Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Vista security too tight on casual games, claims WildTangent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/vista-security-too-tight-on-casual-games-claims-wildtangent/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/vista-security-too-tight-on-casual-games-claims-wildtangent/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/30/vista-security-too-tight-on-casual-games-claims-wildtangent/#commentsFiled under: ,

brokedDirectX creator Alex St. John says Windows Vista "breaks" casual games. The WildTangent CEO recently described the arduous process of patching his company's network of games to ensure Vista compatibility. The effort reportedly took a year of working closely with "nearly every major casual game developer."

"Parents who choose to use Vista's parental controls are likely to accidentally block access to hundreds of very popular family friendly games that happen not to have ESRB ratings," explained St. John. Casual game networks hosted by Yahoo, AOL, RealArcade, and even Microsoft (MSN Games) could all be affected, according to St. John. Microsoft has yet to comment on the allegations.

It should be noted that WildTangent's software is often denoted as spyware by antispyware applications. While the software is generally regarded as harmless, it's often installed without express consent (and remains self-updating); WildTangent also reserves the right to collect personal information for use in tuning its products.

JoystiqVista security too tight on casual games, claims WildTangent originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AOLCasualDirectXMicrosoftMSNPCRealArcadeSpywareVistaWildTangentWindowsYahooTue, 30 Jan 2007 11:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Blocking business targets gaming at the workplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/blocking-business-targets-gaming-at-the-workplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/blocking-business-targets-gaming-at-the-workplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/27/blocking-business-targets-gaming-at-the-workplace/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

rejectedSophos PLC is in the business of security. For years the company has designed software to protect business networks from viruses and spyware. But a recent survey determined a need to extend security concerns to another productivity inhibitor: games. And so, a January upgrade to Sophos's application will quietly erect a wall, blocking mischievous employees from their secret workplace obsessions, like The Sims 2, Need For Speed Carbon, and Guild Wars: Nightfall.

Of course, blocking games does more than just thwart slackerdom, it protects networks against malware (often hidden in game installations); programs that could potentially compromise a business's security. We're all for playing it safe too -- just keep an ear out for big boss as you sneak some Portable Ops in under the desk.

[Via VH1 Game Break]

JoystiqBlocking business targets gaming at the workplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CasualCasual GamesCasualGamesMacMalwareNetworkPCSpywareWorkWorkplaceWed, 27 Dec 2006 21:25:00 EST<![CDATA[EA's "spyware" targeted by CA lawmaker]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/18/eas-spyware-targeted-by-ca-lawmaker/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/18/eas-spyware-targeted-by-ca-lawmaker/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/18/eas-spyware-targeted-by-ca-lawmaker/#commentsFiled under: ,

Saldana (D)California Assemblywoman Lori Saldana could soon introduce a bill into state legislature that would halt companies like EA from including spyware technologies in their games. Battlefield 2142 has come under scrutiny for requiring players to install software that collects personal data from users' PCs and transfers it to foreign servers for advertising purposes. Consumers aren't warned of the adware application until opening the game box.

Beth Givens of the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse calls EA's methods "particularly vile," prompting Saldana to consider legislation. "A parental notice telling them private information might be at risk is important to have," Saldana told a local news station.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqEA's "spyware" targeted by CA lawmaker originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Dec 2006 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AdAdvertisementAdwareBattlefield 2142Battlefield2142BillEAElectronic ArtsElectronic-ArtsElectronicArtsIn-game AdIn-gameAdLawLegalLlegislationLori SaldanaLoriSaldanaSpywareMon, 18 Dec 2006 12:55:00 EST<![CDATA[EA clarifies Battlefield 2142's IGA spyware]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/18/ea-clarifies-iga-spyware/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/18/ea-clarifies-iga-spyware/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/18/ea-clarifies-iga-spyware/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Electronic Arts launched Battlefield 2142 yesterday and not too many people were happy to find spyware incorporated into the game. EA is confused why players have an issue with the sheet describing advertising spyware in their copy of Battlefield 2142 ... afterall, it's not like they didn't announce they were doing this months ago.

Joystiq asked EA to clarify this technology as there still seems to be some confusion (announcement be damned). An EA spokesperson stated, "It does not capture personal data such as cookies, account login detail, or surfing history." EA's statement to Joystiq can be found after the break.

In case you didn't read EA's letter in our post yesterday morning, please allow us to quote it to emphasize their clarification:

"IF YOU DO NOT WANT IGA TO COLLECT, USE, STORE OR TRANSMIT THE DATA DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION, DO NOT INSTALL OR PLAY THE SOFTWARE ON ANY PLATFORM THAT IS USED TO CONNECT TO THE INTERNET."

If you want to play Battlefield 2142 or Need for Speed: Carbon, you'll just have to accept the consequences. IGA Worldwide -- the company taking your IP address and placing the ads in the game -- states on their website that "70% of gamers [are] saying that advertisements inside computer and video games help improve the realism of the gaming experience."

We're still waiting for EA to respond to several followup questions and will update this post when they do. Continue reading for their statement to Joystiq:

Continue reading EA clarifies Battlefield 2142's IGA spyware

JoystiqEA clarifies Battlefield 2142's IGA spyware originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Oct 2006 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield 2142eaElectronic-ArtsIGA worldwidePCspywareWed, 18 Oct 2006 01:00:00 EST