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EA Killing Rock Band for iPhone, Game Will Be Unplayable for Current Owners [Updated]

The game doesn't require an Internet connection to play, so it "stopping" either means it has been programmed (since 2010) to die on May 31st, 2012, or that their servers will send a "kill" command to the game on the May 31st.

If there's a cost issue with running a server for it, there is no reason to issue a kill command, just stop the server.
If it's been programmed since 2010 to die in 2012, that is pretty dishonest.
 
Xenomorph said:
The game doesn't require an Internet connection to play, so it "stopping" either means it has been programmed (since 2010) to die on May 31st, 2012, or that their servers will send a "kill" command to the game on the May 31st.

If there's a cost issue with running a server for it, there is no reason to issue a kill command, just stop the server.
If it's been programmed since 2010 to die in 2012, that is pretty dishonest.
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Thats what I was thinking. If you can play it offline (Don't know, don't own the game) they must have some provision in it.
 
GSPice said:
I assume you're not talking about multiplayer games?
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What's wrong with peer-to-peer? I've pretty much ditched all online gaming. I would rather play in person with my friends. I'm sick of all the online hi-jinks, the hacks, the cheats, the kiddies who stay online playing for 20 hours a day only to abandon that title for the next one a couple months later. The entire online experience is now geared toward expanding time share to be "good".
 
Can't see how it's legal ...

I just looked at the App Store game description (and you get no more if you click "buy"), there is no mention of time limitations, internet connections required, etc. So unless they send a "kill" command or there is a built it "suicide" timer, it can't just be turned off.

if any of the aforementioned game killers are or will be implemented, then I think their actions are not legal. They certainly don't have to offer any more in game purchases, updates, or anything else for that matter. And at some point in the future, there will be no device on which the game will run because the devices have changed (sort of like my G5 Quad won't run most new Mac software from Apple or anyone else: c'est la vie even if it does piss me off).

So, I guess the class action folks will spring into action soon.
 
I've hated EA ever since they forced Tris (free version of Tetris) out of the App Store. I will never buy anything from them again.
 
Xenomorph said:
The game doesn't require an Internet connection to play, so it "stopping" either means it has been programmed (since 2010) to die on May 31st, 2012, or that their servers will send a "kill" command to the game on the May 31st.

If there's a cost issue with running a server for it, there is no reason to issue a kill command, just stop the server.
If it's been programmed since 2010 to die in 2012, that is pretty dishonest.
Click to expand...

I believe they can send a kill command.

Recently it falsely identified one of my titles as pirated (bought on iPad 2, and loaded on new iPad 3 the next day). I had to uninstall (losing my game status) and reinstall.
 
Xenomorph said:
The game doesn't require an Internet connection to play, so it "stopping" either means it has been programmed (since 2010) to die on May 31st, 2012, or that their servers will send a "kill" command to the game on the May 31st.

If there's a cost issue with running a server for it, there is no reason to issue a kill command, just stop the server.
If it's been programmed since 2010 to die in 2012, that is pretty dishonest.
Click to expand...

If it has a built in kill switch and EA didn't disclose it then hello law suit for sure. And if they decided to randomly deactivate the app I think that might be against Apple's agreement w/ Devs. They can abandon an app but they can't push though a kill, esp. for a paid app. As you correctly state the app itself does not require Internet to play in solo mode.

That said, when I saw this post I opened up Rock Band, which hasn't seen any play for many, many months. I did not get any kind of pop up message, so I'm wondering if it's even a valid story and not a hoax. There is nothing direct from EA Mobile to confirm and the apps is still advertised for sale at EAMobile.com and in the App store.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
That said, when I saw this post I opened up Rock Band, which hasn't seen any play for many, many months. I did not get any kind of pop up message, so I'm wondering if it's even a valid story and not a hoax. There is nothing direct from EA Mobile to confirm and the apps is still advertised for sale at EAMobile.com and in the App store.
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It's valid. I just downloaded the game, ran it, and was prompted with the May 31st death message.

If you delete it, re-download it, turn on Air Plane mode, then load it up, it plays fine. No Internet connection required, no death message.

If you delete it, re-download it, stay connected to the Internet, then load it up, you get the death message. So it seems like EA's servers will be sending the kill signal, because it's definitely what's sending the death warning.
 
Pakaku said:
Why do people keep paying for EA's business?
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EA depends on the ignorance of their customers. As long as they pay enough for advertising, parents will keep buying EA's crappy games for their children thinking its a good present.
 
This happening to a freemium or 99 cent game wouldn't bother me as much. But when you pay five bucks for a mobile game and the company kills it in a relatively short time, that's not good.

I'm ticked off that the Zen Rollercoaster pinball app was left for dead. I can understand software becoming out of date. But heck -- I'm still playing 1990s PC games on my Mac. So the technology isn't the issue. That's just bad business.
 
Risasi said:
What's wrong with peer-to-peer? I've pretty much ditched all online gaming. I would rather play in person with my friends. I'm sick of all the online hi-jinks, the hacks, the cheats, the kiddies who stay online playing for 20 hours a day only to abandon that title for the next one a couple months later. The entire online experience is now geared toward expanding time share to be "good".
Click to expand...

This x1000. One of my favorite things about Counter Strike is that whenever a new game starts, everybody starts with the same amount of money to buy weapons. I don't have hours to sink into call of duty; I'm at a significant disadvantage because I don't have the upgraded guns or anything. "Rank" systems and point systems in general encourage people to sink hours and hours into the game, rewarding them for milestones that are only achievable by playing the game more than other people.

I do like the hats in TF2 though :cool:
 
Learnt my lesson about EA when they ditched online support for FIFA World Cup 2010 despite not having another comparable title out (a community of us have built an alternate football world around the game).

Sadly, as others have said, there are just too many saps willing to hand over £40+ every other month for EA to reconsider.

BTW - regarding the restriction mentioned when installing on his new iPad - having already installed on his iPad 2 - is that not a violation of the App Store terms? Thought you were licensed on a maximum of 5 devices?
 
How do you get to see that screen? I can't seem to reproduce it. Is it only in the US?
 
I encourage everybody who bought this game to go their account on iTunes, find the receipt from their purchase and submit a "problem" report asking for a refund. I have a tough time believing this is allowed for an app that is not dependent on servers to be playable...especially with no warning at time of purchase.
 
parkds said:
I encourage everybody who bought this game to go their account on iTunes, find the receipt from their purchase and submit a "problem" report asking for a refund. I have a tough time believing this is allowed for an app that is not dependent on servers to be playable...especially with no warning at time of purchase.
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This seems illegal to me and I can't see how they could get away with it, but I am still trying to figure out why I don't get this message. Maybe it's because I've never logged in or bought anything from their music store? :confused:
 
I stopped purchasing EA products for several reasons 6 years ago, never again will they get any of my hard earned cash!!
 
I'll never forgive them for ruining Command & Conquer. After they bought Westwood, the games got worse and worse until Tiberium Twilight which is not only the most atrocious attempt at a C&C game ever, but perhaps one of the worst RTS games I have ever had the misfortune of playing. Some of them were okay, but that was unforgivable! :mad:

I avoid EA completely nowadays and refuse to give them a single penny. Not like they have any games worth playing anymore anyway.
 
emt1 said:
I've hated EA ever since they forced Tris (free version of Tetris) out of the App Store. I will never buy anything from them again.
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I still have Tris! It's exactly what I want in a Tetris game, not the over the top modified version EA has. I'm glad I snagged it before it was removed :)
 
This really is poor form, EA should at the very very least offer players a discount for a working version of the game (ie, reloaded).
 
I think this is a real growing problem that Apple needs to address. A couple years ago I purchased a music streaming app called Simplify Media for like 5 bucks and a year or so later they shut down leaving the app useless.
 
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