EA LINK Booster Pack - Abandon Hope! All ye who enter here (without a credit card)

[CarbonFire]

So, scuttlebutt from the den of evil, errrr, I mean the wonderful EA.com forums:

http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jspa?sls=2&tstart=0&threadID=175080&start=31

Edit (so you don't have to click the link):
Hey there, I noticed that some people are wondering how exactly Northern Strike will be shipped? So I just wanted to let you know that Northern Strike will be available exclusively through EA Link.
# of Lessons learned by EA from Booster Packs so far: 0

:rolleyes:

[EaGle1337]

damn damn damn damn this sucks, i'll need to get credit card from someone :(

[Dooshy]

i'll need to get credit card from someone :(

You plan on buying the game? :confused:

[RavenRealms]

'Tis alright for me. I am sure EA accept paypal :)

[EaGle1337]

You plan on buying the game? :confused:
yes only for the unlocks.

[WanderingZephyr]

Depressing.

I like the prospect of the nice oepn area shown in that single screen shot, but man...these guys really know how to displease people.

[GunHappyBob]

In about 10 years disks probably won't even exist. EA is taking the same path as everyone else in the damn world. A path away from waste. It's as friggin disk for gods sake. I piece of plastic. Why must you have it when you can download the game and not have to worry about a scratched disk.

People will ***** about just about anything.

[Whiteplague]

i dont really care, they have it in thier system that i bought it and if my system ****'s up which i hope it wont theyll be there to back me up


i hope...

[EaGle1337]

In about 10 years disks probably won't even exist. EA is taking the same path as everyone else in the damn world. A path away from waste. It's as friggin disk for gods sake. I piece of plastic. Why must you have it when you can download the game and not have to worry about a scratched disk.

People will ***** about just about anything.
true but some of us people don't have things you call credit cards.

[GunHappyBob]

true but some of us people don't have things you call credit cards.


again were coming into an age where paper money will be almost non existant. If your a teenager or something but If your an adult without out some form of credit or a visa check card then you have issues.

[EaGle1337]

again were coming into an age where paper money will be almost non existant. If your a teenager or something but If your an adult without out some form of credit or a visa check card then you have issues.
It's called a bank account.

[GunHappyBob]

hense a check card. Check cards now come with a visa or other logo making it useable as a credit card.

[EaGle1337]

hense a check card. Check cards now come with a visa or other logo making it useable as a credit card.
yes but what about those who worry about buying online? and some of us don't like to carry around those plastic cards (i spend money on stuff i don't need)

[Kenyon666]

that seriously blows, why would they make it so only people with credit cards can buy a teen rated game???

[CarbonFire]

hense a check card. Check cards now come with a visa or other logo making it useable as a credit card.
Which is stupid to use in general over the internet because its ties to your REAL money with little to no recourse on your part if you are a victim of fraud.

Bank account debit cards do not (in most cases) give you the same protection from fraud as credit cards do. There are a few banks that will give you similar protection, but most will treat it the same as if you were doing the transaction.

Not saying that EA is going to steal your money or anything - obviously they don't need to, you're giving it to them willingly ;)

[FPS[VT_NERD]]

In about 10 years disks probably won't even exist. EA is taking the same path as everyone else in the damn world. A path away from waste. It's as friggin disk for gods sake. I piece of plastic. Why must you have it when you can download the game and not have to worry about a scratched disk.

People will ***** about just about anything.

And EA Link is a worthless pile of @#$% that doesn't run on many peoples computers (mine included) b/c of some random core error. Their tech support can't fix it and tell me to do ridiculous things to fix the problem that get me nowhere. The only fix is to do a selective startup everytime I need to download or install something and it's a pretty poor option.

[GunHappyBob]

yes but what about those who worry about buying online? and some of us don't like to carry around those plastic cards (i spend money on stuff i don't need)

Since online shopping has been available I've never had to deal with creditcard fraud. You only buy from official sites that you know about. Encryption works wonders these days.

And it's not anyones fault but your own if your not financially responsible enough to have a credit card. Trust me I don't use credit cards much. But i use my visa check card for 95% of my purchases. I know it's real money of mine that im spending so i don't get out of hand.

[CarbonFire]

that seriously blows, why would they make it so only people with credit cards can buy a teen rated game???
Because its not about the game at all. Its about EA Link. I'm sure they figure if its exclusive to EA Link, then people will go get that, download the booster packs, then later on start impulse buying other things through their download service. Plus it saves them LOADS of money over having to distribute anything to stores.

When dealing with anything that EA touches you have to remember: their first, last and ONLY reason for doing ANYTHING is to get lots of money. At this point they don't even build brand image, because they have so many lock-ins and exclusive deals, people will buy their crap no matter how bad it is because its the ONLY crap out there.

[ToxicVega]

Which is stupid to use in general over the internet because its ties to your REAL money with little to no recourse on your part if you are a victim of fraud.

Bank account debit cards do not (in most cases) give you the same protection from fraud as credit cards do. There are a few banks that will give you similar protection, but most will treat it the same as if you were doing the transaction.

Not saying that EA is going to steal your money or anything - obviously they don't need to, you're giving it to them willingly ;)


#1 What do you buy online with an ATM card?
#2 If you have a Debit/Check card it carries a VISA logo (same protection against fraud)

Just Curious. Buying things online w/ your check card is safer than using cash offline. Fraud Protection. If you don't get what you paid for you can submitt a claim and get your money back.

[nutcrackr]

Pretty sad, by the time they get the booster pack collection out nobody will be playing it anyway.

They don't want more people to play it? Surely they could cut down on manufacturing costs and raise the retail price just a tad.

[Micster]

*sigh*

There goes my Dad's bandwidth. I'd buy it in stores than in EA Link anyday, but I guess that's how things are these days.

[Raidyr]

Digital Distribution:

Cheaper for EA
Cheaper for the Consumer
Easier to maintain/patch
etc etc

I cant wait till it comes out.

PS. To all those people crying about credit cards, I am 15, and I have access to one. :)

[EaGle1337]

Digital Distribution:

Cheaper for EA
Cheaper for the Consumer
Easier to maintain/patch
etc etc

I cant wait till it comes out.

PS. To all those people crying about credit cards, I am 15, and I have access to one. :)
you do, some of us don't.

[Raidyr]

you do, some of us don't.

Think you have made your point. If you cant get a credit card, or access to one, go back to living beneath your rock.

Thanks

[ToxicVega]

Think you have made your point. If you cant get a credit card, or access to one, go back to living beneath your rock.

Thanks


LOL QFT

[EaGle1337]

What rock, your the one under the rock, you can't seme to realize some people don't use credit cards for reason such as overspending. and 15 and use of a credit card is sorta of a waste imo.

[Kenyon666]

ok, its not only owning a credit card (i dont btw) or even having access to one, but if anything happens to ur comp ur screwed, the files u paid for are gone! or if ur 2142 screws up, its useless, i just had that happen to me, i was glad i didnt buy it from the link

[Basil.]

Don't they have pre paid credit cards now. I like downloading my games now then buying them on a disk. Cleaner for the world and thats a good thing. I can't stand it when the sale guy comes along, can i help you with anything. No you can't and yes my computer can run that. Go away i got money.

[Hippodoggy]

I'd rather just have the disk in my CD case, then worry about it on my computer, or on EA Link where it's actually more vunerable to corruption or loss. At least with a CD the proof of ownership is very clear-cut. Once you start going digital-only, the waters can get pretty murky.

And for the person who stated that using EA Link makes the game easier to patch and support.....hahah! Good one! You're joking, right? Using a flawed service to support a flawed game? Two wrongs don't make a right in this regard.

This just smells of another disaster on dev's part. That they're releasing a booster pack when their core game is still the laughing stock of online FPSers just goes to show how little the quality of their work actually matters, when compared to how quickly they want to produce more material for revenue.

650 points to Brig General, then i'm outta here.

[Kalo]

No problem, My parents are pretty cool about most of these things.

[WanderingZephyr]

I do have a means for paying for things online--and have made a whole bunch of purchases over the years from various sites. But personally, I really do prefer to have a substantive product when I give my money over to a company.

I like having something to show for a purchase, and have no worries about what happens if my already unstable decides to commit Seppuku or run away or whatever.

But, aside from my apprehension about this, I know a lot of players won't go for the Booster pack, for various reasons, and that means that more servers won't support it. So in the end, it will be paying for weapons--and unless they're drop-dead-great, I don't expect me to go for it.

We'll see.

[CarbonFire]

ok, its not only owning a credit card (i dont btw) or even having access to one, but if anything happens to ur comp ur screwed, the files u paid for are gone! or if ur 2142 screws up, its useless, i just had that happen to me, i was glad i didnt buy it from the link

http://www.ea.com/ealink/about.jsp?locale=en_US

Actually I believe they'll let you redownload it, if I'm interpreting the part down there at the bottom correctly.

Still doesn't change the fact that it's EA Link, which people will still have a problem with one way or another (like VT Nerd described)

[EaGle1337]

Actually I believe they'll let you redownload it, if I'm interpreting the part down there at the bottom correctly.

yes but who likes spending an hour or so when it's quicker to just put a cd in and install?

[Kenyon666]

ahh i see, havent done anything on EA since the switch from EA downloader to EA link

[Kalo]

I like the idea of being able to DL it instead of losing the KEY.

Get some CDR's for that thing people.

[EaGle1337]

I like the idea of being able to DL it instead of losing the KEY.

Get some CDR's for that thing people.
what's the point? since u burn them once.

[CarbonFire]

I like the idea of being able to DL it instead of losing the KEY.

Get some CDR's for that thing people.
Yes, because having to keep track of CD keys is difficult business:

http://www.nexternal.com/swisher/images/37030_SHCD-DVD_Asst_4cd.jpg

For the record, I do have and use Steam for all my Valve games. But Steam WORKS, and they give out free content on it (and free trials of other games) on a regular basis.

[Venomous]

You can charge it on your phonebill you know...

[RYKUU]

im only getting it for the unlocks

[Donkey]

I had a job, bank account, and a bank card at 16. It is not that hard to get a bank account under your parents bank, and get a debit card that acts like a credit card.

Like others said, EA is jsut the first to do this, well maybe the second Steam does this. It is the way of the future, so you better get used to it....

[Chris_Redfield]

PS. To all those people crying about credit cards, I am 15, and I have access to one. :)

Some of us werent spoiled as a kid. You probably have a 10 dollar limit anyway. Enough to buy candy and an occasional EA butt-thruster pack. :rolleyes:

Ever gotten the time to check out WHY downloadable booster packs and games are not liked? Because the system is not 100% reliable. With pure cash transaction, you get a warranty certificate, a CD that SHOULD work (and if doesnt, you get a replacement, no questions asked, or you could download the ISO from the net, set in your CD key and play on), and you will have minimal chances of getting your money wasted unless you buy from a second hand retailer, but then youre just stupid.

Then we go to intraweb forums and find threads like- Booster pack corrupted when downloading, EA downloader says "your lifetime downloading limit has been reached" or something, and finally "EA says **** off, you aint getting your money back". Same with D2D by the way.

Sorry, Im not a 15 year old stupid kid who would trust MY HARD EARNED MONEY to a system that isnt working at the trust level I want.

[Donkey]

You can't lump companies together that sell updates/games over the internet. Steam has been doing this for awhile, and they have almost no problems! EA's system is new and bad.... I am not on EAs side, but EA is not the onyl company that does this. There are other companies that have great success and almsot zero problems...

[FPS[VT_NERD]]

I had a job, bank account, and a bank card at 16. It is not that hard to get a bank account under your parents bank, and get a debit card that acts like a credit card.

Like others said, EA is jsut the first to do this, well maybe the second Steam does this. It is the way of the future, so you better get used to it....

The way of the future is to have their damn download program actually work. It's a pile of junk and that's why they should release the game in stores. When EA Link works reliably at all times then they can release games for download only.

[ohsosharp]

when all software companys start using download only for games ect. goodbye game stores on the high street now does anyone really want that?

[Donkey]

I think we have awhile before that happens. You also still have Consel games. It will also be along time before you can start downloading games to your consel's hardrive off X-Box Live or something of that sort.

[Raidyr]

Some of us werent spoiled as a kid. You probably have a 10 dollar limit anyway. Enough to buy candy and an occasional EA butt-thruster pack. :rolleyes:


Sorry, Im not a 15 year old stupid kid who would trust MY HARD EARNED MONEY to a system that isnt working at the trust level I want.

First of all, I am putting the money I MYSELF earn on the card. Rofl if you think I am spoiled...currently I have only about $160 on it, but thats fine with me.

Secondly, I am stupid because I consider digital distribution to be better? Pretty sure its OPINION, and its pretty 50/50 in this thread.

[CarbonFire]

You can't lump companies together that sell updates/games over the internet. Steam has been doing this for awhile, and they have almost no problems! EA's system is new and bad.... I am not on EAs side, but EA is not the onyl company that does this. There are other companies that have great success and almsot zero problems...
While I can't say steam has had 0 problems, it has been a far pleasant experience than anything I've touched that had EA on the front.

Theres no download limit. Bandwidth is fast and consistent. Program has a small footprint and is well integrated with the games Valve makes. Backups are ridiculously easy to do (just save the .gfc files onto a DVD). And theres regular updates and free content that gets delivered each month (or so). Plus, Steam is a very stable platform, having very few crashes at any point for the last two releases (Steam 3.0 has been very stable in my experience).

While I'm not a huge fan of digital-only delivery, I do tend to like the convenience factor. But with all the things I've heard about EA Link, I'm VERY hesitant to put it on my computer. Then again, I'm probably not going to do the $10 for 10 unlocks booster pack either. I guess I'll just kill all the noobs for that nice shiny equipment the same way I did for BF2 ;)

[Orion126]

Guys you can go to a supermarket and purchase prepaid credit cards. You don't have to be 18 for that. Bing bang boom done.

[jsr]

http://www.totalbf2142.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16661

You don't need an actual credit card to buy things online, just get a pre paid visa gift card at any bank.

[Cicchetti]

Anyone who doesnt have a credit card, and wants to buy the game just get a visa gift card they work as credit cards

EDIT: what he ^ said

[RavenRealms]

In about 10 years disks probably won't even exist. EA is taking the same path as everyone else in the damn world. A path away from waste. It's as friggin disk for gods sake. I piece of plastic. Why must you have it when you can download the game and not have to worry about a scratched disk.

People will ***** about just about anything.

QFT!

I'd much rather have all my games on a download system, rather than disks.

[Stinger911]

You guys know that DICE employees post on this forum right? I'm willing to bet they are probably monitoring the forum right now to gauge everyone's initial response to the announcement of the booster pack. DICE needs to print out the 3 billion threads bemoaning EA and it's money-grubbing ways and show it to them. Their brand image is going down the toilet with amazing speed.

[Raidyr]

While I can't say steam has had 0 problems, it has been a far pleasant experience than anything I've touched that had EA on the front.

Theres no download limit. Bandwidth is fast and consistent. Program has a small footprint and is well integrated with the games Valve makes. Backups are ridiculously easy to do (just save the .gfc files onto a DVD). And theres regular updates and free content that gets delivered each month (or so). Plus, Steam is a very stable platform, having very few crashes at any point for the last two releases (Steam 3.0 has been very stable in my experience).

While I'm not a huge fan of digital-only delivery, I do tend to like the convenience factor. But with all the things I've heard about EA Link, I'm VERY hesitant to put it on my computer. Then again, I'm probably not going to do the $10 for 10 unlocks booster pack either. I guess I'll just kill all the noobs for that nice shiny equipment the same way I did for BF2 ;)

If every company delivered content like Steam, it would be e-heaven.

[MachineMadness]

well iv conned my dad so its no biggy :)

[GIJLowe]

Really? the ONLY way to buy the game will be with a credit card? NO alternative?

huh. Well, even so, it's not THAT hard to get ahold of one, and it's pretty safe to use it on the EA website. EA is pretty secure, I don't think a big company like that would risk any security loopholes.

[detroit]

QFT!

I'd much rather have all my games on a download system, rather than disks.

any reason not to have both?

such a drastic change should be gradual. after how many years of CD's people cant be expected to take kindly to a purely non-physical transfer of data.

how can they not see this? oh wait, this is EA....:D


read the last few posts: perfect example of this is steam, they put out digital content as well as disks on the shelves. works perfect.

[Raidyr]

any reason not to have both?

such a drastic change should be gradual. after how many years of CD's people cant be expected to take kindly to a purely non-physical transfer of data.

how can they not see this? oh wait, this is EA....:D

I am sure far more people prefer physical copies, but consider it from the producers standpoint. Its cheaper and easier to release what are, in essence, digital copies instead of selling them at retail. It is MUCH simpler actually. To be completely honest, if I were in charge of a major games publishing company, I would do the same.

[U977]

WRONG.

Any game I purchased via download on STEAM was at the EXACT SAME price as the DVD/CD version. And I pay for my bandwidth, in addition, so all in one, this is actually more expensive.
For BF2142, prices were different from one seller to another, but about the same anyway. I think I recall that I actually paid LESS for my DVD evrsion than what I would have paid for the download version.


I don't care about having to pay via Credit Card, if they have a secure payment platform. But lets' be honest: how many of us know where our Credit Card numbers are stored, and how long they are kept on the IT infrastructure?

Also, it is important for me to be able to backup the installation files of the softare or add/on I downloaded, to spare me download time in case of problem.


Digital Distribution:

Cheaper for EA
Cheaper for the Consumer
Easier to maintain/patch
etc etc

I cant wait till it comes out.

PS. To all those people crying about credit cards, I am 15, and I have access to one. :)

[Raidyr]

WRONG.

Any game I purchased via download on STEAM was at the EXACT SAME price as the DVD/CD version. And I pay for my bandwidth, in addition, so all in one, this is actually more expensive.
For BF2142, prices were different from one seller to another, but about the same anyway. I think I recall that I actually paid LESS for my DVD evrsion than what I would have paid for the download version.


I don't care about having to pay via Credit Card, if they have a secure payment platform. But lets' be honest: how many of us know where our Credit Card numbers are stored, and how long they are kept on the IT infrastructure?

Also, it is important for me to be able to backup the installation files of the softare or add/on I downloaded, to spare me download time in case of problem.

WRONG

Depends on the store you shop at. Target (Only place within an hour besides Walmart) is STILL selling HL2 at $40, and some CSS pack for $30, even though its like $10 or $20 off STEAM.

Also, you can backup Steam files, very easily infact. Actually, what prevents you from backing up your entire BF2142 folder?

[looqas]

I think this weeds out at least half of the possible customers. At least SF you could get as a hard copy. I just hope the expansion does not suffer the same fate as EP & AF because of this.

[Raidyr]

I think this weeds out at least half of the possible customers. At least SF you could get as a hard copy. I just hope the expansion does not suffer the same fate as EP & AF because of this.

Euro Force failed because it offered nothing new. Armored Fury is actually going quite strong, better than any mod currently out for BF2. I would consider that decent, if not good.

[WarGimp]

In about 10 years disks probably won't even exist. EA is taking the same path as everyone else in the damn world. A path away from waste. It's as friggin disk for gods sake. I piece of plastic. Why must you have it when you can download the game and not have to worry about a scratched disk.

People will ***** about just about anything.
No... it's about cash grabbing.

By offering these things via their DL site only, they cut out the printers, the distributes, and the retailers. They charge $10 and they get $10. A typical game in a store will only earn EA about $5 to $10 on a fully priced first release title costing about $50.

It sounds super logical 'n stuff, but it brings problems we'll soon be facing as a society. If direct downloading catches on, it will hurt retailers. That will cost people jobs. It will put little Mom & Pop shops (like the ones I prefer to deal with) out of business. It will help the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

That's the bone I have to pick with this whole thing.

[Raidyr]

No... it's about cash grabbing.

By offering these things via their DL site only, they cut out the printers, the distributes, and the retailers. They charge $10 and they get $10. A typical game in a store will only earn EA about $5 to $10 on a fully priced first release title costing about $50.

It sounds super logical 'n stuff, but it brings problems we'll soon be facing as a society. If direct downloading catches on, it will hurt retailers. That will cost people jobs. It will put little Mom & Pop shops (like the ones I prefer to deal with) out of business. It will help the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

That's the bone I have to pick with this whole thing.

Welcome to the future

[CarbonFire]

I think this weeds out at least half of the possible customers. At least SF you could get as a hard copy. I just hope the expansion does not suffer the same fate as EP & AF because of this.
I'm pretty sure they haven't actually talked about an expansion at all yet. Only booster packs, which is what EP and AF were.

@U977 - Actually, Valve has given a 10-15% discount on every major release on Steam for those that pre-ordered. It only usually amounts to a couple of bucks, but at least they are lowering the prices.

[U977]

You can still find shops selling the original, first package at almost the original price, it's true. That's a mistake from the shop, in my opinion.

But for new releases, I am always asked the same price on STEAM than in the shop, except when ther is a discount the very first week (as it happens for some titles, if I recall correctly). I know it from experience: I have my own CC and purchased several games already (the latest on STEAM was "The Ship"), and took time to compare prices.

Yes, I can backup my files, I know, and I want it to remains like that.

No, I won't backup my BF22142 folder: it wouldn't work, as you would miss registry entries, and eventually some DLL, maybe. I didn't investigate this matter.

If you backup install files, on the other hand, you will be able to re-install.
STEAM has its own built-in backup engine, no need of install files.

WRONG

Depends on the store you shop at. Target (Only place within an hour besides Walmart) is STILL selling HL2 at $40, and some CSS pack for $30, even though its like $10 or $20 off STEAM.

Also, you can backup Steam files, very easily infact. Actually, what prevents you from backing up your entire BF2142 folder?

[U977]

WarGimp is absolutely right, though, and the question we have to ask ourselves is: what system do we want to support?

The basic reaction is to simply choose the cheapest, and not think about side effects.
I don't mean that anyone should do this or that, I just imply it's a choice to make.

Welcome to the future

[Buttoneer]

Steam works because I can use it on any computer I choose to use. I load a copy of steam, enter my user details, and I download the game I want to play, and play it. I can have half life loaded onto my gaming PC, my laptop, my mothers computer and at work and play it on whichever one of those I choose as long as I am only logged in the once.

I still prefer to have the DVD/CD in order to make the initial install should my computer crash and burn for any reason (which has happened twice in the last 12 months already...)

Why do I want to spend hours not only downloading important updates to my system from Microsoft/Mozilla/Acronis/Symantec but also all my games too?

I should be able to install those from proper media if I wish.

Another issue with most download services is that in the EU we have laws which prevent companies from selling your data on to other businesses and which have stringent laws about how the data is kept and managed. these are all to protect your privacy and are in addition to the potentially empty promises made in privacy statements. Download software and not only do you sign away those rights because "You agree that EA will keep your personal data in the USA" thus bypassing the EU laws but you also waive the a lot of your consumer rights to refunds should the software fail to meet your expectations or promised standards.

Unless EA, at the very least, allow me to download and save an ISO image they will not get my cash and this alone will stop me from buying the boosters as it did for the two BF2 ones.

[directx10]

hey i have a question, if EA link is down, can't you not play then?

plus I personally like to hold a hard copy of my game, before i play

[looqas]

hey i have a question, if EA link is down, can't you not play then?

plus I personally like to hold a hard copy of my game, before i play

I haven't tried this with the "new" EA link version, but with old one you could just close the EA link altogether after installing the booster packs. Once they were installed I did not need to run EA link on the back-ground to play the EF & AF. Maybe the new EA link changed that. I don't know.

[Elinombrable]

You can play anyway. EA-Link isnt neccesary for playing. You can burn your downloaded files into dvds and next time you dont have to download them again if you dont want to (i have my bf2142 copy burnt into a dvd) .

[Deesies]

They must like digging graves because theirs is getting deeper and deeper =/

[KBH33]

Wat about the childrens who don't have there own credit card? and if their parents aren't willing to pay for them?

is EA going to let us down yet again?

[Elinombrable]

Probably prepaid cards will be avaliable. Childrens can go to the shop, buy a prepaid card, introduce the prepaid card code into the EA-Link and download the game like the other people.

[Biotech2142]

Making a cardbox with a DL key for retail would surely increase the quantity of buyers/players: The primary thing needed to keep the booster pack community healthy, hence making undecided potential buyers buy the BP1.

One single 3-5 lbs box of BP1 keys per store should be enough.

At the end = more money for EA whatever is bought via stores or EA linker (remember the IGA)

[Styreta]

I understand that people would like to have a disk or something.... butta.... its not really worth it to burn a CD and package it when the product will only sell for like $10...


Anyway, EA link ftw..... well Steam FTW, ea link is semi-similair.

[Vreki]

Making a cardbox with a DL key for retail would surely increase the quantity of buyers/players: The primary thing needed to keep the booster pack community healthy, hence making undecided potential buyers buy the BP1.

One single 3-5 lbs box of BP1 keys per store should be enough.

At the end = more money for EA whatever is bought via stores or EA linker (remember the IGA)

Where I live, WOW subscription cards are sold in boxes not unlike the game itself.

I don't think including a DVD would make much difference in the costs, compared to shipping, handling etc.

[Wasp]

I have all the stuff for BF2 (SF/AF/EF). I think I played a grand total of 5 hours on EF and 1 hour of AF. AF had no new weapons, only 3 maps and 2 new planes and helis.

If I'm even gonna consider the BP for 2142 the unlocks HAS to carry over to vanilla. This was NOT the case with the BF2 boosters. Also in the video of Northern Strike the soldiers held the standard or current unlock weapons.

Considering DICE's track record on maps of late I fear the new maps will be uninspiring. They seeme hell bent on making infantry nothing more than cannon fodder for hardware. I want some buildings that I can actually walk into (the best feature of SF made by the canada office).

[Buttoneer]

One thing the booster pack is less likely to do is attract new players because of it's format.

I think it would be entirely normal for there to be people who only play BF2 because they saw and liked the SF expansion pack in the store. I might not like the look of the 2142 game as it stands but LOVE the idea of the new game mode or vehicles. How would I see it or know about it?

The booster pack is being marketed primarily to current users and honestly a few days on the front page of EA.com and a couple of magazine articles do not create a new audience.

In this way, I think they are shooting themselves in the foot.

[Mek^bvser]

credit cards are the reason why americans as a whole are in debt. THere is no such thing as "savings" So carry on being suckers all you proponets of the value of credit cards. Keep buying youre gas with them,. and then pay that additional 20% interest. You know what credit card companies callpeople who pay on time?>Deadbeats. For them not to throw the community a bone for such a completely screwed up launch, go suck eggs. Im gonna go download gf1942 demo and probably discover a far superiour game.

[extremer]

Just ****ing great. My CC doesn't work with the internet, so I won't be getting it unless they make a retail bp.

[WarGimp]

credit cards are the reason why americans as a whole are in debt.

Everyone really should check out this link: http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-5417695091889596000&q=credit+card

Kinda a left turn for the thread, I know, but as I say... everyone should check out that link.

[reko]

gzz, whats the average age on this forum? ...12?

so imature, " i have no credit card " etc...
noone cares, no one, because in the end your just pay your mum or something to buy it on her card. you think its acceptable because it isnt your card your using, so you whine on.

where's the mature gaming louge?

reko

[stilla-killa]

They must like digging graves because theirs is getting deeper and deeper =/


Why b/c certain people dont like how EA is doing buisness. I guarantee EA will be around a lot longer than you think they will.

[Trippet]

It sounds super logical 'n stuff, but it brings problems we'll soon be facing as a society. If direct downloading catches on, it will hurt retailers. That will cost people jobs. It will put little Mom & Pop shops (like the ones I prefer to deal with) out of business. It will help the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Yeah, just like those poor, poor buggy whip manufacturers. Mr. Ford put them all out of business and no one was there to care for them anymore. :cry:

It's all about Human Action, man, Human Action.

[black.isis]

true but some of us people don't have things you call credit cards.

apply for one!

but just don't be late on a payment or they will screw you.

i had a card with a 7000 credit limit, spent 3000 on it. made a couple late payments and they lowered my credit limit to 3000 and jacked up my intrest rate from 9.97% to 33% and charged me a monthly finance charge of 75 so of my 100 monthly payment only 25 was goning toward the balance. so i payed it off in one chunk, got my next bill and my credit limit had been lowerd to 250.

you think EA is bad, these guys are way worse.

just a word of warning to you younger folk, if you get a credit card, don't use it unless you make alot of money and can afford it.

[Vreki]

My "Credit Card" is actually a Direct Debit card, cant you get those?

[Rick Astley]

gzz, whats the average age on this forum? ...12?

so imature, " i have no credit card " etc...
noone cares, no one, because in the end your just pay your mum or something to buy it on her card. you think its acceptable because it isnt your card your using, so you whine on.

where's the mature gaming louge?

reko
There will be always children on this world. Deal with it! Or you pay 12 million bucks to get a single flight to Mars.....

[MouseNo4]

I used to have a credit card, but then i got rid of it as some bastard keeps buying things that i dont need and clogging up my room.

Now i have a debit card and use it to buy stuff i actually do need. Its not like i can buy something that i dont have the dosh for.

[Iwantcable]

You guys don't need credit cards ffs. Go to your local bank and buy like a gift certificate Visa thing that works everywhere.

[D-Zone]

So, scuttlebutt from the den of evil, errrr, I mean the wonderful EA.com forums:

http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jspa?sls=2&tstart=0&threadID=175080&start=31

Edit (so you don't have to click the link):

# of Lessons learned by EA from Booster Packs so far: 0

:rolleyes:

Maybe not, but during a recent trip to BestBuy I notice BF2 booster packs on sale. Definitely late, but there and I have no idea how long they were there.

The real problem with Booster Packs is that fact that it breaks the community due to servers that do or do not carry it.

[Elinombrable]

Its the same with all the expansions along all this years with all the pc games...this isnt new...this time it adds a new thing...unlocks will be avaliable for using them with all the people on normal servers... then you will have new things even if you dont play the new maps.

[ernestlaw]

luckily i have one credit card

[m7kf83sf92]

Goodbye 2142. Hello Quake Wars. Seriously. This bites. I'm just depressed.

Feeling even more anti-EA...

[Elinombrable]

Ok...bye...close the door when you leave lol

[Raidyr]

General feeling of this thread:

I dont have a credit card, so EA sucks for wanting to release it faster/easier!

[FPS[VT_NERD]]

General feeling of this thread:

I dont have a credit card, so EA sucks for wanting to release it faster/easier!

No.

I do have a credit card and EA still sucks for wanting to release it via a bugged and half-assed portal known as EA Link. Fine if they want to relase something for download only, but at least make the damn program work all the time.

[[MIA] crimsonand]

y does it need to be in a box, i find this alot easier. just download and install

[gamefoo]

You can use paypal too!

[DunNa]

General feeling of this thread:

I dont have a credit card, so EA sucks for wanting to release it faster/easier!

My general feelings is I dislike purchasing things online. I also prefer actual money to using cards of some sort. Though I have been known to fancy a check once in awhile :P

Not to mention the support for retail stores. I can see charging 30 for an expansion coming from a retailer, they had to buy it from the company and then they must resell it. With this setup EA completely bypasses the retailers yet still wants to charge us the same price, they also never have to make any actual packaging or discs as its been pointed out yet still want to charge us the same price.

If they really want to make digital distribution the way of the future they need to give it some damn perks over me picking it up at walmart the next time I get some soda.

[TWRAM]

How does EA link work anyways? I downloaded oblivion from direct2drive.com and then realized they have a bunch of stupid activation stuff tied to the computer you installed it on. And, I believe there is some limit to the number of activiations. I just don't want to have to deal with that crap because I reformat my computer quite often.

[Heavy552 AWG]

How does EA link work anyways? I downloaded oblivion from direct2drive.com and then realized they have a bunch of stupid activation stuff tied to the computer you installed it on. And, I believe there is some limit to the number of activiations. I just don't want to have to deal with that crap because I reformat my computer quite often.

You download, install the EA downloader.

You twist and wriggle in agony as you sift thru the list of trailers and various fluff seeking out the actual 2142 product.

Upon finding that product you find that you need to enter everything including your family DNA samples for the previous 4 generations.

Upon validating you discover that 4 more organizations all have a vested financial interest in your purchase. Again you squim in agony in your chair as you click past very obscure and shaky screens trying to complete the purchase.

Upon finishing the download (Woe onto you crappy slowwidth people) you find now a big timer attached to the product which you may not play online.

The moment you are allowed to play the actual fully paid-for product you spend 1 week clicking full servers until you either snap from the stress or you find a new retail game to play.

Any screw up in the entire download process (Some of which is actually out of your control) will result in hours spent on the forums, tech support and other really stressful times of your life trying to fight the system to get your FUBAR'ed game back up and running.

Then you are stranded watching the error message "Server Full" for ages until the thousands of fresh fish lose interest and leave empty slots for noobs like you to be butchered until you wise up to the new weapons.

Store bought games require gas to get there, cash to buy it and sufficient hard drive space to install and play. For me it's less than 1 hour.

And finally the beloved EA downloader is at LEAST one day behind patches. You get em off links and Fileplanet moments after release and mirrored. The bloated and lumbering dinosaur that is EA needs to roll over out of it's mudhole long enough to understand it needs to actually update the EA downloader. By then no one needs it anymore.

And your comment about the so called "Activation Limits" should clue you to the cold hard fact that YOUR computer is not yours anymore. The moment you activated Windows on your machine, you just pimped everything over to everyone else that will be using your machine to process data, some of which is actual game information that you might be playing.

The only escape from the enroaching system is to stay in the late 1980's and play games from that time period. Some of which is actual EA products that RUN VERY WELL under emulation thank ye!

[TheHeartSmasher]

I am glad they are doing the download only. This way no more complaints about not being able to find your cd key as it is available on EAs website. You don't have to worry about CD Key problems anymore as it is now tied to your account and can only be played by you.

It takes down the number of support tickets on their side and decreases the chances of you not being able to play because your key has already been taken.

It's a great thing to do as you can now only get it from one location with a fast download and you know if you have any problems EA will be there to help you out.

Most problems are because of outdated hardware and software. If it is more then two years old it needs upgrading if your a gamer.

[LBraden]

okay, summing up a few minor posts into a big one here (one of these must work somewhere in the world)


Paypal works for EA Link
A "gift certificate" VISA
Debit Cards (only some though)
Asking parent nicely and paying them the money back (trust me, it works more than you think)
If you live in the UK, you can use the BT click and buy, this adds the cost to your phone bill (if you are not the bill payer, pay them back in full)
Wait until we see a "Deluxe edition" 2142 in stores with the pack (maybe packs by the time it comes out)
and a few others

STOP WHINING

[Aegis001]

I just DLed EA link on my laptop to try it out and i got an error saying some scripting **** was errored and it doesnt even work :rolleyes:

**** YOU EA!

[The Gatekeeper]

Sorry, to lazy to read through entire post, but here is my two cents:

There is a card called the 3V card, which is like a mobile top-up phone, but it's a credit card.

You can register online for it (it is run by Visa) and have it delivered to your door, or you can get one in a special leaflet, and register that card online with your details (you can lie if you want (not recomended (just said that because I can't remember the age needed to apply for one)), since the card is not tied to your actual bank account).

You then bring the card to your nearest person that tops up the cards (how should I know the proper name?), pay him a set charge (5 euro in Ireland) and the money you want on the card (goes up in tens), and you will get an e-mail/text message/receipt with your number for the money on that.

Just input the number under visa on the billing site, and you are done!

There may be more I missed, but it's not that difficult.

Hope this helped! :)

[RavenRealms]

There is a card called the 3V card, which is like a mobile top-up phone, but it's a credit card.

Yeah, i'm sure this is for Ireland only mate :P

[The Gatekeeper]

Yeah, i'm sure this is for Ireland only mate :P

Well, there must be an alternative or close to in Scotland (or anywhere else, for that matter)...

[Sepp_Dietrich]

For anyone thats interested:

http://www.usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/reloadable_prepaid_card.html?it=l2|%2Fpersonal%2Fc ards%2Fprepaid%2Fvisa_gift_card%2Ehtml|Visa%20Relo adable

And a locator:

http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/gprc/

[ColonelPanic]

You can also use paypal to pay for stuff right from your bank account.