Massively Speaking Episode 163

Ending Events/The Twilight of an MMO closing:

Agreed about the "let's blow it out with an event" 100%, however, I don't think this will be a big movement, unfortunately. We've seen MMOs close with such "big-bang" events in the past and we've seen them close with "a whimper", too.

It ultimately rests with what a studio wants and how they treat their employees; I can imagine many employees spending more time reading the "Jobs" section before shut-down. I can even see some studios discouraging such things. And, I can even see apathy. It just depends on each circumstance, but I hope to hear about more such events in the future, if there is ever another occasion to shutter down an MMO.

hey just started listening to the podcast and love it.

Figured id register to clear something up. bioware has stated multiple times that you will not have to use orgin to access SWTOR. the only time you need to log on to Orgin to Acess SWTOR is if and only if you chose to digitally download the game through Orgin, and even then you only have to use it to download and then you can uninstall it from your system. Box copies will not require Orgin. b don't give up the game yet Revan.

"Star Wars: The Old Republic will not require the Origin desktop application to download, patch or play the game, regardless of whether the game was originally purchased through Origin or at a retail outlet.

However, we encourage you to go ahead and try the Origin desktop app with Star Wars: The Old Republic or other EA games. Origin streamlines game downloads, makes game updates quick, easy and seamless for players, and offers social connectivity to your gaming friends."

-Steven Reid
http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=8488436#edit8488436

Writing to make a note about your emailer that was concerned about Origin. World of Warcraft has been running a similar program called Warden since 2005. So use of this kind of invasive software isn't new by AAA MMo's.

As to the concern that your information will be sold I would point you to your local and state governments. Its not uncommon for states to sell all the names of everyone that has driver licenses, Vote rolls, etc. Your information is being sold, if your going to start writing letters EA most likely shouldn't be the top of your list.

Regarding the comments on Origin "big brothering" SWTOR players... that's news to you folks? That's BEEN going on for years now.

How's the saying go? "It's a brave new world out there... or it better be!"

There is an easy solution however... take up hiking instead of internet entertainment. But, uh... when you build your shack in the woods somewhere just keep the postal explosives to a minimum... k?

From all the details I've read the Origin Eula is practically the same as the one for Steam and it is the wording of the way they plan on collecting data ,just like Steam does, for use in the same manner of Steam's hardware survey.

The multiple Free2play companies eula's and added software installs (punkbuster,pando, gameguard, etc..) are more of a issue because unlike Steam and Origin you have these programs installed for the game to function and their functions can affect the way you computer functions outside of the game.

After using my debit card online for many many years now, i'm surprised no one stole money yet. PROTIP: use a debit card, not a credit card when paying for games/subs, buying online stuff, etc. if you're worried about e-theft. That way at least you can control how much money one can steal at any point.

Data is collected by just about every decent main stream website, so that being done in MMOs shouldn't be that big of a deal. Sure, the chances of that affecting you in a negative way are small, but it's still possible. Like ArcherAvatar, there's nothing much one can do except reject all services by a company, including installing games, creating accounts, etc.

But honestly, this thing sounds worse than it is IMO. Some client info can be useful for a gaming company and i like that they're collecting that data, like my IP, crash logs, system spec, play time, etc. all this usually helps a company develop it's product to suit to it's costomer's needs and wants.

Right after TBC launched in WOW (i think), there was the same issue with Warden, and nothing bad happened...so it's not really exactly like the Big Brother conspiracy, is it?

Thanks Shawn and Rubi for a fun podcast, like most of them are.