You Can’t Buy Battlefield 3 On Steam

128 responses to “You Can’t Buy Battlefield 3 On Steam”

1. 

   AnonymousPessimist

   August 6, 2011 at 6:13 pm

   Dear EA,

   F*** YOU

   Sincerely,

   AP

   Reply
   1. 

      carrotcolossus

      August 6, 2011 at 6:19 pm

      I heartly second your motion AP.

      Reply
   2. 

      LyndonL

      August 6, 2011 at 7:00 pm

      100% agreed. EA has lost 2 sales due to this, and I hope a lot more from other people.

      Definitely not buying it unless it’s on Steam.

      Reply
      1. 

         Marek

         August 7, 2011 at 12:20 am

         Yup, I’m not going to buy it anymore. Like hell I’m going to pay 80 bucks and not be able to download it in a year.

         Reply
      2. 

         Dingers

         August 7, 2011 at 2:24 am

         10 bucks says you buy this game and love the crap out of it.

         Reply
         1. 

            M

            August 7, 2011 at 7:59 pm

            Agreed. People saying they won’t buy such an awesome game because of it’s distribution platform are flat out lying. Or retards

            Reply
            1. 

               Splendiferous

               August 8, 2011 at 11:35 am

               It’s not the platform that is the problem per se; It’s taking a stand against EA’s anti-competitive behaviour. That’s hardly retarded, as your so eloquently put it.

         2. 

            Jumail

            August 8, 2011 at 7:32 am

            I bought BF3 on Origin and the major issue I found was all the bugs…. And yeah, they’ll love it.

            Reply
2. 

   Aidan

   August 6, 2011 at 6:14 pm

   :O

   Reply
3. 

   Adelaide

   August 6, 2011 at 6:16 pm

   I highly doubt that it’s because of the way Steam distributes patches. They’re pretty good with that.

   Reply
4. 

   Lord Crumplebottom

   August 6, 2011 at 6:18 pm

   “No other download service has adopted these practices. At EA, supporting our players is a top priority…”

   aaaaaaahahahahahahahaha – oh God, stop, please.

   Reply
5. 

   Anarchy

   August 6, 2011 at 6:20 pm

   HAHAHAHAHAHA

   “At EA, supporting our players is a top priority”

   HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

   Reply
6. 

   Jillaye

   August 6, 2011 at 6:22 pm

   This will lose EA so many sales. lol fail.

   Reply
   1. 

      Reign

      August 6, 2011 at 6:40 pm

      No it won’t. Us PC gamers are a pathetic bunch.

      Just look at the MW2 ‘boycott’. A big fuss was kicked up before everyone bought it anyway on launch day.

      Reply
      1. 

         Jake

         August 6, 2011 at 6:48 pm

         You might be surprised. This game has kicked up a pretty big fuss, and most hard-core PC gamers use Steam. MW2 was a huge seller on Steam, as are all the games. People arent gonna jump across from one to the other if they have to install a new program, and start building up another game library/profile etc.

         Reply
         1. 

            Ted

            August 6, 2011 at 9:07 pm

            I don’t even want Steam on my computer, let alone this Origin rubbish. Why I need third party software to play games is beyond me.

            Reply
            1. 

               Chrissomerry

               August 7, 2011 at 3:05 pm

               I agree with Ted. Sure, I don’t mind steam, and I can’t judge this Origin thingy-whosit, but it’s just not like owning the game, especially if they one day go under and you’ve “lost” your game. Of course, people who’ve cracked them will be o’right, adding insult to injury to consumers who have tried to be as honest and loyal to the brand as possible.

               And that’s not quite a silly possibility either. While I’d like to think that any company in that position would release a whole bunch of “liberating” patches so you don’t need to rely on their then dying distribution platform, that’s not too likely if it’s a really quick collapse.

         2. 

            stefan

            August 7, 2011 at 9:02 am

            Origin is a 34mb file, hell I downloaded it just to see what it was like/get used to it.

            Reply
      2. 

         Kyle_Katarn

         August 7, 2011 at 1:17 pm

         Yeah because it’s so very hard for a bunch of people to join a boycott group and then just buy the game en masse on release day.

         Reply
7. 

   coolguy

   August 6, 2011 at 6:23 pm

   I would like to know why they are so hung up on steam delivering patches instead of them directly?….contrary to EA’s belief, the consumer does not place value in the method of dlc delivery, they just want the choice of how they purchase it.

   It seems that EA tried hard to find a “genuine” reason to stop games coming to steam so they can push origin. It’s just not that convincing.

   Reply
   1. 

      Allanon10101

      August 7, 2011 at 4:30 am

      Steam wants a cut of the profit from selling the DLC, whereas by delivering it straight to your PC EA can cut out the middle-man, giving you cheaper DLC. Steam doesn’t like this and altered it’s ToS to state that if the DLC and patches aren’t delivered by Steam, then the original game cannot be sold on it. EA continued to produce new materiel using their established in-game download method. Steam said, fine, we’re taking your product off the sales list then. EA said fine, your house, your rules, we’ll sell our product elsewhere.

      I can see why they did it. EA, as the publisher, should not be forced to set their game up just to meet the demands of a distributor who is just looking to profit from their work when they can provide better service the way they are already doing things.

      Reply
      1. 

         minusInfinite

         August 7, 2011 at 8:39 am

         I don’t know about cheaper as steam allows publishers to set their own prices. Also to note is that DLC in Crysis 2 is around $15 for about the same content added as a COD DLC which is not something I personally can’t justify to fork out money add to my game

         Reply
      2. 

         coolguy

         August 7, 2011 at 9:19 am

         I’m sure the cut valve takes from DLC would be just cents. The price could be increased by EA to compensate and it would still come out cheaper than purchasing on Origin.

         Besides, do you honestly think Microsoft are allowing them to sell their product over Xbox live without a taking a cut?

         look at the larger issue here. Developers shy away from developing for PC now because of it not being a consistant platform like a console, there are near infinate combination of hardware and operating system configurations. If every pc only ran windows + steam it creates some stability for developers. Sure it doesnt fix the problem of different hardware, but it’s as close as you will get to a stable, unified platform with the PC. As soon as we start flooding the PC space with hundreds of game platforms we will see more decline in development for it.

         In other words, fuck off Origin, the consumer does not want you.

         Reply
      3. 

         alinos

         August 7, 2011 at 1:10 pm

         The cut would be no different than what they would be getting on consoles

         And no it most certainly wouldn’t make the DLC cheaper.

         EA set the price. If they set the price at 10 dollars steam is probably buying it at 9 since they buy mass amounts.

         and even if EA turned around and said “No, we are selling it for 10dollars to everyone, including retailers. So if you want a cut you’ll have to jack your own pricing up”

         There would still be no reason for steam not to sell it. So long as they aren’t taking losses, im sure when it comes to DLC they aren’t too fussed.

         it’s the fact that having multiple programs needed to run the game as well as it’s DLC is an absolute pain.

         Having to go buy Bioware points, and then buy the DLC with those points(Which in my experience has never worked instantaneously for either) just so i can play the DLC on my steam bought copy of their game is an absolute pain.

         and that’s ignoring the DLC not authorised issues that DA:O has as well as it’s 1GB unresumable DLC downloads which basically screwed anyone over lacking decent internets

         Reply
      4. 

         g0dLyk

         August 7, 2011 at 3:27 pm

         “I can see why they did it. EA, as the publisher, should not be forced to set their game up just to meet the demands of a distributor who is just looking to profit from their work when they can provide better service the way they are already doing things.”

         E.A is a publisher that forces Devs to bend to its will so as to profit from their work.
         They are just butt-hurt that Steam is now has that “publisher” affect on them.

         PC gamers want a SINGLE-UNIFIED system for their games. Steam is the currently the best answer.
         The service Steam provides is unmatchable. And their auto-mated system of self-updating games and plethora of useful streamlined features and responsiveness is just too good.

         We need to back Steam. Because Steam has backed us.

         Competition is great for the consumer. But we aren’t exactly getting shafted by Steam, are we? It’s a free, convenient and effective service.

         Reply
8. 

   TheJagji

   August 6, 2011 at 6:24 pm

   You know what, I am going to copy/past what I said over GoN.net.

   Um…. hello? Anyone actlully been reading everything on this?…. EA would like to have it on Steam. However, becuse of the way the DLC is being done, Valve don’t want it.

   Steam is like iTunes. If you can buy stuff though the program, there for cuting them out of the prorfts, they wont sell it. Its that simple.

   Why would EA not go to Steam and then go to everyone else?

   At anyrate, Steam is just DRM with a shop.

   Anyone know what this cool thing called a box is anymore? You can go to EB or GAME and get it, or buy it on line, and it COMES IN THE POST!

   Reply
   1. 

      TheJagji

      August 6, 2011 at 6:26 pm

      And if ANYWONE thinks this is EA, then you have not been reading everything. lol

      Reply
   2. 

      Lord Crumplebottom

      August 6, 2011 at 6:27 pm

      Many GFWL games allow to purchase DLC in-game. Steam have no problem with them.

      Reply
      1. 

         TheJagji

         August 6, 2011 at 6:32 pm

         Differnt agreemts with differnt companys. Thats all there is to it.

         Reply
         1. 

            Lord Crumplebottom

            August 6, 2011 at 6:36 pm

            You said:
            “Steam is like iTunes. If you can buy stuff though the program, there for cuting them out of the prorfts, they wont sell it. Its that simple.”

            That’s blatantly just wrong. Dead Rising 2 for example, has DLC you can’t purchase via Steam, but only via GFWL. Steam still sell the base game though.

            Reply
            1. 

               TheJagji

               August 6, 2011 at 6:39 pm

               Its called generalising to make my point. lol.

            2. 

               AnonymousPessimist

               August 6, 2011 at 6:51 pm

               does EA pay you in peanuts or bananas?

            3. 

               Chazz

               August 6, 2011 at 7:06 pm

               EA are intentionally violating a particular rule so as not to look like the bad guy. Most people though are smart enough to see through that. You clearly are not.

               There are games that have had DLC added AFTER the new DLC terms came into effect that still don’t use Steam for the DLC at all (e.g. Dirt3) yet these games are still available.

               And no, it’s not different agreements with different companies at all. Even EA acknowledged that much, you twit. It comes down to terms and conditions relating to how DLC is managed.

            4. 

               Allanon10101

               August 7, 2011 at 4:33 am

               EA have been using the same system for some time now. It’s Valve who adjusted their ToS to prevent the system from being used, and expect EA to comply with it

            5. 

               Chrissomerry

               August 7, 2011 at 3:12 pm

               I think it’s safe to say different publishers have different relationships with each other, and that the “rules” change based on whimsy. I think it’s both Steam and EAs faults.

      2. 

         Siby

         August 6, 2011 at 8:01 pm

         The thing is, the way Valve have changed how Steamworks works is that now if you buy the game through Steam you can only buy the DLC via steam, not any other channel. I’m fine with Steam forcing companies to sell their DLC on steam as well os other channels, but to lock customers into buying their DLC from Steam because they bought the game from Steam ,I don’t agree with that.

         Reply
         1. 

            AnonymousPessimist

            August 6, 2011 at 8:08 pm

            This is disingenuous. Take Dirt 3 – DLC is sold via the games for windows live service but the game itself is sold via steam.

            Please do your research in future before you post these kneejerk responses.

            Reply
            1. 

               Siby

               August 6, 2011 at 8:17 pm

               I did actually do my research, I checked the Steam forums regarding this and found people stating that they couldn’t use DLC bought through GFWL on Steam, happened with Fable 3, and with BFBC2 if you bought the game on Steam you had to get Vietnam on Steam, otherwise it didn’t work. Before looking at the forums, I’d assumed Steam’s policy simply that companies also had to sell their DLC on steam as well and customers were free to purchase it from wherever, but the reading I’ve done suggested they must purchase it from Steam.

            2. 

               AnonymousPessimist

               August 6, 2011 at 8:20 pm

               If the DLC is sold on steam then you can’t buy it from another source.

               If the DLC is not sold on steam you can get the DLC from wherever it’s sold.

            3. 

               Siby

               August 6, 2011 at 8:32 pm

               And that’s what I don’t agree with. Just because you bought the game on Steam, doesn’t mean you should be locked into buying DLC from Steam only. If it uses Steamworks, that’s fine, it kind of needs steam architecture to work. I can see what Valve is trying to prevent with companies selling games for $1 or something ridiculous and the rest through DLC. But there are more sophisticated methods for doing that.

            4. 

               Chazz

               August 6, 2011 at 8:45 pm

               Actually, plenty of people have purchased the DLC for games like Dirt3 through the GFWL marketplace and have no issue running it through Steam. Myself and friends included…

            5. 

               Siby

               August 6, 2011 at 9:11 pm

               Yeah, the inconsistency is what’s confusing. For example Super Street Fighter Arcade Edition, the GFWL DLC supposedly didn’t work on Steam version, people had to wait for Capcom to release it via Steam. I’m pretty sure there’s something EA isn’t saying, but I feel Valve is being stubborn about something.

            6. 

               Chazz

               August 6, 2011 at 9:21 pm

               Considering that the DLC has just come out for SSF, it might require a patch or something but we all know it will be fixed ASAP if it hasn’t been already.

               Either way, it’s no coincidence that since EA announced a new DD client that this is happening and to think that Valve are being troublesome in any way despite a history of having no issues with DLC handled outside of the the Steam client is foolish.

   3. 

      Anarchy

      August 6, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      That post made approximately as much sense as EA’s business practices. None.

      Reply
   4. 

      Virus__

      August 6, 2011 at 6:33 pm

      Well yeah, how else would Steam/Valve make money from Steam if they don’t take a cut of the profits? It’s business.

      Also I noticed a lot the games that are on Origin are 10 dollars more there than they are on Steam? Well it’s this way for us Aussies.

      Reply
   5. 

      Jake

      August 6, 2011 at 6:35 pm

      If you read ANY post by developers publishing on Steam, developers actually make a buttload on Steam compared to retail. Steam takes 30% of profits, but takes care of the file hosting, patch distribution and in-service advertising, but the cost for shipping a game, making the boxes and then having a retailer sell it is much higher.

      This is just going off Telltale games, but they claim you make about 60% more for Steam sales than you do retail.

      EA just wants people to use Origin. And people wont, because its a region locked ripoff.

      Reply
      1. 

         TheJagji

         August 6, 2011 at 9:11 pm

         If EA just want people to use Orgin, then why is it avalible on OTHER Digital servers?

         http://www.direct2drive.com/10557/product/Buy-Battlefield-3-Limited-Edition-Download

         http://www.impulsedriven.com/battlefield3

         Valve is the reson BF3, Crysis2 and Dragon Age 2 are not on Steam. Not EA.

         Reply
         1. 

            Chazz

            August 6, 2011 at 9:43 pm

            Fail more.

            Reply
         2. 

            ExplosionsHurt

            August 7, 2011 at 7:27 am

            Because THOSE services aren’t real competition for EA. Steam is the big one, so it doesn’t get it.

            Reply
   6. 

      N0NEoftheAB0VE

      August 6, 2011 at 9:18 pm

      I agree completely – only because I like to play TF2 on the Xbox – I like controllers over a keyboard.

      Valve will never update TF2 on the Xbox because to put through the patches they want to will not only go over Microsoft’s file size limits but M$ will charge them for the privelege of distributing free patches over their service.

      Much the same way that Valve probably charges other publishers to issue patches through their service.

      Valve’s post release support is only so good because they control the distribution, play any m$ published game on the Xbox – they get good patches and free content as well.

      EA have stated as much that they want to become a platform holder and given that consoles are an expensive business to get into that means they’re going full tilt on PC Online Distribution.

      I don’t know who pulled the trigger here EA or Valve but I suspect this signals that EA is serious about using Origin to rival Valve.

      You know I can sit here and hope that one Naughty Dog will port Uncharted to the Xbox or I can face fact that if I want to play it I need go to Sony. Similarly if you guys wanna play Battlefield on a PC then you gotta go to Origin. It might suck – but that’s the nature of business.

      Reply
      1. 

         Siby

         August 6, 2011 at 9:23 pm

         I don’t think I’ve ever heard of Valve charging to distribute patches, otherwise they would be hypocrites regarding Xbox Live. Valve get a cut of sales through Steam, that’s it afaik.

         Reply
      2. 

         Fenixius

         August 6, 2011 at 10:41 pm

         I do believe that the reason there’s no TF2 support on 360 is because A) The userbase is small and B) MS were not only going to take a cut of the distribution, but they refuse to allow the distribution of content for free. Which Steam/Valve definitely does allow.

         Show me which 360 games got free DLC outside of a time-limited deal / postrelease content for free?

         Reply
9. 

   ExplosionsHurt

   August 6, 2011 at 6:27 pm

   I’ll just buy it online from ozgameshop. No worries!

   Only problem is that patches and the like are probably going to be delivered via Origin.

   🙁

   Reply
10. 

    Jamie

    August 6, 2011 at 6:41 pm

    F**k origin, f**k EA.

    Reply
11. 

    Chazz

    August 6, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    For me this isn’t so bad, makes it easier to not be tempted to purchase.

    Plus, with the way it’s shaping up to be more Bad Company than Battlefield, it means it’s more my gain than my loss by not purchasing it.

    Reply
    1. 

       rob

       August 8, 2011 at 5:06 am

       In what way is BF3 shaping up to be more bad company than battlefield?
       Where are you getting your facts?
       After playing the alpha, I dont think it was like bad company in any way whatsover when compared to battlefield of the past.
       It has evolved as all things do.

       Reply
       1. 

          Baron

          August 8, 2011 at 11:22 am

          Just about every post on bf3 chazz has been the biggest hater lol

          Reply
12. 

    journeyagent

    August 6, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    Just what is the issue with Origin, anyway? Do people just not want to have to use another service alongside Steam, or are there other particular issues?

    Reply
    1. 

       Chazz

       August 6, 2011 at 7:23 pm

       Origin has been built on a foundation of terribly bugged online clients that can actually result in you not being able to even install a purchased game (with no recourse for a refund either) oh and the prices are higher than Steam’s.

       Reply
       1. 

          blaze0041

          August 6, 2011 at 7:51 pm

          Agreed. My deep disdain for EA’s Origin goes all the way back to Battlefield 2 (when it was EADM/EA Link).
          Bought the Special Forces expansion pack and the 2 Booster Packs. Aside from downloading said purchases, it didn’t do anything else.
          I also bought the Booster Pack for 2142, worked fine for a few months, but then the game crashed whenever it tried to load anything related to the Booster Pack.
          A clause in the T&C (not sure if it’s still there) essentially meant that you lost access to your purchases after 12 months, with the option of buying extra time (for a hefty fee).
          The asking price for BF3 on Origin is essentially the same at local retail. Back then as well, I should’ve realised I was paying more for a product that was cheaper elsewhere.
          I also have a massive games library on Steam, and all Origin has is EA games, most of which I have no interest in.
          In short, I won’t use Origin based on my past experiences.

          Reply
13. 

    Steve

    August 6, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    Sigh, I have no problem with Steam. EA should just make nice. I don’t want to have a goddamn game client for every dev with Steam/GoG filling in the blanks.

    Reply
14. 

    Svenare

    August 6, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    “and we are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with our own consumers.”

    so why isn’t BF3 being released on Desura?

    Reply
    1. 

       ExplosionsHurt

       August 7, 2011 at 7:29 am

       Random question:

       does Desura always run in the background?

       Reply
       1. 

          Svenare

          August 8, 2011 at 12:20 am

          no, u don’t need desura running to play a game

          Reply
15. 

    Myst

    August 6, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    This seals the deal for me (or more accurately, seals no deal).

    I’m not the biggest Battlefield fan, but all my games are on Steam, and their excuse for not having it on Steam is absolutely ABYSMAL.

    I mean, look at Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops, both use permanent Steamworks DRM, have DLC on the steam store, and utilize Steam patching system. Is it really hard for EA to follow such a model, I mean, ACTIVISION is doing it! (and not to mention, earning lods emone from it).

    I personally have no specific gripe with Activision, but most gamers do, and if EA can’t follow something that Activision is doing very well (with their use of Steam, imho), they’ll continue to be abhorred by loyal Steam users.

    Reply
16. 

    P3t3

    August 6, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    I suspect more than likely this will piss off EA’s share holders once they realise how many less copies are sold.

    Reply
    1. 

       Akra

       August 6, 2011 at 8:10 pm

       EA wont lose a lot of sales by not having it for sale on steam. The steam overlay will still work with other versions of the game.

       Have pc gamers become that lazy that they won’t walk to the game store and buy it?

       Reply
       1. 

          AnonymousPessimist

          August 6, 2011 at 8:13 pm

          Yes. Review digital vs retail sales. Digital sales are clearly trending upwards and is the future of games distribution. If it was not, EA would not be making such aggressive moves to try and lock out Steam.

          Seeing a lot of new posters here in this article. Suspicious.

          Reply
          1. 

             Akra

             August 6, 2011 at 8:28 pm

             Suspicious of what? That we’re on EA’s payroll. Perhaps you should change your name to AnonymousParanoid.

             Digital Sales may be the upward trend in PC game sales, but do they all have to be one steam. if EA wanted to they could solely release the game on Origin, but they are not. Steam is the only platform not getting BF3 due to EA wanting to release DLC ingame where as steam wants customers to purchase through its store front.

             By not having BF3 on steam, EA is actually helping the other Digital Disturbers have an upper hand over steam for once.

             Reply
             1. 

                Chazz

                August 6, 2011 at 8:52 pm

                The sheer stupidity that oozes from your post is ridiculous.

                1. Games with DLC that don’t use Steam for DLC still exist and games like Dirt 3 have had DLC releases AFTER the change in Valve’s T&C but are still available without issue.

                2. There will never be a system that works as well as Steam therefore competition is unnecessary. Steam is constantly updated, the sales are always happening and the support is second-to-none. No service will ever be able to rival Steam because everything they offer is just too damn good.

             2. 

                Fenixius

                August 6, 2011 at 10:43 pm

                Competition -is- necessary, but there’s not going to be any over Battlefield 3. Not only does there need to be an equivalent / equally good service to Steam, the same games need to be ranged. Not like Impulse and Steam, where there wasn’t a lot of overlap in libraries.

             3. 

                AnonymousPessimist

                August 6, 2011 at 11:33 pm

                Akra, your lack of insight on this issue is either charmingly inane or intentionally misleading.

                I suppose we’ll just agree to disagree. I do hope you enjoy using origin 😉

             4. 

                Baron

                August 8, 2011 at 11:27 am

                Origin/steam whatever the medium who cares, heaven forbid you buy a physical copy of the game

             5. 

                ExplosionsHurt

                August 7, 2011 at 7:31 am

                Desura isn’t either.

             6. 

                spizzaza

                August 7, 2011 at 10:06 am

                You do realise steam is the only one that matters?

                If they said they will only put it on origin, it blatantly shows that EA are doing it for themselves. But by removing it from steam, and saying you will sell the game anywhere else you still hurt your the main competitor just as much and make them look like the bad guys.
                EA are obviously doing this to start their Origin store. Steam is their competitor and they want to take them out, no matter what bullshit story they feed you, true or not.

17. 

    Cap’n Crunch

    August 6, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    -.-… really? really EA? don’t treat us like children, just tell it straight.

    Reply
18. 

    Daedalus

    August 6, 2011 at 8:30 pm

    Wow, big deal! I hate steam, I prefer to walk outside and head down to my local games shop. I’ll buy it there, maybe bump into some people I know and hang out… woooo!

    Steam shmeem!

    Reply
    1. 

       Mudze

       August 7, 2011 at 10:28 am

       You sure you live in Australia?

       Reply
    2. 

       Virus__

       August 7, 2011 at 1:24 pm

       I buy games from local stores, considering most games are able to be activated on Steam anyway. Even if it doesn’t say on the packaging.

       Reply
    3. 

       Gusman

       August 8, 2011 at 9:56 am

       High five for physical movement! I prefer having the game with a CD and case 🙂

       Reply
19. 

    NotoriousR

    August 6, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    I thought EA know how to do business? Locking out a very very very popular ‘platform’ to sell the game on isn’t exactly how you make more sales. Especially if this is meant to be a ‘COD-killer’ and make a ton of sales.

    Reply
20. 

    N

    August 6, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    I’m not buying this shit unless its on Steam.

    Reply
21. 

    Jay

    August 6, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    Tho I do get my games from Steam sometimes, but for BF3, I actually want a hardcopy not a digital one (since its going to be so bloody awesome). Its Battlefield 3 come on, dont u want the full box copy with the disc + manual instead of just a digital copy for all the other less significant games tat u have bought on Steam? If the game is ok, I’ll buy it on Steam when its on special. But this is a title Ive been waiting for along with Skyrim, Deus Ex HR and Rage so I am def going to buy it from the shops. I am saving my Steam account for less epic games.

    Reply
    1. 

       Chazz

       August 6, 2011 at 9:46 pm

       I fail to see how the quality of the game means anything in relation to whether or not you purchase a retail or digital copy. :S

       Reply
    2. 

       stefan

       August 7, 2011 at 9:14 am

       Yeah I’ve gotta say I prefer getting a hard copy for more epic games. Its just nice i guess to have a true physical ownership of the game.

       @Chazz, its purely superficial to me, but hey thats the way I roll XD.

       Reply
22. 

    Wynstyn

    August 6, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    I don’t fully understand the fuss. Don’t we get charge with an “OZ-tax” when buying through steam making it cheaper to buy through stores like ozgameshop?

    You can’t buy starcraft II through steam, and i don’t remember an outrage about that.

    Reply
    1. 

       NotoriousR

       August 6, 2011 at 10:30 pm

       Battle net has been around for a while, not to mention Blizzard games have never been on Steam. EA, on the hand, have a giant, giant catalgoue of games, from ME to BF to their publishing partners program. They’ve been pulling games, and dropping support, as opposed to have never been on Steam at all.

       Also, price:

       http://store.origin.com/store/eaapac/en_AU/DisplayProductDetailsPage/ThemeID.850400/productID.225126100

       http://store.steampowered.com/app/19680/

       Reply
    2. 

       Andy

       August 6, 2011 at 11:50 pm

       thats just stupid you cant buy any blizzard games through steam because they have always had them on there own site and its always been via battle.net. Origin just represents another set of passwords, another game library, another set of friends and a way for EA to eventually just kill off competition.

       Reply
    3. 

       Cam

       August 7, 2011 at 2:22 am

       We definately used to get charged more, not sure about now though.

       Reply
23. 

    Khuntza

    August 6, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    What a load of shit..

    Valve have had no issue rolling out some 200 odd patches to TF2 via steam.. Why exactly is Steam no good for updating BF3 then??

    Not to mention the 3rd party games on steam with available DLC..

    Sounds like a cheap shot at a competitor to me.. or more the point they are trying to force Steam users to try/use origin..

    I’d love to say that I flat out wont buy it unless its on Steam, but the reality of it now is that I will buy a retail copy.. sigh.

    Reply
24. 

    Paul

    August 6, 2011 at 10:08 pm

    I loved BFBC2. I would buy BF3 in a heart beat at 50US via steam. But what I really don’t want to be doing is having to jump between distributors trying to get the market share and us (the customer) being the one who will be the ones to sort it all out. Steam works well for me. And is constantly coming up will new things. I love Steam cloud. I am sick to death of reinstalling my hard-drive with windows and after spending many hours trying to locate all my saved games, then find that the majority don’t work. Steam cloud -problem solved. Additionally if I am going to download a game I want it on the iinet freezone. If its not then I really am not too keen to get it unless its a real bargain. I have not even had the slightest interest in even visiting their store as I find the behavior of origin/EA quite distasteful. If it was interested in being competitive then it would release on both platforms and I am surprised no one has picked up on that one yet.

    Reply
    1. 

       TheJagji

       August 6, 2011 at 11:34 pm

       You don’t. Just get it retail, and not worrie about Origin at all. O is not like STEAM. you wont need it if you buy retail. if you did, they would have said in that press relases.

       Reply
25. 

    Clancy

    August 6, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    Wasn’t gonna buy from Steam anyway, screw downloading a game that is likely to be more than 25GBs…

    Reply
26. 

    josh

    August 6, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    Don’t care, I have to use another third party software for certain games,probably ending up being JUST the one game. Look at yourselves, whining and crying because you’re being pushed out of a tiny habit, is there something im missing?

    Seriously, im so goddamn confused, what is the big deal? My god.

    Reply
    1. 

       Thom

       August 7, 2011 at 12:01 pm

       Origin is more expensive, less comprehensive, and overall a poorer service. Rather than address these issues, EA has opted to reduce competition by restricting who can sell their products. This is in no-ones issues, and brings all the problems of the console wars to PC, which really doesn’t need them.

       Reply
27. 

    Peter

    August 6, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    There is no way i am changing from steam. Apart from the constant sales, the support they have for the customers and the sheer amount of indie games available, the best reason to have it goes to people with multiple computers.

    I have 1 desktop and 2 laptops and the ease that i can instal & play portal/borderlands/mass effect/fable/fallout etc without being picked on for licenses/cd keys and the general bullshit that i hate about game companies, makes steam a straight winner. I cant highlight that point enough.

    hell i dont even get mass amounts of spam from steam telling me to fork out cash. wonder how many spam emails origin customers have got.

    EA is playing dirty to get the undecided ones to them. business sure, terrible for customers tho. Oh well, more traffic for black ops then. Although activision/blizzard are likely going to make another competitor with another battle.net update likely in the next year.

    TL;DR Steam is easy, has my collection on it. No way am I going to EAs crapheap.

    Reply
28. 

    OzHuski

    August 6, 2011 at 11:44 pm

    Ugh.. I think a lot of people here seem to be missing the whole issue at hand and are just firing off at EA.. This isnt about patches, or origin, this is about additional in game purchased content.

    As of now, Valve new rules require all purchases to be made through Steam. Meaning ANY additional content has to be done through the steam store, and not in game or via another service – which a lot of EA games do at the moment. This is why the EA games are slowly going MIA and why its coming to other services, and not Steam.

    EA are no saints, or atleast werent. But in this game, neither are Valve. Its all about money – im sure there is costs involved for either side hosting/providing the files, but im sure also control over the content is another issue as well as distribution dates.

    A good example would be the SSF4:AE costumes. Anyone who bought SSF4:AE at retail can use the costumes in SF4 bought from the Live service instantly, where as anyone who bought the steam version had to wait a week for the Steam updated files to be available, and repurchase – this also costs more money to for developers to do, but also impacts those who bought through Steam.

    The same thing that is going on with Steam happened on the iPhone recently.. Another way too look at it is indie devs. Prior to these rule changes for distribution of content, Indie devs could build a game, sell it on the app store, then sell in game content via there own methods making further profit but at less of a loss/cut to Apple. Its a great opportunity for them! Enter the new rules.. Every in game item or content patch must now be sold through/tied to the app store – meaning Apple gets a cut of every purchase made (roughly 30%).

    Now, in this light, do you think its fair Indie devs should be forced to sell there addition content through Steam/iOS and lose extra profit? Okay.. If your answer is no its not, then shouldnt the rules be the same for EA as well? They may not be an indie dev but they put in a hell load of work into there games also.

    I for one think developers should have the choice how to provide there additional content. Indie or massive corporations like EA. I love Steam and Valve, but I also do realize they arent innocent in this game either, and could further impact our purchasing prices..

    Reply
    1. 

       Thom

       August 7, 2011 at 12:02 pm

       Actually, all Steam has done is said you can’t have exclusive DLC that requires the install of a competing client. Pretty reasonable given literally every other retail channel does the same thing.

       Reply
    2. 

       SupremeBeans

       August 7, 2011 at 2:03 pm

       Your analogy falls flat with the indie comparison. Where else is an indie developer going to get decent exposure outside of Steam? I understand there are other independent-only services popping up, but they’re in their infancy and don’t have nearly the clout Steam has.

       Reply
29. 

    The joke is up

    August 7, 2011 at 12:00 am

    I’m happy to lose convenience if it is for the sake of a bit of healthy competition. Valve has had it easy with Steam for far too long now. This is the good kick up the arse they need. So everybody should stop complaining like EA is the devil.

    Any, and I mean ANY, video game company is entitled to create their own pc program that sells and plays games. There is no law against this last time I looked.

    You should all stop acting so surprised and move on and accept it. This move should have been made by EA, Activision, Ubisoft etc about 10 years ago. At the least be thankful they left such an obvious play (creating their own program) for so long.

    Welcome to the future everyone! It’s where Valve realises they aren’t the only kid on the block anymore. Maybe we’ll get more than one half-decent game from them every 5 years now.

    Reply
    1. 

       Thom

       August 7, 2011 at 12:04 pm

       This isn’t competition. To compete, EA would need to be able to sell the content too. I’d rather see actual competition, you know, in terms of service or cost.

       Reply
30. 

    Thom

    August 7, 2011 at 12:38 am

    So EA pays people to trawl kotaku now? I thought only political parties did that.

    Reply
31. 

    Cam

    August 7, 2011 at 2:21 am

    *Insert Slowbro* I’m pretty sure we were told this was going to happen already, I know I read it somewhere months ago. Such a shame, fucken EA why do they have to ruin shit like this, Steam as annoying as it can be is great if you have decent internet updates are found and installed easily and (when on sale) steam prices are bloody cheap. Stupid EA what an opportunity to miss for sales.

    Reply
32. 

    effektd

    August 7, 2011 at 2:25 am

    While it’s a shame it won’t be on Steam, it is by all means not a valid reason to Boycott Battlefield 3.

    Buy it retail (pray that Origin isn’t integrated), but hey at least you’ll have your psyhical copy for re-install.

    Hate on EA/Valve, it just really fkn pisess me off BF3 is being used a device for EA to exploit.

    Reply
    1. 

       ExplosionsHurt

       August 7, 2011 at 7:32 am

       Yes. I’m doing that too.

       Reply
33. 

    Narayana

    August 7, 2011 at 6:26 am

    Interesting to see some of you playing the roles of rabid console fanboys in this debate. You don’t want to buy this game because it’s not on steam and you can’t be bothered leaving your house to pick up a physical copy?  Seriously? When did you trade in your pc, that exalted blank slate of unrestricted open gaming possibility, for a steambox360? Further complications will only cause more games to fail to surface through all providers, leading to ‘platform exclusives’. Whilst these may certainly serve to flavour each platform, just as Mario and co. embody the Nintendo experience, the benefit the consumer is nil. Just less games, for no good reason.  If this kind of polarization and loyalty towards digital distributers is an emerging trend.  does this spell the dying out of many of the freedoms that pc gaming espouses? 

    Reply
    1. 

       Thom

       August 7, 2011 at 12:05 pm

       I’m all for Origin, I just don’t want this sort of competition, where they stifle how you can buy the game. This is the worst option, where I have to install their BS in order to PC game, which is exactly what I don’t want.

       Reply
34. 

    ExplosionsHurt

    August 7, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Origin’s T&C are worse.

    You’re only allowed to use “Content and Entitlements” for a limited time.

    Reply
    1. 

       Kyle_Katarn

       August 7, 2011 at 1:45 pm

       And, they explicitly state that they “WILL” terminate your right to content and entitlements if you dont meet petty conditions.

       Reply
35. 

    Stevorooni

    August 7, 2011 at 9:05 am

    I bet if you buy a boxed copy it will still want to download and install Origin anyway, so there’s no escape!

    Reply
    1. 

       TheJagji

       August 7, 2011 at 9:41 am

       NO IT WONT.

       STEAM is the ONLY peice of crap that dose that. Origin dose not. Impulse dose not. NO OTHER SYTEM DOSE TI ONLY STEAM! So if you complaining about it, complain about steam you dick.

       Reply
       1. 

          coolguy

          August 7, 2011 at 11:16 am

          you sound an awful lot like that jagji nob from pcpowerplay forums

          Reply
       2. 

          Thom

          August 7, 2011 at 12:08 pm

          Yeah – try getting your pre-release download entitlements for Mass Effect 2 and tell me that Origin isn’t basically a mandatory pain in the A.

          Reply
       3. 

          computerz

          August 7, 2011 at 1:39 pm

          “Does” not “dose”, “peice” – I after E, except after C. “System, not “SYTEM”. “Won’t”, not “WONT”.

          Dude, seriously – go back to school (oh yeah, for you I say “U R go BK 2 SKOOL”).

          Reply
       4. 

          Kyle_Katarn

          August 7, 2011 at 1:46 pm

          Have any proof to back that statement up, champ?

          Reply
       5. 

          Stevorooni

          August 7, 2011 at 2:07 pm

          haha, wow take a chill pill.

          If EA want people to use their service then the logical thing to do would be to force them to install it when you buy their games from shops.

          I’m just guessing here, but they’ve set the precedent by forcing digital buyers to use Origin.

          Reply
36. 

    maaddog

    August 7, 2011 at 10:13 am

    What people seem to forget in this Steam VS Origin conflict is, epsecially for Australia the Origin prices are horrible!!

    It is CHEAPER to by retail in AUS than to by from Origin, love or hate steam, Origin is a far, far inferior product that sells above street price in my region.

    Do the smart thing, dont buy Origin it just hurts gamers in the long run, EA do not give a crap about gamers and just want to charge you MORE for a digital download.

    F*** YOU EA, FUCK YOU TO HELL

    Reply
37. 

    Terry

    August 7, 2011 at 10:59 am

    Aside from Indie games I’m officially over steam and their rip-off prices for major releases.

    I stumbled on a local distributor that I’ll be trying for future releases, Dungeon Crawl.

    Check this out, Skyrim $49.90 AUD,
    http://www.dungeoncrawl.com.au/p-3593-the-elder-scrolls-v-5-skyrim-pc.aspx

    Reply
    1. 

       computerz

       August 7, 2011 at 1:16 pm

       Dungeon Crawl (the store) is OK, but the webstore costs $8.90 for delivery. Try ozgameshop instead – $42AU for Skyrim delivered! Forget all digital distribution platforms for new releases. I’ve ordered Rage and Deus Ex:HR Limited Editions for under $80AU delivered, whereas they are both $90AU each on Steam. We need to have global price matching. Avoid Australian retail until the prices match UK etc!

       Reply
    2. 

       SupremeBeans

       August 7, 2011 at 2:06 pm

       It’s been said time and time again. Publishers set the price on Steam, not Valve.

       Reply
38. 

    Cpt. Cuddles

    August 7, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    What a load of crap. People won’t buy a game cause it won’t be on steam, BULLSHIT

    Reply
39. 

    Lolwut

    August 7, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    Real hardcore gamers stay away from steam and the likes of it

    But then again, alot of gullible gamers are spoonfed by valve and their rules

    Reply
    1. 

       Lobo

       August 7, 2011 at 9:11 pm

       ‘Hardcore’ gamers.

       Lol.

       Reply
    2. 

       Dswal

       August 8, 2011 at 3:39 pm

       “Real Hardcore gamers stay away from steam”

       Dota 2 anyone??

       Reply
40. 

    Reoh

    August 7, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    Inquiry: Just how many times do you need to release the same article before it stops becoming news?

    Reply
41. 

    Lobo

    August 7, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    I hear that if you play CoD and squint, you can’t tell the difference.

    Reply
42. 

    Alan

    August 7, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    If it’s not on Steam I won’t buy it; it’s as simple as that.

    Saves me $80 I guess.

    Reply
43. 

    AerintheADEQUATE

    August 9, 2011 at 12:03 am

    That sucks. My PC can’t run it anyways so I was gonna be getting it on PS3 to begin with… but it sucks that a few years down the road when I might have a PC that can run it I won’t be able to get it on my preferred ‘platform’

    oh well.

    Reply