Topic: Battlefield 2142 In-game Ads

[Javora]

I heard about this yesterday from a friend and did a little research found this:


http://dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=4568

Battlefield 2142 In-game Ads Use Spyware Tactics

The advertising technology scans your computer, finds out where you live

Electronic Arts today announced that Battlefield 2142 has shipped to retailers in North America and Europe for the PC. After ripping open the box, but before putting the disc into their systems, gamers may notice a slip of paper with a disclaimer written on it. CGW Podcast read the disclaimer on air, which we have transcribed below:

"The software may incorporate technology developed by IGA Worldwide, the advertising technology. The purpose of the advertising technology is to deliver in-game ads when you use the software while connected to the Internet. When you use the software while connected to the Internet, the advertising technology may record your IP address and other anonymous information. That advertising data is temporarily used by IGA to enable the presentation and measurement of in-game ads and other in-game object which are uploaded temporarily to the your PC or game console, and change during online gameplay. The advertising technology does not collect personal or identifiable information about you."

Essentially, the in-game advertisement system in Battlefield 2142 utilizes methods that most spyware use. By analyzing your computing and browsing habits, EA/IGA uses that data to provide targeted ads. It is unknown if spyware scanners detect and classify Battlefield 2142 as malicious.

EA announced in late August its agreement with IGA Worldwide to provide in-game advertising across a portfolio of games.

"Consumers are increasingly gaming in deep, virtual worlds and advertisers need adapted ways to reach these audiences," said Frank Sagnier, Vice President for Online and Strategic Relationships for EA in Europe. "The agreement with IGA is a first step in a detailed strategy to deliver advertising in a seamless format. We are continually looking at how to bring more connected experiences and services to consumers, and working with a network like IGA is a start to building this dimension of our business."

This is a radical shift from previous instances of in-game advertisements, where advertisers would purchase billboard space or product placement that would remain a part of the game forever. For example, Nivea is teaming up with UbiSoft to place its skin products and Philips Norelco shaving products in game-space bathrooms.

Now as far as I'm concerned this is nothing but spyware in a pretty package.  I'm glad I found out about this before buying as there doesn't appear to be a way to opt out.  With how much EA games is gouging people to run "Registered" servers, you would think that EA wouldn't stoop to this level just to make money but greed being what it is...   

I can't imagine that the hard-core gamers are going to be all that happy about this as this "service" (pfft) has to be steeling system recourses.

[Sirgod]

Man  I don't like that at all. Guess I won't be buying that game then.

Stephen

[Just plain old Punisher]

Sure if there was a cheaper version of the game, I might go for it. From my understanding, this game is as expensive as other computer games out there 50-60 bucks.

I wouldn't worry too much, some cracker out there will find a way to disable to advertising thingie.

[Sarek]

Sure if there was a cheaper version of the game, I might go for it. From my understanding, this game is as expensive as other computer games out there 50-60 bucks.

I wouldn't worry too much, some cracker out there will find a way to disable to advertising thingie.

I'm sure someone will but I'd bet that anything that gets widely circulated will get caught by PunkBuster and generate a hardware ban.

[Sirgod]

Sure if there was a cheaper version of the game, I might go for it. From my understanding, this game is as expensive as other computer games out there 50-60 bucks.

I wouldn't worry too much, some cracker out there will find a way to disable to advertising thingie.

I'm sure someone will but I'd bet that anything that gets widely circulated will get caught by PunkBuster and generate a hardware ban.

It's a slippery thing though. Remember, one of our old timers here Nannerslug, helped get punk buster off the ground. For the most part, Punkbuster has been a good thing IM very HO.

Stephen

[Sarek]

Sure if there was a cheaper version of the game, I might go for it. From my understanding, this game is as expensive as other computer games out there 50-60 bucks.

I wouldn't worry too much, some cracker out there will find a way to disable to advertising thingie.

I'm sure someone will but I'd bet that anything that gets widely circulated will get caught by PunkBuster and generate a hardware ban.

It's a slippery thing though. Remember, one of our old timers here Nannerslug, helped get punk buster off the ground. For the most part, Punkbuster has been a good thing IM very HO.

Stephen

I agree, I just can't see the publishers allowing people to hack the software to get rid of the ads.

[Javora]

Maybe what is needed then is a hack so that the game can't sift through your system while your playing, but allowed to run in background.  That way punkbuster won't really be able to flag it, but yet the game can't steal your Internet travel habits either.  This way it's still fair to other players in a sense, since the spyware is still running across the board.  So people with that type of hack won't really have a system resource advantage over other players in that regard.

[The Bar-Abbas Anomaly]

"The software may incorporate technology developed by IGA Worldwide, the advertising technology. The purpose of the advertising technology is to deliver in-game ads when you use the software while connected to the Internet. When you use the software while connected to the Internet, the advertising technology may record your IP address and other anonymous information. That advertising data is temporarily used by IGA to enable the presentation and measurement of in-game ads and other in-game object which are uploaded temporarily to the your PC or game console, and change during online gameplay. The advertising technology does not collect personal or identifiable information about you."

...Oh, except your IP address, with which we can use legal means to strongarm your ISP to hand over your name, address, telephone number, social security # and date of birth if we really want to...