Battlefield 2142 and Spyware Controversy
Electronic Arts is on a hot seat right now for openly admitting that they are using some form of spyware to provide in-game advertising on their new game, Battlefield 2142. Majority of gamers (myself included) have a negative reaction to this, since it’s pretty much an invasion of privacy any way you look at it. In order to provide the “right” advertisements on your gaming experience, this “software” that EA included will use your IP Address at the very least; and while EA claims otherwise at this point, I think this “software” will be snooping on your internet activity to fine-tune the ads.
Others argue that it should not be a big deal, since movies and TV shows have been doing this via “product placements.” No, not the same thing. When you buy your movie ticket at the box office, the cashier doesn’t ask for your name and your eating habits, and then change the products placed on the movie based on the eating habits of the viewing audience.
For me, I am not really affected…more of just “annoyed” (rather than “angry”) because I don’t play “Battlefield” games, or any EA sports games. Although I am bit concerned that this could spawn a new thinking among game publishers that it’s OK to spy on their consumers. I will not buy any game that installs crap on my PC to violate my privacy.
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