As expected, BioWare has confirmed that Mass Effect 3 will not be available on Steam. More unexpected is the reveal that Mass Effect 3 on PC will require an Origin install for all versions, not unlike Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim requiring Steam.
“Origin is required for the PC versions of Mass Effect 3, both physical and digital,” wrote BioWare community manager Chris Priestly on the company’s official forums.
“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. Steam has adopted a set of restrictive terms of service which limit how developers interact with customers to deliver patches and other downloadable content.”
“We are intent on providing Mass Effect to players with the best possible experience no matter where they purchase or play their game, and are happy to partner with any download service that does not restrict our ability to connect directly with our consumers.”
Priestly also downplayed the idea that Origin is spyware.
“Origin is not spyware, and does not use or install spyware on user’s machines. In order to allow Origin to install games and their patches for everyone to use, Origin implements a permission change that results in Windows, not Origin, reviewing the filenames in the ProgramData/Origin folder.”
Is anyone going to opt-out of buying Mass Effect 3 because of the Origin requirement?
