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EA Explains Crysis 2's Removal From Steam
When Crysis 2 and a handful of other Electronic Arts titles disappeared from the Steam download service, many assumed that EA was making more PC games exclusive to its new Origin download service. But despite remarks from EA Games president Frank Gibeau last month, apparently this is not the case.
In a post on the EA forums as well as a blog post from EA senior vice president David DeMartini, the publisher laid out its policy on third-party download services clearly: EA wants to offer its PC titles on every major download service, not just on Origin. So what's the deal with Crysis 2 no longer being available on Steam? The forum post explains:
"Any retailer can sell our games, but we take direct responsibility for providing patches, updates, additional content and other services for the individuals and communities that play our games. These players are connecting to our servers, so we want to provide them with the very best service. This works well for our partnership with Gamestop, Amazon and other online retailers.
"However, when a download service forbids publishers from contacting players with patches, new levels, items and other services – it disrupts our ability to provide the ongoing support players expect from us. At present, this is the case with only one download service. While EA offers its entire portfolio to this site, they have elected to not post many of our games. We hope to find a mutually agreeable solution to this issue soon."
EA and Valve have worked together extensively before with EA publishing console ports of Valve's titles as part of the EA Partners program. Given that history, let's hope the two companies can reach this "mutually agreeable solution" soon, as more choice is always a good thing.
Although, if EA is so committed to choice, what's up with The Old Republic being an Origin-exclusive download?
[via GameSpot]
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