Mass Effect 3 isn't launching on Steam, requires Origin
Posted Jan 16th 2012 1:15PM by Ben Gilbert
Unsurprisingly, this also means that all PC versions of Mass Effect 3 will require EA's Origin service to launch the game -- regardless of where you buy it -- just like Battlefield 3 before it. And despite EA's wording, which implies the game may end up on Steam at some point after launch, we're doubtful that's around the corner.
Alongside the confirmation that ME3 won't end up on Steam, Priestly goes on to list the issues his company sees with launching on Steam ("restrictive terms of service," BioWare claims). Given Steam's ubiquity across the PC gaming landscape, not to mention the vast majority of its clients not complaining about said terms of service, we're gonna go ahead and wager that the terms aren't being altered anytime soon.
Reader Comments (258)
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:20PM KinseySS said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 2:11PM Hunter141072 said
So what they are basically saying is: the game will be available in two options, Origin or the pirate bay...............
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 2:58PM (Unverified) said
No, you can still buy EA games at sites like Gamersgate / Impulsedriven. The conflict is between EA & Steam.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:22PM Special Agent Steve said
It doesn't matter where you buy it from- you still require Origin.
The Mass Effect series is my second favorite game series ever. I hate EA for doing this.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:27PM Ignatius said
No Steam, no sale. If it's anywhere near Origin, you can damn well bet I'll never have it on my system.
Glad I started playing this on the 360 version though, I won't be too broken up by this ham-handed attempt at forcing people into using Origin and it's lovely spyware.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:39PM Haizeus said
I sure hope it'll still read steam purchased game saves.
Ah well. EA is doing everything they can to squander the good will the earned a couple years ago. Unfortunate, but predictable.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:53PM DerpMchurson said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:58PM Drakkhenden said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 4:03PM Hunter141072 said
Oh well, guess there is only one way to get the game and stay origin free...... buy it from the local store, but don´t install it.... instead get the cracked version and play with that one, that´s the only method with all the UBI soft titles with DRM, guess it´s time to do the same with the EA games.......
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 4:11PM Gibbeynator said
I said this before, but I will not give a penny to a company who've decided they don't want my money.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 4:20PM byaboy said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 6:56PM SirUrza said
ME3 seems like a Day 1 origins removal torrent to me.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 7:11PM Gibbeynator said
I believe the technical term is "No Steam, no sale".
Posted: Jan 17th 2012 6:46PM Chareth Cutestory said
They seem to want my contact and usage info and DLC-dollar more than my initial investment in the actual game.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:20PM xbit said
Step 2: Report disappointing sales
Step 3: Blame piracy, instead of poor business decisions, on declining sales
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:31PM Jetleo1 said
Step 5: Constantly make bad console ports since it's cheap and free money despite being on said thought dead platform.
Step 6: Have everyone with a PC hate you.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:43PM Omnistatic said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:46PM Copybass Ah jeez zombies said
SWTOR doesn't actually go through Origin, despite saying so on the site.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 2:09PM Dick Socrates said
They won't win though, Origin may survive, but Steam will just bigger and bigger while Origin's fate is determined largely by how wanted their own games are. They're in a good spot at the moment, but that won't last.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 2:17PM Hunter141072 said
yeah!!! those tree points say it all....... "restrictive terms of service" sure..........like if forcing people to use their stupid service wasn´t restrictive enough.....................
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 2:46PM liquidsoap89 said
Sure as hell didn't help either...
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:08PM Traptz said
And yet both BF3 and SWTOR are now LOSING customers..but this has nothing to do with Origin.. The problem is EA's choice to release games that still need months of development. ie: BF3 and MOSTLY SWTOR.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:12PM Dcmac said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:23PM Traptz said
No I haven't played it..I magically got rank 45 and unlocked all the weapons. OFC I played it..why would I comment on it if I didn't?
They have fixed a lot of the issues but you'd have to be a muffin to not know how horrible this game was at release. There were MANY bugs that weren't fixed for a long time and still some that exist. Things that should have been fixed in the beta.
You never crashed to desktop only to lose all the unlocks you just earned? You never get killed 3 seconds after you've already taken cover(this is an engine issue btw). Sorry but you don't experience these kinds of things in a lot of today's shooters. Know why? Because they don't have EA breathing down their necks telling them to get the game out. Other companies release games when they're ready...not when the time runs out.
I'm sorry but you're wrong.
Posted: Jan 17th 2012 6:43AM Nathanyel said
Posted: Jan 17th 2012 10:12AM Timerider said
You forgot the part about laying off employees.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:21PM ShadowXIII said
/ultrasarcasm
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:22PM DarkKingSilvers said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:23PM Xemplar said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:27PM Faceless Troll said
3 a : a concretion usually of mineral salts around organic material found especially in hollow organs or ducts b : 1tartar 2
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:22PM Demios said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:43PM copa said
AKA "Valve won't let us spam the shit out of everyone who buys a copy of our game"
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 2:01PM archipelagos said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 7:28PM Demios said
Posted: Jan 17th 2012 10:10AM Timerider said
This is true of the other ME games as well.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:23PM Demios said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:23PM (Unverified) said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:51PM GiantGamer said
I have been waiting for this game to come out... and now I will never (NON STEAM) play it. I guess I will trade off my Mass effect 1+2 steam codes, as ME3 won't be bothering Steam for at least another Christmas sale.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:24PM Faceless Troll said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 2:26PM zero2dash said
I wish I could give you a 4th heart.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:24PM Startbuttonnews said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 3:16PM Traptz said
Adding your game to your Steam library is not the issue.
Steam offers the best updates, the best sales and the best community when it comes to digital distributors. Good luck finding an Origin community, good luck with EA Support..
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 4:15PM Startbuttonnews said
Hey I'm with ya there man. Totally agree. However, I do still want to play this game and since I'm being forced to have Origin I can at least mitigate my pain by shortcutting the game through Steam so I don't have to look at Origin's terrible interface.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 4:56PM Tinkus said
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 6:09PM Traptz said
I have BF3, DA2, SWTOR and Dead Space 2 all on Origin..none of them need Origin to be on to play. Origin is useless..It's just useless platform for EA to try and squeeze out more money.
When a game says "requires Origin", all that means is you need to register it through Origin and that's it..again..completely useless.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 6:11PM Startbuttonnews said
I launch Bulletstorm from Steam and Origin doesn't open.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 6:50PM SirUrza said
I've got news for you, every time you launch BF3, it launches Origin and puts it on your taskbar, you just haven't noticed it.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 7:33PM Startbuttonnews said
BF3 probably does, but I just checked Bulletstorm again and Origin does not pop up under Steam. It's possible all the newer games will open Origin now regardless of their location. That's unfortunate.
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 9:03PM Traptz said
1 out of 5 games I have on Origin actually requires Origin to be open..
Posted: Jan 16th 2012 1:24PM Gmail Calendar Rep said