From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
EA Store is a digital distribution, digital rights management
system from Electronic Arts that allows users to
purchase computer games on the Internet and download them directly to their
PC with
EA Download Manager (formerly EA
Downloader and EA Link).
Components
EA Store
EA Store allows users to browse and purchase games from
Electronic Arts' catalogs. Instead of receiving a box, disc, or
even CD key, purchased software is immediately attached to the
user's EA account and is to be downloaded with the corresponding EA
Download Manager within 1 year.
EA Download
Manager
EA Download Manager is supposed to be self-updating software
that should allow users to download games, expansion packs, content
booster packs and patches from Electronic Arts. It shows the status
of components available. The inspiration came from Steam, many games require the
manager to be online before the game functions properly.
History
EA Downloader was launched in late 2005.[1] It was
replaced by EA Link in November 2006, adding
trailers, demos and special content to the content delivery
service. In September 2007, it was once again replaced by the
combination of EA Store and EA Download
Manager, short termed EADM.[2]
Users purchase from the EA Store website and use the downloadable
EADM client to download their games.[3]
The digital distribution software was first used to deliver the
Battlefield 2: Special Forces expansion
pack[4], and
subsequently most EA titles. The biggest product launch on the
software is Spore Creature Creator.
Criticism
Download
limitations
Users are given one year from the time of purchase to download a
game.[5] This
period can be extended by five years, via the Extended Download
Service, by paying a $6 US fee.[6] This is
unlike most other digital distribution platforms which allow users
to re-download their purchases in the future without limitations.
This means that after one year if you need to reinstall the
software/game that you must repay the full price. Some users have
questioned the legality of such a practice.
Regional
pricing
EA charges a different price depending on the location of the
customer. One justification for this is that it allows the game to
be sold for a lower price in regions of the world that cannot
afford the higher prices in the first world nations. However, as a
result of regional differences and economic currency fluctuations,
these prices may be dramatically different, as in the case of
Medal of Honor: Airborne costs $21.15 AUD in the United States, but
costs $99.99 AUD in Australia, as of July 2008.[7].
Another instance of this is Spore costing £22.21 GBP
(£26.11 after sales tax) in the United States before but it costs £39.99
GBP VAT
included, in the United Kingdom. This price is as of
September, 2008.
Platform
revisions
Users have complained about constant changes in the platform
software and branding of the EA store. This is unlike other
platforms like Steam, which has been
consistent in branding through its lifetime. As of May 2009, EA
says games bought via EA Link will continue to be able to be
downloaded using the EA Download Manager[8],
although the download limitations may prevent further
downloads.
Game
Interference
EA Download Manager has caused issues with games such as Spore
Creature Creator.[9]
See also
References
External
links
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Search
