Battlefield 2142

[Syne]

Haven't even picked up the demo for this game yet, but I've run across what may be a solution the in-game advertising 'problem'.

[from here]

If you run bf2142 along side software like TDImon free TCP/UDP monitor, http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/TdiMon.html, you will find that one of the remote connections that BF2142.exe uses is to 72.3.184.153:17475

If you go to NetworkSolutions and WHOIS the IP Address you will get:

WHOIS Record For
72.3.184.153

Record Type: IP Address

IGA Technologies, LLC RSPC-68993-1122139655 (NET-72-3-184-144-1)
72.3.184.144 - 72.3.184.159

IGA is IGA Worldwide and they handle the ads.

!!!Gotcha!!!

Possible solutions is to block port 17475 or better yet block ip address range 72.3.184.144 - 72.3.184.159.

Possible solution? I don't know if I'll be picking up the game, but those who have it and loathe the ads may want to try this to see if it works.

[EDIT]
Did a bit more reading into the thread the info is from, and about page 10 or so they give some instructions on how to have the connection to IGA to attempt only once (rather than repeating, with possible performance impacts). I'd read the whole thread, there's several ways of implimenting the workaround mentioned.

[Koroush Ghazi]

This thread has already been linked on page 4 of the BF2142 guide, but the problem is that since the ad system is not yet enabled, there's no way to know if it works. Furthermore the methods aren't necessarily simple, and I'm not sure if they're legal either.

[midfingr]

In response to post #260 Thank you for the info.
Massive INC. is indeed being acquired by Microsoft.
http://www.massiveincorporated.com/s...r/05.04.06.htm
This also can be viewed here on Microsoft's PressPass
If you look at Massive Inc's site, you can view a list of partners, which is quite extensive, especially game publishers/developers. EA is curiously absent from the list as of this posting, but there is mention of EA signing an agreement with Massive Inc. http://www.massiveincorporated.com/s...r/08.31.06.htm
There is some information I found to be a little surprising, such as:

Within the casual gaming space, Microsoft plans to implement Massive’s solution to extend in-game advertising capabilities to games on MSN and within MSN Messenger, delivering advertising solutions for the casual gaming audience of females 35 years old and up.

Upon further speculation. On Massive's site, there's a flash banner showing Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory with an in-game ad, featuring a Diet Sprite vending machine, though it's not clear if this is static or dynamic. I did however take a look at the readme on the SC:CT disc and found this:

User Statement:

This game incorporates technology of Massive Incorporated ("Massive") that enables certain in-game objects (eg advertising) to be temporarily uploaded to your pc or console and replaced in-game while connected online. As part of that process, no personally identifiable information about you is collected and only select non-personally identifiable information is temporarily logged. No logged information is used to determine any personally identifiable information about you. For full details, see Ubisoft's privacy policy [http://ubi.com/US/Info/Info.aspx?tagname=PrivacyPolicy] or Massive's privacy policy [http://policies.ubi.com/massive]."

From that I guess one could assume that the ads are dynamic in nature. The mention of console is another surprise. I own the collector's editions of both the PC and XBox version of SC:CT. To be honest, I don't remember seeing any ads. But if there are, well this is very disturbing to me, as I already pay a $80+txs CAD for a yearly subscription to Xbox Live.

In relation to Battlefield 2142. I guess you could say that EA has done us a favour in being more forthcoming than Ubisoft, or Microsoft. That is to say there's a leaflet inside the box alerting people to this. Unlike UBI, where it's hidden in the EULA.

[Koroush Ghazi]

There is no such leaflet inside the box I bought in Australia. Nor is it mentioned in the EULA (which I carefully read while installing). And yes, if you look at Massive's main website, you'll see the types of ads they would like to show in the flash animated header for their site. What really irks me at the moment is that EA have not enabled the ad system in BF2142, and there is no reason why they haven't. They'll likely claim it's to get some metrics before selling ad space, but I'm quite certain it's to prevent people noticing the ads until the lucrative first few weeks (which are when the bulk of sales occur) are over and it's too late for people to return the game.

[ChaosBahamut]

If I remember correctly, such ads will NOT be shown in Australia as that country has actual laws against it. So consider yourself free of ads Koroush.

P.S. If I get my hands on BF 2142 I'll give details on how attention grabbing I feel the ads are. As is though I think I'll get BF2 first, and even that may take a while. (got 1942 and Vietnam to keep me company)

[Koroush Ghazi]

I don't believe Australia has any laws against ads in games. I've confirmed that the ad system hasn't been turned on by checking the Totalbf2142 forums for example (in this main thread on blocking the ads for example), so it's not just here in Australia.

[midfingr]

Koroush Ghazi
That's insane. I'm sorry to hear this and I apologize for making that assumption. Is there no legal recourse for people in Australia if there ads in the game? Given that there is absolutely no notice anywhere in the game's packaging.

Another thing that I question. They've already stated the use of your IP address. Then why is it required to provide a unique user/system ID, if it's supposedly non-personal/user information? Sorry, but I'm a little paranoid over these kinds of things.

[Chickenfeed]

Only 1 account can be used per serial key. (eg if your friend comes over , he can not use his account on your pc ) I believe they use this ID to bind your account to your machine. The ad system will check your IP to determine which region you are in so it can display the appropriate ads. There should not be any harm ( in regards to privacy etc ) with either of these functions.

[midfingr]

Originally Posted by Chickenfeed

Only 1 account can be used per serial key. (eg if your friend comes over , he can not use his account on your pc ) I believe they use this ID to bind your account to your machine. The ad system will check your IP to determine which region you are in so it can display the appropriate ads. There should not be any harm ( in regards to privacy etc ) with either of these functions.

Thanks Chickenfeed. I feel a little better now.

[Break]

Looks like they are testing the in game ad service, some "join the EU/PAC" bilboards have been put up

However this thread gives a few tips on blocking ports which could block in-game ads all together.

@chickenfeed: you can play on other peoples PCs using your account, I did it yesterday!

@everyone: hello, this is my first post (w00t indeed)