EA’s Origin service is probably the dumbest thing to happen in 2011. Recently I purchased a game from EA. During the registration process it became clear that they already knew who I was from Dragon Age: Origins - so cool; but the forgot password function took 20 minutes to deliver a message to my mailbox.
So far, off to a rocky start; didn’t find out that my email address was in use until after I punched in all the digits for my credit card. That’s okay though, I’m a patient guy.
Next up, I get the transaction for the game to process which gives me a registration code. The email directs me to a web link (not hyperlinked, just a plain text link that I have to copy and paste into a browser window.) Pulling up this link asks me for three things:
- My email address (check)
- My (Game Title Account) password (huh? didn’t I just confirm registration with Origin?)
- My Security Code (seriously, fuuuh?)
So I attempt to log in using my Origin credentials; no-go. At the bottom of the form, tucked away in a tiny blue-on-blue hyperlink (“Create a new account.”) Okay; I’ll bite.
I register for a new account with (Game Title) and there is a warning notice on this form that “We may create an Origin account for you at a later date.” Ok, well, if you feel like you need to do all that; but I gotta tell you that I already have one on this address and Origin doesn’t like conflicts.
Now I have an account with (Game Title) so I should be good to go; oh shit I forgot I don’t have a security code. What I do have is a Registration Code; maybe they are the same? Negative, I have to first register the game with Origin and then (Game Title Account) will provide me with a security code. (Ps. This got tedious about 20 minutes ago.)
Now that I have the security code; I go back to the site to discover that I’m logged out again. This time, it won’t take my password. I know it’s the same because I’ve logged in three times already (and re-set my password once because the security policy of (Game Title) is better than Origin’s.)
I’m asking myself, what is the fucking point of Origin if I have to jump through all of these god damn hoops anyway? I mean for reals?
EA - please do proceed in getting your fucking shit together with your 3rd party partners or whatever you’re calling them these days. If your service is supposed to make shit easier; maybe you could oh, I don’t know: MAKE SHIT EASIER?!