Hellgate London Beta Signups

[waterproofbob]

So yeah, might give this a miss too... Unfortunately. Not least as I have no internet to my PC (again), but also as the EULA (which you agree to by playing the game) states that your IP address, operating system, and information on peripheral hardware can be collected and given to "affliates".

"Joy!", I hear you all scream. So I may ignore this as a stand against stupid games companies. Boo

Linky, though I wouldn't say it's full blown "adware" like the article suggests. But that's another debate for another time.

hmmm that sounds like an argument that came up when 2142 was released and I believe it is using a very similar thing and if I'm not mistaken u played that.
Or now that ur playing xbox where other ppl make games are u taking the higher ground on this one.
Also who gives a monkies arse if someone knows my hardware setup, I sure don't. And as you can get someones IP fairly easily its not exactly like thats a big secret either is it.

I'm yet to actually play as each time i try the beta servers are down, but if its a good game then they can do as they wish with my hardware specs.

 

[elDiablo]

hmmm that sounds like an argument that came up when 2142 was released and I believe it is using a very similar thing and if I'm not mistaken u played that.

2142 took information about if you were looking at the ingame ads, at what angle, and for how long (so that they determine how much each ingame billboard was worth to sell). Hellgate is taking information about your IP address (which can be used to track you), and information about what hardware you are using. The only things I can think that having the hardware information can be used for is a hardware survey (much like Steam's periodic surveys) or to find out if you have the hardware from their affiliates or not.

For example, if I have an nVidia graphics card, and Hellgate people's have a contract with ATI, then they could use the information about my graphics card to send targeted ads my way. And that is what I don't agree with. Why should they be able to have information about me, without my informed consent. And no, making me read an EULA about letting them have information about my hardware is not informed consent.

And why do they need my IP? Do they wish to track how often I use their game? And do they wish to search their database for other games by the same company that I have played? For example, they see my IP has been playing Game X, Y and Z, but not A, so they send ads about game A to me. Not nice...

 

[Ronin Storm]

Also who gives a monkies arse if someone knows my hardware setup, I sure don't.

I'd agree, except:

You agree that EA, its affiliates, and each Related Party may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer, including without limitation your Internet Protocol address, operating system, application software and peripheral hardware

(bold is mine)

Notice "application software". Uhm, say what again? That's only just short of "scan my hard drive to find files you fancy stealing".

The rest of it I don't mind. Application software bugs me. I'd like that portion elucidated.

 

[BiG D]

So there's the privacy issues to consider. But if you were looking to play the game just to see how good it is (rather than beta test like you signed up for, for shame!) then you may want to pass as well. Initial reports are... bad. I haven't played it myself, and those that I've spoken with are bound by the NDA, but it sounds like it's worth waiting to see how the reviews score before making any commitment.

 

[Ronin Storm]

I don't appear to be bound by NDA because I picked up the demo (link to Fileplanet) not the beta. That sound about right?

 

[BiG D]

I don't appear to be bound by NDA because I picked up the demo (link to Fileplanet) not the beta. That sound about right?

I believe the demo is only singleplayer? But yeah, it's probably an indication as well

 

[Traxata]

Im 'bound' by the NDA ? pff that won't stop me from doing anything


Although That beta is THE buggiest i have ever played, god it crashes my GFX card atleast once every 30 mins

This one is Worse than the Tabula Rasa

 

[Ronin Storm]

I believe the demo is only singleplayer?

Yeah, as far as I can tell.

It was, well, Diablo but set in London. Slightly stuttering framerate, even on my PC (admittedly running most settings at high or maximum).

Diablo was fun for LANs. I never much enjoyed it outside of that, nor the clones that came along afterwards (Dungeon Siege, Sacred, etc). Oddly enough, I don't much care for Hellgate: London either.

Only played around 30 minutes, admittedly.

 

[thatbloke]

2142 took information about if you were looking at the ingame ads, at what angle, and for how long (so that they determine how much each ingame billboard was worth to sell). Hellgate is taking information about your IP address (which can be used to track you), and information about what hardware you are using. The only things I can think that having the hardware information can be used for is a hardware survey (much like Steam's periodic surveys) or to find out if you have the hardware from their affiliates or not.

For example, if I have an nVidia graphics card, and Hellgate people's have a contract with ATI, then they could use the information about my graphics card to send targeted ads my way. And that is what I don't agree with. Why should they be able to have information about me, without my informed consent. And no, making me read an EULA about letting them have information about my hardware is not informed consent.

And why do they need my IP? Do they wish to track how often I use their game? And do they wish to search their database for other games by the same company that I have played? For example, they see my IP has been playing Game X, Y and Z, but not A, so they send ads about game A to me. Not nice...

I recently noticed that every single billboard in bf2142 has an ad for an Intel C2D processor saying something like "Keep cool under pressure" (basically to do with heat...) Guess what? I recently installed an AMD Athlon X2 4200+ Dual core processor in my system...

 

[Traxata]

The advertising in 2142 is minimal compared to Hellgate though
you get swamped with it as you enter the tube station at the start of the game,


Walk in and just like in a real tube station, theres tons of those posters on the walls as you go down the escalators, and on the back walls of the train platforms ( although theres no trains )

 

[elDiablo]

thatbloke, I get the exact same adverts. As does everyone else. I have an Intel Core2 Duo. It's nothing to do with the fact that you recently installed an AMD chip; it's just that EA have signed a deal with Intel. Sorry to disappoint you

 

[thatbloke]

thatbloke, I get the exact same adverts. As does everyone else. I have an Intel Core2 Duo. It's nothing to do with the fact that you recently installed an AMD chip; it's just that EA have signed a deal with Intel. Sorry to disappoint you

meh. just seemed a little coincidental to me

 

[waterproofbob]

meh. just seemed a little coincidental to me

its been like that since mid way through the summer, its not you.
They were always going to have Intel Ads in game. TBH they don't bother me, I think its a clever place to advertise. and i get to shoot at them. so no harm done imo.

 

[elDiablo]

its been like that since mid way through the summer, its not you.
They were always going to have Intel Ads in game. TBH they don't bother me, I think its a clever place to advertise. and i get to shoot at them. so no harm done imo.

Indeed, I don't even see them any more. I'm usually too concerned with getting those bastard tanks with my gunship!

 

[thatbloke]

I'm usually too concerned with trying to get those bastard gunships with my walker...

 

[SgtFury]

Weird I just checked my email and found i had an invite for the beta. But don't remember signing up for it. Must be old age.

Although I only got it on the 23rd not the 19th like some of you.

 

[Traxata]

I have my own beta key now

Although i have an account already now


Here is a nice link - First-come First-server basis
[FONT=arial,helvetica][SIZE=-1]First person ( not limited to THN ) will get it that wants it, basically.


[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[Haven]

Got my beta key through a few days ago but boycotting due to the ludicrous license.

If anyone wants my key then pm me.

 

[elDiablo]

Got my beta key through a few days ago but boycotting due to the ludicrous license.

Ditto.

If anyone wants my key then pm me.

Ditto!

 

[SgtFury]

Strange thing was I followed the link to create an account and it said I couldn't create a europe one. Meh.