EA explains Battlefield 3 Steam no-show

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 8 August, 2011

Download war hots up.

Battlefield 3 will not be sold through Steam, EA has confirmed.

EA said it took the decision because Valve's service "restricts our ability to directly support players".

It is the latest twist in what is fast becoming a digital war between EA, which recently launched Steam rival Origin, and Valve, over dominance in the PC download space.

Battlefield 3 follows Crysis 2 and Dragon Age 2 in the not on Steam list.

"EA offers games, including Battlefield 3, to all major digital download sites," the publisher said a post on the EA forum.

"In doing so, our goal is to not only reach the widest possible global audience with our games, but also to provide ongoing customer support, patches and great new content. We are intent on providing Battlefield 3 players with the best possible experience no matter where they purchase or play the game, and are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with consumers.

"Unfortunately, Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to deliver patches and other downloadable content.

"No other download service has adopted these practices."

This is, of course, a reference to Steam's Terms of Service agreement, which forces games to deliver DLC and patches through Steam rather than through a game-specific client.

For what it's worth, EA has expressed a willingness to work with Valve to get its games on Steam - the most popular download shop in the world.

"We hope to work out an agreement where Steam can carry Battlefield 3; meanwhile, gamers can pick from the more than 100 digital retailers."

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (35) Latest comment 10 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Der_tolle_Emil #1 10 months ago

    This is, of course, a reference to Steam's Terms of Service agreement, which forces games to deliver DLC and patches through Steam rather than through a game-specific client.

    If you ask me, Steam forces games to do this because it's a lot easier for me as a customer to handle patches/DLC. I really like getting everything through Steam (when I bought/activated it on Steam). I'm tired of patching and downloading DLC, these days are luckily all over.

    I don't think it will be that much different if I buy it on Origin, I suppose patches will come through Origin then - but this makes the argument against Steam even more ridiculous.

  • bobfish09 #2 10 months ago

    They've been using exactly the same line for months now with regards to Steam, there must be some truth behind it, otherwise Valve would've said something. :(

  • Shikasama #3 10 months ago

    They quite clearly do not want to reach the widest possible global audience then.

  • Inmediasress #4 10 months ago

    This PR talk is getting annoying with non existent justifications.
    I would have more respect if they went on and said we want to build our own download empire so we shit on steam.

  • linea #5 10 months ago

    This really is preposterous.

    Why on earth would there be any reason to want patches and DLC *not* to be delivered through Steam (except of course to try and further EA's Origin plans at the expense of what a huge number of their customers want).

    Are EA annoyed that Activision snatched their 'games industry bete noir' crown and want it back or something?

  • Chaser #6 10 months ago

    Replace "support" with "monetise" and you are closer to the truth, they should at least a admit it... Steam means you cant sell your own DLC, it has to all be done via thir system AFAIK - EA just want to sell direct and have a bigger slice of the pie. It's not about support, its about making more money.

  • OAKside24 #7 10 months ago

    I think EA would've found a reason to exclude their latest games from Steam no matter what, especially right now as they introduce Origin. I don't appreciate their BS. Steam is dominating (for good reason: it/Valve's awesome), none of the other "100 digital retailers" (!?) come close. Bottom line is that they know if they released it on Steam, Origin would fail... and it still might.

  • LetsGo #8 10 months ago

    This is all because Valve won't let EA spam customers with marketing emails!

    Well done Valve!

  • dsmx #9 10 months ago

    I think it's more likely that valve have decided that all DLC for games on steam from now on must be sold through the steam store and delivered by steam, probably to cut down on the insane number of log in details people are beginning to need because every single publisher seems to want it's own DLC store.

    I haven't even bothered looking at the change in the steam ToS and the like, it's just the way those marketing people are talking and taking the very cynical opinion on what they actually mean.
    Edited by dsmx at 08/08/11 @ 09:04

  • bad09 #10 10 months ago

    Having recently got SSF4AE I see what the new issue is with this TBH. If you want to sell on Steam you have to change how the DLC is handled. With SSF4AE you have you Capcoms rip off costumes sold through GFWL, however they needed a seperate version for Steam where you buy them from Steam.

    Rather than blanket "EA is teh evil!" I think it's pretty unfair to ask comapanies to make 2 seperate versions of the game just so Valve can earn on the rip off DLC.

    Got a problem with it Valve are the ones you need to talk to on this one not EA, you might even find more follow them in the future with this policy.

  • bf #11 10 months ago

    Can't say that I care much either way and not having BF3 on steam will probably make it cheaper for most people. What I do find a bit sad and ironic is all the accusation being thrown at EA for wanting to monetise and lock in customers, take a wild guess at what Valve is doing...
    As long as this means that you can buy the game and any expansion packs, DLC, anywhere you like and get them at competitive prices I could not care less if BF3 or any other game is sold on Steam or not.

  • Roarster #12 10 months ago

    @bobfish09 - Valve never comment on anything, even upcoming games, so I don't think it's really fair to assume anything based on their silence.

    I really don't see what EA have to gain here, they'll still sell BF3 to those that were always intending to buy it, but they'll lose plenty of sales from those that aren't massive BF fans that have become used to buying everything from Steam and wont consider the game worth downloading another client for. It seems the only real winner here is Tripwire, who are probably cackling away in glee with the thought of the floating buyers giving Red Orchestra a go instead.

  • BloodSaint #13 10 months ago

    In all fairness, EA does have a valid point. The thing is, EA wants to sell dlc in-game whilst Valve wants to sell the dlc in steamstore thus, they will get a share of the profits from the dlc, even though Valve did not fund or help the developement of the dlc. Considering Valve already profited from selling the game, they should not be too greedy forcing the publisher to sell their dlc instore AND every other digital distribution service does not do this.

  • Toothball #14 10 months ago

    They've been using this line about connecting directly with their customers for the sake of the experience a lot. Do you think they actually asked any games if this is what they wanted? For me, the best possible experience involves not having to rebuild my online presence on another new platform. I don't really care where my updates come from.
    Edited by Toothball at 08/08/11 @ 09:17

  • RevanNL #15 10 months ago

    But how is selling DLC through Steam different then selling DLC through Xbox Live or PSN. I assume that MS and Sony are also getting a cut from each sale?

    Besides, if EA's support of games was vastly superior to any other publisher it would make sense, but in my experience EA's online services leaves a lot to be desired

  • bad09 #16 10 months ago

    "But how is selling DLC through Steam different then selling DLC through Xbox Live or PSN"

    It's different because you don't need a seperate version of the game to sell on Live or PSN. Games use that use GFWL or a publishers/devs own client or in game- selling need to have a 2nd version of their game for Steam. Others seem fine with this (for now) but obviously EA are not and willing to take a hit and not have games on Steam rather than change the system they have in place.
    Edited by bad09 at 08/08/11 @ 09:43

  • Drygore #17 10 months ago

    While i do buy alot of stuff on Steam (mostly on sales though), i still prefer physical copies. Plus it's always cheaper(!) (except during some of the steamsales).

  • Bravestinsane #18 10 months ago

    as a customer i dont care i want it on steam end of story

    1/60

    with 60 days till release of bf3 just my personal tally to see if EG can knock out one article a day (not including weekends)

  • eimhin85 #19 10 months ago

    Yeah, well, i'm still not downloading origin. Ill get it second hand on a console instead if I must.

  • Andeus #20 10 months ago

    Bad09 think this through.

    Others seem fine with this (for now) but obviously EA are not and willing to take a hit and not have games on Steam rather than change the system they have in place.

    But they are willing to use Steam's bandwidth to transfer these DLCs to the client and get promotion through Steam main page ads, while not paying for any of that eh? Or have you forgotten how every EA DLC always got promoted in Steam?

    It's only fair that Steam gets a fee for that. Let's face it, it's not a coincidence that all this started as soon as Origin launched.

  • MadDave123 #21 10 months ago

    If this is EA's excuse, then BF3 bloody well better have a pre-game or in-game patching client. Other wise this is pure hypocritical bullshit.

  • DwarfyP #22 10 months ago

    @linea
    A developer has to make TWO patches. One for their own system and one for Steam. That is why they wouldn't want to do it.

  • bad09 #23 10 months ago

    @Andeus

    Do they use Steams bandwidth? I don't do DLC (especially the poor quality crap from EA) but as I understand it EA DLC is done in game through their own servers. Again on the promotions I don't ever recall EA doing DLC (or promotions with DLC)through Steam, indeed the BC2 Vietnam expansion had to have it's very own Steam version and couldn't be bought anywhere else or it wouldn't work with BC2 on Steam.

    You say it started when Orgin started but origin has been there for a long time just under the name of EADM (even the interface hasn't changed other than the friend crap) and this "we must sell the DLC to" policy is a new thing as well.

    I know EA are seen as the devil (and they probably are truth be told) but the reality is a change in policy on Steam has caused this, sure EA could release 2 versions but they don't want to and you can't really blame them, if GAME asked for a cut on DLC they'd be told to sod off and I see no difference here.

    My main concern about all this is Bioware and non DLC related. DA2 released with some silly DRM on disc but they thankfully gave the choice of a less restrictive DRM over on Steam. If they follow that path on ME3 but with no better alternative I'll have no choice but to download it from torrents.

  • Liquidoodle #24 10 months ago

    I'm with Valve on this one as normally downloadable content with them ends up going into the sales they have and also tends to get packaged up as a deal. EA wouldn't bother as they would want full price I dare bet.

    If only they had enforced this before with Bioshock 2, I bought that game for under £4 off steam... unfortunately the add-on content is only available through MS games for live at £6 odd. I will probably still buy it but had it have been in the summer sale bundled together I would have snapped up a right bargain!

    I'm viewing this from my wallet clearly :p

  • DirectAim #25 10 months ago

    I'm with Value here aswell, I will not be using Origin, will buy from game and add it to my steam library!

  • jumpdeveraux #26 10 months ago

    One of these two companies lies awake at night thinking how to ream as much from your bank account as they can in the shortest time possible with the most minimal of effort.

  • TheWretched #27 10 months ago

    Let me put this in my own words...

    As long as BF3 won't be on Steam, I won't buy it.

    I don't want YET ANOTHER DD client on my system. I already have to bother with Steam, GFWL (which came with some games I bought on STEAM!) and Origin (and I want to avoid that, as I only own 2 games on there). And as long as EA cannot see that it HURTS customers to force them to install ANOTHER client, they are shooting themselves in their foot.

    Look, EA. DAO for example didn't mandate you to download crap from your website and install it by hand afterwards... Yes Mass Effect 2 and DA2 (both of which came later) do? Why the fuck is that? That's not customer friendly. And Valve is right in that it wants to sell the DLC to you. So are you for wanting to sell us your DLC directly. And now the deciding factor is US. And WE don't want to be fucked with! It's as simple as that!

  • Sicho #28 10 months ago

    The problem is simple:

    to buy DLC on Steam, you NEED the Steam Version of the Game!

    You cannot buy the game on a disc and then buy the DLC via Steam - it only works when you initially bought the game on Steam.
    This could lead to problems/confusion when somebody buys the game at Amazon and then wants to buy the DLC via Steam.

    Because of shenanigangs like that, it makes more sense for EA to deliver DLC via an Ingame-App. And since Valve won't allow this, they won't publish BF3 on Steam.

  • VibratingDonkey #29 10 months ago

    This smells a bit like when EA wasn't on Xbox Live.

  • Freek #30 10 months ago

    There's enough to blame to go around. EA wants you to be able to downlaod directly from inside the game wich benifits them. Valve wants you to go through Steam wich benifits them instead.
    In the end the gamer looses because they cannot work out their nonsense.

  • patchbox360 #31 10 months ago

    Valve should work on their own AAA titles like Halflife3 instead of profiting off the back of EA games.

  • Toothball #32 10 months ago

    @VibratingDonkey

    Indeed, the compromise there was made when MS gave up and let EA use their own servers. Which EA then decide to close down after a few years leaving their customers unable to play some of their multiplayer games. Can't beat a bit of direct-to-customer service like that.

  • Gastrian #33 10 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • Andeus #34 10 months ago

    Bad09:

    That's the thing. Why did EADM suddenly changed name to something more catching and started promoting it's services? Obviously to make it a stronger selling platform. That can't happen as long as Steam has these games too, noone with a Steam account, Steam friends etc. would prefer to buy something on EADM/Origin.

    So you pull the games off Steam, make them look bad for it to claim that your platform is superior and try to get as many users as possible. Then people will have friends in the Origin friendlist and might have a use for the damned thing.

    They still miss the point though, and that's a shame.

  • bad09 #35 10 months ago

    @Andeus

    You need to forget Origin. See it's not really about them wanting to pimp the overpriced EA store (although they are trying to raise it's profile with a name change withholding DLC and even an exclusive title with that Star Wars MMO) this particular problem is far away from that. As been explained it's down to Steam wanting a cut on DLC that's not sold through them and EA not wanting to do that as it's not how that sell their DLC and have no interest in selling like that.

    Crysis 2 and BF3 can still be bought elsewhere so it's not like they are withholding these from every digital retailer (unlike the MMO which they are trying to use to force digital footfall through their overpriced store). This particular problem actually has nothing to do with Origin and certainly not about trying top make Steam "look bad". Had Valve not changed THEIR terms these games would be sold through Steam. Of course EA had the option to change Crysis 2, DA2 and use a different system for BF3 so Valve could earn from their DLC but they chose not to, and like I said you can't really blame them. Personally it seems a silly requirement probably brought in just try and make devs/publishers just go for the easy one version steamworks route (something I certainly don't want encouraged seeing as I prefer my boxed purchases not tied to Steams DRM).
    .
    Edited by bad09 at 08/08/11 @ 16:33