Mass Effect 3 isn't launching on Steam, requires Origin

by Ben Gilbert on Jan 16th 2012 1:15PM

Mass Effect 3 is yet another entry in EA's stable of PC games that can't be purchased via Steam. At least it can't be purchased "initially," that is, according to BioWare community manager Chris Priestly, who posted a variety of FAQ answers on the EA division's forums late last week. "During initial release, Mass Effect 3 will be available on Origin and a number of other 3rd party digital retailers, but not on Steam at this time," he said.

Unsurprisingly, this also means that all PC versions of Mass Effect 3 will require EA's Origin service to launch the game -- regardless of where you buy it -- just like Battlefield 3 before it. And despite EA's wording, which implies the game may end up on Steam at some point after launch, we're doubtful that's around the corner.

Alongside the confirmation that ME3 won't end up on Steam, Priestly goes on to list the issues his company sees with launching on Steam ("restrictive terms of service," BioWare claims). Given Steam's ubiquity across the PC gaming landscape, not to mention the vast majority of its clients not complaining about said terms of service, we're gonna go ahead and wager that the terms aren't being altered anytime soon.

Source: BioWare forums

Tags: bioware, chris-priestly, digital-distribution, electronic-arts, mass-effect-3, origin, pc, steam

Reader Comments (276)

News from a year from now:

Mass Effect 3 most pirated PC game ever.

I'm still skeptical about things like multiplayer and story resolutions that manage to tie together all the disparate decisions made in the first two games, so the avenue through which I purchase the game isn't my top concern.

Mass Effect 2 was able to plant fond memories in just about everyone's minds-- fond enough to carry through the whole year, so I figure it'll be pretty clear whether ME3 has lived up within a few months after launch.

I won't be buying this on PC since I have been playing this game on xbox. I have a mixed feeling and ultimately I think this is good thing. I don't like Valve Steam only option on PC in the foreseeable future. As much as I like Valve, I like to see some healthy competitions.

I'm mainly a console gamer, and all my ME saves are on Xbox, so I'll be getting it there. I gotta say, though, having seen the bloatware that is Origin and then looking through my Steam library at all the money I've saved (hell, Steam is pretty much the only reason I still play anything on PC).... I don't think that I'd be super-jazzed about buying this on Origin if I had started the series on PC. Steam works. Origin? Meh.

Took me 15 seconds from reading this to canceling my preorder

Anything that's exclusively on Origin is a lost sale from me.

..as is any PC game that's $60 on release.

I'm tired of this BS companies think they can get away with.

@DAOWAce
From your comments, it looks like Steam is getting away with it just fine with you.

I don't mind that they have their own digital distribution system. Really, I think it is a good thing as it will keep other distributors innovating to try and stay relevant.

The thing I don't like is the "gathering of information" from my computer system. You want to track what I play through your system, accomplishments, scores etc, that is perfectly fine, but the rest of my system should be off limits. If I am playing a game through your service I have purchased the game legally, and you have no right to scan my system for anything else.

No Steam No Sale does not, does never condone piracy of a game. I am perfectly happy with EA trying to use Origin, the main thing I am hoping for is that it will read my Steam Saves, if not then I really really will be pissed off.

I'm sorry but Origin is the least of people's worries right now, people are seeming to demonize it just because it seems the in-thing to do, EA are still letting D2D, GoG as well as other publishers sell ME3, however they want the multiplayer to go through Origin. If ME3 didn't have multiplayer I don't think there'd be an issue

@(Unverified) Right, we are demonizing BECAUSE they are singling out Steam whenever they come out with a new product like this. I for one will not have it. PC Games should not be locked down to any one service I would feel the same way if a game was only available on Steam.

This is BS and the truth needs to come out as to why this is happening. When it does both sides blame the other. I want the truth so I can see who is lying, but I'm pretty sure it's not Valve as they have dealt honestly with gamers for far longer vs. the last time EA was caught lying etc.

@ttringle

What about Xbox games only available on Xbox Live, or PlayStation games only available on PSN? Same concept right?

No Steam , no sale sorry EA your Origin thingy is not needed .

Fing EA, don't you get it. We don't want to use your system. Steam already exists stop trying to rebuild something that already exists and works. I'll buy the game on my XBOX to finish it and screw your store.

It's bad enough you guys ruined Origin (the gaming developer), now you rub it in our noses buy naming a lame ass store after them. You guys really should have done some market research with gamers because I would have told you that was the stupidest decision you could ever make.

Next thing you'll be making some new kiddy cartoon with space ships and name it Wing Commander.

Dumbasses.

The problem with Origin, as compared to steam, is exactly that it's EA-only. Steam is an effective digital retail outlet, while origin is just one publisher's download service. I want all my games in one place, not one or two games I'm playing to be on origin and the rest on steam.

Of course, it would be okay if EA gave us some advantage to using origin, but right now it's just steam with a worse interface, worse promotions/sales, and far less content.

That said, if me3 is as good as me2, I'll put up with it. I'd rather not, though, and EA is dumb to force the issue.

@maxwell97

How does EA expect to compete with anyone if they don't allow other 3rd-party publishers on Origin?

It would be like Microsoft locking 3rd-party developers off of the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live.

In other words.

"Mass Effect isn't launching on my computer, requires console."

Can we PLEASE stop fighting Steam EA.
Its an up hill battle you will NEVER win!

Will the game require an Origin account while playing on consoles? If so, no buy. I'm not making ANOTHER account on a gaming site just to play one game.

Priestley is full of shit. The Steam issue isn't "restrictive" it's simply not letting EA get away with utter bullshit.

The issue in question is that Steam insists that games sold via Steam run in it natively, and any other programs required like G4WL run on top of Steam. ME3, like BF3, require Origin to be the launching program. Basically what this means is if they were to sell it on Steam, they'd just be using Steam's name to sell the game, but force you to not actually use Steam and use Origin.

I would've bought the collector's edition (OR ANY EDITION) on Steam at FULL price...

Definitely pirating this game now. EA ruined its sales on this masterpiece.

@xbit

I like your plan!

Erm, so if we bought 1 or 2 on Steam we can't transfer character data then?

Well here's another game I won't be buying. I am more likely to pirate a game just to get around Origin.

I stopped downloading pirate PC games years ago because of Steam. Steam although not perfect is all I wanted... my games anywhere anytime plus all the extra awesome stuff that they have.

Retail sucks and I could care less about packaging and cds.

Now EA made me go back to downloading pirate games because I dont want to have to deal with another service\portal and have access to my games fragmented across different services.. its a pain and there is no need for that when Steam was the first and only to trust, invest and understand the PC gaming experience.

EA I will never buy another game from you until you make it available on Steam.

I wont be buying it if it forces you to use origin.
That is terrible news.

oh well.

First world problems.

Mass Effect 3 isn't being released...

on the platform of my choice.

Still a little bit of me died when I didn't see me3 in steam for pre-order. I'll just get it on steam later down the road and play it on 360.

EA is rapidly becoming (/is) my least favourite (/most hated) publisher, its a shame because i really like the ME series, KOA reckoning and the DA duo

When I heard ME3 was going to be origin exclusive, I considered for a short time just pirating the game, besides the fact that I bought the last two. Unfortunately, I want to play the game the minute it comes out, and I can't be assured of this if I pirate it. If it were ANY other game, they would not be getting my $60. I will uninstall origin when I finish playing.

Previous 50 Comments

Mass Effect 3

Mass Effect 3 isn't launching on Steam, requires Origin

Reader Comments (276)

Posted: Jan 17th 2012 1:31PM Slayer said

Posted: Jan 17th 2012 6:55PM Chareth Cutestory said

Posted: Jan 17th 2012 8:16PM huffhuffhuff said

Posted: Jan 18th 2012 12:42AM The Tr0ll T0ll said

Posted: Jan 18th 2012 4:15AM Hatman said

Posted: Jan 18th 2012 5:08AM DAOWAce said

Posted: Jan 18th 2012 10:14AM Guibs said

Posted: Jan 18th 2012 11:41AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Jan 19th 2012 12:04PM ttringle said

Posted: Jan 21st 2012 2:00AM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Jan 18th 2012 11:15PM mael said

Posted: Jan 19th 2012 12:01PM ttringle said

Posted: Jan 20th 2012 9:01AM maxwell97 said

Posted: Jan 21st 2012 1:59AM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Jan 20th 2012 7:39PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Jan 21st 2012 1:56AM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Jan 21st 2012 3:12AM Jennacide said

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Posted: Jan 23rd 2012 2:13AM lolkeits said

Posted: Jan 23rd 2012 9:54PM Joshua Przygocki said

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