Why the EA Store Should Be Rethought Once Again

Awhile ago, EA released EA Link, an application where someone could purchase a game from the EA Store and download it without worry. Then came along the EA Download Manager, and that’s when things got nasty.

If I purchase a game, don’t I own it? At least, don’t I own that copy of the game and the manual? Well, EA doesn’t seem to think so. When you purchase a game, you can download the game for up to two full years after buying it with the “Extended Download Service”. If you don’t purchase the $5 service, you can only download the game for 6 months after purchase.

Well, here’s a thought: Why can’t I download it for as long as I want? It’s MY game!

So, I log onto my laptop today and seeing as we are going camping, I though I’d install some of my favorite games onto my laptop. Well, EA has already disabled two of my games, one that cost my $50 and another that cost me $30. So, EA basically took my $80 and ran. Well, I’ve learned my lesson, which is:

Get off my butt, go to a store, and buy a physical copy.

Luckily, I’ve backed up the data from those two games so I can install them, but why should I have to back up my data when EA can simply give me the download link? There is no work needed to allow me to download a game I paid good money for. I’ve spent almost $1000 on The Sims 2 and expansion packs, and about $450 of that will soon be gone because I wanted to use an innovative service like downloading from the EA Store.

So EA, let me download my game, or I’m walking.