EA releases titles on Steam worldwide

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 23rd December 2008
Comments (17) Stumble
EA releases titles on Steam worldwide

EA has signed with Valve to bring a number of titles to Steam, including the PC version of Mirror's Edge.

It seems that those rumours were true and that Electronic Arts has finally decided to take full advantage of Valve's Steam platform to release some of the publishers games - in the US and most of Europe, at least. The UK and Japan are being oddly neglected.

While early indications hinted that Spore might be coming to Steam, Valve has announced that Spore is just one of the EA titles to be featured on Steam.

Electronic Arts will be releasing Spore, Mass Effect, Need for Speed Undercover and FIFA Manager 2009 on Steam very shortly, with more titles coming in the future. EA has already promised that the coming weeks will see the addition of Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3, Mirror's Edge and Dead Space.

The first few games in the list launched on Steam yesterday for American users, but a Valve press release says that the line-up is now being rolled out over most of Europe too - though curiously the titles aren't yet visible for UK or Japanese users.

Electronic Arts has traditionally stayed away from Steam, despite being partnered with Valve for the retail releases of The Orange Box and Left 4 Dead. Spore will be the first game developed by an EA studio to launch on Valve's online platform, as the EA published Crysis and Crysis Warhead games were developed by external developer, CryTek.

Electronic Arts will continue to operate its own digital storefront in the form of EA Store where customers can buy the full EA catalogue.

Steam now has over 15 million users across the world, with the last 18 months seeing the platform launch a series of new initiatives, such as localised pricing and Steam Cloud.

Will you be picking up any of the games above? Let us know in the forums.
Quote airchie 23rd December 2008, 10:18
I prefer steam over buying games on disc etc.
In fact, I wish I'd known that Fallout3 was available on steam before I bought the disks.
I guess I could sell it and get it on steam.
Same with RA3.
They're both in their boxes and haven't been in my laptop yet.
L4D has taken all my time so far... :D
Quote Blademrk 23rd December 2008, 10:19
Depends if they keep their DRM or use Steams DRM instead.
Quote impar 23rd December 2008, 10:34
Greetings!

All points that EA will be using only Steam DRM.
However, its funny that the prices increases for € users on Steam came just before EA joined Steam.
Quote Narishma 23rd December 2008, 11:25
I won't be buying any of those games now that they are more expensive than the retail versions.
Quote DarkInferno 23rd December 2008, 12:21
Can't you add the key to your steam account?

Better then a nocd crack :D
Quote Denis_iii 23rd December 2008, 13:03
ok, now why the hell does the UK get constantly shafted eh, i really don't get it
Quote V3ctor 23rd December 2008, 13:20
Can't buy any of those games... They are waaay to expensive thru Steam... They should fix the pricing... I can get the same games cheaper in a local store...
Quote wiak 23rd December 2008, 13:40
This group is for all European steam customers who don´t accept to pay 1€ for 1$.
Feel free to join and spread the word!
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/1e1us

Dear publishers on Steam,

We don't get access to your games, get put up with higher prices and are unable to buy localized games.

We believe this practice doesn't just hurt your image, but also the thing that matters to you the most... sales.

With this group we would like to show the amount of people who would have bought your games if you made them available in all countries, used the same pricing worldwide and offered the localized versions available in retail.
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/restofworld
Quote B1GBUD 23rd December 2008, 13:57
Better late than never I suppose
Quote TreeDude 23rd December 2008, 14:02
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkInferno
Can't you add the key to your steam account?

Better then a nocd crack :D

No. Only a handful of non-Valve games can be linked to Steam via the CD-key. There is a list on Valves website. If the game was not on Steam to begin with you cannot link the CD-key.
Quote DXR_13KE 23rd December 2008, 17:02
Quote:
Originally Posted by wiak
This group is for all European steam customers who don´t accept to pay 1€ for 1$.
Feel free to join and spread the word!
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/1e1us

Dear publishers on Steam,

We don't get access to your games, get put up with higher prices and are unable to buy localized games.

We believe this practice doesn't just hurt your image, but also the thing that matters to you the most... sales.

With this group we would like to show the amount of people who would have bought your games if you made them available in all countries, used the same pricing worldwide and offered the localized versions available in retail.
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/restofworld

+1
Quote Nedsbeds 23rd December 2008, 19:38
Any speculation as to why the uk is left out? do EA do particularly well here via traditional channels and want to hold on to a bigger share of profits or something?
Quote Mach1.9pants 23rd December 2008, 21:33
We are missing here in NZ...I want to add Mirrors Edge and Mass Effect to my list of 75 steam games!
Quote crompers 23rd December 2008, 21:49
i like steam, it works. i agree that the prices are too high tho, it smarts to get a game with no box and no physical media and have to pay more for the privilege.
Quote Horizon 24th December 2008, 07:29
Quote:
Originally Posted by impar
Greetings!

All points that EA will be using only Steam DRM.
However, its funny that the prices increases for € users on Steam came just before EA joined Steam.

I take it you didn't read the clause that appears in ALL CAPS at the bottom of each ea title on Steam.
Quote impar 24th December 2008, 09:40
Greetings!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Horizon
I take it you didn't read the clause that appears in ALL CAPS at the bottom of each ea title on Steam.
Spore:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=771370
Quote:
INTERNET CONNECTION, ONLINE AUTHENTICATION, END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY. TO ACCESS ONLINE FEATURES, YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE. ONLY ONE REGISTRATION AVAILABLE PER GAME. EA TERMS & CONDITIONS AND FEATURE UPDATES CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.EA.COM. YOU MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER ONLINE. EA MAY RETIRE ONLINE FEATURES AFTER 30 DAYS NOTICE POSTED ON www.ea.com.
Its related to Steam and the way Spore works, not Securom.

C&C RA3:
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=771563
Quote:
INTERNET CONNECTION, ONLINE AUTHENTICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY. TO ACCESS ONLINE FEATURES, YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE. ONLY ONE REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE PER GAME. EA ONLINE TERMS & CONDITIONS AND FEATURE UPDATES CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.EA.COM. YOU MUST BE 13+ TO REGISTER WITH EA ONLINE. EA MAY RETIRE ONLINE FEATURES AFTER 30 DAYS NOTICE POSTED ON WWW.EA.COM.
Again, related to Steam and the way RA3 works, not Securom.

Mass Effect:
http://forums.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=660050&forum=22&sp=128
Quote:
INTERNET CONNECTION AND END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT REQUIRED TO PLAY. MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.EA.COM.
Steam.

The only EA title that seems to still have Securom is Warhead.

If you find otherwise, please correct me.
Quote ZERO <ibis> 24th December 2008, 20:31
So I can finally buy RA3 with no securom!? This is great! Finally I can simply buy DL and play a game I have waited years for.
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