Hellgate: London Use of Data Clause

GameBanshee News · #1 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 08:59 PM

Blue's News is pointing to a less-than-inviting clause in the Hellgate: London EULA that basically says that EA can pilfer any information they want from your computer at any time and share it with whoever they please.

3. Consent to Use of Data. You agree that EA, its affiliates, and each Related Party may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer, including without limitation your Internet Protocol address, operating system, application software and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content, product support and other services to you, including online play. EA and/or the Related Parties may also use this information in the aggregate and, in a form which does not personally identify you, to improve our products and services and we may share that aggregate data with our third party service providers.

Apparently knowing everything about our computers is a necessary step to help them serve us relevant in-game advertising. So even if you're going to shell out the game's purchase price and intend to pay a $10/month subscription fee, you should also expect to see some ads.

Siberys · #2 (**permalink**) 10-18-2007, 09:04 PM

Wow, what a load of pure grade a bull crap. Normally I wouldn't think of saying something like this, but I'd pirate this game based purely on principle alone as a protest against this crap.

It's one of the greatest looking games I've ever seen and now they're starting to make it unpopular and unattractive altogether.

Quote:

Hellgate: London EULA that basically says that EA can pilfer any information they want from your computer at any time and share it with whoever they please.

Isn't that illegal? I mean, much MORE illegal than internet piracy?

Tricky · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 02:11 AM

CONFIRMED

I've had several worm/spyware infection on my computer after installation. I had a bit of trouble getting rid of them since Lavasoft's Adaware didn't detect them (I resorted to AVG scanner - worked fine), but fortunately I noticed they were there since I pretty much know my active process and services list by heart. I thought I sorted out everything yesterday, but I wasn't entirely sure this game was the source. Now I do.

I'm normally very clean and careful. I haven't had a single infection since that racing game a year ago or so. The one were you could make your own stunt tracks and stuff. What was it called? Trackmania?

Stay miles away from this demo, and disregard my mild 'review'.

Edit: AVG did not kill everything. Trying Spybot S&D now, hopefully with better results

Xandax · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 03:12 AM

EULAs aren't legal binding documents in many countries, so it could be fun if somebody slapped EA with a lawsuit - however it would of course be unrealistic due to the amount of resources they have available.

My EA and affiliated companies "respect" just dropped another peg. Guess it is time to close the firewall to all games and start doing off line patching again.

Brother None · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xandax

EULAs aren't legal binding documents in many countries, so it could be fun if somebody slapped EA with a lawsuit - however it would of course be unrealistic due to the amount of resources they have available.

It wouldn't be that unrealistic, it depends on where you'd sue them. Case wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell in most countries, tho'

Still, this is pretty messed up. Good thing I hadn't tried the demo yet. Now I won't.

DesR85 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 09:13 AM

Thanks for the heads up, Trick.

I was also thinking of giving this demo a go, but since you mentioned adware/spyware, I'm going to give this demo a definite pass. Looks like I'll opt for that Timeshift demo instead.

Tricky · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 12:51 PM

Heh, no problem. I kinda wish it had been someone else though, I still haven't been able to delete the spyware permanently. It's too new for any of the scanners to handle I guess.

When you're on the bleeding edge of new releases, expect to get cut every now and then.

Crolug · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 01:30 PM

Unfortunately I installed the demo. First - it is spywared. Second - which is somewhat much worse - this game is a crap. Been there, done that kind of hack&slash. I got bored after four levels. Now I am out of the demo, with spyware and waiting for The Witcher release next week to cheer me up after this disaster...

Siberys · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crolug

Unfortunately I installed the demo. First - it is spywared. Second - which is somewhat much worse - this game is a crap. Been there, done that kind of hack&slash. I got bored after four levels. Now I am out of the demo, with spyware and waiting for The Witcher release next week to cheer me up after this disaster...

Actually, I've been hearing a lot of people saying that the Demo isn't even close to what the actual game is going to be like, and thus really isn't a demo at all. You might still keep an eye open.

Tricky · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Siberys

Actually, I've been hearing a lot of people saying that the Demo isn't even close to what the actual game is going to be like, and thus really isn't a demo at all. You might still keep an eye open.

If that's the case I don't see why they'd just punch us in the teeth instead of releasing this demo. It would have been a whole lot easier and far more representative of their intentions.