you remove the ad part, its going to BREAK THE GAME)

Go ahead, let them. Enjoy you're ads in a game you paid for.

I'll stick to WoW, thank you. atleast they arent trying to sell me stuff..
Posted on Reply
#12
mout12
Why couldn't I have read this before I bought the damn game?!?!??!?!??!?!??!?!

I HATE EA. I didn't buy a 7950 X2 For nothing>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> NO WIDESCREEEN !!!! FFFFFF THIS GAME
Posted on Reply
#13
overcast
shoman24vYou still got owned.
EA has published a CONSIDERABLE amount of quality games, so get over yourself and stop jumping on the complaint bandwagon. Command and Conquer series, Battlefield Series, Need For Speeds series....SIMS??? The undeniable #1 selling series.
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#14
stealthfighter
If they're going to do all that shit the dame damn well better be free. Secreratly installing gay shit in my pc + ads? phuck j()() EA
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#15
PVTCaboose1337
Graphical Hacker
Those fuckers... I hate ea even more!
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#16
shoman24v
overcastEA has published a CONSIDERABLE amount of quality games, so get over yourself and stop jumping on the complaint bandwagon. Command and Conquer series, Battlefield Series, Need For Speeds series....SIMS??? The undeniable #1 selling series.
I don't care about other games, I'm talking about this one. They are specifically screwing BF2 users.

As for the Sims. Go ahead and calculate how much the entire Sims 2 game would cost you if you bought the original Sims 2 to the latest expansion pack.

Over $200.
Posted on Reply
#17
Bob The Fish
CorrosionBF2142 sux anyway. If you want a fun BF2 engined game get Point Of Existence 2.
Agreed, my bro playes BF2 to much and i did not enjoy it as much as BF1 or the DC mod. I was at mt fav gameing place and they had the Point Of Existence mod installed and i love it.
Posted on Reply
#18
ktr
this game is much more fun than bf2, cant stop playing. also, hijackthis did not show any 3rd party software installed. according to ea, it only monitors in game...so no need to worry. also i havent seen any in game ads yet, but this probably due to that there is no ads server running. frys is selling the game for 40 bucks. also there is more spying happening with products that you have probably installed. AIM, windows ;), etc...realtec drivers..
Posted on Reply
#19
Alec§taar
Dippyskoodlez(I'm also willing to bet if you remove the ad part, its going to BREAK THE GAME)
Heh, you MAY be right... we'll have to wait & see!

Speaking of "World of Warcraft"? You MIGHT find this little tidbit interesting my man, check it:

How Warcraft Really Does Wreck Lives:

soulkerfuffle.blogspot.com/2006/10/view-from-top.html

:)

* Anything to excess...

APK
Posted on Reply
#20
Polaris573
Senior Moderator
overcastEA has published a CONSIDERABLE amount of quality games, so get over yourself and stop jumping on the complaint bandwagon. Command and Conquer series, Battlefield Series, Need For Speeds series....SIMS??? The undeniable #1 selling series.
EA games ruined C&C when the shut down Westwood.
Posted on Reply
#21
overcast
shoman24vI don't care about other games, I'm talking about this one. They are specifically screwing BF2 users.

As for the Sims. Go ahead and calculate how much the entire Sims 2 game would cost you if you bought the original Sims 2 to the latest expansion pack.

Over $200.
What's your point? No one is forcing people to buy Sims. This is as bad as the Vista debate, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO USE IT, YOU DON'T HAVE TO.
Posted on Reply
#22
overcast
Polaris573EA games ruined C&C when the shut down Westwood.
I don't know about that, C&C2 was pretty bad. I actually enjoyed Generals. And what about Medal of Honor and the endless benchmark sports games?
Posted on Reply
#23
Polaris573
Senior Moderator
C&C2 was pretty bad. I'll agree with you there.
Posted on Reply
#24
Dippyskoodlez
overcastI don't know about that, C&C2 was pretty bad. I actually enjoyed Generals. And what about Medal of Honor and the endless benchmark sports games?
Red alert 2 rocks!

Generals sucks.. the most unbalanced filler i've ever seen! :banghead:
Posted on Reply
#25
b1lk1
EA games should be ashamed of themselves for pumping out sub par software that is always in need of a patch. I am a driving game person and the only good Need for Speed titles were Need For Speed II Hot Pursuit, and the Porsche Unleashed series. All the rest were arcade style joke games that placed 0 emphasis on actual driving and more emphasis on attracting children. And Need For Speed Most Wanted is FULL of advertising garbage. I would sell it if I could make 1/2 my money back. It can sit in the box on my desk and rot.
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