As someone who loves Steam, I can understand why people hate not being able to buy their games off Steam, but I've using Origin for a while and it seems fine, it's not Steam but it's not awful. Can someone explain what's with the hate for Origin?

Honestly I dislike steam, Origin, Impulse, any digital distributer that leases games to you on the bases that they still exist. Do I still use steam, yes, but I still dislike it.

@Dagbiker said:

Honestly I dislike steam, Origin, Impulse, any digital distributer that leases games to you on the bases that they still exist. Do I still use steam, yes, but I still dislike it.

Same boat here. I don't like Origin, but I don't particularly like Steam either.

The whole creation of Origin seems like a big "fuck you" to many potential EA customers.

What has the user the gain from using Origin?

I don't like having to launch another program to play one game (BF3) so that is why I dislike it, doesn't matter how good the application is, it's still only being used for one thing and that's just annoying.

Most of it seems to be "EA IS THE DEVIL LOOK AT THE TERMS OF SERVICE IT IS A COPY PASTE OF OTHER TERMS BLARHGARAGHAGAHRHGHPRIVACY RAPE." But I also know that there are people out there that just want to have everything in one place, like me. I've recently started using Origin to back up my EA games, it's alright.

Edit: I recall Valve's Steam getting this same reaction when it launched. "Dedicated Counter-Strike player, etc."

People hate change. But it is annoying to have to sign up for yet another service and give your money to a platform that is only devoted to EA games, when Steam sells it all.

Far as I know, it hasn't killed anyone yet, or sold their family into slavery.
 
I honestly care little, but as with the rest of its sort, its a hassle to waste cpu power to a application to launch a game.

Far as I know, it hasn't killed anyone yet, or sold their family into slavery.  I honestly care little, but as with the rest of its sort, its a hassle to waste cpu power to a application to launch a game.

Hate is going far. It's just unnesacary and it forces me to use a service i don't want. Not unlike apples itunes..

Also steam has my friends on it so i use it as a social thing aswell.

and nobody of my friends is ever on there cause it is just to play battlefield. So it really is completely wasted.

@Dagbiker said:

Honestly I dislike steam, Origin, Impulse, any digital distributer that leases games to you on the bases that they still exist. Do I still use steam, yes, but I still dislike it.

I can't vouch for the other services, but as for Steam, they have indicated that in the event of going out of business, they would unlock all installed games to work without the service. So, while they don't plan on going anywhere, they're definitely not planning on leaving people out in the cold at some point in the future.

You should have been on reddit when BF3 launched. Thats why ''all the hate'' for Origin. Its just a useless piece of crap you have to launch in order to play Battlefield 3.

I love steam!!! Its great!! Origin is not bad its ok. seems like people just need something to bitch about and even if you dont like it its NOT FORCING YOU TO USE IT!!! Just dont play the game if its that big of a fucking deal for you. Fucking cry babies!!!

It is literally the exact same rage that was out there when Steam was first released. The reason people like Steam now is because they sold them a bunch of great games on the cheap. Seriously, Steam could have all the features and overlays and achievements and chat functionality, but people would hate it to shit if they didn't get 60 dollar games for 5 bucks a year after release.

For the record, I was playing Natural Selection and The Specialists HL mods when Steam was released. Man, Natural Selection was AWESOME.

I don't get it either. People never had a problem with the EA Download Manager. Origin is the exact same program they've just rebranded it and started a marketing push to try and improve its popularity. Nothing fundamental has changed about it. In fact, I always liked EADM. What I particularly loved about it was that I could take any retail EA game and input the CD key into it and I would instantly have a digital version. I have lost the disk for several games, and I still have access to them because of that very useful feature.

I can understand the annoyance of certain games not coming out on Steam. It is very convenient having all your games on one service. BUT it seems to me that it's Valves fault, not EA's that these games aren't coming out on Steam. It is Valve imposing restrictions on DLC content that is causing this. PC gaming is known for it's open nature. Valve putting restrictions on how additional content is distributed to customers is counter intuitive to that. These games are coming out on countless other digital distribution platforms without an issue. I love Valve and I love Steam, but they're not perfect and in this case they've dropped the ball in my opinion.

I also understand the tastelessness of using the brand "Origin" but that's hardly worth getting up in arms over. Origin Systems is dead and as unfortunate as that is,

@Dagbiker said:

Honestly I dislike steam, Origin, Impulse, any digital distributer that leases games to you on the bases that they still exist. Do I still use steam, yes, but I still dislike it.

I can't vouch for the other services, but as for Steam, they have indicated that in the event of going out of business, they would unlock all installed games to work without the service. So, while they don't plan on going anywhere, they're definitely not planning on leaving people out in the cold at some point in the future.

Main reason I ask is because I know many dumbasses not getting the PC version of ME3 just because it's on Origin.

@SmasheControllers said:

Main reason I ask is because I know many dumbasses not getting the PC version of ME3 just because it's on Origin.

that's because they're dumbasses

The only thing I dislike about it is that it's pulling EA releases from Steam, and for fuck's sake, if I have to download another manager I will shoot myself. I do love the digital distribution services Steam and Origin provides though. As someone who moves countries often, it is the most useful solution to not leaving my games behind me.

@ThunderSlash said:

Most of it seems to be "EA IS THE DEVIL LOOK AT THE TERMS OF SERVICE IT IS A COPY PASTE OF OTHER TERMS BLARHGARAGHAGAHRHGHPRIVACY RAPE." But I also know that there are people out there that just want to have everything in one place, like me. I've recently started using Origin to back up my EA games, it's alright.

Edit: I recall Valve's Steam getting this same reaction when it launched. "Dedicated Counter-Strike player, etc."

Me too. I mean sure, I like steam and I have no problem with Origin as a digital platform but I just don't want to install and register yet another DD platform just to play one or two games I'm interested in when I have over 50 on steam.

I'm interested on how Origin will grow as a service in the next few years though.

@TruthTellah

@Dagbiker said:

Honestly I dislike steam, Origin, Impulse, any digital distributer that leases games to you on the bases that they still exist. Do I still use steam, yes, but I still dislike it.

I can't vouch for the other services, but as for Steam, they have indicated that in the event of going out of business, they would unlock all installed games to work without the service. So, while they don't plan on going anywhere, they're definitely not planning on leaving people out in the cold at some point in the future.

Right, but untill that point all you have is their word.

Like someone said, people don't like change.

Secondly, the internet is full of idiots who think it's cool to boycott stuff.

Personally, I think Origin is completely innoffensive. It's not quite as sleek as Steam, but it doesn't really do anything wrong.

In fact, I get faster download speeds on Origin than I do on Steam.

@Creamypies said:

Secondly, the internet is full of idiots who think it's cool to boycott stuff.

Occupy Origin!

Because it's sluggish compared to Steam, uses up more RAM than I'm really happy with considering it just runs in the background and does nothing.

Were these complaints also filed at Steam when it first launched? Yes...

...but Steam launched 9 years ago. EA didn't add anything to the experience, so it's basically like I'm running an additional (fatter) Steam to play one game. It's the same reason I don't rate Impulse as a service, because with Steam being so dominant the only reason they exist is pure competition. They don't make any improvements to the digital storefront formula. It's not like Mac Vs. Windows, where each platform has a substantially different take on a similar concept, they're basically just three identical products, except that Origin is slower, both it and Impulse have fewer games available, and the games are all more expensive on Origin in my region. They sell them for slightly over RRP, while Steam is always a good $10 - $20 cheaper.

For these reasons, I don't really like Origin.

I find origin unobtrusive. I put steam shortcuts to Origin games and launch them. The only thing I ever see of Origin is when I'm putting a code in from a disc I bought (I haven't bought anything from the Origin store, only boxed games) and the "Launching Battlefield 3" window.

I have found Origin has much faster download speeds than steam also.

Origin adds a layer of redundancy and uselessness I can't stand. It not just about having it running in systray for no reason, it's the stupid way EA implements it into its games. If you are going to create a service that is worth half the shit Steam is, at least have your friends list integrate with OTHER USELESS CRAP like Battlelog.

I can shift-F1 in BF3 or wtvr the fuck their non-steam overlay shotcut is, to view my friends on Origin, but not those on Battlelog? Are you retarded EA? Are my 5 million EA accounts scattered throughout your shit not enough for you to consolidate all this into one package?

Oh and blue is for in-game and green is for online, thats cute Origin, you are the polar opposite of steam in every way, including quality and worthiness.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/tag/ea-bans/

I don't really like it all that much, but it's mainly because I think the design, while not horrible, is quite bad.

Who am I to dictate how EA chooses to publish their games? Yes I'm the customer, but it's my choice whether I am or not.

But I do think the amount of negative reports on EA's costumer service lately, however justified, hasn't exactly help reinforce a strong positive image of EA and their services in the mind of the potential users of Origin.

Origin adds a layer of redundancy and uselessness I can't stand.

because most people are entitled and like to whine about everything

1. I've already purchased a ton of games on steam so its a hassle having to use origin as well for at the most 2-3 games
2. EA charges £10-15  more then steam or any other digital distributor 
3. It lacks the amount of features that steam has nor is it as well designed/easy to use
4. The idea of it just sounds like EA being a bunch of greedy cunts.

• I already went through the hassle of trying to remember what games I owned on what digital platform with Steam/Impusle/Game for Windows. As soon as I was able to buy the couple games I could only get there on Steam I uninstalled all of the above mentioned and just kept Steam. I hate needing to try and remember what I own on what store and trying to juggle all those installations.
• There's no reason for me to use Origin. It doesn't add anything to my experience, the games are not cheaper, and it's just an extra annoying layer of maintenance and an elaborate form of DRM with a store attached to it that I now have to go through if I want to play EA games on PC.
• If origin had of came out as it is now, but instead of EA throwing a tantrum and keeping all their games behind their little walled garden they instead just kept their special editions or knocked off a few dollars then I wouldn't have a problem with it. I still wouldn't be using it, but it would have been them trying to stay competitive and not just being greedy because Steam came up with a great idea before them.
• The main problem with origin I have, is that I refuse to support anything that segments the PC gaming market to something even smaller then what it is. EA doing this is like if all of a sudden you could only by Activision games at EB Games and EA games at Walmart. Want a Ubisoft game? That's only at Futureshop. Have fun! If EA can get away with this it's not long before every other somewhat big company tries to do the same and that's a nightmare future. Activison already does this with their Blizzard games.
• I also don't care for the look of Origin or the way it works. It just feels off every time I try to use it.
• I also don't trust EA to not screw me over down the road if they think it will save them a few dollars.

@MattyFTM: I think you just highlighted how effective EA's marketing for Origin has really been. The Steam DLC agreement is simply that any game purchased on their service that has DLC must allow the DLC to be purchased through steam as well. This is in part due to the free to play games hosted there, but really just makes sense as a distribution source to keep all of your content consistent.

EA launched Origin because they can make more money off their own service and not pay Valve for hosting their products, period. Steam sales have a big chunk of the market, and you can be sure EA sees them as basically devaluing their own products, so with Origin they're in more control of their own pricing and can make more money off of every sale. A bean counter somewhere realized BF3 was the game where that reached a tipping point. They launched Origin with BF3 because that's the *only* title they have that could possibly float that service. They know gamers are complacent and will pay them if the right game comes along anyway, and eventually Origin will just be another hoop to clear to play PC games.

I dislike Origin because I do not want to split the games I play on PC into two services. Steam is what I want to use there, and Origin is not better in any significant way, if it were maybe they could entice me to use it. EA has a long history of really shitty practices with DLC and online services, and I really don't need any of their games (especially last year) on PC. It would be different if they were actually competing with Steam, but they can't so their solution was to take their toys and go home so to speak. In the end it won't really matter, but it's the consumer who gets the shaft on the whole deal, which is really EAs MO for quite some time now, which is why you see so much hate instead of just disappointment from people.

Steam, Origin.... So long as it keeps me from going to a store to buy a game I'm fine with it.

They don't have a god dam hour counter for time played, that little detail makes me despise it.

Also!

If Ea just came clear, ye we want a piece of the action and that why we don't launch on steam.

Not that get the best experience to their users crap.

@CheapPoison said:

Hate is going far. It's just unnesacary and it forces me to use a service i don't want. Not unlike apples itunes..

^^This. No, but seriously, I love steam because of the love it has towards indie developers and the fact that almost all of Valves games are great.

Gallery

Who would you trust with your gaming experience?

I think mostly it's because I resent the removal of choice. I can get the game from wherever I like but EA makes damn sure everything leads back to their own proprietary solution. Now that Steam's established, bring on the competition by all means. But it's not competitive at all to lock in games by publisher and force people to use a service they don't necessarily want.

As has been mentioned here before, it's one more thing to deal with and one more thing to go wrong. EA are the company that brought you "pay more to re-download this game you already paid for" and "if you don't play this game within two years, we'll pretend you never bought it." Not to mention the labyrinth of misery that was managing accounts, old EA online, EA classic, etc. With that sort of track record no wonder people were wary about having a largely untested product forced upon them at Battlefield's launch. Between Origin, Punkbuster, Sonar, and Battlelog (on a browser) how many programs does one game need simultaneously booted when it runs? How man will Mass Effect 3 require?

If it's one more way that EA can claim real estate on your computer in your home, they'll take it. Always seemed like a crap way to be a guest in someone's house.

It's another think I have to log into, another password to remember. Another service that charges my card.

It's nice to have it all on one platform like steam, which is why I get really ticked off when I can't. The prices are terrible too. Just awful. Sales are nothing like steam. Selection is pretty bad, mostly EA games with run-off from other companies. Not very interesting. UI isn't as good, I can't seem to remove something once it's added to my list, so I have a trailer for the Sims 3 there forever.

Anyway, it's just kinda junk.

@Tebbit said:

Because it's sluggish compared to Steam, uses up more RAM than I'm really happy with considering it just runs in the background and does nothing.

Were these complaints also filed at Steam when it first launched? Yes...

...but Steam launched 9 years ago. EA didn't add anything to the experience, so it's basically like I'm running an additional (fatter) Steam to play one game. It's the same reason I don't rate Impulse as a service, because with Steam being so dominant the only reason they exist is pure competition. They don't make any improvements to the digital storefront formula. It's not like Mac Vs. Windows, where each platform has a substantially different take on a similar concept, they're basically just three identical products, except that Origin is slower, both it and Impulse have fewer games available, and the games are all more expensive on Origin in my region. They sell them for slightly over RRP, while Steam is always a good $10 - $20 cheaper.

For these reasons, I don't really like Origin.

well steam is NEVER cheaper than the RRP in the UK (outside of a sale of course). new released are ALWAYS more expensive on steam

People hate on it because they're Steam fanboys. I love Steam but there's nothing wrong with competition. Origin has some things to learn and work out but that comes with time. My only issue with it is that they charge Tax, whereas Steam doesn't. But I get superior download speeds on Origin. People rag on EA because they pulled most of their titles from Steam but can you blame them? It's a smart business move. If Valve had done something like that everyone would slurp their dicks and say what a brilliant idea it was.

This whole "Steam vs Origin" debate is starting to smell a lot like the whole debate about "console / platform exclusives".

"This third-party developer A only makes franchise B for platform C, but I have platform D and don't feel like buying platform C, ergo, third-party developer A sucks."

"All my friends play on platform C, but game B is exclusive to platform D, ergo, developer A sucks for falling for D's bribes."

"C? More like $, right?"

"Platform D has a long history of failures, is only out for the money, ergo, clearly platform C should be the number one platform."

"C can what D don't."

"Platform C is too much of a hassle, D's hardware just runs smoothly."

"D is for dunces, who can't even put their own machines together!"

Except now it's a free program -sorry, "service"- that you install on the same machine instead of spending 200+ USD / EUR / GBP on another console and its peripherals.

I love the idea that it's wrong for EA to have their games lead to their client. Can you play Left 4 Dead without Steam? Portal 2?

I don't trust EA because they have a terrible track record with games. Valve has a great track record and I trust them. I don't like EA account system. You have to have separate EA stuff inside the games so your Origin games don't transfer to the games like they would with Steam. Also Steam has a nice achievement system and a better download system. It sucks to have to have two different download services.

I think people hate Origin because games that were once on Steam were pulled because they were EA games. EA has been very pushy about their marketing for Origin and that urks people. I don't think there is anything really wrong with Origin; it's just not Steam. I think that's the majority of the problem. Oh... And people generally don't like EA too much, so that doesn't help either.

Because EA's customer support is terrible

Mostly cuz i enjoy using steam, and ive had to download another client only for one game, id of rather it been all in one place, not that origin was bad for me, i just didnt need it.

I think it's great that somebody is finally prepared to throw down on Valve. I appreciate what Valve have done, but that doesn't mean I want to see them so dominant that they can dictate how the digital distribution market operates. Having the inconvenience of multiple clients (which is like, the least inconvenient inconvenience of all time) is a price worth paying for genuine competition.

edit: Don't take this the wrong way; EA are still dicks almost the entire time.

@TMThomsen said:

The whole creation of Origin seems like a big "fuck you" to many potential EA customers.

What has the user the gain from using Origin?

I would say being able to add your disc games to Origin and no longer needing the disc or cd key is a huge gain for EA customers.

Im fine with Origin. I don't much care about the logistics of game distribution. Xbox, PS3, Steam, Origin Gamestop....who cares as long as your still playing games. I mean thats what we want right? If I can get away with not having to dig out ad insert a disc into my pc every time I want to play Mass Effect 2 I am all for it.