Electronic Arts: Difference between revisions

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{{Main|EA moves to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase}}

EA has implemented a change to the anti-cheat of several games after release including: EA SPORTS WRC, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. This change breaks the ability to play the game, even after purchase, on older [[Windows]] versions and alternative operating systems to Windows including Linux and SteamOS. EA refuses to give you a refund for these games.

EA has implemented a change to the anti-cheat of several games after release including: EA SPORTS WRC, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. This change breaks the ability to play the game, even after purchase, on older [[Windows]] versions and alternative operating systems to Windows including Linux and [[SteamOS]]. EA refuses to give you a refund for these games.

===Shutting down Anthem===

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On 12 January, 2026, the servers were shut down to the dismay of many.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Shepard |first=Kenneth |date=2026-01-13 |title=7 Years Later, BioWare's Anthem Is Dead But It'll Never Be Forgotten |url=https://kotaku.com/anthem-server-shutdown-final-hours-videos-clips-stream-2000659367 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Kotaku |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114200220/https://kotaku.com/anthem-server-shutdown-final-hours-videos-clips-stream-2000659367 |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Mirror's Edge Catalyst servers shut down===

{{IncidentCargo

|Company=Electronic Arts

|StartDate=2023-12

|ProductLine=Mirror's Edge

|Product=Catalyst

|ArticleType=Product

|Type=Online service shutdown

|Description=In December 2023, all servers for Mirror's Edge Catalyst were shut down by EA, leaving all multiplayer game features inoperable and some achievements unobtainable.

}}

In December 2023, all servers for Mirror's Edge Catalyst were shut down by EA, leaving all multiplayer game features inoperable and some achievements unobtainable.

===Battlefield 6===

{{Main|EA requires open beta players of battlefield 6 to change their motherboard bios settings}}

The open beta of Battlefield 6 imposes strict requirements on the computer hardware people use to play the game, which caused discontent among the player base.

===Origin-only update for The Sims 3 leaves owners of physical and Steam copies without critical security fixes===

On November 12, 2015 Maxis released patch 69, the final patch of ''The Sims 3'' (prior to patch 70 on October 28, 2020 for Mac and patch 1.69.47.024017 on January 13, 2025 for PC). Patch 69, 69.47 and 70 are all exclusive to Origin (Now EA App).

*Patch 69.43 (PC) final patch prior to patch 1.69.47 in 2025. Fixed many bugs that are still present on Physical and Steam editions.

*Patch 69.47 (PC) Critical Security Update: Removes [[SecuROM]] and Safedisc dependencies.

*Patch 70 (MacOS) updates The Sims 3 to run with 64bit MacOS versions after 32-bit was dropped.

Physical disc and Steam owners of The Sims 3 were forced to register and re-download their games on Origin in order to receive these updates. Updates that otherwise were always delivered through The Sims 3 Launcher. In order to artificially generate increased traffic to their Origin platform, EA has gated crucial updates, of which one is required to even play the game on 64-bit Macs and another that includes critical kernel-level security fixes by removing SecuROM and Safedisc for Windows.

===The Sims 4 Maker Program===

On March 3rd 2026, EA announced The Sims Maker Program<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-03 |title=The Sims Maker Program |url=https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/maker-program |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310180351/https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/the-sims-maker-program-and-marketplace |archive-date=2026-03-10 |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=EA.com}}</ref>, allowing independent custom content creators to publish and sell their works through The Sims 4 Marketplace. With this change, the company introduced [[microtransactions]] into the game, and the actual creators make only 30% of revenue, remaining 70% going into EA. At the same time, their official mod policy<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-25 |title=The Sims 4 Policy on Mods |url=https://help.ea.com/en/articles/the-sims/the-sims-4/mods-policy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310135202/https://help.ea.com/en/articles/the-sims/the-sims-4/mods-policy/ |archive-date=2026-03-10 |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=EA.com}}</ref> (presumably for unaffiliated creators) mandates that "Mods must be non-commercial and distributed free of charge".

===Dead Space 2 activation limit lockout===

An ongoing consumer rights incident in which paying owners are locked out of the product by its TAGES Solidshield content-protection system after exceeding a five-machine activation cap, while [[Electronic Arts]] continues to sell the game on [[Steam]] for $19.99.<ref name="steam-store">{{Cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/47780/Dead_Space_2/|title=Dead Space 2 on Steam|website=Steam|publisher=Valve Corporation|access-date=2026-05-08}}</ref>

==Positive incidents==

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===Release of Command & Conquer source code (2025)===

{{Main|EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles}}

In February 2025, EA worked with C&C community members to open source ~~four~~ Command & Conquer games under the GPLv3 license, in a move widely celebrated by the gaming community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 2025 |title=EA Open Sources Command and Conquer: Red Alert, along with other games |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=HackerNews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708165349/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudra |first=Sourav |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=Unbelievable! EA Open Sources 4 Command & Conquer Games |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=It's FOSS News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250811112138/https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |archive-date=11 Aug 2025}}</ref> Despite this good measure, the only content available to consumers via these repositories is exclusively the code, and the only way to compile the source code continues to require ownership of a copy of the respective Command & Conquer in order to supply any assets. If any entry in the series were to be ~~delisted~~ again, their respective source code repository is rendered moot for anyone who did not already hold a license.

In February 2025, EA worked with C&C community members to open source for Command & Conquer games under the GPLv3 license, in a move widely celebrated by the gaming community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 2025 |title=EA Open Sources Command and Conquer: Red Alert, along with other games |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=HackerNews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708165349/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudra |first=Sourav |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=Unbelievable! EA Open Sources 4 Command & Conquer Games |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=It's FOSS News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250811112138/https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |archive-date=11 Aug 2025}}</ref> Despite this good measure, the only content available to consumers via these repositories is exclusively the code, and the only way to compile the source code continues to require ownership of a copy of the respective Command & Conquer in order to supply any assets. If any entry in the series were to be de-listed again, their respective source code repository is rendered moot for anyone who did not already hold a license.

==References==

~~<references />~~

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 {{Main|EA moves to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase}}
-EA has implemented a change to the anti-cheat of several games after release including: EA SPORTS WRC, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. This change breaks the ability to play the game, even after purchase, on older [[Windows]] versions and alternative operating systems to Windows including Linux and SteamOS. EA refuses to give you a refund for these games.
+EA has implemented a change to the anti-cheat of several games after release including: EA SPORTS WRC, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. This change breaks the ability to play the game, even after purchase, on older [[Windows]] versions and alternative operating systems to Windows including Linux and [[SteamOS]]. EA refuses to give you a refund for these games.
 ===Shutting down Anthem===
@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 On 12 January, 2026, the servers were shut down to the dismay of many.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Shepard |first=Kenneth |date=2026-01-13 |title=7 Years Later, BioWare's Anthem Is Dead But It'll Never Be Forgotten |url=https://kotaku.com/anthem-server-shutdown-final-hours-videos-clips-stream-2000659367 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Kotaku |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114200220/https://kotaku.com/anthem-server-shutdown-final-hours-videos-clips-stream-2000659367 |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref>
+===Mirror's Edge Catalyst servers shut down===
+{{IncidentCargo
+|Company=Electronic Arts
+|StartDate=2023-12
+|ProductLine=Mirror's Edge
+|Product=Catalyst
+|ArticleType=Product
+|Type=Online service shutdown
+|Description=In December 2023, all servers for Mirror's Edge Catalyst were shut down by EA, leaving all multiplayer game features inoperable and some achievements unobtainable.
+}}
+In December 2023, all servers for Mirror's Edge Catalyst were shut down by EA, leaving all multiplayer game features inoperable and some achievements unobtainable.
 ===Battlefield 6===
 {{Main|EA requires open beta players of battlefield 6 to change their motherboard bios settings}}
 The open beta of Battlefield 6 imposes strict requirements on the computer hardware people use to play the game, which caused discontent among the player base.
+===Origin-only update for The Sims 3 leaves owners of physical and Steam copies without critical security fixes===
+On November 12, 2015 Maxis released patch 69, the final patch of ''The Sims 3'' (prior to patch 70 on October 28, 2020  for Mac and patch 1.69.47.024017 on January 13, 2025 for PC). Patch 69, 69.47 and 70 are all exclusive to Origin (Now EA App).
+*Patch 69.43 (PC) final patch prior to patch 1.69.47 in 2025. Fixed many bugs that are still present on Physical and Steam editions.
+*Patch 69.47 (PC) Critical Security Update: Removes [[SecuROM]] and Safedisc dependencies.
+*Patch 70 (MacOS) updates The Sims 3 to run with 64bit MacOS versions after 32-bit was dropped.
+Physical disc and Steam owners of The Sims 3 were forced to register and re-download their games on Origin in order to receive these updates. Updates that otherwise were always delivered through The Sims 3 Launcher. In order to artificially generate increased traffic to their Origin platform, EA has gated crucial updates, of which one is required to even play the game on 64-bit Macs and another that includes critical kernel-level security fixes by removing SecuROM and Safedisc for Windows.
 ===The Sims 4 Maker Program===
 On March 3rd 2026, EA announced The Sims Maker Program<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-03 |title=The Sims Maker Program |url=https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/maker-program |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310180351/https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news/the-sims-maker-program-and-marketplace |archive-date=2026-03-10 |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=EA.com}}</ref>, allowing independent custom content creators to publish and sell their works through The Sims 4 Marketplace. With this change, the company introduced [[microtransactions]] into the game, and the actual creators make only 30% of revenue, remaining 70% going into EA. At the same time, their official mod policy<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-25 |title=The Sims 4 Policy on Mods |url=https://help.ea.com/en/articles/the-sims/the-sims-4/mods-policy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310135202/https://help.ea.com/en/articles/the-sims/the-sims-4/mods-policy/ |archive-date=2026-03-10 |access-date=2026-03-14 |website=EA.com}}</ref> (presumably for unaffiliated creators) mandates that "Mods must be non-commercial and distributed free of charge".
+===Dead Space 2 activation limit lockout===
+{{Main|Dead Space 2 activation limit lockout}}
+An ongoing consumer rights incident in which paying owners are locked out of the product by its TAGES Solidshield content-protection system after exceeding a five-machine activation cap, while [[Electronic Arts]] continues to sell the game on [[Steam]] for $19.99.<ref name="steam-store">{{Cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/47780/Dead_Space_2/|title=Dead Space 2 on Steam|website=Steam|publisher=Valve Corporation|access-date=2026-05-08}}</ref>
 ==Positive incidents==
@@ Line 73: / Line 99: @@
 ===Release of Command & Conquer source code (2025)===
 {{Main|EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles}}
-In February 2025, EA worked with C&C community members to open source four Command & Conquer games under the GPLv3 license, in a move widely celebrated by the gaming community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 2025 |title=EA Open Sources Command and Conquer: Red Alert, along with other games |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=HackerNews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708165349/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudra |first=Sourav |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=Unbelievable! EA Open Sources 4 Command & Conquer Games |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=It's FOSS News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250811112138/https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |archive-date=11 Aug 2025}}</ref> Despite this good measure, the only content available to consumers via these repositories is exclusively the code, and the only way to compile the source code continues to require ownership of a copy of the respective Command & Conquer in order to supply any assets. If any entry in the series were to be delisted again, their respective source code repository is rendered moot for anyone who did not already hold a license.
+In February 2025, EA worked with C&C community members to open source for Command & Conquer games under the GPLv3 license, in a move widely celebrated by the gaming community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 2025 |title=EA Open Sources Command and Conquer: Red Alert, along with other games |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=HackerNews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708165349/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudra |first=Sourav |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=Unbelievable! EA Open Sources 4 Command & Conquer Games |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=It's FOSS News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250811112138/https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |archive-date=11 Aug 2025}}</ref> Despite this good measure, the only content available to consumers via these repositories is exclusively the code, and the only way to compile the source code continues to require ownership of a copy of the respective Command & Conquer in order to supply any assets. If any entry in the series were to be de-listed again, their respective source code repository is rendered moot for anyone who did not already hold a license.
 ==References==
-<references />
+{{Reflist}}
 [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]