According to the SimCity closed beta EULA, failing to report a bug may ban you from all EA games entirely.
Recently, EA opened up closed beta signups to PC gamers looking to get a taste of the city-building series reboot SimCity. The EULA that closed beta entrants were forced to sign was a bit strange, as it stated the following: “It is understood and agreed that, as part of your participation in the Beta Program, it is your responsibility to report all known bugs, abuse of ‘bugs’, ‘undocumented features’ or other defects and problems related to the Game and Beta Software to EA as soon as they are found (“Bugs”). If you know about a Bug or have heard about a Bug and fail to report the Bug to EA, we reserve the right to treat you no differently from someone who abuses the Bug. You acknowledge that EA reserve the right to lock anyone caught abusing a Bug out of all EA products.”
Essentially, anyone who has knowledge of a bug and fails to report it will not only be banned from the SimCity beta, but be locked entirely out of their Origin accounts. The wording of the EULA raised a bit of ruckus across various media outlets. EA responded by changing the wording of the EULA and released yet another statement explaining the company's stance: "The clause in the EA Beta Agreement for the SimCity beta was intended to prohibit players from using known exploits to their advantage. However, the language as included is too broad. EA has never taken away access to a player’s games for failing to report a bug. We are now updating the Beta Agreement to remove this point."
This isn't the first time that the publishing giant has stirred up a bit of controversy with its EULAs. Back in 2011, EA's distribution service Origin had a EULA that was worded in a way that could be interpreted to allow EA to monitor and share applications running on a user's PC. Soon after, the company changed the wording of the EULA, removing or altering all clauses that would allow it to collect any personally identifiable information.
It's just a "bit excessive?
I'm assuming what Hitler did to the Jews was just a bit excessive as well?
You must be a EA employee paid to spew this drivel, I don't see how any could defend getting banned for missing a bug and not reporting it.
I don't think its the policy that was wrong exactly, just the way it was written. Apparently EA agreed, but it was easier to just exclude the clause than fix it.
Congrats Kami3k, you have compared being locked out of an account to mass genocide, next time try and get the scale a little closer.
Never liked the Sims games, even though I know people played them like crazy. Didn't understand the fad, instead of sending your sim out to work, why don't YOU get a job. Instead of having him clean your house, how about your pick up a vacuum you lazy bum.
Not really a sports gamer myself. so ya....no EA games really for me.
Better yet.... Petition retailers "Not to Carry" any EA products anymore. That is not illegal. When sales drop, they revise the EULA or loose out.
Also, to add to your perfect comment, people don't have to beta test it as well. It is their choice to.
"This program has closed unexpectedly."
Bug, or cool new feature?
I've been in a fair number of betas. Generally, you can tell something's supposed to be a bug vs a feature. ("Hey, I activated that power and I can walk through walls - look at this cool, yet unfinished at this point, architecture!" versus "Hey, I did nothing and can walk through walls at that point, nothing's back here, look, I'm falling to my death in a complete void!" for instance.)
Generally, if you pay attention to notes/the beta forum, you'll see features listed they want you to test.
And, in general, if you're not sure if it's a bug or a feature, either (A) ask or (B) report it anyway. Because it could very well be a new feature that isn't supposed to do that.